Waukesha Water Commission Meeting - March 19, 2026

The Waukesha Water Commission held its regular meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Water Utility Conference Room. Commissioners present: Joan Francoeur, Jeff Fowle, Gerald Couri, Joe Piatt, Dale Matthews, and Shawn Reilly. Commissioner Peter Bartels was absent. All action items were approved, and two discussion items on future water main relays received informal support. Staff provided updates on the new Operations Center, utility performance, and financials.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (February 19, 2026): Unanimously approved (motion by Couri, second by Francoeur; 6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made at the meeting.

Discussion Items

• Water Main Relay on Prairie Avenue: Staff proposed relaying approximately 700 feet of 20-inch cast iron main from Sunset to the railroad tracks, coinciding with the village's road reconstruction. Cost estimates fall within budget savings from other projects. Commissioners expressed support for proceeding with bids.
• Water Main Relay on Luke, Born, and Walton Streets: Staff proposed replacing approximately 1,600 feet of aging six-inch cast iron (from the 1950s and 1916) with eight-inch PVC, citing numerous breaks. The project would coordinate with city sewer work. Commissioners informally agreed to move forward with bidding.

Key Outcomes

• Approval of February Voucher List (Payments from General Fund and Improvement Fund): Unanimously approved (6-0). Discussion included clarification on contract dispute payments (Everlaw, Stafford, Vertex) totaling approximately $125,000, voided checks, and a PILOT payment of $774,049 to the city.
• Approval of $155,098.67 to Forte for Audio Visual Equipment and Installation Services for the New Operations Center: Unanimously approved (6-0). The cost is within the budgeted $177,000.
• Approval of Easement Agreement with WE Energies at Woodridge Booster Station (no cost to utility): Approved 5-0 with one abstention (Commissioner Fowle abstained due to employment with WE Energies). The 12-foot easement runs along the lot line.
• Approval of Professional Services Agreement with 120 Water for School and Childcare Facility Compliance Monitoring ($27,731.72): Unanimously approved (6-0). This addresses upcoming EPA lead and copper rules (unfunded mandate), covering approximately 20% of 56 schools/daycares in the first year.
• Approval of Water Main Offset Unit Price Contract with Musson Brothers for Davidson Road Utility & Street Improvements ($51,846.33, including 1% City administration fee): Unanimously approved (6-0). Work will occur after June 12 to avoid school disruption.
• Approval of Emergency Resolution (No. 3-19-26) for Water Main Replacement at Willow Park Apartments (cost not to exceed $76,665 plus $20,000 for asphalt restoration): Unanimously approved (6-0). The emergency was declared due to four sequential failures on a 1979 six-inch ductile iron main; replacement has been completed under $76,000.
• Approval of Water Main Replacement Unit Price Contract with LaLonde Contractors for 2026 Resurfacing Utility Replacement & Street Improvements ($5,003,225.53, including 1% City administration fee): Unanimously approved (6-0). The low bid came in under the $6.9 million budget; projects include Pebble Valley Road (eight-inch PVC), Easy Street/Oak Lawn/Norton (six-inch cast iron replacement), and Hillside/Harris (eight-inch PVC).

Information Items

• New Operations Center Updates: The building is enclosed, concrete pouring scheduled for March 30, and completion expected late October/November. The training room, wash bay, and storage areas are progressing.
• Utility Performance Report/Administrative Activities: Staff reported on lawsuit expert witness work, a joint trip to Washington DC regarding future water needs, a successful audit with Baker Tilly, well abandonment bids, ongoing generator installation, and scheduled drain-down inspections of water towers starting April 15.
• Financial Report (February): Revenue is 1.3% above budget due to higher commercial/industrial consumption. Expenses were under budget in purchased water, distribution ($20,000 under due to fewer street openings), and customer service (vacant training position). Cash balance at end of February was $52.8 million, with $3 million in March obligations. Three projects (Davidson, Bidwell, 2026 Resurfacing) have bid out; only Prospect work has started.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:04 PM.