Burn pit fire coming soon

The Superior City Council held a public hearing Monday evening to consider a request to change the zoning of a residential property at 316 N Kansas from general commercial to medium density residential. The property in question has long been used as a residence. It is now for sale but lending agencies are reluctant to loan money on a residence zoned as a commercial location.

It is one of six residences in the block, five of which are zoned commercial. The block has long been a mix of commercial and residential properties.

No one appeared before the council in opposition to the requested zoning change, however, the council was unable to act on the request. Only four of the six council members attended Monday’s meeting and five are required to act on ordinance changes. Members Levi Gunn and James Flores were absent.

In the city utility portion of the meeting the pending retirement of one utility department worker was acknowledge and a new worker was hired. However, the two represented two departments.

Larry Sibert, the current gas department foreman has indicated he plans to retire sometime this year. Sibert has been employed by the gas department since the city acquired the natural gas distribution system in the 1990s. He was praised for his work and the system improvements made under his direction.

A co-worker, Jerred Ehlers, is being groomed to take Sibert’s place. The council approved preparing for the transition.

Conner Madden was hired to fill a lineman’s position with the electric department. He is coming to Superior from Sheridan, Wyoming, with prior electric utility experience. He is expected to begin work in early February,

The selection of Andrew Brittenham as the city’s flood plain administrator was approved. The city is required to have a licensed flood plain administrator and Brittenham will later this winter attend a two-day school to familiarize himself with the administrator’s requirements.

LeAnn Jochum with South Central Economic Development District reviewed the community needs assessment survey plan with the council. The city is required to take such a survey every five years. A separate story in this issue of The Express reports on the survey plan in greater detail.

The council approved retaining JKEC Energy Consulting for assistance in negotiating a new wholesale electrical power contract. The current contract will expire in 2025.

Resolutions were approved setting policies for the use of the body cameras and stun guns purchased for the police department.

The council approved the purchase of a stair chair for the ambulance squad. The device is used to help move patients either up or down a flight of stairs.

While the timing has not yet been determined, it was noted when weather conditions are right, the city burn pit will be closed for a few days to allow the actual burning of the waste that has been gathered there.

And this week the city’s snow removal equipment will be moved to an area in front of the Superior Elementary School to allow the pupils to see the equipment up close.

It was reported some site preparation work has been done in anticipation of starting construction of the city’s new water treatment plant. The driveway into the site has been widened to permit semitrailer truck access and a temporary electrical power service has been added to the site.