Cornell City Council; Surprise uncovered during excavations

While work has begun on the Cornell wastewater treatment plant improvements project, excavation crews ran into a surprise. The matter was discussed Dec. 17, as part of the regular Cornell City Council meeting.

When digging out to prepare forms for a new headworks building, part of the city’s old sewer plant operation was discovered from the last update in 1980. Walls and the floor of a tank were uncovered beneath the surface, and were supposed to have been removed 40 years ago, as previously thought.

The surprise was dealt with and work on the improvements did not come to a halt. Mayor Mark Larson said crews have worked busily since they started Dec. 15.

“I’ve been down there a couple days,” said Larson.

“Excavation is the main thing happening now,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.

In the business portion of the meeting, council members filled the assistant deputy clerk/treasurer position that was recommended by the Hiring Committee and discussed during a Finance Committee meeting prior to the regular meeting. There were two people who applied for the open position, but members agreed on the hire of Lisa Westman.

“They (Hiring Committee) said both the interviewees were very strong candidates,” said council president Steve Turany.

During the meeting, DeJongh also updated members on the 2020 tax roll and mill rates. The city’s net mill rate is up 29 cents, per 1,000, and DeJongh says more details are available for perusal at the city office, if anyone is interested.

“If you got your mail, you probably saw our Christmas card,” he said.

In line with that, for those who want to get their tax bills paid, the city office is closed for Christmas and New Year’s, but will be open for half a day Thursday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 31.

As a reminder, the nomination paper filing deadline for municipal offices is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021. Those who wish to run for seats on the council can request/return their paperwork to the city office before the deadline.

Cutline: Work to prepare for an improvement project, began on Cornell’s wastewater treatment plant Dec. 15, as crews dug out the remains of part of the old plant near the current building, something that wasn’t expected. The old foundation was thought to have been removed when the plant was updated in 1980. Photo by Ginna Young