The most recent department reports are in for the City of Stanley, shared in the council packet for Sept. 2.
Starting with the Clerk’s Report, City Administrator/Clerk-Treasurer Nicole Pilgrim reported several items, including operator licenses approvals for Michelle R. Schneider, Vivian L. Boyles, and Charles L. Schuebel.
Additional work reported by Pilgrim for the last two weeks included completion of accounts payable, payroll, final reads, and meter reviews. Meter review means the city is reviewing some meters with communication faults.
As for rates, the city is working on a two step review process due to projects going on with the water plant.
Step 1 will have an estimated increase of 44 percent and take place in 2025 while Step 2 will have additional rate increase of 58 percent and be done by 2026, for an overall rate increase of 102 percent.
Also included in city administrator/clerk-treasurer work were campground reservations, fire inspection billing, Facebook updates, bank reconciliations, continuing work tight new accounting software, bulk pickup scheduling, ordinance update and resolution for Right of Way permitting, another ordinance update for WHP, an employee meeting to discuss if any water department coverage is needed, as well as planning and reach out for the upcoming League of Wisconsin Municipalities Fall Conference in Milwaukee Sept. 17 to 19.
Also in department reports, Wastewater operator in charge Nick Martin reported work done since the last council meeting to including industrial, influent, and effluent sampling, optimization to meet the phosphorus limit of 0.075, adjustment of wasting levels to maintain Biological Phosphorous Removal, and the pressing and hauling of sludge.
In addition Martin reported working on the purchase orders and billing with deputy clerk Maggie Keeku, a regular item before bimonthly council meetings. Martin also reported televising of sewer mains on Helgerson with CBS Squared, sewer jetting, installation of a new booster pump to grit wash system, and cleaning of clarifiers structures via pressure washing.
As for work planned, Martin reported daily plant operations, sludge pumping, continue working on maintenance, sewer inspections, sewer jetting, and the cleaning and organization of the garage.
As for department training, Martin reported that Jake Lukes had attended the Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA) Water and Sewer Expo in Plover on August 28.
Moving from wastewater to the streets, parks, and cemetery update, Streets and Grounds Foreman Joe Schmitt shared more on just what the department had been up to the past two weeks.
Starting with work completed since the last city meeting, Schmitt reported filled potholes, weekly trash pickup, roadkill pickup, and mowing operations citywide. Communicating with campers, mowing and cleanup of the cemetery, and attending the WRWA Outdoor Expo were halos among tasks completed. Schmitt reported removing trees and brush caught in the dame, making necessary repairs to street signs as needed, and troubleshooting the F350 engine light for a faulty O2 sensor. Schmitt also reported the department had cleared the alleyway between Lincoln and Garfield while filling potholes and had also cleared the alleyway between First and Second Avenue behind the fire station. Included in streets, parks, and cemetery work since the last council meeting were a weekly construction meeting on Maple Street, as well as a pre-construction meeting for a road in the West Business Park Road, leading out to the Paul Kluck property. Removals and sanitary work are due to start this week, pending the weather.
As for work planned moving forward, Schmitt reported elk herd care and management, building walls for the salt/sand storage shed, and continuance of mowing operations. Also listed in planned work for the streets, parks, and cemetery department were pothole fixing, necessary repairs to current picnic tables, and grading of 345th Street after the next rain. Schmitt reported plans for unspecified repairs to street signs and markings, fixing storm drains on Eighth and Kennedy, and street, sweeping, among other tasks. Paving for Lincoln, Park, and Sixth Avenue is set for the second and third weeks of September.
As for issues to be address, Schmitt advised figuring out a plan on fixing alleyways throughout the city, also noting that citizens mowing their grass onto road made it hard to keep streets clean. Monthly safety training is planned as ell, with a quotation received for a new street sweeper from Envirotech Equipment of Stanley Wisconsin. The quote for $362,852 was due to be considered at the Sept. 2 council meeting, after press time.
Last but not least in department report updates is a new job opportunity, the city seeking a public works employee with job emphasis in the water treatment plant. The starting hourly wage is $25.00 per hour minimum based upon qualifications, experience, and/or certifications held. Successful candidates will work a weekend rotation shift with paid overtime, a fringe benefits package also being provided. Check future issues of the Stanley Republican for a full job posting description.