lead service lines

The Public Utilities Committee agenda included the topic (listed twice as separate appearances).

The Committee on Aging agenda included the topic.

A council update referenced “new lead laterals,” without details in the minutes about scope, location, or funding.

Staff discussed planning related to lead service lateral replacement in the City Manager’s report.

The Public Utilities Committee and Personnel & Finance Committee recommended approval of the 2026 utility budgets.

Staff proposed no water or electric rate changes in the 2026 utility budgets while noting operating losses in several utilities and projecting a decline in water cash after debt payments.

Staff reported Contract 2-2026 for lead service lateral replacement was out to bid, with bids scheduled to open Feb. 10.

Staff said the state was exploring whether homeowners could be offered long-term financing for private-side sanitary lateral work instead of requiring full payment within 90 days.

Staff said the long-term financing concept would mean the city carries debt for up to 20 years and would need to prove reductions in sewer inflow/infiltration, with no clear measurement method identified yet.

Staff said new state requirements are driving inspections to identify and document water service line materials, with a deadline of fall 2027.

Staff said the city is pairing service line inspections with water meter replacements and is using winter as the best time to access homes and complete checks.

An agenda item titled “2025 LSL Contract” appeared, without additional detail captured in the record summary.

City Council approved up to $1,835,579 in rate-backed loan borrowing for sewer utility improvements through the Wisconsin Clean Water Fund at a stated 2.475% interest rate.

The council vote on the sewer utility borrowing was 8-0 and it passed.

The borrowing-funded work described included sanitary sewer replacements (Harbor, 16th, and Emmet), lead-related sanitary lateral work, and pipe-lining (a sewer rehab technique) in various locations.

The agenda materials stated the borrowing would be repaid from sewer system revenues and is not backed by property taxes.

Concerns raised at the Feb. 16 City Council meeting about notifying affected properties were later addressed via a memo reviewed by utility leadership.

The Public Utilities Committee discussed concerns raised at City Council about how the city communicates with properties affected by lead service lateral replacement areas, and the utilities director reviewed a memo responding to those concerns.

A committee reviewed a memo responding to concerns raised at City Council about how impacted properties are being informed during lead service line work.

The memo stated that not every city staff member will know what the contractor is about to do during lead service line work.

The memo stated staffing limits mean the city gets about 15–25% construction observation, focused on items described as “critical.”

Staff indicated private cost impacts were not finalized, and one owner was given a rough range of $30–$60 per front foot.

Agenda materials included status update items titled “2025 LSL Contract” and “2-2026 LSL Contract,” without additional detail captured in the record summary.

Agenda materials included a Water Utility director update titled “Update on Service Checks,” without additional detail captured in the record summary.

Agenda materials included a Water Utility director update titled “2026 Lead and Copper Rules,” without additional detail captured in the record summary.

City Council passed a contract award for Contract 2-2026 (Lateral Replacement Program) to Mammoth Construction LLC for $2,437,152.60 for lead water service and sanitary lateral replacement work in scattered locations on the near north side.

The targeted area for the 2026 contract was described as generally 23rd Street north to 31st Street, east of Forest Avenue to the East Twin River, with exceptions for areas proposed for future reconstruction.

The contract scope described included 230 public-side water services, 160 private-side water services, and 100 public-side sanitary laterals.

Pavement restoration was proposed to be completed by the city’s street crew, with reimbursement described as part of state funding.

The Public Works Committee reviewed an item titled “2-2025 LSL Pavement Repairs - Essential,” with possible action.

The Public Works Committee reviewed an item titled “2-2026 LSL Pavement Repairs - Mammoth,” with possible action.

City Council voted 8-0 to approve an intent-to-reimburse resolution to preserve eligibility to use state loan programs later for planned 2027 sewer rehab and water-sewer lateral replacement work, with anticipated borrowing not to exceed $11.5 million.

The 2027 plan described included replacing about 11,600 feet of sanitary sewer mains described as 90–100 years old and targeting 500 total service connections in 2027, including lead service lateral replacement as part of the lateral work.