Public Works Review Committee

PUBLIC WORKS REVIEW COMMITTEE MINUTES Date: Thursday March 5, 2026 Place: City Hall, 206 S. Madison St., Council Chambers Agenda: 1. Meeting called to order at 4 p.m. 2. Roll Call Present: Kaden Crapp, Mike Johansen, Crystal Riley (quorum) Absent: James Hibbard Also present: Public Works Director John Hauth; Travis Klein, Jamie McCartney, Steve Fritz, Mark Wood (all water and wastewater staff); city administrator Michael Kuchta; Phil Severson (Strand Associates) 3. Public Works Review Committee Minutes of 2-3-25: Motion by Johansen, second by Crapp; approved on voice vote 4. Discussion with Strand Associates (Wastewater Treatment Plant Facility Plan, design work timeline, funding sources and timeline) and Possible Action Severson gave overview of city’s current wastewater operations and future needs. Current permit with DNR expires in October 2026. City already is using variances to meet phosphorus requirements; next two five-year permits will carry stricter compliance requirements, especially for phosphorus and disinfection. Severson reviewed the age and condition of existing facilities. WWTP dates to 1939; it received upgrades in 1977, 1986, 1994, and 2003, plus equipment replacements and repairs. Increasingly, replacement parts must be custom-made. In Lancaster, WWTP primarily handles residential sewage; in-flows typically are 45%-55% of designed capacity. Strand released Sections 1-6 of its Facilities Plan in 2024. It is working on Sections 7 and 8, with Sections 9-11 to come. Plan components will include:  New facilities designed at 75% of current capacity  Replace the current trickling filters and RBCs (rotating biological contactors) with an activated sludge process (Severson outline 3 options, and their comparative pros and cons).  Tertiary treatment alternatives for phosphorus removal (two options)  Disinfection alternatives (two options)  Other facility and equipment improvements and additions  Plant will be designed to accommodate anticipated new regulation on total nitrogen removal  Layout of new WWTP within existing footprint that allows transition from old to new facilities  Projected costs (estimated $45.4 million)  Possible funding options (primarily Wisconsin Clean Water Fund loan and principal forgiveness grant)  Project schedule for permit renewal (initial application due April 3), facilities plan (public hearing in summer 2026), financing applications (initial applications due October 2027), and construction (as soon as June 2029) Public Works Review Committee Minutes March 5, 2026 1  5. Discussion on tree roots and sewer laterals: Hauth and Kuchta discussed recent requests from residents asking city to cut down trees whose roots have invaded their sewer laterals. Generally, city has no liability in such situations; responsibility is solely on property owner. Typically, tree roots invade only when sewer lateral already is damaged. 6. Project Update  Airport: new hangar is open for planes to move in  Grantland Theater: sound system expected to be fully installed by end of March  Water main breaks: 10 breaks since beginning of year  Water Tower #1: back online 7. Adjourn: motion by Johansen, second by Crapp to adjourn at 5:05 p.m. Public Works Review Committee Minutes March 5, 2026 2