Public Safety Committee (Meets 3rd Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m.)
Regular MeetingSuperior, WI · June 15, 2023
Minutes
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Minutes
Thursday, June 15th, 2023
The meeting was called to order by Councilor Ledin at 6:00 pm on June 15, 2023 in Government Center
Room 204.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Nick Ledin, Tylor Elm, Mike Herrick, Mark Johnson
VIRTUAL: Chief Alexander, Director Todd Janigo, Councilor Van Sickle, Nikki Holmberg, Maria
Lockwood
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Mayor Paine, Chief Vollbrecht, Katie Warren
OTHERS PRESENT: Gary LaPorte (Residence owner), Ryan Nelson (P&R Companies), Megan
Holsclaw (P&R Companies)
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1. Public Safety Committee (Special meeting held May 25, 2023)
MOTION by Ledin, second by Herrick, and carried to approve.
3. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES
Chief Alexander states they recently interviewed 3 candidates for Police Officer and will start a
background check on all 3 once they are received. A lateral transfer also applied from Madison. The
Police Department applied for a port security grant; this would provide a vehicle blockade system and
an emergency preemption system.
Chief Vollbrecht states they recently hired 2 new firefighters; they will be fully staffed next month.
Department members went and looked at an electric fire truck as they are hoping to get one in future
years. Essentia has provided a grant to area fire departments for emotional resiliency training which
will start in September 2023. The airboat has arrived and training has started.
4. NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Homeless Encampment Update
Mayor Paine gave an introduction and background on the homeless encampment. There were several
meetings between Mayor Paine, Public Works, City Attorney Prell, Superior Police Department, and
Superior Fire Department to determine why the encampment was growing and how to protect the
residents of the encampment and those in surrounding areas. The city has tried many efforts over the
last couple years to mitigate the challenges of the existing encampment. These include adding a
portable toilet, fencing off the area, removing 75 tons of trash, making regular contact with the
encampment residents, and adding support from non-profit organizations. Despite the efforts to
minimize the challenges, there has been an increase in safety and sanitation issues arising from the
encampment. The city has reached its limit of resources and can no longer protect the safety, health,
and dignity of the residents living in and those affected by the encampment. Mayor Paine declared an
emergency and ordered the encampment to be evacuated. The residents have been given ample
warning that the space would no longer be able to be occupied past a certain date. Resources were
given to the residents of the encampment to find other housing.
Public Safety Committee – 06/15/2023
Jen Stank, Coordinated Response Specialist of the Superior Police Department, describes the outreach
she has done at the encampment. Jen visited the area weekly over the last 20 months to provide
support and resources and to gain a positive relationship with the residents. Residents were given
written notice in May 2023 regarding the evacuation, and they were offered storage of items for up to
30 days. Even after the evacuation, she is continuing to connect with the residents to provide
resources. She passed around photos of the encampment during this meeting (attached below). The
photos start around August 2022 after a cleanup had been conducted by Sutherland, the next set were
from January 2023 after an emergency cleanup had been done in December 2023 as the Fire
Department stated there were safety concerns. The third set is from February 2023 where trash was
continuously being added. The next cleanup was March 2023, and one month later the trash grew
rapidly again. The last cleanup was June 2023, which is shown in the last photo.
Motion to hold in committee by Tylor Elm, second by Mark Johnson, and carried.
*Jen Stank left meeting
4.2 Add “No Parking Even Side- Weeks Ave, Belknap St to N 14th St”
In the past, calendar parking was eliminated on this block, and it was intended to be parking allowed
on one side only. It did not go into ordinance that way, only calendar parking was eliminated so
people park on both sides. Demand has changed as this was passed before Central Flats opened. There
was discussion by Mayor Paine and the Central Flats owner to not change the parking on this block as
it would not be beneficial to the residents/businesses in the area and may increase speeding. There
was also discussion by Council members that the white lines could be eliminated on this block’
Director Todd Janigo stated his crew could likely grind out the white lines.
No Action.
*Gary LaPorte left meeting
4.3 Install two 30-minute parking signs along Cumming Avenue near Courthouse
See memo in the agenda packet from 06/15/2023 submitted by Dave Sletten. Public parking remains
an issue for the government center and courthouse. They are requesting two 30-minute parking signs
on this street to make it more accessible. Dave Sletten has been in contact with Director Todd Janigo
and is fine with the current 20-minute ordinance (Chapter 112, schedule F) instead of 30 minutes.
Motion by Tylor Elm, second by Mark Johnson to install two 20-minute parking signs along
Cumming Avenue near Courthouse on the two northernmost diagonal parking spaces, carried.
Will send for council recommendation.
5. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 7:21 PM by Councilor Ledin.
Submitted by Nikki Holmberg
Agenda
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Agenda
Thursday, June 15, 2023–6:00 PM Government Center
Room 204
Video Call Link Click here to join the meeting
Meeting ID: 217 671 775 639 / Passcode: wJKCAL
Dial In Option: +1 872-242-8028; PIN 624 938 817#
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Nick Ledin, Tylor Elm, Mark Johnson, Mike Herrick
1 ROLL CALL
2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1 Public Safety Committee (Special meeting held May 25, 2023)
3 POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES
4 NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Homeless Encampment Update
4.2 Add No Parking Even Side – Weeks Ave, Belknap St to N 14th St
4.3 Install two 30-minute parking signs along Cumming Avenue near Courthouse
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.
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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.
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In compliance with Wisconsin Open Meetings Law, this agenda was posted at the following locations: Superior Government Center,
Douglas County Courthouse, and online at https://www.ci.superior.wi.us/agendacenter. It was also emailed to the Superior Telegram and the
Superior Public Library.
This meeting may be called into closed session under WI State Statute Sections 19.85 (1) (c) which cite as follows: ‘Considering employment,
promotion, compensation or performance evaluation data for any public employee over which the governmental body has jurisdiction or exercises
responsibility’.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Minutes
May 25, 2023 Special Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Councilor Ledin at 4:00 pm on May 25, 2023 in Government Center
Room 204.
1. ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Nick Ledin, Tylor Elm, Mike Herrick
VIRTUAL: Mark Johnson, Maria Lockwood
CITY STAFF PRESENT: Nikki Holmberg
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1. Public Safety Committee (Meeting held April 20th, 2023)
MOTION by Elm second by Herrick, and carried to approve the minutes from the April 20,
2023 meeting.
3. OLD BUSINESS
3.1. Tow Fee Increase
The tow fee increase from 98.00 to 127.00 was approved by this committee in April 2023. Previous
ordinance stated vehicles with a gross weight of more than 8,000 lbs had a tow fee of 108.00, which
was $10 more than the standard tow fee. The storage fee in section 112-145 was previously set at
25.00/day. The committee raised the storage fee to $37.00/day at the April 2023 public safety
meeting. There was discussion on keeping the increase at 30% from the original $25.00/day, which
would equal $32.50/day.
MOTION by Ledin, second by Elm, and carried to increase the tow fee for vehicles with a gross
weight of more than 8,000 pounds to $137.00 (section 112-143 (2) )
MOTION by Elm, second by Herrick, and carried to change the daily storage fee to reflect a
30% increase from the original 25.00/day to $32.50/day (section 112-145)
4. ADJOURNMENT at 4:10 by Councilor Ledin.
Submitted by Nikki Holmberg
Public Safety Committee – 05/25/2023;
Office of the Mayor
Jim Paine, Mayor
Becky Scherf, Chief of Staff to the Mayor
Phone: (715) 395-7212 1316 North 14th Street, #301
Fax: (715) 395-7590 Superior, WI 54880
TDD: (715) 395-7521 Website: www.ci.superior.wi.us
E-mail: mayor@ci.superior.wi.us
MEMORANDUM
DATE: 06/13/22
TO: Members of the Common Council
FROM: Jim Paine, Mayor
RE: Declaration of Emergency at the Belknap Viaduct Encampment
Background: For the past two years the Superior Police Department, in collaboration with numerous
community stakeholders, strived to protect the health, safety, and dignity of the people living in and
impacted by the Belknap Viaduct encampment. They continue that effort today. Members of the Superior
Police Department regularly conduct robust outreach efforts to connect people with housing options,
addiction treatment, and medical/mental health services.
Changing conditions in the Belknap Viaduct encampment have created an environment that can no longer
sustain continued occupation of the area. During the past year, law enforcement and emergency medical
services responded to several drug overdoses in the encampment, including one fatality. The Belknap
Viaduct encampment suffered several accidental fires, including a small explosion that damaged adjacent
property. Over the past four months, the city removed approximately 75 tons of waste and debris. This
comes at a great cost to the city and threatens the health and safety of the community in and around the
area.
We remain committed to collaborating with community stakeholders and those in need to find lasting
solutions to the complex problem of homelessness in our community. Finding lasting solutions requires
hard work, dedication, and empathy.
While our extensive outreach efforts mitigated many of these issues during the first two years of the
encampment’s existence, our efforts are no longer able to protect the safety, health, and dignity of the
people living in and those effected by the encampment. After soliciting the advice of both Chief
Alexander and City Attorney Prell I determined that a state of emergency exists in the area of the
encampment and I ordered the Police Chief to evacuate the encampment. I then ordered the Public Works
Director to conduct a final cleanup and to contract for the immediate construction of a fence to prevent
the future occupation of the area.
I do not recommend further action from the Public Safety Committee or the City Council at this time.
However, if the Committee or Council disagrees with the actions described in this memo, they are free to
rescind the state of emergency and direct or enact policy regarding the Belknap Viaduct right of way. If
the Committee and Council take no action, the Police Chief and I will provide regular updates to the
Public Safety Committee on the state of homelessness in Superior and the condition of this and other
homeless encampments.
Superior Police Department
1316 N. 14th St. Suite 150 Phone: (715) 395-7234
Superior, WI 54880 Fax: (715) 395-7664
www.ci.superior.wi.us
June 12, 2023
Bernard J Reger
3103 N 16th St.
Superior, WI 54880
To whom it may concern:
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, a Public Safety Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM. On the agenda are
parking ordinance changes that may affect your residence/rental property. This includes:
“Add No Parking Even Side – Weeks Ave, Belknap St to N 14th St”
The Public Safety Meeting is open to the public. The Government Center is located at 1316 N 14th St.
Superior, WI, 54880. The meeting will be held in Room 204. You may attend the meeting by phone with
the information below, or you may visit the agenda center at
https://www.ci.superior.wi.us/agendacenter to click the Teams Meeting link. Please contact Katie
Warren, Community Services Officer at 715-395-7560 with any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Public Safety Meeting Dial In Option: +1 872-242-8028; PIN 624 938 817#
Sincerely,
Nikki Holmberg
Administrative Assistant
Superior Police Department
1316 N. 14th St. Suite 150 Phone: (715) 395-7234
Superior, WI 54880 Fax: (715) 395-7664
www.ci.superior.wi.us
June 12, 2023
P&R Companies
2306 W Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55806
To whom it may concern:
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, a Public Safety Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM. On the agenda are
parking ordinance changes that may affect your residence/rental property. This includes:
“Add No Parking Even Side – Weeks Ave, Belknap St to N 14th St”
The Public Safety Meeting is open to the public. The Government Center is located at 1316 N 14th St.
Superior, WI, 54880. The meeting will be held in Room 204. You may attend the meeting by phone with
the information below, or you may visit the agenda center at
https://www.ci.superior.wi.us/agendacenter to click the Teams Meeting link. Please contact Katie
Warren, Community Services Officer at 715-395-7560 with any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Public Safety Meeting Dial In Option: +1 872-242-8028; PIN 624 938 817#
Sincerely,
Nikki Holmberg
Administrative Assistant
Superior Police Department
1316 N. 14th St. Suite 150 Phone: (715) 395-7234
Superior, WI 54880 Fax: (715) 395-7664
www.ci.superior.wi.us
June 12, 2023
Cathleen & Gary LaPorte
2401 Missouri Avenue
Superior, WI 54880
To whom it may concern:
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, a Public Safety Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM. On the agenda are
parking ordinance changes that may affect your residence/rental property. This includes:
“Add No Parking Even Side – Weeks Ave, Belknap St to N 14th St”
The Public Safety Meeting is open to the public. The Government Center is located at 1316 N 14th St.
Superior, WI, 54880. The meeting will be held in Room 204. You may attend the meeting by phone with
the information below, or you may visit the agenda center at
https://www.ci.superior.wi.us/agendacenter to click the Teams Meeting link. Please contact Katie
Warren, Community Services Officer at 715-395-7560 with any questions or concerns. Thank you!
Public Safety Meeting Dial In Option: +1 872-242-8028; PIN 624 938 817#
Sincerely,
Nikki Holmberg
Administrative Assistant
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