Plan Commission (Meets 2nd Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m.)
Regular MeetingSuperior, WI · July 19, 2023
Minutes
PLAN COMMISSION Minutes
July 19, 2023 Regular Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Chair Paine at 4:02 pm on July 19, 2023 in Government Center
Room 270.
1 ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Jim Paine, Brent Fennessey, Lindsey Graskey, Garner Moffat, Anne Porter,
Brian Finstad joined at 4:17
VIRTUAL:
ABSENT: Laura Gapske
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director Serck, Tech Becken
OTHERS PRESENT: Shelly Nelson, Tracy Siers, Julie R Johnson, Linda Rind, Linda and
Jay Kotera (online), Jenny Van Sickle (online)
2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1 Plan Commission Minutes from June 21, 2023
MOTION to approve June 21, 2023 Plan Commission minutes by Commissioner Fennessey,
seconded by Commissioner Graskey, carried.
3 OLD BUSINESS
4 NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Superior & Home Landscape Grant Recommendations
Technician Becken explained the grant process with 350 applications and using the Plan Commission’s
direction for prioritizing (corner lots and corner lots on busy corridors). Becken shared the team of those
who gave input on the applications including the landscaper and multiple City staff who work with
housing and neighborhoods. Three of the applicants were present and available for questions and input.
Commissioner Paine invited the commissioners to ask question and invited the applicants to speak if they
had anything to share.
MOTION to approve all four applications by Commissioner Moffat, seconded by
Commissioner Graskey.
Discussion included Councilor Van Sickle online asking how the applicants heard about the program.
Johnson shared she saw it in the stormwater communication from the City. Koteras shared a friend let
them know and thought they might be a good fit because they were on a busy corner lot. Tracy Siers
shared he thought his wife heard from a gardening group. Tracy Siers asked what sort of naming or
notice they might expect so the community might be able to recognize the change in the yards—like a
sign. Commissioner Paine noted signs might be appropriate and that he was excited to see before and
after photos.
Vote on the motion made by Commissioner Moffat and Graskey, carried.
4.2 Small Business Grant Update from Eddie’s
Director Serck introduced Ben Anderson with Eddie’s, a recipient of the Small Business Grant 2022. The
commission had already amended the original development agreement providing ½ of the grant award
with ½ of the projects completed and receipts submitted, extended the project time to allow until the end
PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES - 07/19/23 Mtg (Meets monthly on 3RD Wednesday of each month) Page 1 of 2
of 2023 to finish any projects and gave Eddie’s permission to swap out any remaining projects with
something different, as they were facing unexpected water line issues.
Ben Anderson of Eddie’s gave an update on Eddie’s as they are approaching 1 year of ownership, noting
many projects and priorities had changed over the year as they faced running a busy business in a
building requiring upkeep and unexpected challenges. Ben noted he submitted projects and receipts that
were not on the original grant and asked for forgiveness for not following the agreement and requested
the second half of the grant to be paid out.
Technician Becken shared spreadsheets and lists of submitted receipts and Ben’s reported projects.
Commissioner Moffat asked for details on what sort of things had come up and if they were appropriate
for the small business grant. Ben shared that the water line issues led to significant urgent issues and
replacements of things like a cooler and bar needs.
Commissioner Porter asked about the original application and timeline. Eddie’s applied before it was
under new ownership and the sale was partly contingent on receiving the Small Business Grant—but it
made for choosing projects and amounts that were estimates. Commissioner Porter suggested amending
the application and amending the development agreement, if Eddie’s can show that the projects that they
have completed fit the criteria of the SBGP.
Director Serck encouraged discretion when moving forward, as allowing payout retroactively, without
the project being vetted/approved by the Plan Commission is a named disqualifier in the development
agreement, but noted the purpose of the grant is to be helpful to small businesses. Commissioner Paine
asked staff to put together an amendment to the development agreement based on information Eddie’s
can provide on projects that would fit the Small Business Grant parameters to be available for review at
the next Plan Commission meeting. He also asked Eddie’s to put together an explanation letter and to fill
out a clear application that reflects the updated projects. This cannot be treated like a new application, as
it is within 3 years of the original, but can be a tool for the Commissioners to review the information in a
clear fashion.
Commissioner Graskey asked how many small business grants had been awarded to restaurants/bars in
the past. Technician Becken will have an answer at the next meeting but added that there were multiple in
recent memory.
Commissioner Fennessey noted the success of the small business grant program is partly in that it is
relatively simple and does not take copious amounts of staff time. For the future, he wants to continue to
think about making sure that any changes stay respectful to how much time can be dedicated to the
program.
5 RECURRING BUSINESS
6 ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:37
Respectfully submitted by Stephanie Becken.
PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES - 07/19/23 Mtg (Meets monthly on 3RD Wednesday of each month) Page 2 of 2
Agenda
PLAN COMMISSION Agenda
WEDNESDAY, July 19, 2023–4:00 p.m.
Government Center Room 270
Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 223 069 663 551
Passcode: 6oWwZY
Or call in (audio only) 1-872-242-8028
Phone Conference ID: 472 210 618#
MISSION STATEMENT: To guide and coordinate development including harbor related issues in
accordance with existing and future needs. City Code 98-2.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Jim Paine (chair), Brent Fennessey (vice-chair), Lindsey Graskey, Brian Finstad,
Garner Moffat, Anne Porter, Laura Gapske
1 ROLL CALL
2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1 Plan Commission Minutes (June 21, 2023)
3 OLD BUSINESS
4 NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Scenery & Home Landscape Grant Recommendations
a. 1002 E 5th Street: Homeowners Tracy & Melissa Siers
b. 6304 Tower Avenue: Homeowners Jay & Ellen Kotera
c. 1315 E 5th Street: Homeowner Julie R Johnson
d. 1204 Catlin Avenue: Homeowner Hayley McDonnell
4.2 Small Business Grant update from Eddie’s
5 ADJOURNMENT
Notice is hereby given that a majority of the members of the Common Council may be present at the meeting, and
although this may constitute a quorum of the Common Council, the Council will not take any action at this
meeting.
Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if you are in need of an accommodation to participate in
the public meeting process, please call (715) 395-7200 by 4:30 p.m. on the day prior to the scheduled meeting date
(OR dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service). The City will attempt to accommodate any request
depending on the amount of notice received.
In compliance with Wisconsin Open Meetings Law, this agenda was posted on 7/14/2023 at the following locations: Superior Government
Center, Douglas County Courthouse, Superior Public Library, and online at https://www.ci.superior.wi.us/agendacenter. It was also emailed the
Superior Telegram.
PLAN COMMISSION AGENDA – 7/19/2023 Mtg (Meets monthly on 3RD Wednesday at 4:00pm.) Page 1 of 1
PLAN COMMISSION Minutes
June 21, 2023 Regular Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Chair Paine at 4:05 pm on June 21, 2023 in Government Center
Room 201.
1 ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Jim Paine, Brent Fennessey, Lindsey Graskey, Garner Moffat, Anne Porter
VIRTUAL: Laura Gapske
ABSENT: Brian Finstad
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Director Serck, Tech Becken
OTHERS PRESENT: Shelly Nelson, John Ramos, Lippitts, Sarah Beck, Pam Benson,
Mathy Manger, Jeff McCaffrey
2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1 Plan Commission Minutes from March 15, 2023
MOTION to approve March 15, 2023 Plan Commission minutes by Commissioner Graskey,
seconded by Commissioner Porter, carried.
3 OLD BUSINESS
4 NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Elect Chair and vice chair
Current Chair Paine requested to retain his place as chair of the commission, as is allowable through
city ordinance and asked for nominations for vice chair. Commissioner Graskey nominated Anne Porter.
Commissioner Porter nominated Commissioner Fennessey and thanked Commissioner Graskey, but
withdrew herself from the nomination.
MOTION to appoint Commissioner Brent Fennessey as vice chair by Commissioner Moffat,
seconded by Commissioner Porter, carried.
4.2 Superior Housing Authority’s request to submit a Certified Survey Map for property located at
Catlin Courts. CSM 23-01
Chair Paine excused himself to abstain from any discussion or votes that might impact Superior Housing
Authority at 4:08. Vice Chair Fennessey took chair. Director Serck explained the purpose of the CSM
which is required to clarify the parcels for the large tax-credit programs Superior Housing Authority is
undertaking.
MOTION to approve CSM 23-01 by Commissioner Moffat, seconded by Commissioner Porter,
carried.
4.3 Superior Housing Authority’s request to submit an Affidavit as to Certain Vacated Streets and
Alleys
Director Serck explained the affidavit request as the Superior Housing Authority working through title
work and requiring the physical documentation for the different vacations of streets and alleys that date
PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES - 06/21/23 Mtg (Meets monthly on 3RD Wednesday of each month) Page 1 of 2
back to the 1950’s and earlier. As staff has not been able to find the exact originals, the affidavit request
will allow the city to assert that the vacations did happen.
MOTION to recommend the affidavit for approval to the City Council by Commissioner
Moffat, seconded by Commissioner Graskey, carried.
Chair Paine retook the chair at 4:11.
4.4 Lippitt Bluff Buffer Encroachment Request
Director Serck explained the history of bluff buffer requests as laid out by the Plan Commission.
He shared the process including the applicant sourcing an engineering firm to help make
determinations. City staff also reviewed and recommended the application. Commissioner Paine
asked for clarification on what the erosion meant. Director Serck shared the erosion noted in the
report was some distance from the proposed building.
MOTION to approve by Commissioner Fennessey, seconded by Commissioner Porter, carried.
4.5 Small Business Grants
a. Polar Tools 23-05 $6,287.40
b. AD Financial Planning 23-07 $1,416.40
c. Superior Bowling 23-08 $10,728.90
Tech Becken explained the Quarter 2 applications for Small Business grants in a total of $18,432.70
with $73,578 available. Applicants were on site for questions if needed.
MOTION to approve all three applications by Commissioner Moffat, seconded by
Commissioner Fennessey, carried.
4.6 Scenery and Home Superior Landscape Grant Update
Tech Becken gave a brief update about the grant. 350 applications were submitted with 8 disqualified
due to not meeting requirements (within the City, owning home, etc). Staff is currently reviewing
applications and will plan to have recommendations at the July Plan Commission meeting. Councilor
Van Sickle shared gratitude and excitement with the commission as the pilot program has the
potential to do exciting work with green infrastructure when handling storm water and has received
notice from state level entities.
5 RECURRING BUSINESS
6 ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 4:20
Respectfully submitted by Stephanie Becken.
PLAN COMMISSION MINUTES - 06/21/23 Mtg (Meets monthly on 3RD Wednesday of each month) Page 2 of 2
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