COURTLAND – The issue of water drainage on Wishbone Way returned to the Courtland City Council.

During Thursday’s meeting, resident John Stadick checked on the progress for resolving the water issues on Wishbone Way.

Bolton and Menk checked Wishbone Way earlier and found the culverts do drain. The ditch needs cleaning for the water to drain away from the homes.

Maintenance and Utilities Supervisor Dave Ubel received a bid which would cost the homeowners about $1,490 each to clean the ditch. Discussion followed as to whether this should be paid by the city or assessed to the homeowners.

A motion was made to cover the cost of the Wishbone Way’s east properties’ ditch cleaning for the seven to eight parcels from the city’s maintenance funds, but the motion failed by a 2-2 vote. Mayor Al Poehler and Council Member Pam Rodewald voted yes, with Council Member Paul Bode and Council Member Nathan Marti voting no. Council Member Justin Kraus was absent from the meeting. The council tabled the discussion until the February meeting, at which time the full council could vote.

Rodewald suggested that the city consider establishing a fund for stormwater to cover maintenance of ditches and streets because there are other parts of Courtland that have similar water issues. “Rainwater has changed as we are getting more large downpours,” she said.

The council took no action.

Ubel reported that he has ordered signs for no parking, snow emergency routes, and for no snowmobiling on the city’s sidewalks.

Bode asked Ubel for a progress report on the light for the water tower.

Poehler said Otto Electric should have sent Ubel an estimate.

Ubel said, “Putting the post in now might be tough with the ground being frozen unless I can find someone with a bobcat that has a post auger on it.”

Rodewald continues to work on the city ordinances and will be meeting with the Nicollet County Sheriff and Kraus soon to discuss the enforcement. They want to look at ordinances related to noise, junk vehicles, burning, dogs barking, and others.

Poehler attended the Planning Commission meeting and reported they continue to work on the Comprehensive Plan and are struggling to figure out where to move forward. They are also looking at city ordinances that need to be updated.

The council reviewed the wages for the three city employees. A five percent wage increase was approved for City Clerk Julie Holm, Public Works and Utilities Dave Ubel and Jessie Voges.

The council also reviewed the council committees: Rodewald and Marti, Public Utilities; Bode and Poehler, Finance; Poehler and Kraus, Natural Gas; Rodewald and Poehler, Housing; and Kraus and Bode, Street/Maintenance.

After review of the 2025 Fee Schedule, it was approved after two changes. The water/sewer hookup (including one meter) will change from $625 to $650, and an additional water meter changed from $325 to $350.

The council approved the December 5 regular meeting and TNT Hearing minutes, and the bills for $58,328.65.

The next council meeting will be 7 p.m. Thursday, February 6.