The Superior Express -

In early 2024, residents of Superior will likely receive a new format of utility bill. Monday evening members of the city council gave the nod to continue the process of switching to an out-of-town firm for the printing and mailing of the utility bills.

Currently the bills are printed in the city office and prepared for mailing at the Superior Post Office by city staff members. It is anticipated the change will not be made until current supplies are used up which will probably be in the first quarter of 2024.

The new 8.5x11 letter format will give all the same information as has been on the postcard format now being used plus additional information. New features will include a graphical representation of usage history for the past 12 months for each utility service.

In other action Monday evening, the city council approved requesting bids for the demolition of about a dozen properties which have been on the abatement list and which the owners had failed to make the required improvements.

At the request of Chris Carter, action on a Colorado Street property he would like to make his home was delayed. The house has been vacant since 2018. When last inspected by a city staff member, the structure did not meet the minimum standards for utility service and was in need of much cleaning.

Carter was given additional time to show progress in his attempt to bring the property into compliance with the city’s minimum standards.

Michael Harvey met with the council to discuss damages he believes were caused to his home by the installation of a new natural gas service line. A city hired contractor used horizontal boring techniques to install the new line serving the house at 540 East 12th Street.

An independent engineering firm has inspected the property and is preparing a report. If the firm concludes the cracks and bow in the basement wall were caused by the gas line installation work, a claim will be submitted to the contractor. Final payment for the work will be withheld pending receipt of the engineer’s report.

The council approved a request from Heath Korb to share in the demolition cost of a property at 255 Guthrie. According to city policy, the city will contribute 50 percent of the demolition cost up to a maximum contribution of $4,000 provided a taxable structure of greater value than the one removed is built on the cleared property within a stated time.

Approval was given to proceed with planning for a community needs assessment survey. Such surveys are regularly conducted every five years. It anticipated the next survey will be taken in 2024. Along with the community needs survey, it is anticipated the housing study will be updated in the near future.

The council accepted the resignation of Derek Clark as city planner. He held the position for 14 years. Clark’s last day on the job will be in mid-November.

An electrical energy contract amendment with NextEra Energy was approved. The contract provides for the transmission of energy purchased by Superior from the City of Hastings.

The amended contract will provide the assurance of additional power that is expected to be needed by the Superior Utilities’ customers in 2024.

Currently, most of the electrical energy used by Superior utility customers is purchased from Nextera Energy,

Before adjourning the meeting, the council went into executive session to discuss negotiations with regard to acquisition of a child care facility.