Cornell City Council; Let It Snow is not the refrain residents want to hear

Council member Bill Kvapil listens to what he’s told about what has previously happened with the Cornell archery range at the state park. Kvapil brought up the matter at a meeting Jan. 5, on request of a community member. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

Snow, snow and more snow. That seems to have been the pattern over the last month or so, which is why some Cornell residents are upset with road conditions in the city. The matter was put on the council agenda Jan. 5, on request of a citizen, but they did not show up to discuss their concerns.

“I think everybody’s tired of snow, it’s wet and heavy, and plugs up your driveway,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.

Bill Kvapil, council member, says everyone is in the same boat and that they just have to try to deal with it as best they can.

“What are you supposed to do?” he asked. Council member Floyd Hickethier asked DeJongh if he was ever able to hire someone to take care of shoveling the city’s parts of the sidewalks. DeJongh said one person never showed up, despite a good hourly wage, but he does have a high school student who is good at it, but they can’t come until after school hours.

In the meantime, DeJongh or mayor Mark Larson are taking care of the shoveling.

“We’ve been tag-teaming,” said Larson. Although it wasn’t on the agenda, in the public comments portion, Larson read a letter from Tim and Sue Smith, concerning their Brunet Heights subdivision lot they’ve owned for 18 years. The couple intended to build a multi-family dwelling when they purchased the property, but then the economy faltered and by the time it recovered, city building restrictions put too much of a strain on their plans.

In that case, the Smiths have asked the council to reconsider restrictions, so someone can develop the lot, and to void the agreement and change the requirement of what can be built, to make it more attractive for potential buyers.

It is the only lot that requires you to build something in particular, wrote T. Smith.

Members agreed to send the request to the Planning Commission.

Kvapil also asked about the archery range at Brunet Island State Park, even though it is not city-owned, as someone questioned if it could be fixed up and used.

“We’ve tried,” said council member Ashley Carothers.

Carothers says multiple groups and individuals have approached the city, wanting to fix it up, but then don’t follow through. De-Jongh pointed out that volunteers cleaned up the range last spring, and refreshed the bunkers, setting out cardboard targets so people can use it at no cost.

Archery coaches like to have the range for students to practice over the summer, and DeJongh said the group who originally started the range has disbanded, but the structure they built is still standing, albeit needing some TLC.

“So, it has been looked at the last couple years,” said Kvapil, adding he will tell the person who approached him they are welcome to get involved with the range.

DeJongh also brought up a letter from a couple on Main Street, asking to house four dogs, after inheriting one because of a family member’s health issues. The city ordinance states that only three dogs can be kept at one time, but DeJongh said the council can make special concessions.

“We did do it before,” said De-Jongh.

The matter will be put on the next meeting’s agenda.

As a side note, the spring elections are set, with three council seats up for grabs. Hickethier is running as an incumbent, and Sandy Schecklman and Deb Semanko are also on the ballot. Mindy Carothers-Harycki is running unopposed for municipal court judge, while Carothers has filed non-candidacy papers.

Steve Turany thanked Carothers for her years of service, but was disappointed she wasn’t running for re-election.

“I’ve appreciated your point of view and the work that you’ve put into the city council,” said Turany.

Carothers said it was not an easy decision stepping down, but promised she will still be around.

“I’m not going far,” she said. “I’m still very committed to this city, just in a different capacity.”

Carothers will continue to write grants for the city parks and wants people to be aware of how beautiful a community they have, with such amazing outdoor parks.

“I hope people in the city realize how much work you do on the volunteer end of things and so many different things in this community,” said Turany. “If they don’t, that’s their loss, unfortunately.”