COURTLAND — Residents of Courtland are still awaiting the results of sewer line televising conducted in in the spring.

In the spring, a motorized camera was sent through Courtland sewer line to detect any problem areas. A letter was sent to residents informing them the televising project was complete, but the city is still working to identify which properties matched up with the compromised sewer lines.

During the July 11 council meeting, Maintenance and Utilities Supervisor Dave Ubel asked if letters were sent to property owners who had issues with their sewer lines. The city had not yet identified which properties matched the problem areas.

City Clerk Julie Holm said once the city is able to confirm which properties have sewer lines issues, the owners will be notified by letter.

The council agreed that property owners need a permit to have work done to their sewer lines and that it needs to be done by a licensed contractor.

City Councilor Justine Kraus, having missed the last council meeting, noticed the comments in the minutes regarding residents contacting Ubel after normal working hours. He wanted to say that he agrees that residents should not call Ubel after hours unless it is for an emergency. For non-emergencies, residents should call the city office to leave a voice message for Ubel, contact a council member, call the sheriff, or attend a council meeting to bring their concerns.

Audit Report

Craig Poppenhagen from CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP) reviewed and approved the 2023 audit with the Courtland City Council at their regular meeting on Thursday, July 11.

Poppenhagen began by telling the council that the audit shows that they have had a good year. Financially the city is doing very well, and the audit also came out very well.

The audit did reveal that segregation of duties in the accounting process is difficult for the city because they have one city clerk making it hard to divide duties. He also suggested donations should be noted in council meetings to formally noted donations in the minutes.

“There is an upward slope with cash and investments and expenses are staying pretty much level which is good,” Poppenhagen said. “The city has also done a good job of collecting property taxes.

“The city has a healthy general fund. Revenues over budget by approximately $124,000; expenditures under budget by approximately $74,000. The water/sewer fund had an operating loss of $78,036 in 2023.”

Wishbone Way

Resident John Stadick was present to see if there is any progress for resolving the water issues on Wishbone Way.

Councilman Justin Kraus said, “With the data from Bolton & Menk showing that the culverts do drain, we should get a price to clean the ditches on Wishbone Way so that they function as they were intended. However, there are many drainage issues in Courtland and everywhere. I think we need to start with water issues that damage our roads and properties and then work up to the nuisance water issues.”

Mayor Al Poehler added, “Let’s get a price for cleanup of the ditches and prioritize what gets cleaned first and Wishbone Way will be on the list.”

City Clerk

City Clerk Julie Holm stated that certified letters have been sent to all property owners requesting a response regarding water/sewer services for the Collin Drive project. The letters stated that no response means that water/sewer services will not be installed, and the property cannot ask for the services for ten years.

At the next council meeting, a resolution will be brought forward with the list of names who will not have services installed due to no response or a response of no. The resolution will be attached to the property at the county recorder’s office.

Council Approvals

A resolution was approved for Appointing Election Judges for the 2024 State Primary and General Elections. Judges appointed are: Mark Fiemeyer, Carrie Woller, Dawn Juberien, Jean Kahnke, Ralph Compart, Jaci Kopet, Marcella Bode, Krista Riggs, Melva Griebel, Gloria Blume, Dave Ubel and Julie Holm who is the Elections Administrator.

The council approved an amendment to Courtland city code changing the language for corner lot setbacks and driveway standards.

Corner lot properties are require to have two front-year setbacks.

Driveway maximum width was set at 30 feet at the right of way for buildings greater than 30 feet width up to a maximum of 40 feet of driveway or width of building whichever is less.