Council approves 3% pay increase, traffic changes, business grants and temporary polling site

The Superior Common Council on Jan. 7 approved a package of personnel, traffic, development and election items, including a 3% wage increase for nonunion employees, a new four‑way stop at a hazardous intersection and two small‑business grants.

The council voted to approve a 3% wage increase for all nonunion city employees; the record shows Councilors Van Sickle and Herrick notified the chair that they would abstain, and the motion carried. The council also approved changes to the nonunion salary and benefit handbook and a pay‑grade increase for the park, recreation and forestry director.

The council adopted an ordinance amending city code chapter 112 (Traffic Code, Schedule A: Stops) to add a four‑way stop at North 18th Street and the avenue named in the ordinance (the transcript redacted the avenue name). Councillor LeDin moved the ordinance; Councillor Ludwig seconded. Councillor Lutwyk thanked the Public Safety Committee for responding to constituent concerns: “When I get calls from constituents that there's a, you know, car in their yard almost hitting their house... thank you for listening to the concerns.” The ordinance carried.

The council approved two small‑business grant agreements recommended by the Plan Commission: Matson Accounting at 1627 North 34th Street and Rick's Auto Body at 1703 Broadway Street. The Matson Accounting motion was made by Councillor Fennessey and seconded by Councillor Moffett; the Rick's Auto Body motion was made by Councillor Grasky and seconded by Councillor Sweeney. Both motions carried on voice votes.

The council set public hearings on two planning matters (a zoning/future‑land‑use change for property at 6200 East Third Street and a petition to vacate and discontinue a certain alley and street); in both cases the hearing date shown in the packet was amended to Feb. 19 and the council approved the amended schedule.

The Redevelopment Authority resolution tied to the planned Lake Superior Apartments development was approved; councilors were directed to the informational materials included in the meeting packet. Miscellaneous licenses were granted, and the council approved a resolution temporarily changing the Feb. 18 spring primary poll site for Precinct 3 (5th/7th Aldermanic Districts) to the University of Wisconsin–Superior Yellowjacket Union; the clerk said the site offers ADA accessibility and UWS provided dedicated parking and signage will be posted.

All motions summarized above were recorded as carried on voice vote; where the transcript records specific abstentions those are noted. No ordinance votes in the transcript included full roll‑call tallies beyond the abstentions referenced for the nonunion wage increase.