Cornell City Council - City wants more information on tornado safe room

Josh Miller, Cedar Corp., spoke about future developments to the Cadott Village Board Sept. 3, as there are some in the works. Miller will share more as things progress. Photo by Joy Dain

By Ginna Young

Currently, the only official designated tornado shelter is located at the Cornell Middle/High School, down in the locker rooms. When a storm warning is issued, the tone automatically unlocks the school’s commons door for the public to take shelter.

However, that is not ideal and can be difficult for those with disabilities to reach. With that in mind, the school district wants to apply for a Resilient Infrastructure & Communities Grant Program, to help fund a tornado safe room project.

Jordan Buss, JBAD Solutions, spoke about the matter Sept. 5, to the Cornell City Council, on what the FEMA Grant application entails. The standalone structure would be on the east side of the middle/high school and utilized on a daily basis by the district, as long as it can be turned into a safe room within five minutes, for those living within half a mile of the site.

To be eligible, the applicant must be branch of the local government and must have adopted a Hazard Mitigation Plan.

“Every county in the state has a Hazard Mitigation Plan,” said Buss.

The Cornell School District never adopted that plan and is eligible, so the city would act as a pass-through entity.

“It’s a very easy process,” said Buss. A single audit may be required of either the city or the school, but the school district would cover that expense. If awarded, the grant funds 80 percent of the project, with the school district responsible for the other 20 percent.

“Does that have any effect on the city pursuing other grants?” asked mayor Mark Larson.

Buss assured the council would have no impact, unless they wanted to obtain a grant for a tornado safe room on their own, serving the same population. With some objections that the room would only serve a half-mile radius, Buss pointed out that no one would police the door when a siren sounds, but it’s unlikely the shelter would get more people from farther away, as it is risky to travel when a tornado warning has sounded.

The room could also be designated as an extreme temperature shelter. Council member Terry Smith questioned how many injuries or deaths there have been in schools, because of tornadoes.

“Especially in northern Wisconsin,” he said. “To justify this, I’d think you have to come with some facts to us.”

Buss says they use many data trends to show the need, but that Cornell is in a designated 250 mph wind zone.

As for council member Floyd Hickethier, he’d like to have a visual representation of the project, as well as the cost. City administrator Dave DeJongh believes getting the safe room would be a “leg up” for the updates to the school building.

It was agreed to set up another meeting, with more information and a representative from the school present to answer any questions.

“This is a lot of money for a little thing like that,” said Smith.

Members did approve a bid from Monarch Paving Company, for $259,888.65, for city-wide patching, which was the only bid received.

“They basically resubmitted it,” said DeJongh. The work will take place on Johnson Road, Wilcox Road, Polzin Road, Eighth Street, North 11th Street, North Eighth Street, Woodside Drive, Ridgewood Drive, Osborne Street, the alley off of Thomas Street, alley off of North First Street, Main Street, Third Street and Ripley Street.

“Can they get it done this year?” asked council president Steve Turany.

DeJongh said the city will still get the 2024 price, if it’s not complete by the end of the year.

During the meeting, it was reported that the DOT will conduct another speed study on State Hwy. 64/Riverside Drive, as the speed limit coming around the corner by the cemetery may be set too high. Much of the traffic takes the sharp corner too quickly and over-correct, causing breaking of the road and some “ditch visits.

“There have been numerous complaints I believe,” said Larson. “Something’s going to need to be done, before something tragic happens.”

It was also reported that an updated ATV/UTV map is available, with access across the blue bridge in Cornell, on State Hwy. 64, to get to County Hwy. CC.

“It looks pretty nice to see that red line go across the water,” said council member Bill Kvapil/Cornell Area ATV Riders club member.

The club, while always working on improving ATV/UTV routes, also is focused on helping when there’s a need in the community and therefore, voted to pay the Cornell Cemetery Association’s annual electric bill.

“You guys are doing great things,” said Larson.