Public Utilities Committee

Staff reported initial PFAS/PFOA testing is done and a report was submitted to WDNR. They said PFAS levels appear acceptable, but PFOA could still require the city to file a future minimization plan. A possible source mentioned was landfill effluent, and staff plans additional testing over the next several months—worth watching because it can drive future compliance costs and operational changes.

The committee heard from Town & Country Engineering that WDNR funding rules require 110% revenue coverage for debt repayment, and the utility is below that threshold for 2025 and projected to be further below for 2026, with a combined shortfall estimated around $282,000. Options discussed included raising fixed and unit fees (about $4.40/month under one approach), changing how larger meters are charged using an “equivalent meter” method (plus about a $1.00 increase), raising the volume charge by $0.10–$0.20, and shifting certain high-strength dischargers into a different billing category. The committee asked for a carve-out so roughly 30 single-family homes with 1-inch meters would still be billed like a standard single meter, and it agreed to have the consultant keep moving the work forward for City Council review—an early signal that rate changes are likely headed to the council agenda.

Staff noted upcoming industry meetings: WPPI’s annual meeting (Sept. 17 at Lambeau Field) and the MEUW district meeting (Sept. 28 in Algoma). A committee member and the new city manager said they want to attend the WPPI meeting. This is mostly informational, but it’s also where utilities often pick up policy and cost signals that later show up in local rates and projects.

Staff said the electric utility’s pole-sharing agreement with Frontier dated back to 1967 and a new agreement has been reached and is ready to sign. The minutes don’t spell out the new terms, pricing, or enforcement details, which matters because pole attachment agreements can affect telecom buildout and who pays for pole work. Residents who care about broadband reliability and expansion may want the city to publish the key changes before signature.

Staff said that by 2027, LCRI-related requirements mean WDNR will need more detailed information on lead and copper service lines. The water utility is looking at alternative software to better track the service-line database and said more updates are coming. This is the kind of back-office work that can quietly drive future staffing, software, and compliance costs—especially as lead line replacement continues.

The water plant boiler failed, and staff estimated $30,000–$35,000 to repair or replace it. They said they still need to figure out where the emergency dollars will come from. That’s a red flag for residents because it suggests either budget reshuffling now or pressure later on rates/capital planning if the utility doesn’t have clear reserves for failures like this.

Staff reported sampling at 30 sites is complete, with 22 passing so far and results pending for the remaining 8. They also noted a lot of mailings are out and asked residents with questions to contact water utility staff, and said the utility is working on service inventory work on the city’s east side for an upcoming scattered lead service contract. This is a continuing compliance and public-health tracking item, with the key near-term question being what the last 8 samples show.

Staff said fake garbage stickers are still being found, with Manitowoc Disposal notifying DPW and police. They also noted social media chatter about switching away from the sticker system to an automated option, but said the sticker approach remains the most affordable and the committee didn’t see a reason to revisit it. The unresolved piece for residents is enforcement and deterrence—fake stickers shift costs and headaches onto everyone else if the city can’t curb it.

Staff gave a quick run-through of active and upcoming work: Harbor/16th/Emmet reconstruction mobilization and tree removals, remaining lead service replacements (about 30 still to go in one area), a 2025 lead service project expected to start late August, sewer lining tentatively starting in September, and a Sandy Bay Highlands Phase 3 note that WPS gas may install now or soon. This is mostly schedule information, but it affects traffic, restoration timing, and when residents should expect lead line work on their block.