On the agenda: Superior meeting — surveillance camera (Aug 11)

WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE Agenda
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 – 4:30 p.m.
Government Center, Room 204
Virtual Meeting Link: Click here to join the Microsoft Teams Meeting
Meeting ID: 255 813 330 407 89
Password: Kr96Cb2a
Call in Option: +1 (872) 242-8028
Phone Conference ID: 868 416 006#
MISSION STATEMENT: “Implementing of the Wisconsin Point Area Management Plan directives, policy development
and monitoring.”
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Tom Bridge, Mike Herrick, Nick Danz, Thomas Howes, Deanna Erickson, Cherie Hagen,
Matthew Steiger (alt), Lee Sandok Baker

1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1. Wisconsin Point Committee (Meeting held May 12, 2026)
3. NEW BUSINESS
3.1. Election of Officers
3.1.1 Election of Chair
3.1.2 Election of Vice-Chair
3.2. Update on Allouez Bay
3.3. Discussion on Allouez Bay Alternative 3
3.4. Discussion on Wisconsin Point 50 Project
4. OLD BUSINESS
4.1. Update on the Fire Management Plan
4.2. Update on Schafers Beach
4.3. Update on 44th Avenue East Dock
4.4. Update on Wisconsin Point Cultural Connection Project
4.5. Discussion on funding and timeline for the Wisconsin Point Management Plan
5. RECURRING BUSINESS
5.1. Committee Member/Partner Updates
5.2. Future Agenda Items
5.3. Confirm the next meeting date as November 10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Room 204 of the
Government Center.
6. ADJOURNMENT

WI Point Committee 8/11/2026 Meeting

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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 on 8/04/2026 at the following locations: Superior Government Center, Superior Public
Library, and online at https://www.ci.superior.wi.us/agendacenter. It was also emailed the Superior Telegram.

WI Point Committee 8/11/2026 Meeting

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WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE Minutes
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 Regular Meeting
The meeting was called to order by Chair Bridge at 4:32 p.m. on May 12, 2026, in Government
Center Room 204 & virtually via Microsoft Teams.
1. ROLL CALL
Members Present: Tom Bridge, Lee Sandok Baker, Kirsten Rhude, Nick Danz,
Matt Steiger, Deanna Erickson
City Staff Present: Bridgit Maruska, Kara Czapinski
Others Present: Shelley Nelson
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
2.1 Wisconsin Point Committee (Meeting held February 24, 2026)
MOTION by Danz second by Erickson and carried to approve the Wisconsin Point
Committee Minutes from February 24, 2026.
3. NEW BUSINESS
3.1. Wisconsin Point Cultural Connection Project Update
Director Maruska reported that the group has secured a $100,000 grant from the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Cultural Connections trail; however,
the notification process was delayed. Occurring now are ongoing discussions to clarify
budgetary and project scope details. To address these issues, Maruska has arranged a
meeting with the EPA and the city contract analyst to determine whether the grant will
fund the full design or a scaled-back version, while also presenting cost estimates for
both 60% and 100% design options. During the discussions, participants considered the
optimal trail length and features, with Maruska highlighting that a longer trail system
would likely draw more users, although incorporating a boardwalk in the full design
could potentially exceed the current budget. Maruska emphasized that following
guidance from the EPA, the team would engage the public and select a design firm,
underlining the significance of community involvement in the planning process.
3.2. 44th Avenue East Superior Public Access Project Update
Director Maruska announced that Stantec has been selected as the consultant for the
project after evaluating 11 proposals and interviewing three firms, with Stantec's strong
references playing a significant role in the decision. Plans for a public engagement
session at the river were outlined, which will include a 'meet, walk, talk' event at the
dock, along with the potential distribution of a mailer featuring a QR code survey to
solicit feedback from the Allouez adjacent community. The committee also discussed
WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE – 5/12/26 Meeting (Meets as needed/quarterly.)
*Attended the meeting virtually

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logistical arrangements for the public engagement event scheduled for June 18th,
addressing issues such as parking capacity and the possibility of organizing a trash
cleanup in advance to enhance the area. Members expressed concerns about ongoing
trash and dumping issues at the site, the absence of surveillance cameras, and the
necessity for regular cleanups, highlighting the city's dependence on volunteers and staff
for maintenance efforts.
4. OLD BUSINESS
4.1. Update on the Fire Management Plan
Deanna Erickson announced that a proposal submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service has been approved for funding, which will facilitate the thinning of the pine
plantation located off Lot 5 and the creation of a comprehensive fire management plan.
Erickson highlighted the appearance of new plant species in areas recently affected by
fire and outlined plans for continuous vegetation monitoring by LSNERR staff member,
Kirstin Rhude. The fire management strategy encompasses two planned burns,
designated staff time, and a cultural fire planning meeting that will engage the city,
Reserve, and other stakeholders. The discussion also covered the historical context of
the pine plantation, originally established for erosion control, and noted the rich
diversity of vegetation in the thinned sections. Additionally, Matt Steiger and Erickson
addressed ongoing and prospective initiatives to manage non-native cattails through
prescribed burns, emphasizing collaboration with tribal experts and the potential for
project expansion throughout the estuary. Tom Bridge questioned if the cattail burning
was successful, and Steiger noted that data has not been issued from similar projects
elsewhere yet.
4.2. Update on Schafers Beach
Director Maruska announced that the team plans to transform the informal social trail
into a switchback trail, although a specific timeline for this project has yet to be
established. During recent site inspections, they discovered encampments near the
trailhead on Douglas County property, which has led to discussions with the county and
a temporary hold of trail work until the area is cleared.
4.3. Update on Visitor Use Assessment
Director Maruska reported that the visitor use assessment was distributed digitally,
yielding nearly 500 responses through QR code access. However, there was no clear
distinction made between online and on-site participants. The survey revealed a strong
preference for preserving the area's natural character. Reported concerns in the survey
identified concerns regarding safety and vehicle security, despite a low incidence of
reported break-ins. Partners are currently analyzing the data, which is anticipated to
guide future management strategies and interpretive trail initiatives, highlighting the
importance of this information for upcoming planning efforts.
WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE – 5/12/26 Meeting (Meets as needed/quarterly.)
*Attended the meeting virtually

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Deanna Ericksen left the meeting at 5:03 p.m.
4.4. Update on Wisconsin Point Management Plan
Director Maruska announced that the city intends to apply for a coastal management
program grant set to open in August, which will require matching funds. This grant
typically mandates a 50/50 match up to a certain limit, with larger funding requests
necessitating a higher contribution from the city.
5. RECURRING BUSINESS
5.1 Committee Member/Partner Updates
5.2 Future Agenda Items
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
5.2.5

Update on Fire Management Plan
Update on Schafers Beach
Update on 44th Avenue East Dock
Update on Cultural Connections
Discuss funding and timeline for Wisconsin Point Management Plan

5.3 Confirm the next meeting date as August 11, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in Room 204 of the
Government Center.
6

ADJOURNMENT
Chair Bridge announced the meeting adjourned at 5:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Kara Czapinski

WISCONSIN POINT COMMITTEE – 5/12/26 Meeting (Meets as needed/quarterly.)
*Attended the meeting virtually

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