Cornell City Council - Library grant turned down by state

Dave (front) and Wanda Sinn, got together a petition to present to the Cornell City Council, Oct. 17, requesting the speed limit be lowered on part of South Eighth Street. Vehicles on that stretch frequently exceed the posted 35 mph limit and it’s hoped lowering the speed would help deter that. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

It was with high hopes, that the Cornell Public Library applied for a Flexible Facilities Program grant this summer, with the goal of updating the building, as well as adding an addition to be used as a community center. Word was received Oct. 17, at the Cornell City Council meeting, that the grant was not awarded to the library.

“Unfortunately, our project didn’t score high enough to be funded,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.

Also reported, was that council member Sandy Schecklman heard back from a representative at Kwik Trip. The requirements to build a Kwik Trip in a community, are a 10,000 traffic count, per day, or a population of 3,000.

“We don’t meet that traffic count,” said Schecklman, while the population is about half the requirement.

However, Kwik Trip is going by the last traffic report from 2021.

“We were over 6,000 then, so I believe we’re probably at that 10 now,” said Schecklman.

Schecklman then turned to the WisDOT, who may have already done one, or could do one yet this year or early next year. If they don’t, the city can request a study and pay for it.

By sharing this information, Schecklman hopes the public will understand that the reason Kwik Trip has not come in, is about the traffic count and not that there is not a 24-hour police presence in place.

“That has nothing to do with it,” she said.

Speaking of traffic, residents Dave and Wanda Sinn requested that the city lower the speed limit on South Eighth Street, from Baribeau Road to the city limits, from 35 to 25 mph. The couple brought in a signed petition, formalizing the request.

“Everybody that is affected and lives down that street… agree, they want it to 25,” said D. Sinn.

The matter was send to the Public Health and Safety Committee, to be addressed.

It was also the consensus of the council, that they are not interested in supporting a proposed project that would potentially take 2,400 acres off the tax roll for an addition to the Ice Age Trail and agreed to take no action.

As a notice to residents, the city works department will collect yard waste the week of Oct. 28 through Nov. 1. Brush and small diameter limbs can be piled curbside for pick-up, while leaves and grass clippings should be placed in bags.

The community is reminded not to rake or blow leaves/clippings into the street. Residents can haul the waste themselves, to the designated piles behind the city shop.

As for the recent nitrate screening conducted by the county that took place at the city council chambers, De-Jongh shared that there was a steady stream of people.

“They were very happy with the number of people that showed up with water samples,” said DeJongh. “They did run across some that were high.”