[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6193410,"mediaKeyId","3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14","parentId",3867317,"title","Council rejects reinstalling stop signs at North 12th and Clough after split vote","audioSeconds",390,"startMs",4988000,"endMs",5378000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14&start=4988&end=5378","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14/thumbnail_4988000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193410/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-rejects-reinstalling-stop-signs-at-North-12th-and-Clough-after-split-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193410-ee7dc0976ddf34e030fab8c63b9748a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146002&Signature=eNSJB6jg6tNt9rGhQwCpXQPqFiyR4K5vj3DIxs~NzgNSqw8Cc-OLaKt9B2rwSM5fpVv89Rdwcxdlum~NtoV7JL4aP426ZmUT0aZYeumZkQ2i5OImVGaTa2f9G1NwYaLzGLTbvUS6ZXgBSNkBuAQvStA1dByKIwh-9CdFGoKeX8PNVuVXyaMqhN9kLqBqoj~rd87~8DZPDgSqZfHzlhuDs8n7z32JOABV4eD19ENb8cxnP5VOg-VPfKg1LtNLW5bK~bG56oAV0O66L4sSuijeT-WeiYdPTdePWnK9ohGUXisj~vZy34Sb898t4h5bXkB-MLt0xTtCDhkHxR8RzzlQaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Superior, WI","date","2025-06-19T15:32:21Z","article","The Common Council voted down a motion to reinstall stop signs at the intersection of North 12th Street and Clough Avenue, with a roll-call result recorded as 5–4 against the reinstatement.

Councilor Joyell brought the request, saying nearby residents supported returning the signs. Council debate referenced traffic warrants and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD); public-works staff and law enforcement told the committee the intersection did not meet the technical criteria (warrants) for stop signs and that crash data did not show a systemic problem.

Councilor Gioia said he brought the item in response to six families in the immediate neighborhood who lobbied for the signs. Councilor Joyell and supporters said the signs had been in place in the past and improved safety around a nearby park. Opponents, including the public-works chair and law-enforcement representatives at committee, said the signs had been temporary after reconstruction and did not meet the usual criteria for permanent installation.

Clerk called the roll after a short delay to accommodate an absent councilor; the recorded votes were 5–4 and the motion failed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","November 7, 2012 Common Council Meeting, City of Superior, Wis","oneSentenceSummary","After debate and a roll-call vote, the Common Council failed to reinstall stop signs at North 12th Street and Clough Avenue by a 5–4 vote; councilors cited MUTCD warrants and traffic-data concerns while some neighborhood residents supported the signs.","taxTitle","Superior, Douglas County, Wisconsin","taxId",69153,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6193413,"Council refers request for nonunion fire wage adjustment after budget concerns",712,4291000,5003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14&start=4291&end=5003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14/thumbnail_4291000.jpg","/articles/6193413/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-refers-request-for-nonunion-fire-wage-adjustment-after-budget-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193413-20017ac4f234edc679b45cb0b72b113a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146002&Signature=YSVewp9J01psbm4vKAnQT3Yq4~M00qkvV~Gg4cN5A-qH7wsu~DQ8K-HE-PcFFLexp1OAhRGhGJB1KNnfC8nHa9lppAQYk5SRYud73ICHAlMPbG682FDFwZ9WZ6azS1VyqYVcZJtAPwzN9MCo9m-pZ5cfagNHIsr75~u-17UdJ7o2jofKElxvQsW23V6SQa4J5WlrmdNX17wEcYkfdKOmfJMGcdioKYMKz5CW87JbcLsyrED0Ge9nT2PufxCgmjmAsAC9FF~Bz7NxsWfxNkOIA-ceeXE6H5LMxd~8yduxKoX3dcOKV1ebE7fYL5g5UiyniihAHjvnZLfHFvMCgC19vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council on Nov. 7 voted to refer back to committee a Human Resources Committee recommendation to approve a wage adjustment for nonunion fire department staff, after staff told the council the fire department’s 2012 operating budget is not balanced and overtime costs have exceeded estimates.

Chief Rake (fire chief) explained that the department’s budget is heavily weighted toward wages (about 96 percent) and that operating budgets and training funds have been cut to minimal levels. He said recent increases in disability and sick time have forced greater overtime usage. “The budget for the fire department has been cut to the point where it cannot be cut anymore without cutting services,” the chief said, noting that reducing costs further would require layoffs or closing a fire hall.

Human Resources materials referenced a prior recommendation that nonrepresented fire staff receive the same adjustments as represented firefighters to equalize contributions and pay; however, city staff told the council that the fire department’s year-to-date overtime projections have worsened since the earlier HRC memo. Director Vito told the council the administration had been working with department heads to identify offsets, but that if the fire department cannot cover its overage, other departments would need to absorb it or the city would risk a deficit.

Given the change in the department’s budget position since HRC considered the item, a councilor moved and the council seconded referral of the wage-adjustment request back to committee for further review; the motion passed by voice vote.","Councilors referred a Human Resources Committee recommendation to approve wage adjustments for nonrepresented fire officers after staff said the fire department’s 2012 budget is not balanced and overtime has substantially exceeded earlier estimates.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6193418,"Council increases ERU and consolidates stormwater fees into single $5.90 monthly charge",3730,2588000,6318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14&start=2588&end=6318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14/thumbnail_2588000.jpg","/articles/6193418/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-increases-ERU-and-consolidates-stormwater-fees-into-single-590-monthly-charge","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193418-28ee6fb23cab5f4768c44a877f2cd488/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146002&Signature=mKu668Kbuet~zftyAVz5yVy1e4QCPJK~7b6jN7BiGa1uMSp67tCEKa2w~oCWByFBzDDAcXgEli5ua9cTaqeXP~X2RT61lrX3-O5xjPVAVY3GZkz5SoRu3-zPwvI3DBOeI8p0F2HRlPVrPR4JroFG8sGKb9cZqa6KLduM7wEYyFIJlf91zI4yvvo9YaQXxoxJyWvLZHGilfcA3ihNPcXM6zpVs9~5H3SIVSsl6Kyd1t9fNbgrzNFfuBvap3yiVe2GVhgquZkgB-8QSNPA82tuw9VcP3EGyWyRyfnGehfohjevEwFII1DJQeccm~AJHB2qHsbSmTMWL6183V1qaoX3~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council on Nov. 7 adopted an ordinance that raises the effective square footage in an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) from 1,907 to 2,933 square feet and combines the existing fixed and variable stormwater fees into one monthly stormwater fee of $5.90 per ERU.

Diane, a city billing staff member, told the council the move replaces a prior $2 fixed fee and a $3.90 variable ERU charge with a single $5.90 rate; because the ERU size is increasing, “the majority of the people will end up seeing a slight rate decrease.” She also confirmed billing frequency will remain twice a year.

Council discussion included operational reasons for the change. City staff said moving to a single fee simplifies administration and billing (the Springbrook billing software will be easier to use), and will streamline customer statements. One property owner voiced concern that combining a fixed fee into the ERU-based charge could substantially increase bills for owners with multiple parcels and multiple meters; he urged creation of the citizen committee that had been proposed during the election to review stormwater and sewer operations.

Council members moved the ordinance and approved it by voice vote. The ordinance was recorded as carried.","The council amended the stormwater utility fee ordinance to raise the square-foot equivalent per ERU and combine fixed and variable charges into a single $5.90 monthly per-ERU fee; city staff said most customers will see a slight decrease while some large multiple-parcel owners could pay more.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6193423,"Council OKs nearly 20% sewer-rate increase; debate centers on capital needs and fixed fees",3134,3264000,6398000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14&start=3264&end=6398","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14/thumbnail_3264000.jpg","/articles/6193423/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-OKs-nearly-20-sewer-rate-increase-debate-centers-on-capital-needs-and-fixed-fees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193423-28c72cec29313e9fa87bd77f99e6f0ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146002&Signature=k0iIu9NvUYJRIuHdLl3J5kRVb0sliDIRJ1lG6ilQPnWtgxMSNSdBYoLvKlmvgdj7z9F6br2sk5V0-5NFY4zmFeX0SuTsBZz~oByPMevNmQAL4ZcArf~GWn6NS202opn9QHGPadtWynOyrKEHgojU1Klwhh44DaH4y50tNBk8IbTrcpr7P6IzED4Sq5ch3MRhBz1y0WF1c0eRijrK1y7EKjsZZccQPA41n~o2aAkJzDSeVw-omhxOnRmzDhJIr~fkIU0CqOptCA3WFfIjugf27pwhQPvTJ-XKm3VEra-ZpvPXiNvh4zdngEvnpmqwwDoCfUVk0y2qIgp0ROt3BNtetQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council voted Nov. 7 to increase the variable sewer usage rate from $5.82 to $7.43 per CCF while leaving the fixed monthly charge at $5.50, a package the city says will raise sewer revenue by about 19.88 percent.

Environmental Services interim administrator Steve Roberts and Director Vito (speaking to council questions) described the increase as a “catch-up” needed after years of deferred maintenance and short-term repairs that drew down reserves. Roberts cited projects the increase will support, including Headworks upgrades to reduce sanitary sewer overflows, a Tower Avenue sewer project that the city will bid in January and a flood-control program that has many pending applications.

“Part of the rate increase is to cover shorter-term capital projects that because we didn't have rate increases and because these were Band Aid fixes to the system, we had to do them,” Director Vito said. He told the council reserves had fallen from about $7.1 million to the high $3 millions between 2007 and 2011 because of those emergency fixes.

Council discussion highlighted tradeoffs. Councilor McKenzie said the increase was especially hard on families and businesses already dealing with prior increases; she opposed the measure. Councilor McDonald and others said delaying projects would likely cost more in the near term. Several councilors suggested voting on individual projects rather than a single omnibus increase so members could accept some projects and reject others. Councilor McKenzie said projects such as backwater valve subsidies or the Tower Avenue sewer could be considered separately.

Two members of the public urged the council to reconsider the fixed-fee structure, saying fixed charges can be regressive and unfairly burden low-income residents and multi-meter landlords. One resident said combining fixed and variable fees for stormwater was done earlier and urged a similar review for sewer billing.

After public comment and debate, the council approved the ordinance increasing the variable rate; the ordinance was adopted by voice vote and recorded as carried.","The Common Council adopted an ordinance raising the variable sewer usage rate from $5.82 to $7.43 per CCF (leaving the fixed rate at $5.50), a change the city said is needed to fund capital repairs, flood-control applications and FEMA matches; some councilors and residents raised concerns about equity and billing clarity.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6193426,"Superior council holds public hearing, approves 2013 budget with $114,000 levy reduction",2340,137000,2477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14&start=137&end=2477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867317-b8da08690e33408c340ddcef40e89e14/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6193426/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Superior-council-holds-public-hearing-approves-2013-budget-with-114000-levy-reduction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193426-75ba3abe71c1bd8ee3d57bc8e1c60af6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771146002&Signature=GFodCm8eAOk4cBYWDyyUQy9I-oNqkDOUFXxo56PwNWgMZUXzv-SltVs6S0cDvs9k0EJdSB6ogxMOoyWljeGqzGDHkn6SpTnxpKhROR~WkUb9Dcg102sYKZt3JG1LP4876dq3mJOT9G-cbD4YMvD6K5Ccm7-xooepXXizHuQ5Rcbf2KLg6NI7n5NhnY-YjO1u0hA6QXC0rn4IUj-Z7lGbbELv2KZRk~IQnaDoTdYSVWEulFo4YflaNiY8hTHvDGaDVR3DcnxMgic-1zKBRbnfu4oCs5b4LNRpG1Vao9OQVUMadf6iTe2GHiqAVkjxHWIX55L1EJqCT9DV9ZT~gXh7tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Common Council of the City of Superior on Nov. 7 approved the 2013 general fund operating budget as amended after a public hearing and council discussion, reducing the levy by $114,000 and recommending an offset to the expense side by trimming the annual transfer to the landfill.

Finance Director Vito said the council must act with seven votes to change the levy at the hearing stage and proposed the $114,000 reduction, paired with an immediate reduction in transfers to the landfill “as one of the quickest fixes” to offset the levy decrease.

The change came during a public hearing called by the mayor. Director Vito told the council the correction reduced the prior-year levy-limit increase and set a new maximum near 2.8 percent. After the public hearing, a motion to approve the budget “as amended” passed; council members indicated “aye” and the mayor declared the motion carried.

Councilors debated the timing and fairness of the budget process during the hearing. Councilor McKenzie, who represents South Superior, said many residents told her they did not want higher taxes and criticized late delivery of budget materials to councilors and the public. She urged the council to start planning the 2014 budget earlier and to reexamine discretionary spending such as a $345,000 parks improvement that had been approved in the Community Development Block Grant budget.

Mayor Hagen (the mayor presiding) defended the administration’s preparations, saying the executive team and department heads had worked months on the budget, made “substantial reductions” and that the only alternative to a levy increase without eliminating services would be to eliminate services. The mayor said long-term pressures — declining shared state and federal revenues and inflation on wages, utilities and materials — required the city to consider revenue increases or service changes.

Councilors and the mayor discussed next steps: more open dialogue between council and department heads, a short- and long-term plan for city finances, and an intention to begin work on the 2014 budget earlier. Director Vito and the mayor said staff would continue to identify offsets and report back to the council.

The council’s approval as amended directs staff to implement the lowered levy amount and adjust budget transfers to reflect the reduced levy.","After a public hearing, the Common Council approved the 2013 general fund operating budget as amended, lowering the proposed levy by $114,000 and directing a corresponding reduction in the annual landfill transfer to offset the cut.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council rejects reinstalling stop signs at North 12th and Clough after split vote

Council refers request for nonunion fire wage adjustment after budget concerns

Council increases ERU and consolidates stormwater fees into single $5.90 monthly charge

Council OKs nearly 20% sewer-rate increase; debate centers on capital needs and fixed fees

Superior council holds public hearing, approves 2013 budget with $114,000 levy reduction