Cornell City Council - Mill Yard needs some maintenance done

Every summer, Mill Yard Park pavilion gets a lot of people in and out of its doors, and that activity is taking a toll on the building. That’s why a Parks, Halls and Recreation Committee meeting was needed June 19, to discuss what should be done, beginning with the bathroom floors. Although they had a treatment put on them four or five years ago, they’re beginning to peel. So, city administrator Dave DeJongh reached out to a community member, who recently had his floors redone and was very pleased with the work. Through that contact, the owner of Cattail Enterprises from Gilman, was recommended. “He said he would guarantee those floors for life,” said DeJongh. The city’s General Fund has a surplus, since they budgeted for two full-time police officers a couple years ago, and only had one, so the bathroom and kitchen floors can get some attention. However, De-Jongh hinted that the Cornell Lions Club might chip in to help with upgrades, while Cornell City Council president Steve Turany felt that the Stacker City Fair Committee might also give toward the project. Cattail Enterprises also offered to put a flooring surface on the stage, which the committee agreed would be good. However, they want some clarification on what “lifetime guarantee” means and some references. DeJongh would also like to see the high bar tables at the pavilion redone, as the tops have peeling paint and are catching at people’s clothes. It’s believed the tables have been around since the pavilion was constructed. “I’m surprised they’ve held together as well as they have,” said council member Tim Smith. Turany also brought up that a toilet in the men’s bathroom has a hairline fracture in it and should be replaced. “Sooner or later, that’s going to crack,” said Turany. The milk house board walls of both bathrooms also need replacing, possibly with steel, while they agreed to remove the third sink in the men’s room and try to find lights that don’t attract insects, since that is a real problem in the bathrooms. It was also mentioned that new stalls or at least, door locks, are needed in the bathrooms. “We’re putting all this attention to it…get it done right,” said DeJongh. The last few years, there’s been a lot of vandalism at the park, with items damaged and stolen, hockey pucks shot at the walls, ropes cut off the garage doors and even a person living at the pavilion, above the bathrooms. Thanks to the new surveillance system, that vandalism has been cut down drastically, with reparations made. “Those cameras we installed last year, have paid dividends so far,” said DeJongh. It was talked about that they might need more cameras at the city park, which would cost $1,900, from Krista Computers, but mayor Mark Larson would like to see cameras at the city park. Vandalism is also heavy there, so DeJongh promised to look into what would go into installing a camera system at the Main Street park. The committee also agreed to get bids to update and renovate the city signs, at the east and south end of town. The pillars surrounding the signs were redone not long ago, but the signs themselves are looking rough. “Give them a little fresher look,” said Turany. Smith also reported that after he took a look at the library, eight windows need to be replaced, so they will put that out for bids someone to install the windows. It will cost $3,000 in materials, while labor should be around $2,000. “All we really need is strictly labor,” said Smith of the bids. “Anybody worth their salt – one person can do that in two days.” After the committee meeting, the regular council meeting was held, where it was agreed to close Main Street, Thursday, July 3, from First to Third Streets, from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m., for the Independence events going on. There will be a live band for a street dance, but also vendors of various items, who can set up at no charge, a bouncy house and food trucks, while a parade begins at 6 p.m. “We’re trying to draw people to town,” said events coordinator Sandy Schecklman.