COURTLAND — Courtland City Council members on Thursday listened to concerns from residents regarding water drainage issues on their properties.

Residents, Tom Suess and John Stadick, expressed concern about water not draining off their properties on Wishbone Way in Courtland. After discussion, the council agreed with Councilman Justin Kraus’ suggestion to have Bolton and Menk’s engineers check the culverts to be sure they are draining properly and to figure out if cleaning the ditches might be a solution.

“Be sure they check the culverts on both sides of a driveway as that will be important to know when deciding who will need to pay for the repairs,” said Councilman Paul Bode.

The council agreed to wait until they have the results from Bolton and Menk before deciding whose responsibility it will be to pay for the cost of any needed repairs.

“Since the road was paved, the water runs down the road instead of flowing west and away from homes,” Maintenance and Utilities Supervisor Dave Ubel.

The water is now causing problems for residents and especially for Paul Gitter at 117 Stoney Point.

After discussion, the council agreed to look at the situation and prepare a plan before asking the homeowners to attend a future council meeting to discuss the issue.

Public works

Dave Ubel continues to work on the GPS for the sewer lines and recently checked out Deborah Costigan’s sewer line problems that was discussed at last month’s meeting. He found that there are two sewer lines, side-by-side, and they are not plugged.

Ubel is also working on getting signs fixed since the Highway 14 construction. One that needs fixing is that 531 is a Lane, not an Avenue. It is being renamed because it is no longer a through road.

Ubel has been getting questions about water pressure. He has checked multiple houses and found no problems that are a city issue.

Park equipment

Councilwoman Pam Rodewald gave an update on the park equipment. After meeting with the Lions Club for their input regarding purchasing the new park equipment and the council’s input, they have decided to sign the contract with Midwest Playscapes. With installation, the cost will be $102,000.

Rodewald explained that the company needs to know how soon the present equipment can be cleared away, and what the surrounding landscape elevation should be, so they know how to set the equipment.

The council agreed that waiting until after the new sidewalk has been installed, which could be September, would be a good idea. Council also expressed interest in putting up a fence to protect children from running on to the busy street.

City clerk

City Clerk Julie Holm explained that the internet bill is combined for the Fire Hall and the Community Center through Xfinity. Nuvera is running fiber to each building so they can be billed separately.

The city office will be closed on May 27 for Memorial Day.

Holm reported that the Cooperative Construction Agreement CSAH 24 Improvements (Collin Drive Improvement Project) has been received from Bolton and Menk and forwarded to the city’s attorney.

Mayor Al Poehler asked Holm to send an email to the attorney requesting that they get back to council with concerns or revisions so the contract can be signed within the next week before any construction begins.

Holm presented the council with a financial report as the council considers what money should be used for the Collin Drive Improvement Project. It was suggested that residents, who will be assessed for the project, should be sent a letter explaining how the assessment can be made – paid in full or over a ten-year time frame – and asking them to indicate on the letter how they plan to pay which will help the city work through the process.

Council actions

The following were approved: Resolution 24-111A, An amendment, that includes the legal description of the property, for the Conditional Use Permit for G & S Manufacturing to remodel the building to the west of them into an office building, the Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Hearing and April regular meeting minutes, and the bills for $52,221.39. The next meeting is at 7 p.m. June 6.