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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Board of Public Works Meeting - May 18, 2026

Common Council & City Boards — Monday, May 18, 2026

BodyFitchburg, Wisconsin

SessionCommon Council & City Boards

DateMonday, May 18, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 53:45

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

0:00

Hi, I'm Jeremy Crosby.

0:01

And I'm Nick Boucher.

0:02

We're your hosts for the program that's all about your city, Talking Fitchburg.

Speaker 2

0:06

Every weekday, we pull together the news, events, and information you need to stay on top of what's happening in the city of Fitchburg.

Speaker 1

0:12

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0:18

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Speaker 2

0:23

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0:24

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Speaker 3

0:29

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0:31

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0:39

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Unassigned speaker

1:08

All

Speaker 4

1:08

right, it is 5 31 p.m.

1:10

on May 18th, 2026.

1:12

I'm calling to order this meeting of the Board of Public Works for the City of Fitchburg.

1:17

Uh roll call, we've got uh the full full quorum here.

1:22

We've got Kim Lobdel, Dave Wilburn, myself, Bill Jetzer, Alder Dave Herbst, and Don Gutkowski.

1:29

Moving on to agenda item number three public appearances for non-agenda items.

1:33

We have no one in chambers, we have no one online.

1:36

We have yeah.

Speaker 5

1:39

Okay.

Speaker 4

1:40

Um I'll move on to agenda item four, a approval of the meeting minutes from May 4th of 2026.

Speaker 5

1:48

So we'll approve May for 2026.

Speaker 4

1:51

Movement by Dave W.

1:53

Second.

1:54

Second by Don.

1:56

All right.

1:56

Any discussion on that?

1:58

Comments, questions.

2:00

Seeing none, I will call the vote.

2:02

All in favor of the May 4th meeting minutes.

2:04

Signify by saying aye.

2:07

Any opposed.

2:10

Excellent.

2:10

It is unanimous.

2:12

Number item number five report from the director of public works, Mr.

2:15

Tim Volker.

2:16

Take it away.

Speaker 6

2:17

Thank you.

2:18

A couple administrative updates.

2:20

Our spring flushing is complete.

2:23

We had started that back on Monday, April 13th, and uh we were able to get through and complete that last week.

2:32

And then just uh another update is a reminder it's road construction season and which that.

2:40

Uh we have multiple road closures going on throughout the city right now.

2:45

And uh just wanted to remind everyone that we have the city road closure map.

2:51

Uh it's a GIS-based map where if you go to the city's website and scroll down to the bottom of the page, there's the GIS maps link.

Unassigned speaker

3:05

And

Speaker 6

3:05

then it'll bring you to our GIS page.

3:09

And then there's a uh web application called Fitchburg Road Closures.

3:14

If you click on that, it'll show all the ongoing road closures within the city.

3:21

So right now we have three going on.

3:23

We have McKee and Fitch Rona up in the northeast part of the city.

3:29

Northwest.

3:31

Sorry.

3:31

And then Bat Basswood Drive.

3:34

And then starting tomorrow,

Unassigned speaker

3:37

if

Speaker 6

3:37

I scroll up.

3:39

We have a Lacey Road.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Infrastructure██████████████████████████26%

Technology and Innovation███████████████████████23%

Procedural████████████████16%

Engineering And Infrastructure███████████████15%

Water And Wastewater Management██████████10%

Parks and Recreation█████5%

Zoning████4%

Tree Preservation█1%

Summary of Proceedings

Board of Public Works Meeting – May 18, 2026

The Board of Public Works of Fitchburg, Wisconsin, met on May 18, 2026, from 5:31 p.m. to 6:23 p.m. with a full quorum present. The meeting addressed a Director’s report on public works projects and three resolutions regarding EV charging, water service, and subdivision improvements. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes (May 4, 2026): The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously without discussion.
Utility P Card and Check Payments: Reviewed; one question regarding a payment to R.G. Houston Company for stormwater pond dredging (Quarry Hill, Cory Hill, Tech Lens Pond) was answered. No other comments.

Discussion Items

Director’s Report (Tim Volker): Spring flushing completed (began April 13, finished last week). Road construction season is active; a GIS-based road closure map is available on the city website. Current closures: McKee and Fitchrona, Basswood Drive; Lacey Road closure starts May 18 through May 25 (between Fish Hatchery and Research Park Drive).
Project Updates:
- 2026 Street Resurfacing: Pre-construction meeting scheduled May 19; contractor Payne and Dolan to start late May/early June, beginning in Hillside Heights (Bellmar/Tower Hill utility improvements will start in Bellmar).
- 2026 Sidewalk Replacement: No bids received initially; re-bidding opened May 22 with extended completion date to October 31, 2026.
- Whalen Road Pave Shoulder: Advertised May 15, bids open May 29.
- Basswood Drive: Construction commenced, stormwater installation ongoing.
- Bellmar/Tower Hill Utility Improvements: Pre-construction meeting held May 11; contractor starting in Bellmar this month.
- Tower D (water tower): Painting has started.
- Tennis/Basketball/Pickleball Courts (Chick Green Meadows): Paving delayed due to weather; requires three consecutive days with temperatures above 50°F. Hoping for next week; target for court dedication on July 4. Board members discussed the ProBounce surface life cycle and a potential alternative coating seen in Middleton.
Resolution R110-26 – Level 3 EV Charging Agreement with MGE: Presented by Sustainability Coordinator Phil and MGE’s Guy. Two new level-3 chargers (180 kW, four ports) will be installed in the southeast corner of the Community Center parking lot at MGE’s cost. MGE will own and operate for five years; after that, options include city ownership (subject to state law change) or removal. A new easement for electrical infrastructure will be granted. Charging rate is $0.37/kWh; board discussed service life, transformer upgrades, and lighting. The resolution was approved unanimously.
Resolution R63-26 – Water Service Agreement for Juvenile Corrections Facility: Director Volker explained that the Department of Corrections chose to connect to the Village of Oregon water system for a new facility in Fitchburg. Agreement between Fitchburg, Oregon, and DOC requires Oregon to obtain PSC approval; DOC pays all costs. Board noted water demand figures (1,280-1,600 gallons per capita per day) include agricultural use. Long-term cooperation on future water connections in that area was discussed. Resolution approved unanimously.
Resolution R115-26 – Subdivision Improvements for Jamestown Quarry Outlot 3: Agreement for public improvements (street, turn lane, parkland dedication) for a 273-unit multifamily development. No street trees required in this phase but will be addressed in the overall plat. Timing: improvements start this year, completion expected next year. Resolution approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

Unanimous approval of minutes from May 4, 2026.
Unanimous approval of Resolution R110-26 (EV charging agreement).
Unanimous approval of Resolution R63-26 (water service agreement with Oregon and DOC).
Unanimous approval of Resolution R115-26 (Jamestown Quarry subdivision improvements).
Next Board of Public Works meeting scheduled for June 1, 2026.

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