Expect New City Sewer Rates On Bills For Second Quarter

“We’ve been operating in the red for several years and now we have this $1.8 million project to pay for... We’re losing money every day. We can’t afford to drag our feet on this thing,” Supervisor Fred Meintz declared at the City of Peshtigo’s Water and Sewer Committee meeting Monday, Feb. 11, as he urged consultants from Kaempfer & Associates to finalize the new proposed rate structures in time for committee review in March and a public hearing and adoption at the City Council meeting in April. Meintz said he wants to see the new rates in place before second quarter billing goes out.

The committee agreed to reimburse city resident Paul Swiatnicki the $200 a contractor charged to open a clog in the city sewer line near his home, but not a $125 charge for televising the lines first.

They also approved a motion to inform the public of the necessary phone numbers and the policy on handling sewer problems, which is to contact the city’s Public Works department and let them handle it.

City Engineer George Cowell, in response to questions from the committee, said all after-hours and weekend calls to his office switch automatically to his cell phone. If a problem develops after hours or on weekends, sewer customers can call Cowell’s office number directly, or they can the police department’s non-emergency number. Calls to city hall are not answered outside of normal working hours.

After experiencing a sewer backup into his home last month, Swiatnicki had asked to be reimbursed $325 charges for opening a sewer clog that was causing backup into his basement.

The issue had been postponed from the January Committee meeting to get more information before reaching a decision, since reimbursement for hiring private sewer repair service is not in line with normal policy, particularly the charge for televising, since they saw no value in having a camera sent into a clogged sewer.

Cowell said he had learned since last month that Swiatnicki had called city hall to report the problem but it was nearly closing time for the day and he had said he could probably get through the night. Cowell said the message was not relayed to his office that evening, and when the backup got worse during the night Swiatnicki called in a private sewer cleaner. “It was our clog,” Cowell said, indicating payment for that portion of the work was fair. He did not see the benefit of the camera work.

Meintz was concerned about setting a precedent, and Cowell said they would need to get the message out to residents. Once previously a resident was reimbursed for repairs they had ordered and it turned out the problem was caused when the sewer line was inadvertently cut during a city construction project.

“The best advice I can give is to tell people to call us first,” Cowell said. His people can then determine if it is a city problem or with the line between the house and the sewer main.

Meintz said if people call late in the afternoon they should be given Cowell’s cell phone number. Meintz then moved to pay all but the $125 camera charge, and Dan Seymour added a formal requirement that the public be informed of the policy.

Cowell said there are several problem sewers in the city that his crew checks every Friday. Generally they can get clogs opened without needing to call in outside help.

A representative from Kaempfer & Associates presented information on proposed new rates for Class D sewer users, which include holding tank waste, septage and portable toilet wastewater hauled to the city’s wastewater treatment plant by private contractors.

Kaempfer people had based rates on treatment costs and rates charged by other communities for accepting septage and wastewater with similar characteristics.

The proposed rates include capital costs are in addition to volume charges based on type and amount of wastes delivered to the plant. Currently the city charges an administrative fee of $3 per load, and this will be raised to $5; the charge of $5 per 1,000 gallons for accepting holding tank wastewater will remain at $5 per 1,000 gallons; and the $27 per 1,000 gallons charged for septage will increase to $30. There had been no rate established for portable toilet wastes, and that charge will be $32 per 1,000 gallons when the ordinance goes into effect. Actual cost for handling that category of wastewater was found to be $31.94, according to the report.

Kaempfer had suggested also adding $30 per load as a lab fee charge for testing questionable wastes such as portable toilet wastewater, and the committee decided testing each load was not necessary, but they will charge $30 for random tests when needed.

The survey of other communities showed that some of them charge haulers an annual $100 permit fee plus an administrative fee of $20 per load per day. Cowell felt that was overkill, and the committee agreed. There are only a few regular haulers to the plant, most of them small local businesses, and some bring in very few loads, Cowell said. There will be no permit or administrative fees.

The only fee issue remaining to be settled involves volume fees and rates for large users, mainly the two Rennes Nursing Homes and the two schools. The consultants are to get those issues worked out and have the entire rate schedule ready in ordinance form for committee review one week prior to their next meeting, which was set for Monday, March 18. This will give time for any revisions needed before the April 4 City Council meeting.

Mayor Al Krizenesky said they could call a special Council meeting if needed to get proposed rates finalized in time for the second quarter billings. Wisconsin Public Service Commission approval is needed for water rate changes, but not for sewer and septage rates. A public hearing by Council or the committee may be needed, but that can be held immediately before the April Council meeting.

Meintz urged the Kaempfer representative to be sure the work is done in time for April approval. “This $15,000 contract item was given to you five months ago and it’s been moving very slowly,” he declared. “Nothing at all was done for two months.”

Meintz, Cowell, Chris Kaempfer, Gary Motkowski and Steve Brissette of BPM, Inc. had done an inspection of the wastewater treatment plant facilities in November and found some 60 items that need to be corrected. BPM, Inc. operates the plant under contract with the city. BPM, Inc. General Manager Jim Koronkiewicz said his team had prioritized nine items on the list to be done first, mainly those that affect safety. He invited Cowell or committee members to let them know if they wanted other items set as priorities. He said some of the dust and housekeeping issues can be expected until the construction work is done.

Providing temporary electric power during the switchover to the new equipment continues to be a problem. The Kaempfer representative said they have been working with the contractor, trying to find a cheaper way. The Elmstar Electric proposal last month had been over $99,000 for a temporary cable, and the committee postponed action to seek a cheaper solution.

Meintz asked if they could handle this as a new bid item, rather than just let the contractor charge whatever they want. He said the switchover could be done in just a matter of hours. The engineer said the contractor wants to have a temporary system in place until they do all the testing on the new parts and equipment.

There were some options proposed, including a cheaper temporary system that would cost about $60,000, and a permanent fix that would make the temporary system part of a loop later, at a cost of $156,000. Meintz objected that was a 10 percent increase on the total contract, and again suggested they should get bids.

Motkowski wondered if they could just use a main power line that came in from Harbor Road to bring power to the main building for use during the switchover. They then could use that line as a long-term solution as well. Cowell wondered if the main building could continue to be powered separately, and the committee agreed those options should be investigated.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement project is faced with a March 31 deadline for portions being financed by a Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) grant. Testing with frozen ground adds greatly to the costs. Meintz felt they should go back to Mark Hannon of WPS to ask for a time extension so the work can be done in April instead, thus saving the cost of winter trenching.

Meintz said the committee was asking for the extra information in the interest of getting the job done safely and in the most economical way.

The committee agreed to hire Kleiman Pump & Well Drilling, Inc. for $1,550 to test well capacity, which Cowell said, “is something the DNR wants to happen.” The cost includes $250 for metering and piping. Hiring that work done will save local people a lot of extra work on the flow meter and discharge issues.

Overall, the project is continuing, but the committee was told cold weather had held up portions of the construction work because some of the heavy equipment didn’t run very well at frigid temperatures.

Several change orders were approved, including one that adds $3,949.27 to the Elmstar Electric contract to provide two additional exterior light fixtures that were on the architectural design but not on the electrical drawings and bid documents.

Cowell reported they had held training for his people on the lift stations. All seven of the lift stations are now on the new computerized system, but the one behind Badger Park needs some signal separation so they can tell via radio if the problem is power failure, temperatures, etc., Cowell said.

Partial contract payments of $92,000 and $4,800 for contract work completed were approved for Elmstar Electric.

Cowell reported the Wisconsin State Hygiene Laboratory report received on Jan. 18 shows everything was acceptable. Federal limits for fluoride content have been reduced from 1.1 per liter to .7 on the high end. He said this should be “interesting” for Peshtigo, since one of the city’s wells has .67 natural fluoride content. Adding fluoride to the municipal water supply is optional, Cowell said, but those who do add it must keep the amount within the approved range, both high and low.

Recent stories, opinions and photos

Issue Date	Department	Headline
05-16-2013	Front Page	Mike, Anita Folgert Are Recipients Of Touhey Award
05-16-2013	Front Page	Predicts New Learning Center Will Be “A Shining Light” For Marinette Schools
05-16-2013	Front Page	Tourism Draws Millions For State, 4 County Area
05-16-2013	Front Page	Water & Sewer Committee Moves Ahead With Loan
05-16-2013	Front Page	Commend City Officer’s Work On Murder Case
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Lorna M. Techmeier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James R. Schaut
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Nora E. Salewsky
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ralph R. Runge
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James P. Reindl
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Uta Rasmussen
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Virginia Ellsworth Plier
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Ursula J. Peters
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Walter J. Moucha, Sr.
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Kasimir Melnyk
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Bernadette E. Meek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Jean Johnson
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Julie N. Jeske
05-16-2013	Obituaries	George L. Hayden
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Patricia L. Gomber
05-16-2013	Obituaries	James A. Erickson,
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Frank M. Dudek
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Judith A. Carrillo
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Shirley Ann Bishop
05-16-2013	Obituaries	Donald M. Allard
05-16-2013	Sports	Marinette Golfers Win Menominee Meet; Bieberitz Is Medalist
05-16-2013	Sports	Track Regionals To Begin May 20
05-16-2013	Sports	Peshtigo Captures M-O Conference Crowns
05-16-2013	Sports	Coleman Finishes Perfect�Again!
05-16-2013	News	Set Babysitting Class for May 25
05-16-2013	News	Town Peshtigo Sets Cleanup Day
05-16-2013	News	Marinette Legion Brat Fry Dates
05-16-2013	News	Church Dinner, Auction May 19
05-16-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-16-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Grand Germany Tour Sept. 15-24
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Blood Drive is June 10
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Memorial Services Slated May 27
05-16-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wausaukee Students Help Plant Nursery Stock Trees
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Jeff Diges Memorial Bike Run June 29, Hold Pool Tourney
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	TB Rescue Bake, Rummage Sale
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Co. Elderly Golf Scramble July 12
05-16-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz Sister Cities Future On Line At May 22 Meeting
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman High School Graduation is June 1
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	2 Top Coleman Seniors
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Fine Art Nite at Coleman School
05-16-2013	Community - Coleman	Coleman Services for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Front Page	Marinette Police Memorial To Officers Lost In Duty
05-08-2013	Front Page	City Adopts New Sewer Rates, Fire Dept. Fees
05-08-2013	Front Page	Co. Move Toward Medical Examiner Model Rejected
05-08-2013	Front Page	Centenarian Marks Birthday May 5th
05-08-2013	Front Page	Folgerts Chosen For Touhey Award Recipients
05-08-2013	Front Page	Million Dollar Bail Set In Homicide Case
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Irene Zoellner
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila V. Tippett
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Clarence E. Treptow
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Dennis L. Tachick
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Roger K. Schiefelbein
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Sharon A. Ronan
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Robert Ranallo, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Jerry Rakowski
05-08-2013	Obituaries	James Prefontaine
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Spencer B. Patz
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Lila E. Miller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Patricia Mathey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Helen J. Lemery
05-08-2013	Obituaries	William H. Keller
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Alice Johnson
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Ronald Cedric Henning
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Algin T. Hendricksen
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Paul G. Grunwald
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Cheryl Lynn Gallo
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Gyneth Gadtzke
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Crystal Ann Gabriel
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Curtis P. Frank, Sr.
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Della A. DeStarkey
05-08-2013	Obituaries	Daniel P. Barney
05-08-2013	News	Girl Scout Carnival at Peshtigo June 2
05-08-2013	News	5th Annual EMS 5K Walk/Run
05-08-2013	News	Brazeau Annual Fundraiser July 27
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Wagner Board Meets May 14
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Lions To Clean Hwy. 180 May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Legion Post 66 Meeting May 11
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	CHS 5K Run/ Walk is June 1
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Legion Trap 22
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans for Memorial Day
05-08-2013	Community - Crivitz	Middle Inlet Plans 33rd Annual Reunion
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Area Cadets at State Challenge Academy
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Parkway Ladies Start
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Comins Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Community - Coleman	Graduates Basic
05-08-2013	Sports	Wausaukee Golfers Win 9-Hole M-O Tournament
05-08-2013	Sports	Bulldogs Grab M-O Lead
05-08-2013	Sports	Marines Shine At Home Invite
05-08-2013	Sports	Coleman Clinches M-O Title Share
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Patricia J. Waschbisch
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bessie Riley
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Russell D. Thurow
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Anne Schumacher
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Janette B. Perry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn Mc Keefry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Timothy J. Lynch
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Donald J. Kubiak
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Marilyn Mc Keefry
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Reino L. Lampinen
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Lonnie L. Kasbaum
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Dave Gajeski
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Gyneth I. Gatzke
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Virgil L. Erdman
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Albert J. Demers
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bernard L. Courchaine
05-02-2013	Obituaries	David Campbell
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Roy Bylund
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Dale P. Bundy
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Gerda M. Barrick
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Antoinette A. Bacon
05-02-2013	Obituaries	Bonnie R. Artz
05-02-2013	Front Page	Peshtigo Woman Murdered
05-02-2013	Front Page	Crivitz High School Ranks 22 in Survey
05-02-2013	Front Page	Heyer Changes Plea in Murder
05-02-2013	Front Page	City Parks, Recreation Director Marquardt Takes County Job
05-02-2013	Front Page	Public Hearing On 4 Ordinances Precedes May 7 Council Meet
05-02-2013	Perspectives	From our readers
05-02-2013	Perspectives	Tales from the old-timer
05-02-2013	Perspectives	Country Cousin
05-02-2013	Sports	Oconto Falls Girls Dominate Invite
05-02-2013	Sports	Suring Cruises To Track Sweep; Cops 22 1st Place Marks
05-02-2013	Sports	Bulldog Booster Bash On May 4
05-02-2013	Sports	Coleman Improves To 6-0
05-02-2013	News	Walking Club To Paddle on River
05-02-2013	News	Pound Senior Club Meeting is May 6
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Car, Lightning Cause Outages
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	SC Fire, Rescue Auxiliary May 13
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Ladies Luncheon at Assembly Church
05-02-2013	Community - Wausaukee	Eight Wausaukee Music Students Advance to State
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	Crivitz High School 2013 Graduation Ceremony May 18
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	OWI Task Force Town of Stephenson
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	List Theme for July 4th Parade
05-02-2013	Community - Crivitz	CYI Summer Youth Programs
05-02-2013	Community - Coleman	Smarter Than 5th Grader at Coleman
05-02-2013	Community - Coleman	Pound Senior Club Meeting is May 6
05-01-2013	Front Page	Suspect Will Face Homicide Charges In Marinette County
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Roger C. Winter
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Alfred W. Weissgerber
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Josephine H. VandenBush
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Julius Torzala
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Anna Szkolny
04-25-2013	Obituaries	Sylvin J. Steffes