Cornell City Council; Summer promises to be filled with community events

As the weather warms and the days lengthen, plans are in the works for community happenings throughout the summer in Cornell. Two of those events were given the go-ahead April 20, at a regular Cornell City Council meeting.

The first is the annual July 3 parade down Main Street, at 1:30 p.m., organized by council member Aimee Korger, followed by the street dance, which is sponsored by the Cornell Area ATV Club.

Korger says the line-up of cars, trucks and others will be the same as last year, for easy access to enter the parade route, but is planning for a large attendance, with how well the new parade went over last year.

“It might be a little bigger this year,” she said.

After the parade is complete, a classic car show will take place along First and Third streets, with the street dance to follow at 4 p.m. To that end, the ATV club asked that the council allow them to close Main Street from First to Third streets, immediately following the parade.

Members agreed to allow the closure, as well as granting the club access to a picnic license to sell alcohol, with consumption to take place on Main Street.

During the July 3 event, two bands will play at the street dance, on two stages (playing from 4-8 p.m. and 8-11:30 p.m.), along with food and beer wagons, 50/50 raffles and kids games.

“There’s plenty of opportunity for the downtown businesses to offer food,” said Sandy Schecklman, ATV club member/street dance coordinator/business owner.

Schecklman also asked the establishments serving beverages, to ensure that no glass bottles be allowed outside, as the ATV club cleaned up a lot of broken glass in the closed off area last year. She also said the street dance coordinators would like to have support from the other businesses in town, as they really need help with the kids’ games.

“It’s a big undertaking for the club, it takes a lot of hands to set up, to run it and tear it down,” said Schecklman.

Anyone who wishes to help with the street dance, can contact Schecklman or Nick Knez, while Korger can be contacted about entering the parade.

The council agreed to close the portion of Main Street, from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., allowing for set-up and clean-up.

They also approved a contract with J& M Displays for fireworks, with the cost of $4,000 for each of the next three years, giving the city a discount on multiple year products, as well as a rain date provision.

“We set the price,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh, adding that the company supplies a shooter and insurance. “I’d be a little nervous about switching, unless I was able to see their show.”

“I think as long as these guys are doing the job and showing up, it’s OK to tie them up for a few years,” said council member Terry Smith, mentioning that the annual July 3 display receives a lot of compliments.

Currently, the city sponsors the entire amount for the cost of the show, but DeJongh said they are always open to a private donation from a business or organization.

The second event that received support, is overnight camping at Mill Yard Park, Saturday, Aug. 28, for an ATV/UTV rally, sponsored by the Cornell Area ATV Club. Schecklman says they would like for Cornell to be known for ATV/UTVs, as Sturgis is for motorcycles.

“That’s going to happen, in my opinion,” said mayor Mark Larson.

Schecklman said she is inviting every ATV club in Wisconsin, but doesn’t know what kind of turnout they are going to have for the first year, but expect good numbers.

“Hopefully, it will turn out good and be an annual event,” said Schecklman.

She also requested, that if anyone in Cornell has any space for people from out of town to camp or park their rigs, that they contact her. Schecklman said she will provide a list of businesses who have camping or rooms for rent.

The camping spots would be on a first-come, first-serve basis, so participants should register ahead of time for the Mill Yard spots. The one-day event will feature a show for vintage machines, vendors with new machines for sale or swap, along with charcoal chicken, brats and burgers.

“When you say a rally, you got a route they’re gonna ride on?” asked council member Floyd Hickethier.

Bill Kvapil, council member, ATV club president, said he will show the visitors to the city where the routes are to ride if they want, but thinks that most from out of town will haul in their machines on trailers or pull them behind campers.

Members agreed on the overnight camping and Schecklman said she will start putting out feelers for the rally.

In other business, the council approved a Class B winery license application for the Wisconsin Veteran Farm LLC, owned by Dan Osborn. The decision to approve a Conditional Use Permit to allow Osborn to operate a winery on his premises at 921 South Eighth Street, was made by the Board of Zoning Appeals April 12.

Because the property is zoned agricultural, running a business at that site is considered commercial use of the property, which required a Conditional Use Permit.

“That was the first step,” said DeJongh. “That paves the way for you to be able to act on his beverage license application for a Class B winery.”

The application (which can be prorated) will run through June 30, then Osborn will have to reapply, along with everyone else, when the renewal is due at that time.

Members also decided to prorate a poultry license application fee for anyone who applies for the remainder of 2021, based on an ordinance that was adopted last fall, requiring applicants to pay a $50 application license fee annually to keep chickens in the city, as well as a $50 inspection fee. Because residents Jacob Shipley and David Anstice did so much to get the ordinance started, and provided the city with research and wording for the application, it was decided to waive their application fee for the rest of the year.

“I think we need to consider doing something for them,” said Larson.

Also approved, was the purchase of a 2007 7400 IHC truck, with universal plow, sander and wing, for $21,210 from the Chippewa County Highway Department. The recommendation came out of a City Works meeting, with several options presented by Derek Braun, utility superintendent/ city works.

“I was very impressed by the way Derek did his homework on this,” said council member Steve Turany.

To coincide with that, the council also authorized the sale of an old plow truck and grader.

On request of DeJongh, members also moved Lisa Westman to full assistant deputy/clerk-treasurer, with an increase in pay to the rate for that position, because she started at something less than the previous assistant deputy made.

“She’s doing a really nice job,” said Larson.