[{"_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",6193333,"mediaKeyId","3867798-2eec52843072d5541b2761c741dfaf11","parentId",3867798,"title","Residents press council as staff weighs $460,000 gates-and-lights option to end horn noise","audioSeconds",182,"startMs",3209000,"endMs",3391000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867798-2eec52843072d5541b2761c741dfaf11&start=3209&end=3391","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867798-2eec52843072d5541b2761c741dfaf11/thumbnail_3209000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193333/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Residents-press-council-as-staff-weighs-460000-gates-and-lights-option-to-end-horn-noise","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193333-9da9b4869e7da3e624a4af9337539cac/orig.mp4?Expires=1776321966&Signature=NVSF-8kdKYDspAwyL-miro3GnCnVYWSK0KON45XHBP7JI1CwWnjIVkpHcQ7H1i3N2h4PqYqHZ5DIrCgb0jYBl0dkx5C-upwcr7sBHbDLpwpCb-lsx6qaaXO~YARkB9h4J2jEnSTHnhlE-n96rE7pV95UNr1brsKkYzV9uC-0gNBZHPuSjxDSk~XBeeTYBfHAV1FQpHcrVkVLmD1Xf1zmPwgRQziI~ILTq80scRE0PN1Y8cVpMZWiJW3pt~TmLnZnZMRmizlfdvyAqCq3bh0yu9RI6hetUA1uPtoeKZlBnb2Q8AEsN~Ic~oKKwyc2AMpjQlBq00ECe1v3rhjfWiAuBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Superior, WI","date","2025-06-19T18:45:25Z","article","A Billings Park resident told the Superior Common Council on Aug. 20 that frequent train horns are disturbing neighborhood sleep and displacing tenants; staff said federal rules limit options and presented two costly remedies.

\"They're very, very loud. And they're really disturbing a lot of individuals that are down in that area,\" resident George Tregoski said during public comment, describing horn noise that reaches nearby blocks and asking what the city planned to do.

Public works staff explained the city has pursued quiet-zone extensions but was denied and that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulation controlling train-horn patterns and decibel levels constrains local options. Assistant Public Works Director Todd Janico (referred to in the meeting as Todd) told the council the city has two primary options to stop horns at the North 28th Street crossing: sign an agreement with BNSF Railway to install lights and gates at that crossing, or close the road.

\"The recent estimate from BNSF is $460,000 to install lights and gates at that crossing,\" Janico said, adding that the construction timeline after agreement signature would be about a year. Staff also warned that installing lights and gates may not eliminate all horn use in emergency or switching operations and that a larger north-third corridor program of gates and lights could cost roughly $4 million.

Staff said the city's waiver/exception requests were denied and that a previous accident in the area increased the FRA-assessed risk and removed eligibility for a pre-emptive quiet zone. Janico and other staff said they had contacted federal representatives; Councilor Harris said he planned to raise the issue with Congressman Duffy.

City staff asked the council for direction and said they hoped to present a recommendation within 60 days so the council could decide whether to sign an improvement agreement with BNSF. If the council approves an agreement, Janico said BNSF estimated about a year to complete the lights-and-gates work.

Council members and residents said the problem affects multiple crossings and neighborhoods and urged a prompt response. Councilor Mackenzie and others noted the city has raised the issue with federal and railroad officials in the past but emphasized the practical impact on renters and homeowners whose sleep and quality of life are affected.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 3, 2013 Common Council Meeting, City of Superior, Wis","oneSentenceSummary","A resident raised complaints about frequent, loud train horns in Billings Park; staff said Federal Railroad Administration rules limit options and BNSF estimated $460,000 to install lights and gates at the 20th/28th crossing or the alternative of closing the road.","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},6193338,"Council approves $4.5 million note to satisfy DNR landfill closure assurance",105,169000,274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867798-2eec52843072d5541b2761c741dfaf11&start=169&end=274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867798-2eec52843072d5541b2761c741dfaf11/thumbnail_169000.jpg","/articles/6193338/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Council-approves-45-million-note-to-satisfy-DNR-landfill-closure-assurance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193338-bede5f07cbaec7f8d7376d54db69a370/orig.mp4?Expires=1776321966&Signature=HX-o3W9YDHw1Pe9Lixfqx-9DhzR6gXGqgZ0nrZPlTce8uNrF2QuMb4TqxR5hT0TvmZNpOSaJSHCpD69bbtLTsn-f9qXo9i-ecQPZ8ZVWn7SdWnFd3mIpL4NfoP39-tD-e2DzNtTvSw8VaanS3OOPx-2prTdc3DY6rKKpF71NwQ7NhkpMCYW2iGzzXZw~MKWmmOg3uUv3J8DDQkT-wFcyg8Gca-v6Cn27mYycKjTSCiKHVKCIu~ZlvL6IzdOsjDd8BphUe2NTvERiIgSLWcZtWfwtZlWskTY~ilAJnL8fL7Kg19hYE2AVCyjFr9~Bw8znbWlQ3lIqE00-ZjF3J9t9vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Superior Common Council on Aug. 20 approved a resolution authorizing the issuance and sale of a $4,497,754 taxable note of 2013 to create a debt-service account and provide a standby source of funds related to landfill closure and long-term care requirements.

\"We are required by the DNR to be able to prove on any day that we have enough funds set aside for closure of our landfill and for 40 years of long term care,\" a finance staff member, Jean, told the council during discussion, explaining why the city sought the note. Jean said auditors asked the city to update its liability calculation after the 2012 audit because the last calculation dated from 2010 and operational changes (new cells, capping) can increase or decrease the liability.

Jean said that earlier 2010 estimates for capping and long-term care were roughly $5 million, while a more recent estimate exceeded $7 million. She described the instrument before the council as a contingent liquidity arrangement, not a plan to draw on the funds: the note would be held by National Bank of Commerce and would be available only if the DNR required immediate closure actions that exceeded the city's cash-on-hand.

Jean emphasized that the stated 4.75 percent interest rate applies only if the city were to draw on the note and that the city did not plan to draw on it. \"This isn't debt that we're drawing on,\" Jean said. \"It's a note with National Bank of Commerce that ... would be able to authorize that note be drawn on\" only in an unlikely emergency, she explained.

The council approved the resolution after discussion. Councilor McKenzie recorded a \"no\" vote; other roll-call responses were recorded as in favor. The resolution also directed the necessary execution and delivery documents and the establishment of a debt-service account as described in the resolution.

The note was described in the agenda as taxable and intended to create a credit facility to meet a DNR requirement that the city demonstrate adequate funds for landfill closure and 40 years of post-closure care. Staff said the note followed auditor recommendations and updated DNR-calculated liability figures; exact drawing conditions and account balances that would trigger a draw were described as contingent on DNR findings and the note terms.

No additional implementation timetable for drawing on the note was adopted; staff said the note was a precautionary financial assurance measure and that the city is not planning to use the funds except as a contingent resource.","The Common Council approved a taxable note anticipation note to backstop long-term landfill closure and care obligations after updated DNR liability estimates; one councilor voted no.",{"_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},6193343,"Superior officials outline options after emerald ash borer found in North End",2113,424000,2537000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3867798-2eec52843072d5541b2761c741dfaf11&start=424&end=2537","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3867798-2eec52843072d5541b2761c741dfaf11/thumbnail_424000.jpg","/articles/6193343/Superior/Douglas-County/Wisconsin/Superior-officials-outline-options-after-emerald-ash-borer-found-in-North-End","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193343-377e1b46f241d60adbd3fdec6b4c0f48/orig.mp4?Expires=1776321966&Signature=AU9Y5YAJVemXvE-TN~IjqdKkUf49TYdJucv6PLm4PO5Jc3ldfpQprOMROy5sRhfY4WuQkYuy3Kq7OGy-dwCH5nXXCsER8mnktSSoKqCfSZ1FlXBT5qDOpcSlhYuN-bSvvFeQSrDF9mD5HDARbZQ5L1lN~ZD6oyXFLhi5mrHG4vyBYLFHTHdFFPYeYS87kmAgHJ34vh2FEn2r9c5jm9t4bLyZj1khqRVuVK83uwJ6PzONvw~PJr8hJvMhVtmT7W9bIAKscVfQEGKKNmgYYkOLTOh9tMTHr3CHIfz1wijavKA7wuyyFTnKFIOV9ECvq61DySnJv-14boUBGt1XPAb5Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parks and recreation staff told the Superior Common Council on Aug. 20 that the emerald ash borer has been confirmed in the city's North End and recommended a range of options including selective tree treatment, staged removals and a public outreach campaign.

The council was shown maps and photographs of infested ash trees and given estimates of the scale and cost of response. \"We confirmed a find of the bug in the North End on August 7,\" Parks and Recreation Administrator Morgan said during the presentation, noting quarantine rules that restrict movement of ash wood and firewood. Morgan said a 2009 tree survey shows about 3,000 public ash trees in streets, parks and the Nemadji Golf Course.

The presentation explained why action matters: ash trees provide ongoing, noncash public benefits (shade, stormwater uptake and air-pollutant removal). Morgan said an average 12-inch-diameter street ash in good condition is valued at about $1,470 per year in those services and estimated the city's 3,000 public ash deliver roughly $4 million in annual value while they remain healthy.

Morgan described options and tradeoffs: pesticide treatment that must be repeated (commonly every two years), staged removal of smaller or hazardous trees, and replacement planting. She summarized outside experiences: Milwaukee treats large numbers of public ash on a rotating schedule and pays roughly $35 per treated tree in-house; Minneapolis elected not to treat public trees and is removing them; Burnsville has been testing a different, lower-toxicity product. Morgan said the research does not yet prove a one-time cure or a point when treatments can stop.

On costs, Morgan gave order-of-magnitude figures and planning scenarios rather than firm bids. She said statewide averages put contracted removal at roughly $1 million to remove the city's 3,000 public ash and about $1.2 million to replace them if outsourced, and described a multi-year option that spreads removal, treatment and replacement across 2014'16 with sample annual budgets (roughly $300,000'$500,000 per year in the staff scenario). She noted Milwaukee's multi-year, in-house program costs about $1 million per year and compared that with an estimated $27 million cost to remove tens of thousands of ash there if done at once.

Morgan and the tree board described operational steps already in place: crews are removing only ash trees that meet an established criterion (about 50% canopy loss), trees that lean into roadways or homes, and ash with splitting bark; healthy ash are being left while the council considers policy. Morgan said crews had identified local hot spots (Nineteenth & Ogden; Seventeenth & John; Catlin Avenue; North 20th Street) and that the city is staging chip sites and working on wood-disposal arrangements.

Councilors asked for technical details and financial approaches. Councilor Olsen asked how the insecticide is applied; Morgan explained injections around the trunk or soil drench uptake and noted pesticide-ordinance limits for treatments in public rights of way. Councilor Finsland recommended scheduling a follow-up presentation; Clerk confirmed the item will return to the Aug. 20 agenda schedule for the Oct. 1 meeting for more information. Staff proposed a Committee of the Whole or Public Works review as options for more public-facing discussion.

Morgan said the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has circulated mortality projections showing a steep ramp-up in ash deaths a few years after initial infestation, and she noted that the city had arranged a conference call with Dr. Richard Hauer (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point) to discuss treatment and valuation methodology.

The council did not adopt a citywide treatment or removal policy at the meeting. Instead, staff will return with additional cost-estimate scenarios, disposal options, and recommendations for council consideration at an upcoming meeting. Morgan said the tree board and staff will continue public outreach, door-hanger distributions and library informational meetings.

\"We're leaving all of the healthy ash because we think you have some decisions to make,\" Morgan said, summarizing the staff approach to allow council deliberation. The council scheduled a follow-up presentation for Oct. 1 and directed staff to develop more detailed financial and operational options ahead of that meeting.

The council and staff also discussed coordination with Douglas County, which is managing timber-scale responses in its larger forest holdings and hosting a September meeting for the logging industry to address quarantine and transport issues. County cooperation may help with disposal and processing, but the city said urban and county forestry problems are operationally different and likely to require different responses.","City staff told the Common Council that the emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed in Superior's North End and presented treatment, removal and disposal options, cost estimates, and a recommended follow-up presentation for the Oct. 1 council meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press council as staff weighs $460,000 gates-and-lights option to end horn noise

Council approves $4.5 million note to satisfy DNR landfill closure assurance

Superior officials outline options after emerald ash borer found in North End