Cornell City Council - If you need some home repairs, now’s the time

Need new windows, but can’t afford it? There is help available, through Cornell’s housing revolving loan money. Some time ago, the city was informed that the state was considering pulling funds from communities with housing money to a regional location. “So, that’s going to happen,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh, at a council meeting Sept. 18. Currently, there is $103,000 left to loan out, but applications must be submitted by Sept. 30, because any monies that aren’t applied for, have to be turned in. If someone is a homeowner in Cornell, they may qualify for a no interest deferred loan to fix up their home. If a renter, they may qualify for down payment assistance to purchase a home in the city. If someone is a landlord, they may qualify for a no interest loan, amortized over 10 years to fix up rental units in Cornell (tenant income limits apply). Typical projects include furnaces; electrical; doors; walls; windows; floors; roof; insulation; siding; foundation; handicap accessibility; and hot water heaters. Number of Residents in Household/Income Limit: 1 – $38,300; 2 – $43,800; 3 – 49,250; 4 – $54,700; 5 – $59,100; 6 – $63,500; 7 – $67,850; 8 – $72,250. A loan application is available at the city office. During the meeting, the council approved the annual Chippewa County Humane Association contract, with a per capita rate of $1.15, per the 2024 census. That allows anyone to surrender a canine to the association, at no cost. If a lost or stray dog is picked up, the police department tries to contact the dog’s owner and if they’re able to pick the pet up within a few hours, the department holds onto the dog. Otherwise, they surrender the dog to the humane society, with a code to get into the building, after hours, if needed. Without the contract, the police would have to take care of the dog indefinitely. “We don’t have the time or resources for that,” said Offi cer Chris Erickson. Erickson, who just finished his training with the city, was happy to report that the department is running smoothly, after a number of years with spotty coverage. “We pretty much always have night coverage,” said Erickson. The new full-time officer even had his first drug bust in Cornell, and took a lot of narcotics off the streets. He likes the area and community, and is enjoying working with city officials. “I’m trying to be as proactive as I can and we go from there,” he said. A extra curbside pick-up is set for Tuesday, Oct. 14, where residents can dispose of up to 2 yards of garbage, such as a mattress and box springs, or two stuffed chairs, or 10 garbage bags of items (not trash or yard waste). No appliances, electronics, concrete blocks or building materials are accepted. Residents are also asked not to set out items until Saturday, Oct. 11. For any questions on what to dispose of, contact the city office, at 715-239-3710. DeJongh also reported that he didn’t hear any complaints from the public about the discharge of firearms at Mill Yard Park, for a hunt during goose season. Hunters were signed up every day of the schedule, but it’s unknown how many were harvested. At first, the geese seemed to scatter, but some have now returned to the park. “If anything, I think they’re (hunters) getting them to disperse to other people’s properties,” said council president Steve Turany.