Public Works Review Committee

PUBLIC WORKS REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES Date: Tuesday February 3, 2026 Place: City Hall, 206 S. Madison St., Council Chambers Agenda: 1. Meeting called to order at 4:01 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Members Kaden Crapp, Bill Hibbard, Mike Johansen, Crystal Riley (quorum) Also, DPW John Hauth, city administrator Michael Kuchta 3. Public Works Review Committee Minutes of 11-19-25: Motion by Johansen, second by Crapp, approved on voice vote 4. Discuss flag pole replacement at Hillside Cemetery and possible action: Hauth reported that he has received suggestions for several years, including from veterans groups, to add a flagpole in the south portion of Hillside, where the majority of burials now take place. Some also suggest replacing the lone galvanized pole near the chapel, which is functional but not looking great. Quotes are $2,900 for a 25-foot pole and $3,500 for a 30-foot pole. Aja Taylor has ideas for fundraising from individuals and organizations. Motion by Johansen, second by Hibbard to recommend that the City Council authorize fundraising for two new poles. Approved on voice vote. 5. Discuss Service Line Program and possible action: Kuchta and Hauth met with a representative of Utility Services Partners, who would like to partner with the City to provide their HomeServe Service Line Warranty Program to water and sewer customers. The program works as a type of insurance for subscribers to replace external water lines, sewer laterals, and indoor plumbing that fails. Property owners pay $5.99, $7.99 or $15.99 per month, respectively, which covers all costs of replacement or repair. The City receives 10% of all premiums paid. Questions raised about direct mail, phone solicitation, and data security. Consensus is to invite representative to make a presentation to the committee, and for staff to consult with similar communities that participate. 6. Project Update: Staff gave these updates:  Airport: Existing plane owners and pilots from the waiting list have committed to all but one hangar, but the city remains two planes short of meeting the state minimum for based aircraft.  Applications for Public Works Director: Deadline was pushed back one week. Still waiting for mayor to appoint Council members to remaining two positions on selection committee.  Grantland Theater: Sound system expected to be fully installed by March 1; a meeting on Feb. 5 will discuss how to increase use of the theater.  Water main breaks: Crews have battled four water main breaks since Jan. 17; only one was clearly weather related.  Water Tower #1: Replacing the failed expansion joint is expected to take at least until the end of February. Having one tower down makes water main breaks riskier.  Cemetery: Staff are updating paper and electronic records into new software that will make it easier for families to find graves. Public Works Review Committee Feb. 3, 2026 1  Lead service lines: Project is nearly done. Of 1,987 records, only 7 properties are known to have lead lines, and only 44 remain unknown.  Water emergency plan: Updates need to be submitted to federal EPA by end of 2026.  Sidewalks: About 30 homes have received notices for not clearing sidewalks of snow and ice as required by ordinance.  Tree inventory: Consultants have updated database; this will allow city crews to keep records current without relying on outside help.  Future agenda: Strand presentation on WWTP feasibility study, discussion of putting WWTP design out for bid, presentation on HomeServe warranty program. 7. Adjourn: Crapp moved, Johansen second to adjourn at 4:42 p.m.  Minutes compiled by city administrator Michael Kuchta Public Works Review Committee Feb. 3, 2026 2