Cornell City Council - You’re not going to get by with it anymore

A lot of things in Cornell, have been let slide over the last few years, but it was agreed, July 16, at a Public Health & Safety Committee meeting, that stops now. With new police chief John Kosterman settling in and two full-time officers besides, some enforcement is heading this way.

One of the things discussed, was the noticeable amount of horse droppings on the city streets, coming from the Amish buggies/wagons that pass through. Kosterman is trying to track down who is the elder for the Amish group that surrounds Cornell, to speak with them about passing the word amongst their community, that it is not allowed to leave the droppings where they fall.

“It seems like that has helped in the past, to make them aware we do have ordinances about cleaning up after your horse or dog,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.

Some of the Amish have bags stationed under the horse’s tail, while others simply carry a bucket and shovel, and stop to pick up droppings after they fall.

Council member Steve Turany questioned if the police have ever ticketed an Amish person, because of the droppings, but DeJongh was not aware that had happened. He also pointed out that Cornell wants the Amish to shop in their community.

“They are, that’s what they’re doing,” said DeJongh.

Kosterman agreed to renew his efforts to reach an elder and is sure that the problem will be taken care of; he felt that the reason the Amish people became lax about picking up the droppings, was because there is a younger generation now driving buggies and wagons, while a lot of new families have moved in since the issue was addressed a few years ago.

Also discussed, was the amount of grass clippings that are blown out into the streets, which is not allowed. Not only does it clog up things in the city sewers and treatment plant, but it is also hazardous for those riding motorcycles or bicycles.

While on the subject, it was agreed that too many yards have not been mowed or are left too long. Many of the residences don’t mow at all and it falls on the city crews to come in, mow and charge that service to the property owner.

“I don’t think the city should have to do that, all the time,” said committee chair and council member Deb Semanko.

Mayor Mark Larson agreed that the crews need to be doing other things. Currently, a notice goes out to the property owner, giving them an amount of time to get the yard mowed.

Snow removal has also been a problem, which needs to be addressed, as it is required to clear sidewalks within a certain amount of time, after the snow falls.

“I don’t like to see people get fines, either, but you can’t be lazy,” said council member Bill Kvapil.

As for DeJongh, he wants to see some enforcement on those leaving out sofas, mattresses and other furniture on the curb.

“You shouldn’t be able to put them out less than a week before the clean-up (extra spring and fall pick-up),” he said.

Officer Chris Erickson pointed out that citations can increase after each week, that the infraction is not corrected. He also mentioned that if someone has unregistered cars on their property, but refuse to license them, the police department can suspend the plate, so when the owner attempts to renew that vehicle, as well as any others, a fine must be paid before they can do so.

Semanko also wants to see the police department enforce that people cannot park their vehicles, trailers or campers over sidewalks, while not parking on the grassy right-of-way was also mentioned.

As of right now, there is no ordinance about campers parked on the roads, but it’s been discussed in the past.

“A certain amount of time, that should be it,” said Kvapil.

Kosterman said that some towns have ordinances that a trailer cannot be parked on the road, unless it is hooked to a vehicle, while he’s noticed a lot of campers and boats are not moving, once they’re parked on the street.

“We can ask them to move it, but we don’t have anything to put in force,” he said.

Kvapil feels it’s a safety concern, if an emergency vehicle needs through, it gets tight to fit through in a hurry, while Kosterman thinks it not safe to sleep in a camper parked on the road.

It was agreed that they will look into creating an ordinance, for campers and trailers.

The police department also agreed to create a warning to leave on cars, when they violate the city’s ordinance about backing into angle parking places.

While everyone present agreed they don’t like to see anyone get ticketed, something has to be done.

“People will push the envelope until they’re finally told NO,” said Turany.

“Once you let it slide, then it just becomes convenient for anybody, at that point,” said Larson.