Cornell City Council; Main Street can be opened up for ATV/UTV use

By Ginna Young

As more and more people utilize ATVs/UTVs, the need to make Main Street businesses more accessible is clear. At a regular meeting Aug. 5, the Cornell City Council discussed doing just that.

Bill Kvapil, council member and president of the Cornell Area ATV Riders, was approached by other clubs about the matter. In his research on if the Main Street route would be feasible, Kvapil found that Chetek has the route open on their main drag and have no issues.

“They’re a lot busier than Cornell is,” said Kvapil, who says parking shouldn’t be an issue.

Kvapil says right now, UTV users can’t get to the hard- ware store, eating establishments and other places. He mentioned that many older people like to jump in the UTV and go for an outing.

“It’s for people to enjoy their time coming down and not have to worry…” he said. “It’s going to be a lot easier for ATVs/UTVs not familiar with the city to come in there and not have to worry about, oh, I’m on the wrong street.”

All highways entering the city would remain closed, and all age, safety and speed requirements would remain in place.

“I have no objection to ATVs/UTVs on Main Street,” said Cornell Police Chief Glenn Rehberg. “I don’t presume that there will be an issue.”

Members agreed to put the matter on a future agenda for approval.

The council also needs to advertise for bids for pulverizing and repaving, on a portion of Johnson Road and all of Baribeau Road.

“How do they determine what road is the worst that needs to be fixed?” asked council member Aimee Korger.

Dave DeJongh, city administrator, says there is a rating system.

“There are certainly other sections that are as bad, but they need utility work,” he said.

“It has to do with the funding, more or less,” said Kvapil.

While some streets only need the surface addressed, which costs significantly less, others require engineering specs and sewer work, which the city needs help funding, in the form of applying for grants.

“We should only be able to put so many Band-Aids on before we have to do something definite,” said Kvapil.

While they were on the subject of roads, mayor Mark Larson reported that the WisDOT is developing plans for a proposed project on State Hwy. 64, located in the City of Cornell, the towns of Colburn, Estella and Ruby, and the Town of Aurora in Taylor County. The rehabilitation of existing surface pavement is set to take place in 2023, where the road will remain open to traffic at all times, but daytime closures of one lane will occur.

Larson also said that A& D Docks is providing a full refund of a used dock that was purchased for the city boat landing. The city purchased the dock without the knowledge that a fund was in the works to buy a new dock, in honor of the late Patrick Crosby.

Crosby was a long-time resident and friends of his decided to raise money as a tribute for him. Within a short time, enough funds were collected and the dock was installed.

“What a great way to honor someone,” said council member Ashley Carothers.

Kvapil says he is also impressed that A& D was nice enough to exchange the docks and refund the city’s money.

Since they were discussing the boat landing area, resident Glen Logan asked if the city would take a look at two street pole lights that are installed there to see by at night. Logan says it’s been some time since the lights worked, but that it would be nice if the city could check to see if they could get them working again.

He also asked if, that instead of pumping out the Mill Yard Park bathrooms, they could hook up to the city sewer, which might prove more cost effective. DeJongh said that would probably require a lift station to achieve and that it could cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“Would that be feasible at all?” said Logan.

DeJongh said that’s certainly something the city can look into.