Green Bay committee adopts 2026 stormwater rate, approves slate of Public Works contracts

GREEN BAY — The Improvement and Services Committee voted Dec. 10 to adopt the city’s proposed 2026 stormwater utility rate and to approve a package of Public Works contracts and equipment purchases.

Department of Public Works staff explained the stormwater rate is calculated by dividing the stormwater budget by the number of equivalent residential units (ERUs). "We take the total budget for the stormwater utility, and we divide it by the number of ERUs that there are in the city," a department director (identified in the transcript as Director Trusted) said, announcing the 2026 monthly rate will be $13.20 per ERU. Staff said one ERU equals 3,000 square feet of impervious surface and noted the 2025 rate was $12.49.

A committee member raised a procedural concern that approving rates after the budget felt "backwards," saying the committee appeared constrained to accept rates that align with an already approved budget. Director Trusted replied the rates are derived from the approved budget and confirmed staff can provide rate calculations alongside future budgets.

Beyond rates, the committee approved multiple purchases and contracts recommended by Public Works, to be transmitted to the full City Council for final action where required. Key approvals included:

- A service order agreement with Burner and Schopper Associates Inc. for design and construction administration of HVAC improvements at Fire Station 7 (design phase only). Motion to approve moved by Alder Eck and seconded by Alder Tully; the committee approved the recommendation.

- Purchase of a 2026 Western Star combination sewer vacuum and jet truck chassis for $154,870.50 (equipment replacement fund). Approved by voice vote.

- Purchase of a Henderson Ultimate brine-making machine controls unit for $75,872 to replace a 13‑year‑old controls unit; staff said the brine program has reduced salt usage. "About 30% less salt than we used before," a Public Works staff member said.

- Five-year authority to acquire roadway maintenance consumables (2026–2030) through contracted vendors, with expenditures limited to approved annual budget amounts; staff said multi‑year contracts secure better vendor pricing.

- Purchase of three traffic signal controller cabinets through a state cooperative contract for $64,167; some replacements are eligible for reimbursement when damage was caused by third parties.

- Entering state municipal financial agreements (SMFAs) with the Department of Transportation to begin scoping work on three projects (Main Street from IH‑43 to Baird Street; University Avenue from Main Street to University Way; West Mason Street from Pleasant Lane to Ashland). Staff said these SMFAs authorize the state to start preliminary work and that the city’s share is currently estimated to be minimal.

- Awarding a design contract to Ayers and Associates for North Maple Avenue reconstruction for $95,430; construction of two sections is planned for next summer and will include some wheel‑tax funding to reduce bonding needs.

- Awarding a dredging contract for Marina Creek Pond (routine maintenance; bids opened recently) to Advanced Construction Incorporated for $190,702.22.

All listed items were approved by committee motion and voice vote; where a mover and seconder were recorded they were typically Alder DeLay (mover) and Alder Eck (seconder) or Alder Eck (mover) and Alder De Lee/DeLay (seconder) depending on the item. The committee did not record individual roll‑call tallies in the transcript; approvals were recorded by unanimous voice votes or carried by the chair.

Why this matters: The stormwater rate sets the charge per typical residential parcel (an ERU) and will affect monthly bills for properties citywide. The approved equipment and design contracts move capital projects and routine maintenance forward, including fleet replacement, intersection equipment, street reconstruction planning and pond dredging that the city says is overdue.

Votes at a glance:
- Adopt 2026 stormwater utility rates: Approved (2026 rate $13.20/month per ERU).
- Award Fire Station 7 HVAC design: Approved (service order to Burner and Schopper Associates Inc.; design phase).
- Purchase sewer vacuum/jet truck chassis: Approved ($154,870.50).
- Purchase brine machine controls unit: Approved ($75,872).
- Five‑year roadway consumables authority (2026–2030): Approved.
- Purchase three traffic signal controller cabinets: Approved ($64,167).
- Enter SMFAs for three DOT projects: Approved (projects in early scoping).
- Adopt 2026 sanitary sewer service charges: Approved (see separate item).
- Award North Maple design to Ayers and Associates: Approved ($95,430).
- Award Marina Creek Pond dredging to Advanced Construction Inc.: Approved ($190,702.22).

The committee’s approvals will be transmitted to the City Council where required; staff said the full council is expected to consider related items in mid‑January. The committee’s recorded discussion clarified calculation of rates and confirmed several capital purchases come from budgeted equipment or CIP funds.