City Hall  
City of Racine  
730 Washington Ave.  
Racine, WI 53403  
www.cityofracine.org  
Meeting Minutes - Draft  
Wastewater Commission  
Wednesday, May 20, 2026  
5:30 PM  
City Hall, Room 303  
ROLL CALL  
9 -  
PRESENT:  
EXCUSED:  
Natalia Taft, John Tate II, Anthony Bunkelman, Jens Jorgensen, Nick  
Barootian, Rosalind Thomas, Jack Feiner, Cory Mason and Marlo Harmon  
4 - Jim Sullivan, Nancy Washburn, Claude Lois and Tony Beyer  
0416-26  
Subject: Approval of Minutes for the April 15, 2026, Wastewater  
Commission Meeting  
Staff Recommendation: To Approve  
Fiscal Note: N/A  
A motion was made by Tate II, seconded by Thomas, that this file be Approved.  
0419-26  
Subject: Consideration of Professional Services Agreement with Ehlers  
to Prepare 2027 Revenue Sharing Calculations  
Staff Recommendation: To Approve  
Fiscal Note: Ehlers Agreement based on hourly basis with cost not to  
exceed $9,900.00 from Professional Services Budget. AECOM  
Agreement based on hourly basis with time and materials cost not to  
exceed $8,515.00 also from Professional Services Budget.  
The Utility Director presented a proposal from Ehlers Public Finance Advisors, that  
would allow them to perform the calculations for the 2027 Revenue Sharing Payments  
that are mandated as part of the Sewer Agreement, Section 7.1a, as well as annual  
payments to the Zoo, Museum, and Library, that is mandated in Section 8.2. There is  
a separate contract proposal from AECOM, who will assist with re-drawing some of the  
maps involved in the partial planning areas where GIS is not available to provide data  
on those tax parcels (Franksville, Raymond, Somers, and part of Caledonia).  
Discussion arose on whether AECOM was working as a sub-contractor under Ehlers or  
if there were two separate contracts being proposed. Further questions ensued about  
amending the item description to reflect that there were indeed two separate contracts  
being proposed for Commission approval or if it would need to be brought back at the  
next meeting. The City Attorney was consulted via telephone to advise on the item, and  
since the fiscal note and attachments were reflecting two separate contract proposals,  
he advised that the Commission could move forward with approving the item as  
presented.  
A motion was made by Jorgensen, seconded by Thomas, that this file be  
Approved.  
0420-26  
Subject: Communication from Utility Director regarding Photovoltaic  
Installations  
Staff Recommendation: To Receive and File  
Fiscal Note: N/A  
The Utility Director reminded the Commission of approval being granted in 2025 for the  
Wastewater Utility to embark on an Energy Master Plan or "roadmap" to help evaluate  
the feasibility of a solar array being installed at the Treatment Plant. The Utility had  
sought out assistance from TY Lin to expedite the solar task to be able to take  
advantage of federal incentives that would soon be expiring. Mike Monte, from TY Lin,  
was in attendance virtually to present on this item. Highlights included the  
recommended zones for placing the solar distribution panels through a phased  
approach, potential cost estimates, as well as the recommendation of a Performance  
Contracting Request for Proposal delivery method, where the Utility would gather  
proposals from qualified vendors based on criteria, parameters, and scope established  
through consult with TY Lin. The Commission was in agreement with continuing to  
move forward with this project as its goals are in direct alignment with the City's overall  
carbon reduction mission.  
-
A motion was made by Mason, seconded by Barootian, that this file be  
Received and Filed.  
0422-26  
Subject: Communication sponsored by Commissioner  
Jorgensen,requesting permission to apply for a 2027 WI-DATCP  
Household Hazardous Waste Grant.  
Recommendation of the Wastewater Commission on  
05-20-2026:That the Wastewater Utility Director be granted permission  
to apply for a grant from WI-DATCP, (Grant Control #00701), to partially  
fund HHW activities in 2027, and to refer this item to the Finance and  
Personnel Committee.  
Recommendation of the Finance and Personnel Committee on  
05-26-2026: To Approve.  
Fiscal Note: This annual grant has a maximum of $66,000 with a match  
of up to $22,000 which will be recovered by HHW rates.  
The Utility Director presented the item requesting permission to apply for a 2027  
WI-DATCP grant, which is one that the Utility applies for each year to help cover  
operations and disposal costs incurred through the HHW collection events held from  
April - October each year.  
A motion was made by Jorgensen, seconded by Thomas, that this file be  
Approved.  
0423-26  
Subject: Consideration of a Professional Services Contract Amendment  
with Full Service Organics Management, LLC (FSO) for Digester  
Cleaning Services  
Staff Recommendation: To Approve  
Fiscal Note: N/A  
The Utility Director reminded the Commission of their approval back in March 2026 of  
an approved multi-year contract with Full Service Organics Managment, LLC (FSO),  
who would oversee the cleaning of the digesters at the Treatment Plant. The cost of  
the process is based on the amount of wet tons that are pulled out of the digesters  
with equipment operated on diesel fuel. The item is being brought back to notify the  
Commission that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is no longer available so it is being  
amended to its closest match, also resulting in a negligible change in escalation price.  
A motion was made by Jorgensen, seconded by Mason, that this file be  
Approved.  
0425-26  
Subject: Consideration of Change Order #4 on Contract D-22 Biogas  
Conditioning Project, Lee Mechanical (Contractor)  
Staff Recommendation: To Approve  
Fiscal Note: This is a zero-cost change order.  
The Utility Director presented a no-cost change order that will extend the contract  
duration to align with the completion of the Engine/Blowers Contract, also currently  
happening simultaneously at the Treatment Plant.  
A motion was made by Thomas, seconded by Tate II, that this file be Approved.  
0426-26  
Subject: Consideration of Change Order #3 on Contract A-22 Chicory  
Rd Area Sewer Improvements, Miron Construction, Inc. (Contractor)  
Staff Recommendation: To Approve  
Fiscal Note: This is a zero-cost change order.  
The Utility Director presented a no-cost change order that will extend the duration of  
the contract with no additional fiscal impact.  
A motion was made by Thomas, seconded by Harmon, that this file be  
Approved  
0453-26  
Subject: Consideration of Wastewater Commission 2026 Calendar  
Meeting Dates  
Staff Recommendation: To Approve  
Fiscal Note: N/A  
The Commission discussed whether or not to conduct a "Special Meeting" in June, in  
addition to the regular scheduled monthly meeting, to cover some Closed Session  
agenda topics that were likely to generate lengthy discussion that would hinder the  
Waterworks Commission from being able to start their meeting at a reasonable time.  
No Vote was taken on this item. Commission President Taft closed out the  
meeting after discussion ended.  
Adjournment  
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m.