Cornell City Council; Adult family home given the go ahead

By Ginna Young

After it was delayed on the question of legalities, a four-bed adult family home was approved by the Cornell City Council Aug. 19. The facility, owned by Eric and Jackie Phelps, is located at 104 North 11th Street, which is less than the statutory 2,500-foot spacing standard (set down by the state) away from another four-bed group home.

E. Phelps previously cited conflicts in regard to the Fair Housing Amendment Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, if the council denied the exception. But based on the city attorney’s review of the case law, an exception must be granted.

After the approval was received, the couple asked for the council’s exception in writing.

“That way we can show the state,” said E. Phelps.

Members also agreed on Ordinance 213, to repeal Section 11.11(1)(a)(5), defining where ATVs and UTVs can travel on Main Street. That portion of Main Street, between First and Sixth streets, except to cross at the intersections of Second Street or Third Street.

The repeal allows for ATV/UTV travel on Main Street, which helps people who are not familiar with the city ordinance to travel on Main Street, without fear of citations. Businesses can also be accessed more easily.

Also approved, was a bid from Monarch Paving, in the amount of $111,337, for Baribeau Road and $30,500.50, for the work on Johnson Road. Cedar Corp estimated the cost would be $152,000 for a pulverize and repave, so Kevin Oium, senior engineer, was pleased that the bid came in less than was expected, with short-term borrowing to finance the project.

“We did talk to Senn (Blacktop), they just couldn’t fit it in this year,” said Oium.

Haas did not submit a bid.

For a larger scale project that is upcoming, Oium also talked about a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), as Bates Street is in the five-year roadwork plan, in a complete reconstruct.

“Kind of a mirror image of what we did on South Street,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.

Because Bates is considered a “main thoroughfare,” the city has to survey the residents along the street for an idea if they are low to moderate incomes, as a grant qualification. Members gave Oium their blessing to begin the grant process.

“It’s kind of a first stage, if you are going to look at doing an application next year,” said Oium of the survey. “We’ve been pretty successful with those the last few years.”

Council member Floyd Hickethier asked how Cedar Corp. sends out surveys, to which Oium says it is done through the mail, with a follow-up contact if people do not return the survey.

The council also acted on Resolution 21-5, for the annual exemption from the county library levy, as well as approving a We Energies distribution gas easement serving the wastewater treatment plant. We Energies needs to have the agreement in their files, to install the line across the city property to the building.

As for the plant, Cedar Corp. reported that the finish date is delayed, because valves are not available at the moment. A condition of the grant the city received, is that American steel must be used, which is in short supply.

“The project is moving along, quite well, actually,” said Jarrod McCurdy, wastewater team lead with Cedar Corp.

An extension on the project completion date was received and the construction continues as much as it can until such time as the valves come in.

“Right now, we’re optimistic that we can get all the work, everything done and over…this year,” said McCurdy.

Something that is concerning council member Bill Kvapil, is the issue of parking in alleyways, which creates a problem for garbage getting removed.

“It’s not just garbage, it’s in case of emergency, if fire or ambulance need to get through there,” said Kvapil. “Something’s got to be done about it.”

Ashley Carothers, council member, says most alleys in town are that way, making it hard for vehicles to traverse through them. The council agreed some solution to the problem will need to be sought.

Council president Steve Turany also mentioned that the Stacker City Fair Committee is looking to possibly bring back a tractor pull to the area to the west of the Mill Yard Park pavilion. In years past, a pull was stationed there and the committee feels that would be a great event to add to the annual Cornell Community Fair.

Turany says he will look into the matter more and keep the council updated.

“We going to be putting our heads together and thinking about what we can do,” he said.

“It’d be a good idea,” agreed Hickethier, “bring a lot of money into the fair.”

As a notice to businesses, it was reported that the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, are offering a Main Street Bounceback Grants Program. The program provides $10,000 to businesses moving into vacant commercial spaces.

Businesses can use grant funds for lease or mortgage payments, operating expenses, building repairs, tenant improve- ments and other qualified expenses. Funds cannot be used on storage spaces or for residential uses.

New or existing businesses, that are planning to lease or purchase a vacant commercial space between Jan. 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, are eligible. They do not qualify for grant funds if they are renewing an existing lease or will vacate a commercial space to move to another.

Guidelines and the grant application can be found at wedc.org.