Cornell City Council; It’s never too early to start planning for July 3

By Ginna Young

It’s been less than two months since the July 3 festivities, but Aimee Korger is already planning for next year’s celebration. Korger asked for permission from the Cornell City Council Aug. 17, to go ahead and begin the process.

Since July 3 falls on a weekday, Korger wants to plan the parade for the evening, so people who work can make it. She also wants to have some fun things at the Mill Yard Park and book a band. That’s what took place last year, as well as a street dance on Main Street, that got rained out.

“I’ve not heard any negative response about having the band in the pavilion,” said Korger.

Bill Kvapil, council member, said the Cornell Area ATV Riders Club was hoping to take the street dance back over, but they might want to push that until August, so it doesn’t interfere with the parade. Korger said she won’t have anything until at least 6:30 p.m., with a small time frame to fill between then and the fireworks, with the hope of having a band at the Mill Yard.

After that, a dance could take place on Main Street, for those who want to keep the night going.

“The tradition of the street dance is a really big thing,” she said.

Steve Turany, council member, asked that Korger communicate with the businesses on Main Street, before making any concrete decisions. Mayor Mark Larson agreed, and asked Korger to start the process and report back at another meeting, in a month or so.

During the meeting, members approved Resolution 23-4, applying for exemption from the county library levy.

“This is a formality we do every year,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.

There will also be a Floodplain Ordinance hearing at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 7, prior to the regular meeting, so the city can enact the new ordinance.

“The DNR is requiring it,” said DeJongh. With police chief Glenn Rehberg on-hand, Kvapil asked him to look into a semi parked on Eighth Street, because of concerns that the blacktop will be broken up with heavy loads, as well as one parked at Second and Bridge streets.

Rehberg said he addressed the issue already at Second Street, and that the semi driver thought it was OK to park there, because it is zoned as a business district. Rehberg found him to be correct on the matter.

“And under our city ordinances, semis can park in business zones,” said Rehberg.

However, Eighth Street doesn’t have a parking lane, so that semi might not be allowed to park there. Rehberg promised to look into that.

Council member Floyd Hickethier also asked Rehberg whether a trailer parked on Ripley Street should be allowed to remain there. Rehberg says, to his knowledge, that no ordinance exists prohibiting parking over a certain amount of time on a city street, unless it presents a traffic hazard.

Rehberg said he will follow up on making sure there is no ordinance to that effect.

Sandy Schecklman, council member, has been busy, as she is in contact with Kwik Trip headquarters, about getting the franchise in the city. The person she talked to took the information about Cornell, and will get back to her as things unfold.

“They said it does take a long while,” said Schecklman. Her contact couldn’t believe Cornell doesn’t already have a Kwik Trip, and said that acquiring ideal land would be the biggest issue.

“So, I’m very hopeful,” said Schecklman.