There are changes and improvements coming to Courtland. The City Council worked on a variety of projects at their Thursday, January 4, meeting.

Eric Hauser, representing Bolten and Menk, presented a revised 2024 Street Improvement Project engineering report for Collin Drive. This replaces the report presented at last month’s council meeting. The estimated cost is $510,800 which is lower than the initial estimated cost of $530,000. Those estimates do not include the costs for water and sewer services which will be assessed directly to property owners.

Hauser recommends a five-tier approach for how percentage of costs should be assessed to residents. The tiers would be figured by the size of their properties. A non-adjacent property to Collin Drive would be by either under three acres or over three acres; or adjacent to Collin Drive by less than two acres, two to five acres, or larger than five acres.

“I like the idea about figuring assessments by size,” said Mayor Al Poehler.

“It is also cleaner to do a straight percentage rather than try to pick out certain items for the city to pay,” said Councilwoman Pam Rodewald.

Resolution 24-101 Accept Report and Call for Public Hearing 2024 Collin Drive Improvements motion was made by Rodewald, seconded by Councilman Ralph Bents, and unanimously approved. The Improvement Hearing will be held before the regular council meeting on Thursday, February 1.

“The assessment roll will be available to property owners at the Improvement Hearing. It will show how costs are divided out,” said Hauser.

Airbnb

Matt Mages, of Mages Land Company, purchased the house at 400 Main Street and plans to remodel it into an Airbnb, a short term vacation rental. He plans to add an addition to the current garage and make it into an office for his business, and to also build a new garage with a loft. The house has three bedrooms and can sleep eight.

Mages said, “It will probably rent for $300 a night plus have a minimum two night stay.”

Councilman Justin Kraus asked Mages what he will be doing for signage, but Mages said that there will only be a sign on the door. The house will be advertised and rented through Suite Jean Rentals.

The Planning Commission forwarded Mages’ request for a Conditional Use Permit and the mayor/council approved it.

Lions Club donations

Greg Juberien, of the Courtland Lions Club, questioned the council about how the plans are coming for spending the $30,000 the Club donated for playground equipment for the park. Rodewald explained that she is working on a grant to help with costs and possibly use $30,000 from the city and the Lion’s $30,000 to match the grant.

Poehler said, “I think we need to map out what our priorities are for playground equipment.”

Juberien said, “Some kids are going to get hurt. I think you should do the most you can with the $60,000.”

Courtland resident, Mark Fiemeyer, added, “I think the swing set is from the 1930’s.”

Poehler added, “We would like to see something purchased this year. Maybe we can purchase some used equipment from schools when they replace their playground equipment?”

If anyone, including residents, see something to purchase, they should contact the council. With the money already being allocated, Rodewald has the authority to purchase used equipment and might need to ask other council members for assistance. Used equipment goes fast so the purchase might need to happen quickly.

Maintenance and Utilities Supervisor Dave Ubel and Councilman Paul Bode ordered chairs for the community center from the Lions $10,000 donation. They might need to purchase chair storage racks if the existing racks do not work with the new chairs.

Water Tower Illumination

Councilman Paul Bode initiated discussion regarding illuminating the water tower. “Traffic is not going through town anymore. It would be nice to have the tower illuminated so that people can identify Courtland as they drive by on the new highway 14.” he said.

Maintenance and Utilities Supervisor Dave Ubel said that numerous towns do have a spotlight on their water tower. After discussion, the council requested Ubel to check out the possibility of putting a spotlight on a pole to do the illumination.

Public Utilities

Dave Ubel, representing Public Works, said that the lift station pumps were pulled recently. There is one that needs repair on Stony Point because it is leaking.

Justin Kraus has been in contact with the county regarding the sidewalk that needs to be installed near the park. “I encouraged Seth from the County to look at it. We have done what we needed to do.” Kraus said.

Other Business

The mayor/council approved the following items: 2024 Appointments and Wages, 2024 Fee Schedule,Resolution 24-102 Adopting Safe and Sick Leave Policy, Resolution 24-103 Transfer of Funds $355,000, Minutes from TNT Hearing and December 7, 2023, regular meeting, and payment of the bills for $63,826.52

City Clerk Julie Holm made the following announcements: January 29 will be the city’s audit, the election judges need to attend training in January, the new billing portal is up and running on the city website, she is working on CD renewals, city office will be closed on Martin Luther King Day, January 15, and the next regular meeting is Thursday, February 1, 7 p.m.