[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6300036,"mediaKeyId","2493995-edee8708b3a7a8422f73fc14460d97f7","parentId",2493995,"title","Public commenters press council on Blatnik Bridge routing and report tourism commission communication gaps","audioSeconds",202,"startMs",2128000,"endMs",2330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493995-edee8708b3a7a8422f73fc14460d97f7&start=2128&end=2330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493995-edee8708b3a7a8422f73fc14460d97f7/thumbnail_2128000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6300036/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Public-commenters-press-council-on-Blatnik-Bridge-routing-and-report-tourism-commission-communication-gaps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300036-68c795046a3339b7af9bf1c1bf83be8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1775412726&Signature=AeKUwdx23VwvdeReI1JoDZoMfvHAB3~C0nX4VA0hDukBkaWrQcjlhmV7tep-eyucmAXyd33Rgta867L0~dYzbb9LyaaOxb~2lb0~Vu~6a98-R6n5TjKRkPvbL6gDakVydp2hmPuSsCTgkyPLdTl241fVxAyAIdtUlBpd4Iyf9~3n8paRT-5juh4GFetUGCzhh4UQUjHdcLGDJ22vqmw~B-Zzs0BT8ZDvfIY1NxFVOlHupAPv0xav9tQTJH7jFjTqbcpYeV7WGqr7rzRHJDlBJbN5nK~EW2f1ULIWBxVXWrGcyvT-fzMBW3fkY~aXxC3n9eadXBD-xgfIsrs1JGlP5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Superior, WI","date","2025-03-03T16:26:23Z","article","Two members of the public spoke during the council’s March 4 public-comment period, urging the council to consider alternative approaches to the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction and calling attention to a lack of published Tourism Development Commission materials.

Jeff Monahan, speaking as a resident, said he has been closely following plans for the Blatnik Bridge reconstruction and believes the current route is wrong. He told the council he discussed the idea with staff at the Minnesota and Wisconsin departments of transportation and suggested routing the bridge to Connor's Point and East Second Street or using the western iron ore bridge near Duluth as a trucking alternative during reconstruction. \"I still think it's a better route,\" Monahan said, and encouraged councilors to consider environmental and economic impacts as the project advances.

John Ramos, publisher of the Duluth Monitor, told the council the Tourism Development Commission has not posted minutes for meetings held Nov. 18, 2024 and Feb. 27, 2025 on the city's agenda center and said the commission chair has not provided a report to the council. \"I don't understand the secrecy,\" Ramos said, asking the council to seek greater transparency.

Why it matters: The Blatnik Bridge is a regional transportation project with environmental and economic implications for Superior. Public requests for clarity about the tourism commission's records raise municipal-records and transparency questions that the council may choose to address.

Council response: The council accepted both public comments; no formal action was recorded on either issue during this meeting.

What speakers said (excerpted): Monahan urged councilors to consider routing and ecosystem impacts and said he had consulted state DOT staff and the Saint Louis River Estuary Project. Ramos requested that the council and the tourism commission make meeting minutes and reports available to the public; he said he was not alleging malfeasance but noted a pattern of missing materials.

No motions or votes followed these public comments at the March 4 meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Common Council Meeting, Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.","oneSentenceSummary","Two residents used public comment at the March 4 Superior Common Council meeting to raise concerns: one urged reconsideration of the Blatnik Bridge route and suggested alternatives, and another questioned transparency and missing minutes from the Tourism Development Commission.","taxTitle","Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin","taxId",69153,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300041,"Council approves several local measures; ICAC remodel referred back to committee, broadband talks delayed",0,1787000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493995-edee8708b3a7a8422f73fc14460d97f7&start=1787&end=1787","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493995-edee8708b3a7a8422f73fc14460d97f7/thumbnail_1787000.jpg","/articles/6300041/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-several-local-measures-ICAC-remodel-referred-back-to-committee-broadband-talks-delayed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300041-0ab7f853b38ac2cf148b84eb6470a4e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1775412726&Signature=MVScb5quQVaMLbmgzbul4CYD3TjEedN3Xv1vcxYt~lBhHnlC6gvwNUpZXdrBKKwGsXwLrUHokyGp68-0JJeY6hOCaLqzJdmR5l9ALMjxcXqAAbv0qzgXVce5U8U8RDIKGQHifVE5CuBuaqfSJaaZ~s4Uxe7wqm63BIOKGQ4XC~sQ1rBhP9Mn1cjBpN-iSLQgsCIr2ht2fTBYB~MEpILkOMCMa2HBxu57XNGrXg-ErU-UDEM5ODuAfbtvvDClUvUHO-YHe7rQOI~Q6FHDru4FCmnUQTGzpcXVxeqxuoUtpxzr~mYmTrqggBZ9PhWiNER5y83kDcIfVwBwySwIgXffYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Superior Common Council on March 4 approved multiple local measures including parking- and traffic-related ordinance changes, a capital purchase for Dimaggi Golf Course and a small business grant, while referring the Internet Crimes Against Children office remodel back to the Public Safety Committee for re-scoping and returning a proposed wholesale broadband agreement to the Communications & IT Committee for more negotiation.

The most consequential individual spending vote at the meeting approved the purchase and installation of a golf lift for Dimaggi Golf Course. Council approved $10,750 for the lift and a $2,000 installation and certification fee. Councilor Allen moved the motion; President Graskey seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.

The council also approved two traffic-code ordinances: removing \"no night parking\" on both sides of East Fifth Street between 20 Third Avenue East and 20 Fourth Avenue East, and adding four-way stop controls at 20 Second Avenue East and East Tenth Street. Both ordinances were approved on voice votes after motions by Councilor Dean (first ordinance) and Councilor Dean (second ordinance) with seconds by Councilor Johnson and Councilor Elm, respectively.

The council approved a small-business grant and development agreement for Love Creamery LLC at 2704 North 21st Street for eligible expenses including a roof replacement in the amount of $15,000. The motion was made by Councilor Herrick and seconded by Councilor Johnson; the motion carried by voice vote.

In other business, the council approved awarding a contract to resource consultants to develop the City of Superior’s 2026–2030 consolidated plan (motion by Councilor Harrick, second by Councilor Moffitt). The council also approved enlarging the licensed premises for QuickTrip 267 at 22128 East Second Street for the current license period and approved an amendment to the city's public records official notice and policy.

The council voted to refer the $28,300 agreement with Donald Home Construction Company, Inc. for the ICAC remodel back to the Public Safety Committee after the committee chair reported the project scope changed and required further review. Councilor Dean moved to refer; Councilor Johnson seconded. The referral passed by voice vote.

A proposed wholesale broadband service agreement was sent back to the Communications & IT Committee for more negotiations; the committee chair said the project needs additional review.

Votes at a glance: the record shows voice votes for all listed approvals and referrals; the audio record indicates motions, seconds and \"aye\" responses and the clerk announced motions carried, but the transcript does not give roll-call counts.

Why it matters: The approved purchases and ordinances change local traffic controls, support a small business and invest in city facilities and planning. The referral of the ICAC remodel delays contractor authorization while the broadband agreement was returned to committee for further negotiation, preserving council oversight while staff and committees complete negotiations and re-scoping.

What's next: Referred items will return to their committees (Public Safety or Communications & IT) for further review. Contract awards and grants will be administered according to the city's procurement rules and the approved agreements.","The Superior Common Council approved a series of ordinances, small grants and purchases on March 4, 2025, and referred the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) office remodel for further review. A proposed wholesale broadband agreement was returned to committee for additional negotiation.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6300046,"Mayor: City will continue curbside pickup after landfill closure; council to increase public outreach",84,1211000,1295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2493995-edee8708b3a7a8422f73fc14460d97f7&start=1211&end=1295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2493995-edee8708b3a7a8422f73fc14460d97f7/thumbnail_1211000.jpg","/articles/6300046/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Mayor-City-will-continue-curbside-pickup-after-landfill-closure-council-to-increase-public-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6300046-91703db7cd955c85e8b64418b5536643/orig.mp4?Expires=1775412726&Signature=ZlWtpsekuS83uzG86X0ltwWXbcRygUgDgMtK8JZOz-~vQcRJM7799WkaUB0wex6RjoUDC-D1U96bqFrTyw8MfLBUlN~1h937KOXll1t7MLqJGDFzfwJ8B67sr2hzJ4qEOulH4KOr-HG88meaUiBpyAHb~7LbyV~EN2tkQv19XFct-cDMVFoXh~6zU6YCSDDI8KvJA1x5I3D-J7Uosm43eC0lCD3gjY1g~~9wYMQcdDtruv-wLqi3urujFjmPAN5t59DQAAW8UB~aKuecf8aiNikJiOvaNkMUyAdGXDcN~GiUwOX3lCWjTZ5AZiEZsuH35KwNyBAOWgmEvjwAglaQqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Payne told the Superior Common Council on March 4 that the city will continue regular curbside garbage pickup after the municipal landfill closes next year and that the city will begin a sustained public outreach effort about closure impacts and forthcoming decisions.

The mayor said the finance committee will keep tracking landfill-related budget implications and will provide monthly updates so councilors and the public can ask questions and prepare for changes. \"The short version here tonight is we will still pick up garbage after the landfill closes,\" Payne said, and added the city will start communicating \"pretty aggressively\" about what the closure will look like for residents.

Why it matters: the landfill closure will affect city budgeting and household waste collection options; many residents voiced concern about future service at the meeting. Payne told councilors there remain unknowns but said the city is preparing a public form to gather constituent questions and will continue discussing operational and budget choices in committee.

Councilors did not vote on policy changes related to the landfill at the March 4 meeting. The mayor described the update as a continuing, informational item: staff and the finance committee will bring more details as they become available, and the mayor encouraged councilors to raise questions in public committee meetings.

Council discussion and next steps: During the finance committee report, councilors were told the committee lacks some information needed for final decisions and that the mayor will present follow-up items monthly. There was no formal motion or binding direction recorded at this meeting; the mayor framed the plan as ongoing outreach and information-gathering. The mayor invited councilors and residents to participate in future finance committee sessions on the subject.

Community impact and uncertainties: Payne emphasized that many details remain unspecified at this stage, including specific alternatives for collection contracts, long-term budget impacts and timelines tied to closure operations. The mayor said staff will aim to provide clear materials so councilors can help answer constituent questions. No new contracts or budget appropriations relating to the landfill were approved at this meeting.

Looking ahead: Council members will receive monthly landfill briefings at finance committee meetings; the mayor said the city will provide public-facing materials soon so residents can submit questions and follow developments.","Mayor Payne told the Superior Common Council that curbside garbage pickup will continue after the city landfill closes next year and said the city will step up public communications on the closure and related decisions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters press council on Blatnik Bridge routing and report tourism commission communication gaps

Council approves several local measures; ICAC remodel referred back to committee, broadband talks delayed

Mayor: City will continue curbside pickup after landfill closure; council to increase public outreach