Cornell City Council - Is there support for more trail or not?

Matt Hansen, Chippewa County Forest administrator, spoke Sept. 19, about needing support to apply for a grant to purchase property, to increase access to the Ice Age Trail in Cornell. If the 2,000-acre property goes off the tax roll, school district residents will be responsible for the added burden to their annual taxes. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

More than a month ago, the Cornell City Council was approached by Matt Hansen, Chippewa County forest administrator, about the need for support to apply for federal and state money, to purchase 2,000 acres of land, outside the city limits. The landowner would consider selling the whole parcel, not just the few acres needed to add to the Ice Age Trail corridor, which means Hansen has to apply for federal money to turn the property into county forest.

But, that means he needs the cooperation and support of local townships, and the city. That does come with a price tag, as once the property is turned into county land and taken off the tax roll, the responsibility belongs to nearby residents.

“Essentially, it’s a large chunk of your tax base that would come off,” said Hansen at a meeting Sept. 19, adding that county timber sales revenue makes up for that tax obligation in townships. “It doesn’t do so for school districts. I can’t deny that. But, I think it’s a positive affect to your community.”

Hansen feels that having more access to the trail would increase tourism and recreation in Cornell.

“I’m a strong backer of the Ice Age Trail,” said Cornell mayor Mark Larson. “The Ice Age Trail is already here.”

Hansen pointed out that the trail is technically outside of town and exists along road routes. In most places, easements are the way to go, to add trail miles, but the property owner wants to sell all or nothing, even though it would be just a small corridor.

“I don’t know how you achieve the National Park Service goal, without going through this property,” said Hansen.

If the project comes to pass, for those within the school district, their taxes would rise $44, per $100,000 of assessed property value.

Larson said he has talked to many people in the city and that none he’s spoken with are in favor of the project.

“That’s just the way it is,” he said. Council president Steve Turany pointed out that the city has seen many more people come through the area, who are using the trail.

“There’s no doubt about this,” said Turany. “But, before you can sell this…we need a cost benefit analysis.”

Hansen had hoped to make the parcel a unique property, that is a destination for people to start at and have accommodations/dining nearby, which would be a huge asset.

“I don’t see how we benefit from this,” said Larson. Hansen believes Cornell benefits from county forest management, to offset tax implications. He also feels the townships and city should help each other out, as a broader community, but council member Terry Smith pointed out that money is tight.

Bill Kvapil, council member, suggested going to referendum, to let the voters decide if they want the added tax burden, which was met with approval, but before they get to that point, a public hearing is needed. After the first of the year, the state chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance will come to a meeting, to give a public presentation.

The grant application is not due until July of next year, which gives Hansen a bit of time, but he has a lot of work to accomplish before that time.

“We’re here to represent the people that are in Cornell,” said council member Floyd Hickethier. “That’s our main concern.”

The council did approve a marketing manager, after choosing the best candidate out of the four most qualified who applied for the position. The job entails working with county and local resources, to promote and enhance development in the city.

Coming from Stanley, Samantha Caswell is out of the community, but still local enough to be in tune with the needs of the town.

Members also approved the annual contract with the Chippewa County Humane Association, in the amount of $1,681.30, to accept stray/lost cats and dogs that are brought to the society.

“They’re offering us the same rate as they have in the past,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.

DeJongh also mentioned that he had received a message from the Chippewa County Department of Public Health, who hopes to partner with the city for water sample testing. If an event can be set up, locals can bring in water samples from rural wells for testing. “We’re really heavy in nitrates in well water,” said Pam Guthman, county board supervisor.