[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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],{"_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",6193257,"mediaKeyId","3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145","parentId",3867312,"title","Council approves Superior Fire Department radio purchase using FEMA port‑security grant","audioSeconds",666,"startMs",4174000,"endMs",4840000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145&start=4174&end=4840","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145/thumbnail_4174000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193257/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-Superior-Fire-Department-radio-purchase-using-FEMA-portsecurity-grant","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193257-b46c171f7969fff3ba933d3ae5eed4ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442787&Signature=E9~JEP-yszy79CLlzgyQE~kYWGEp7JxFFqNbj3zhp8b9YUGa9ReEgxesD-TH60ABVcVSmVDIHWh48GhbYjoN1ZwS8yVy7vaKm-I6WKVJF5mq~Yx4tqI1l7Ry78wQpPwMgs0Oo0V4mHOmNnxZWAw8YK5kvl3S5uBvNFYXiZKzVh0s-Y3AMz-XXg-HB2r~~GYwgaIp2M4eNpK-qEKbxh4Zyr6zSk5LHDSm0W6F-K2PE7NjM~qTSsx8jc9yYtyOY4DOa10lOzjuygQNW6B6ZzMR6DXIMPYbcjl3bex9kOtTkf2b6wv3CcqgfeA7hAYdyaJnKDx~KWPKy9rCl5nDE2mxsQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Superior, WI","date","2025-06-19T15:42:31Z","article","The council approved a request to purchase base‑station and portable radios for the Superior Fire Department under a FEMA port‑security grant that requires equipment purchase and closeout by Nov. 30.

Councilor Olsen moved to approve the purchase; Nancy Brown, who worked on the procurement review, told the council the city issued an RFP in April and received two proposals. Brown said one vendor met P25 requirements; the recommended vendor’s negotiated price totaled $9,545.28 for base units and $82,718.75 for 35 portable radios, reflecting discounts below earlier manufacturer quotes.

Why it matters: The radios include additional features beyond a basic model — such as out‑of‑range indicators, knob/keyboard locks, and software features that support firefighter accountability and interoperability — that presenters and firefighters said are important for safety in IDLH (immediately dangerous to life or health) environments.

Funding and deadline: Chief Riggshead and others explained the equipment purchase is funded through a 2009 FEMA port security grant with a required 20% local match. Chief Riggshead said the hazmat account — established through the city’s contract to provide hazmat services in the region — will supply the match and that the grant period ends Nov. 30. “This grant period ends November 30. So we have to have whatever we're doing purchased and paid for and turned into the grant people by November 30,” the chief said.

Council action: After discussion about procurement process and equipment features, the motion to approve the radio purchases carried.

Ending: The council approved the purchase and staff will proceed to finalize procurement and complete the FEMA grant closeout requirements before the deadline.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 18, 2012 Common Council Meeting, City of Superior, Wis","oneSentenceSummary","Council approved purchase of base and portable radios for the Superior Fire Department to meet p25/WISCOM requirements using FEMA port security grant funds; the grant requires completion by Nov. 30 and carries a 20% local match drawn from the city's hazmat account.","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},6193263,"Council accepts Wisconsin Point area management plan for public review, schedules Oct. 16 hearing",451,3003000,3454000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145&start=3003&end=3454","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145/thumbnail_3003000.jpg","/articles/6193263/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-accepts-Wisconsin-Point-area-management-plan-for-public-review-schedules-Oct-16-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193263-4a08331215a52f746cb486ce28d6c1b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442787&Signature=NaxRq3-ZfJYDM3CDkk6Edul~Mj1d-dXwPc6bqik8H8yVz3V7c4JoynBzkoTikTMsvnwv9jBzirbK7i1JJJ~CXptHtvj1XNmkBMAraKWxDgcWco-SdMTm5qYfCBC0LvJBTXdHMcPJzUInb4iV2HL66EHqRLQUDbwcqSNrltK5FLApf3Xznu5Q2iYdJ8T8Urz5pdG3sAUAQsI9U5DCAyNsNvvGhiUMJcbXXYPSjNNdMWy4wLpgwiSKNAWxrkP2NEXpQVc6wtEr6SkPA2e85OrXU2PsbmYoqv394PU7KMSTTM~qDWiDrRwxjEuBnAvwHzMdp2UsWWvQFLP6ta9Gy904OQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council received a presentation of the draft Wisconsin Point Area Management Plan and set a public hearing after a planning commission representative described the plan’s scope and next steps.

Jason Lalman, senior planner with the Northwest Regional Planning Commission, told the council the plan covers roughly 2,300 acres in the Wisconsin Point Management Area and consolidates resource inventories, values and a long‑range vision tied to management zones. \"The Wisconsin Point area management plan is more than just Wisconsin Point proper…we're talking about almost 2,300 acres of property out here under a diverse forms of ownership and management,\" Lalman said.

Why it matters: The plan brings together multiple stakeholders — tribal, state, county, university and city entities — to recommend management alternatives and a preferred approach for resource protection, recreation and cultural‑resource stewardship. The plan identifies five management zones (developed area, core public-use zone, closed landfill area, Shaffer’s Beach area, and a larger low‑impact recreation zone) and recommends protective overlays for cultural resources.

Council action and public review: The council voted to set a 30‑day public review period with the draft plan on file and to hold a public hearing on Oct. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the council boardroom. Lalman said the plan will be posted on the city website and the project page and organizers encouraged public comment during the review window.

Details: The draft includes a range of alternatives — status quo, recreation-focused, conservation‑focused and education/cultural enhancement — and recommends a blended preferred approach based on public input. Lalman said some areas, for example piping‑plover habitat, could require seasonal closures and that the State Historic Preservation Office is cataloging cultural resources for incorporation into the plan.

Ending: The council referred the plan to the public‑comment period and scheduled the October public hearing; councilors and staff encouraged residents to review the document and submit comments during the 30‑day window.","Northwest Regional Planning Commission presented a draft Wisconsin Point Area Management Plan covering roughly 2,300 acres and a range of management zones; the council set a 30‑day public review period and a public hearing for Oct. 16, 6:30 p.m.",{"_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},6193268,"Consultant warns Superior may need wastewater and stormwater rate increases; recommends organizational changes",614,3926000,4540000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145&start=3926&end=4540","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145/thumbnail_3926000.jpg","/articles/6193268/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Consultant-warns-Superior-may-need-wastewater-and-stormwater-rate-increases-recommends-organizational-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193268-07c9ead27bef1b6740a6a345848ccccd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442787&Signature=LaiSUXup7sml2NVX8KMzdyK8SIKPPgbm0ZPIcdhpn6dJhwrjah4F~6jf92A00Mmb8ACWMsXFLzroHBkJXKBjKLFqp~4sM7S6dFF0HSsppyR3rwG~a2EuraLmIJGRrA0XaESge6V4c4bb1hpGLwO1f-Od6TzpZdiWiRhvw58WTQqyaOrohaar-ZubowFRD4iJ8bjic6ywei59bCoz3MreurS9YYp4bJa7EKbY0-4gsz2JByNnoRUuaH2L5sdFuLowk2-ouOb-1s2QwKvhNgvpnTaQ9bWdDg0BT-dqryW2y4Pmk9QcNcU9RFV4j9iqovwSJZv98jib2NmcqCeSMwA5Og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A consultant hired to review Superior’s Environmental Services Division (ESD) told the Common Council that the utility faces significant capital and regulatory pressures that make future rate increases likely.

Kurt Soderberg, who led the review, said the utility is “fundamentally sound” and staff have secured grant funding, but the wastewater plant has aging equipment and the ESD’s reserve fund has been depleted by recent short-term capital spending. “I see no way…that rate increases in the future can be avoided,” Soderberg told the council.

Why it matters: The ESD provides wastewater and stormwater services citywide. The consultant identified permit-driven work, near-term capital projects and maintenance backlogs that will require funding over the next five years. Councilors were presented with two rate-path scenarios to cover a multi-year capital and operating program.

Key findings: Soderberg recommended reorganizing the ESD into a clearer director-led structure with three divisions (operations and maintenance, technical services, and administration), stronger supervisory authority, and improved reporting to the mayor and council. He urged faster implementation of Maximo preventive-maintenance software, reconsideration of long-term contracted services, and better finance-staff linkage to ESD operations.

Rate scenarios presented: Staff-provided numbers in the consultant’s handout showed two approaches to generate necessary revenue for 2013–2017:
- Variable-rate-only approach: collects required funds entirely through the volumetric charge; an illustrative first-year variable increase was shown at roughly 32% (yielding about a 23.6% revenue increase when base rate not changed) with additional increases in subsequent years.
- Fixed-plus-variable approach: raises the fixed monthly charge to $12.20 and increases the volumetric rate to $6.62; under this scenario the fixed-rate increase would generate approximately $700,000 annually to cover short-term capital needs, with smaller variable increases later.

Other points: The consultant noted the city’s next five-year permit remains under EPA review and could impose additional requirements. He also recommended using stormwater revenues primarily for compliance capital projects and warned against reducing overall stormwater funding because some ESD positions are already supported by that revenue.

Council response and next steps: Councilors asked clarifying questions about the cost drivers, the effect of non-city customers (e.g., Parkland) and the timeline of potential increases. Staff and the consultant said more detailed modeling and public outreach would be needed before any rate ordinance was adopted.

Ending: The council received the report and requested follow-up analyses and recommendations for organizational changes, a clearer capital plan, and more detailed rate scenarios for council consideration.","A consultant review of the city’s Environmental Services Division found aging wastewater infrastructure, depleted reserves and regulatory pressures; the report recommended organizational restructuring, implementation of preventive maintenance, and projected multi-year rate increases under two scenarios.",{"_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},6193273,"Superior council debates revised 2012–13 budget, proposal for 3.8% levy increase fails",1410,608000,2018000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145&start=608&end=2018","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867312-29f676f98c285c2d2e8db16175877145/thumbnail_608000.jpg","/articles/6193273/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Superior-council-debates-revised-201213-budget-proposal-for-38-levy-increase-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193273-0f8e783814e87c9ef86d13b86e0b3619/orig.mp4?Expires=1770442787&Signature=A~XZUqpexSdJjkQmbclxaJfGjeloVID9-IH3rnBOLmA7dx~yjTAyKG-l19YXhxln3SCSBO9HxPoEaju7gj0e9kE3PSpfmO1wScl7dsgfW1RbSAI5-jx2G6slSeOUuGuBKiOWvzEUMDcda7CNJxOeWzASHdI4p~bUVXBT2RrQByn5srqLwUDEkmezjZfVdecWOKaUlBFYwCCF9dZRvSBEpOeWKqJlXBCZU3naoFl-llPmzkrRntD~5ZqnR-qzZnbh9bkVQ3vdIQ8iQgGN2nDLb1JO3CBWY1z8TcCuIV65A8qITtEkgZ5Trvdt-VybACjdemWWXLFOy2bYopiBrDSs3A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Superior Common Council on the evening reviewed a revised 2012–2013 General Fund operating budget that included a proposed 3.8% property tax levy increase, which finance staff said would equal about $29 per $100,000 of assessed valuation.

Finance Director Vito presented the “revised recommended budget” and explained staff identified a $179,000 shortfall after updated revenue estimates; Mayor Hagan recommended covering that gap by reducing transfers from the capital improvement program. “The revised recommended budget calls for a 3.8% increase in levy, which equals or equates to $29 per $100,000 of assessed valuation,” Vito told the council.

Why it matters: Councilors said the levy would be noticeable to residents and business owners already facing other tax pressures. Council discussion focused on service-level impacts, the condition of city facilities, the depleted contingency, and alternatives to raising taxes, including across-the-board departmental cuts and further internal efficiencies.

Details and debate: Councilor Olsen, speaking from the phone, said she could not support the recommended levy and urged the council to “come up with a lower levy increase, identify the budget issues that we need to be corrected, and tighten up on the belts of the departments that need to be balanced better.” Councilor Bender, who reviewed the published staffing tables, urged careful review of line items and raised concerns about the cumulative effect when county and school levies are added to city increases. Councilor McKenzie and others emphasized resident complaints about taxes and urged exploring alternatives to a property tax increase.

Staff described specific trade-offs in the revised budget: the draft included staffing reductions and program cuts already identified (for example, reductions proposed for fire and police staffing and for vehicle replacements), and it assumed use of CIP transfers to close the $179,000 gap. Vito warned the revised budget leaves the city with no contingency fund for unexpected demolition or emergency removal costs.

Action taken: A motion to approve the amended (revised) General Fund budget was made and seconded. After floor debate, the council took a roll-call vote: Councilors Stenberg, McDonald, Finsland and Herrick voted yes; Councilors Olsen, Bridge, Bender, McKenzie, Goyal and Brown voted no. The motion failed 4–6.

What’s next: Mayor and council leadership said they will meet to develop recommendations for further changes and to return with alternatives. Staff warned that waiting too long could jeopardize the city’s timeline for adopting a budget and holding required public hearings. Finance staff offered to provide more detail on the potential operational consequences of smaller levy increases and on department-level reduction scenarios.

Ending: The council did not adopt a revised budget during the meeting and directed additional work and follow-up; staff and several councilors flagged that further public meetings and a revisited proposal will be needed before a final budget is adopted.","Councilors heard a revised General Fund budget from Finance Director Vito that included a proposed 3.8% property tax levy increase (about $29 per $100,000 of assessed value). After hours of debate and public questions, a motion to approve the amended budget failed 4–6.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Superior Fire Department radio purchase using FEMA port‑security grant

Council accepts Wisconsin Point area management plan for public review, schedules Oct. 16 hearing

Consultant warns Superior may need wastewater and stormwater rate increases; recommends organizational changes

Superior council debates revised 2012–13 budget, proposal for 3.8% levy increase fails