Wausau’s Mayor Not Worried About City’s Partnership with Community Infrastructure Partners

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024 -- 12:01 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) Wausau Mayor Katie Rosenberg says she’s not worried about the city’s partnership with Community Infrastructure Partners, the group tasked with organizing the replacement of 8,000 lead service lines over the next five years.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, she says the group will only serve in a project management capacity with local contractors and unions providing the labor.

“They are project managing. That’s how this will play out. [We will have] local plumbers doing the work, local unions that are training the plumbers. That’s who will be doing the work, and I know that you can trust all of that.”

CIP has come under fire in recent weeks after it was discovered that some of its staffers were involved in Corvias, a company that held housing management contracts with the federal government for military housing.

Corvais was accused of providing dirty and rodent-infested living conditions, leading to health issues for those stationed at the base. At least one member of the Water Works Commission said he doesn’t feel that the project has public support.

Some on the City Council called for the management deal to be revisited or canceled. Rosenberg says those are fair discussions to have because the city needs to know who they are dealing with.

“Sometimes people like to take offense to thinking in a different direction. I don’t think we can do that. We need to have the discussions, we need everyone to air their concerns and grievances- have them vetted.

“This is how policy is made,” added Rosenberg. Rosenberg adds that there is no time like the present for the city to complete the work given the federal money that’s available.

Federal regulations are also in place requiring all lead service lines to be replaced in the next ten years, meaning the city’s options are to do it now while the money is there or wait and hope that assistance will be there later.

“That’s really the critical part. The money is available now,” she said. “The goal of getting rid of the 8,000 lead service lines that are left in our city is a noble goal and it’s important.”

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