Cornell City Council; Wastewater treatment plant nears completion

Cornell resident Richard Hakes spoke during a regular Cornell City Council meeting, Dec. 2, where he agreed with a point brought up at a previous meeting, that owners need to pick up after their dogs. “It’s unsanitary, it’s an eyesore,” said Steve Turany, council president. “Nobody wants that in their town.” Photo by Julia Wolf By Julia Wolf

Reconstruction work on the wastewater treatment plant can begin to wrap up, after the valves that were holding up the project finally arrived. Cornell City Council members heard the update during a regular meeting Dec. 2.

City administrator Dave DeJongh says the word at a progress meeting, was that portions of the plant could be up and running by the week of Christmas.

“The American-made valves that we’ve been waiting for, have kind of delayed the project the last couple months, are finally here,”said DeJongh.

He says the work should be substantially completed in the next month or two.

Council members approved Payment No. 11 to R.J. Jurowski, for $509,591.05, related to the wastewater treatment plant project, contingent on the engineer’s approval.

Members also acted on 2022 Teamcare health insurance renewal agreements. DeJongh says there will be about a 5 percent increase in the weekly premium. Alderperson Ashley Carothers noted the increase comes to $20.64.

Council members also heard an update on the 2021 tax roll and mill rates. DeJongh pointed out the equalized value increased 15 percent from last year.

“In our case, it wasn’t so much new building or new development, it was more the values grew that much in the last year,” said DeJongh.

Carothers also says the idea of starting summer music in the park events has been brought up and asks those with any good ideas on where to start, contact her.

“I think we have beautiful parks here and I would like to utilize those,” said Carothers.

During a Finance Committee meeting earlier in the evening, DeJongh reported he contacted Chippewa County, to see if they are interested in taking over Uniform Dwelling Code (UDC) inspections, after the current UDC building inspector Al Balsiger retires.

“I’m not aware of anybody else, that’s independent, that is available in this area,” said DeJongh.

Board members agreed he should continue to pursue an agreement with the county.

DeJongh also reported he received one application for a part-time snow shoveling position with the city. Committee members agreed DeJongh should fill the position, if he feels the applicant is qualified. The committee also discussed other options, in case the position cannot be filled.

Committee members also heard how the Cornell Community Seedling Fund has not gotten a lot of attention recently. DeJongh says the fund was created by the city in 2010, through the Community Foundation of Chippewa County. The way the account it set up, the proceeds of the account will begin benefiting the community after it hits $25,000.

“Right now, there are concerns that it hasn’t grown or hasn’t reached its endowment level,” said DeJongh.

He says he thinks the lack of exposure for the account is part of the reason it isn’t growing. DeJongh says they either need to find ways to attract interest in donating to the account, or they may have to switch the account classification.

Concerning the Field of Dreams little league ballfield project, DeJongh reported he got a quote for the dugouts from H S Fence Company.

“I guess they have some time availability to get them in yet this month,” said DeJongh.

He says there is enough funding there to cover the dugouts, since the school paid for the fencing that is completed to date.

“It’s beautiful,” said Carothers.