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Waukesha utility approves contracts for fiber relocation, construction staking, insurance and cross-connection inspections
Summary
On June 19 the commission approved several operational contracts: fiber relocation (total $98,225.25) to avoid DOT road work conflicts; outside staking/inspection services for resurfacing projects ($30,000 and $32,000 portions); a professional services contract with Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC ($50,000); renewal of business insurance with a $10,857 (7.78%) premium increase; and a 39-month HydroCorp cross-connection inspection extension with an initial monthly cost of $8,570.90.
The Waukesha Water Utility Commission approved a bundle of operational contracts and renewals at its June 19 meeting, covering construction staking, a fiber relocation needed for a state DOT road widening, a professional services engagement to assist with transition and litigation support, insurance coverage renewals and extension of a cross-connection inspection contract.
Fiber relocation: Matt, project staff, explained State DOT reconstruction on Highway 59 will widen the road and expose a fiber line that carries SCADA communications between the Waukesha and Milwaukee pumping stations. The low bidder for relocation submitted $88,462.75 and project engineering fees from MCE totaled $9,762.50, for a project total of $98,225.25. Staff said the work will minimize SCADA downtime by preplacing conduit and completing connections at a single window; the commission approved the expenditure and directed staff to proceed.
Construction staking and inspection: The commission approved two water-utility portions of city resurfacing projects — an allocation of $30,000 for the 2025 asphalt resurfacing and $32,000 for a separate green-metal utility and street improvement job — using the city’s contracts for staking and inspection. Staff explained staking is specialized work and hiring outside firms avoids delays.
Professional services: The commission approved a professional services contract with Foth Infrastructure & Environment LLC up to $50,000. Staff said the contract facilitates continued assistance with litigation depositions and project closeout work as the utility’s long-serving manager transitions out of the role.
Insurance renewal: Staff presented the July 1 policy renewals and noted an overall premium increase of $10,857 (7.78%) driven by higher property valuations and fleet-value classification changes; the utility added fiber-optic coverage of about $250,000. Work-comp experience improved, producing an employer dividend and lowering that portion of the premium. Commissioners approved the insurance renewals with LWMMI, MPIC and Erie as quoted.
HydroCorp cross-connection services: For DNR-mandated cross-connection inspections on commercial, industrial and large multifamily properties, staff proposed a 39-month extension with HydroCorp as a preferred provider. The contract would cover approximately 760 initial inspections per year (60 additional inspections to meet DNR compliance) with the first-year monthly cost quoted at $8,570.90 (an overall ~13% increase from 2022 when monthly fees were $7,591). Commission approved the pending contract subject to final edits.
Taken together, the approvals use available project underspends and routine procurement to keep capital work and compliance programs on schedule.
