Cornell City Council; Independence Day to include traditional street dance

Sandy Schecklman, Cornell City Council member, goes over what she found out about open carry laws, to help move along plans for a Main Street dance for the July 3 celebration. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

At first, it seemed as though a street dance would not be held on Cornell’s Main Street for the July 3 celebration, but a few business owners put their heads together and figured out what they want to do. That was then discussed at the regular Cornell City Council meeting June 15.

Following the annual parade down Main Street at 1:30 p.m. that day, a car show will take place (both events organized by Aimee Korger). Korger then has numerous activities planned at Mill Yard Park, such as a craft market, talent show, food concessions and more, before the fireworks display at dusk.

After the car show ends, the Main Street will be blocked off from First to Second streets, allowing for a band to play from 9 p.m. to midnight. Since there was some confusion about selling and consuming alcohol outdoors for the event, council member Sandy Schecklman looked into what the state statutes say.

Statutes say that events can be allowed open carry, by provision of the council.

“It’s been in our ordinance the whole time, that we can make that exception,” she said. “It’s completely up to the municipality to make that decision” However, Schecklman did recommend that the establishments not serve the alcohol in glass bottles or to allow any carry-ins. No picnic license is needed, unless an organization wants to sell alcohol, but bars or restaurants do not need one.

Members agreed to allow for the consumption of fermented malt beverages during the street dance event, but no picnic license will be applied for.

“I don’t think there would be a need for it, based on this event,” said Chris Wolff, owner of The Silver Wolff (formerly Big T’s).

Activities will only be on one block, with the band centered between the three places alcohol can be sold. Steve Turany, council president, says he likes the fact that a licensed bartender will check IDs inside, whereas a group might or might not check for underage individuals outside.

Schecklman mentioned that this year’s event is unique, as they don’t have an organization trying to make money by selling beer on the street.

“The whole idea was to get everyone together, with a band and an event that’s positive for the community,” said Wolff.

Schecklman agreed, but pointed out that they still need a Main Street Committee, which can be put together at a later date.

“All these events, we need to work together here,” she said.

The council also passed Resolution 23-2, reviewing the performance of the wastewater treatment plant, where the city scored all A’s on the compliance maintenance report.

“Making those capital improvements to the wastewater treatment plant have increased our scoring and our ability to meet the standards set out by the DNR,” said city administrator Dave DeJongh.

Members also agreed to up the building permit fees, as Cornell has fallen behind, by increasing the non-uniform dwelling code inspection to $50, up from $25. They also approved removing the uniform dwelling code rates from the fee schedule, so anyone who needs that service, needs to contact Chippewa County.

“They set their own rates,” said DeJongh. DeJongh also informed the council that the city crews did install a holding tank at the visitors center, so that bathroom is operational once more, after it was closed for more than a year.

He also reported that the paper mill donated some wood chips they weren’t using, which were put down at the Mill Yard Park playground, along with Crescent Landscaping, who donated two loads of mulch for the Main Street city park.

“That’s nice,” said Turany.