[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6193398,"mediaKeyId","3867320-31da3febde781088c150a4ae889e6436","parentId",3867320,"title","Council approves blacktopping several city alleys after brief public hearing","audioSeconds",148,"startMs",107000,"endMs",255000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867320-31da3febde781088c150a4ae889e6436&start=107&end=255","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867320-31da3febde781088c150a4ae889e6436/thumbnail_107000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193398/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-blacktopping-several-city-alleys-after-brief-public-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193398-81f54c50285d819abccab5f73201684e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155008&Signature=Daunxj8MiP3c8rXY7zo0MhfGo7dVBKULPy4hzYHTuS5NtMizEMqtgw07g9FgYsUwsAbggbfABsQx04ZcanabBvKyU9WK~GcI~x980i-MPoEHbW1QDnNcLie3Z36tCXlMWkiuyWpETNV3D21HtaJS-ByI50gu2l9-yt~rpmARl6FWrW2LsbyLlekx4DKTqDDUIs2eFImsaGqwYKFF1dOcPhS~J172Sow~RhWt4S9wwHpXuMGGvuN8AP35CnYCYQXZV9CZgU3FTcq4DGYbeTI--chYeBJUIsnWt7n14N4U-erw93XUOSs5SkNNNbrOsSJfc~tEF2B7spIJb0CO-xkJ4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Superior, WI","date","2025-06-19T15:32:14Z","article","The Superior City Council held and closed a public hearing on a Public Works resolution authorizing blacktopping of several alleys in the city. After a short public comment period and a resident’s appeal for county cost-sharing, councilors moved and approved the resolution by voice vote.

Resident Kim Culp of 1301 Baxter Avenue spoke during the hearing, saying she was ‘‘neither for nor against’’ the alley project but that the county should bear some responsibility because she said continuous cement-truck traffic during a jail continuous concrete pour about 10 years earlier damaged the alley. Kim Culp asked the council to discuss cost-sharing with the county.

Council action
After closing the hearing, the council called for a motion to approve the Public Works resolution. A voice vote followed; those present said ‘‘Aye’’ and the mayor announced ‘‘Motion carried.’’ The record shows no roll-call vote for this item.

Ending: The resolution authorizes the blacktopping project to proceed; staff said they would take the resident’s comments regarding county coordination under advisement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","October 2, 2012 Common Council Meeting, City of Superior, Wis","oneSentenceSummary","Following a public hearing and a resident comment asking that Douglas County share repair responsibility, the Superior City Council approved a Public Works resolution to blacktop multiple alleys in the city.","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},6193403,"Council holds animal shelter portion of CIP after county, townships and donors discuss possible support",4777,2472000,7249000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867320-31da3febde781088c150a4ae889e6436&start=2472&end=7249","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867320-31da3febde781088c150a4ae889e6436/thumbnail_2472000.jpg","/articles/6193403/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-holds-animal-shelter-portion-of-CIP-after-county-townships-and-donors-discuss-possible-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193403-f28b5e0661e85e20a350d656f6727f51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155008&Signature=MYAANZHLx1VI4ezA86TGznbdyVTdRQxyEao0Lsx~hGUD7IXhS1c08EjBJ6oTjoUCB9dHPiNMJZHx-1Jkk-yDiTvY7UJaKeM6W8GJwPZecw8a~KRgfy~~fOdBM6KzNH~fpW2WtW55hjCj0zs569Gie-vB2mExARcAZi82QfKT8s7DfhQLp2PtW7wN9B1UC70E86WT6rb7XkuTdMeF2v1CIWRKQHWoQClL4~WBHbD1rUoAslVR~W73~F8NZNZblz3~u7apEhI3YfcqE85rtE1QkHpjhBVRj2WOBvmNgtSG2~KAvSR-ixvUTL3lKHsU7allwZMSZiSlc2efnZmGurll~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Superior City Council separated the animal-shelter project from the capital improvement program (CIP) and voted to hold that portion in committee while discussions continue with county officials, townships and prospective donors.

The CIP as revised was otherwise approved by councilors. Councilor Bridal moved to hold the animal-shelter portion in committee; Councilor McKenzie seconded the motion and councilors voted in favor. Councilors also approved a friendly amendment to preserve the option to expand the shelter later if the county, towns or capital campaign deliver extra funding.

Why it matters: Council members and presenters said the shelter is an important regional service for the city and Douglas County, but the city cannot shoulder the full cost of a larger facility without commitments from other governments and donors. Sheltering choices affect operations, future operating costs and whether nearby nonprofit shelters can remain open.

What the council heard
Representatives from Animal Allies and the Humane Society of Douglas County urged the council to delay any decision to downsize. Rick Salestak of Animal Allies said the organizations advising the project have cautioned ‘‘not to overbuild’’ but also warned that ‘‘underbuilding will harm the animals in your community for years and years to come.’’ He asked the council to ‘‘table the animal shelter portion of the CIP at this time’’ while the county, townships and capital campaign solidified commitments.

Marcy Barbee, treasurer of the Humane Society of Douglas County, told councilors that the Humane Society serves roughly 300–400 animals a year and that fundraising has declined; she said a smaller facility could jeopardize the nonprofit’s ability to continue operations and that the group needed more time to secure county operating commitments.

Township and county officials voiced support for collaboration. Roger Letourneau, a Town of Superior board supervisor, said several towns have pledged annual contributions and that the county chair, Doug Finn, had signaled willingness to meet again to find operating funds. County Chair Doug Finn addressed the meeting and said the county donated a parcel for the project and is willing to cooperate; he cautioned that the county’s ability to provide significant capital funding would be limited.

Finance and project details discussed
Staff materials and speakers described a revised city CIP allocation of $2,300,000 for the shelter, a figure that includes capital-campaign commitments to date (described in the materials as about $110,000). The project had earlier been scoped at roughly 10,000–11,000 square feet on a different Tower Avenue site, with professional estimates for that site approaching $3.8 million once site work and access were included. To reduce the city’s capital exposure, council and staff had proposed a smaller facility (approximately 6,300 square feet) and a funding package built around bonding, capital campaign donations and partner contributions.

City staff and an assistant director cautioned that operating costs will rise for a larger facility; one staffer indicated minimum operating estimates near $160,000 per year. A county/town contribution model mentioned a possible shared monthly contribution figure during discussion, but staff said that number had not been formally agreed and should not be relied upon in the city’s budget planning. Director Deidle said she had ‘‘never heard of an $850 a month charge’’ as a sufficient county contribution and urged caution.

Council action and next steps
Councilor Bridal moved and the council approved holding the animal-shelter portion of the CIP in committee and directed staff and council leaders to continue negotiations with Douglas County, the towns and prospective donors. The council also approved the remainder of the CIP as presented, with the city retaining the option to increase the shelter allocation should outside funding be secured.

Ending: Councilors asked staff to pursue additional fundraising and intergovernmental agreements and to return with updated cost estimates and recommended terms for town and county participation before finalizing the shelter scope and funding.","Councilors voted to hold the animal-shelter portion of the capital improvement program in committee while the city pursues county, township and capital-campaign commitments. The rest of the CIP was approved; councilors requested more cost analysis and further negotiations before committing to a larger shelter.",{"_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},6193408,"Superior council approves 3.8% property tax levy increase to avert service cuts",3313,362000,3675000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867320-31da3febde781088c150a4ae889e6436&start=362&end=3675","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867320-31da3febde781088c150a4ae889e6436/thumbnail_362000.jpg","/articles/6193408/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Superior-council-approves-38-property-tax-levy-increase-to-avert-service-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193408-6834a3eb5cc1caf09e3146337aaa43b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155008&Signature=cSjGsyES2uf5YrONRTMh6Zdi88V-bLraEI0EomwphwCBgvcHJKWkMY7zORPh6S-cbfPD0zWJka1opC-onxlV8WK2UCToYfjHTVlc~2mmaPUQBzls~wviAkzBLuJ1EDBKjvv-6p~UJ0kRDKC2imZc3XPaC394wdXD-h9tth15cOci6NQdrRpa6ClZ9QPWLcaKJq~ioa5v3IIT6Imw67U8mvyY8f-bET9t4ai7tE1DxWphfwoQawGMmX0wNULGGdCR5ITR-KzdP9rczlND5LetEYtzxhBlmrqmk8HPcvrYpkxcDrBfE0G0NoajYaF63YtRpToGY4SHpdoArlMPrPn7XQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mayor Hagen proposed three levy scenarios for the 2013 general fund operating budget and recommended a 3.8% increase, roughly $26 for every $100,000 of assessed value, to preserve current services and reinstate two vacant fire department positions.

The council approved the recommendation in a recorded roll-call vote: Councilor Bridge, Councilor Stenberg, Councilor McDonald, Councilor Doyle, Councilor Finsland and Councilor Herrick voted yes; Councilor Bender, Councilor McKenzie, Councilor Brown and Councilor Olsen voted no. The motion to approve the 3.8% levy was made by Councilor Finsland and seconded by Councilor McDonald. After the vote the council set a public hearing on the budget for Nov. 7.

Why it matters: Council and staff said smaller levy increases—2% or 0%—would require cuts that officials said would reduce public safety and core services. Police and fire officials presented figures showing substantial shortfalls under lower-levy scenarios and warned of longer emergency response times and potential station closures.

City context and council debate
Mayor Hagen told the council the 3.8% levy ‘‘provides for services as we know them today’’ and would help avoid more severe decisions in subsequent years as revenue uncertainties compound. He said the city faces shared-revenue shortfalls at the state level and possible federal domestic spending reductions. Hagen also said the proposal would reinstate two vacant fire positions and allow necessary operational refinements.

Police and fire officials described operational consequences of smaller increases. Police Chief Legess told the council the department ‘‘would have to make cuts of almost $240,000 if there's no levy increase and almost $150,000 if there's a 2% levy increase,’’ and said staffing reductions would increase response times and reduce the department’s ability to manage major incidents. Fire union and station leaders warned that closing a station would put parts of the city outside the critical minutes for cardiac arrest and degrade firefighting response; Battalion Chief Scott Gordon said a station closure would be a council decision if the larger levy did not pass.

Public comment mirrored the split in the council. Several residents, including Marty Curtis and Lee Sandock Baker, urged the council to approve the 3.8% increase to avoid public-safety and infrastructure losses. Others, including Councilor McKenzie and Councilor Brown speaking from the dais, urged further review and more cuts before raising taxes, citing residents on fixed incomes and requests from constituents.

Budget mechanics and deadlines
Staff told the council a statutory deadline requires the city to hold its public hearing by Nov. 10; they recommended setting the hearing for the Nov. 7 council meeting and said the city needs six votes on a levy plan to meet publication and hearing timelines. Finance materials presented three scenarios: 3.8% (recommended), 2% and 0%. The mayor and finance staff said department budgets had already been trimmed extensively and that remaining cuts would largely affect staffing, training and essential services rather than nonessential travel or subscriptions.

Ending: The council’s vote authorizes the mayor and staff to publish the proposed budget with the approved 3.8% levy and proceed to the Nov. 7 public hearing. Additional council discussion and public comment were expected before final adoption following the hearing.","The Superior City Council voted 6–4 to approve a 3.8% increase in the general fund levy after presentations from the mayor, department chiefs and public commenters who warned that smaller increases would force cuts to police, fire and public works. The council also set a Nov. 7 public hearing on the budget.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves blacktopping several city alleys after brief public hearing

Council holds animal shelter portion of CIP after county, townships and donors discuss possible support

Superior council approves 3.8% property tax levy increase to avert service cuts