COURTLAND — The Courtland City Council on Thursday approved a Collin Drive Feasibility Resolution at last month’s meeting identifying it as the 2024 Street Improvement Project.

Bolten and Menk’s representatives, Joe Duncan and Eric Hauser, were present to review the preliminary engineering report and explain the estimated cost of the project was $530,000.

Collin Drive has a gravel surface with a width of the driving surface varying from 30-40 feet. They are proposing it be reconstructed to a 9-ton bituminous pavement section with curb and gutter. The proposed width of the roadway is 36-feet from face-to-face of curb with two 12-foot driving lanes.

Collin Drive will provide a paved connection to Ashlynn Court and the entire subdivision to the north. New sanitary sewer and water services are proposed to be installed to the properties on the north side of Collin Drive east of Ashlynn Court.

Councilman Paul Bode asked, “What will be the impact on the businesses during construction?”

“The businesses need a way in and out so we will work around that,” Duncan said. “This will be sequenced as part of the final design plans.”

Discussion continued on how assessments will be figured for residents and businesses that benefit from the project. Duncan explained that they follow the state statute, Chapter 429, to set up assessments for projects. The intent is to assess all property owners that front and utilize Collin Drive for at least one of their access points.

Mayor Al Poehler said, “We need to look at the existing use and what size the property is.”

Councilman Ralph Bents added, “There is a lot of ways to look at how to assess property and we want to be fair and equitable.”

Councilwoman Pam Rodewald said, “We probably need to look at industry differently than residential.”

Duncan explained how different tiers can be set up for the assessments of residential, businesses, and commercial property. These should be set up by the January council meeting when Hauser will be back to continue the discussion of the assessment process. A hearing will be scheduled, probably in February, to meet with the people benefited by this project.

This would keep the project moving by advertising for bids in March and opening bids in April. Plans are for construction to begin in May with near completion in August. An assessment hearing will be held in September, after the final project costs are available, and then the council should be able to approve the final assessment roll in October.

Lions Club donations

Greg Juberien, of the Courtland Lions Club, told the council the club has $10,000 earmarked for the Courtland Community Center to be used for new tables and chairs as the current ones are in bad shape. Juberien wanted to know who will coordinate the purchases. He also asked the council about the $30,500 donation the Lions gave for playground equipment in the park near the ballpark.

Rodewald said, “We probably need to prioritize which piece of equipment should be replaced first. And, I have heard residents express interest in a park near Shady Oak also.”

Poehler added, “We need to get a plan going.” The council agreed to have a plan put together by January’s council meeting, to answer Juberien’s questions.

Juberien assured the council that the Lions Club’s members would be willing to assist with the park in any way.

Public utilities

Dave Ubel, Public Works Director, informed the council of an issue with utility marks left by the United Natural Gas company.

“The United Natural Gas company has not seeded areas that they have dug up to put in utilities,” Ubel said. “There are also flags marking utilities. They need to be removed by the gas company as residents do not know if they should remove them or not.”

Poehler said, “Going forward we need to tell the gas company what needs to be done. I think it is pretty simple, just put it back to the way it was.” A letter will be sent to the gas company to let them know that they will need a permit and a deposit before more work is done.

Ubel raised concerns about the Kuester property where storm sewers are full of concrete. Poehler said, “We probably need to send another letter from the attorney because the project is still not complete.”

Ubel questioned where the council was at regarding the Wishbone Way ditch where John Stadick has water pooling. Councilman Justin Kraus said, “We need to look at the whole road.” Poehler added, “We will probably do something in the spring.”

City clerk

Julie Holm, City Clerk, explained reviewing the flash drives of the sewer lines is very tedious. Rodewald volunteered to help review the information so that notices can be sent out to residents and businesses who have issues in their sewer lines. The ordinance requires compliance within 180 days after receipt of the letter.

The county has contacted Holm regarding head judge training which she needs to attend on Dec. 18 to prepare for the presidential primary election in March.

Numerous complaints have come to the City Office regarding 113 Main. Several vehicles are parked at this property and are collecting junk and garbage. Letters have already been sent regarding this and also for not mowing the grass or doing snow removal. The city will send another letter explaining what things need to be taken care of by a specific date, and if these things are not done by resident, the city attorney will become involved.

Holm is having a server installed and updating desktop computer to a laptop allowing her to log into her computer from out of the office. The server will also create backups of the data on her computer. The server, new computer, and setup cost is about $2,000. Dave Ubel also showed interest in connecting his computer to the server.

The City Office will be closed on December 25 and January 1.

Airbnb/Land Auction Office

A public hearing will be scheduled this month at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting for a business hoping to open an Airbnb/Land Auction Office at 400 Main Street. This would be a repurpose of an existing structure.

Budget/Approvals

The 2024 General Operating Budget was approved for $408,155, and the final Levy for $249,591. Also approved were the November minutes and the bills for $54,590.78