Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report.n
Upon my arrival at the Odell Public Library, 307 S. Madison, Street, Morrison, IL, for the Monday, January 24, 2022, Morrison City Council meeting, I had to park in the Emmanuel Reformed Church parking lot across the street. A full parking lot set the stage for an interesting evening for all attending.
The opening Action Item proposed agreeing to pay a $4000 fee for the use of the right-of-way of the Union Pacific Railroad, for placement of an “Underground, ten-inch, plastic potable water pipeline encased in 24-inch steel pipe…crossing…railroad property, at Mile Post 124.49 on the Geneva subdivision near Morrison.” The agreement was unanimously approved.
A second Action Item was presented to the Council to secure a trailer. It would be used for centralizing tools and equipment, that are needed for occasional repair of water issues throughout the City. The negative votes of Aldermen Tervelt and Zuidema failed to stop the Council’s approval.
Next, Steve Moring, General Manager of Moring Disposal, was present to answer inquiries related to the company’s Waste Hauling Contract, currently being considered by the Council. The contract proposed supplying each resident with a 65-gallon cart, to be placed at curbside on collection days. Moring’s proposal was to service Morrison for seven years at recorded costs that would increase annually at a 3.5% rate. The seven-year contract was unanimously approved.
The final topic of the evening was only a Discussion Item. It does not allow any action to be taken by the Council, but serves as a basis of information for future potential action items. Mayor Vandermyde introduced Shawn Kramlich, President of the Illinois Baseball Tournaments and Wisconsin Baseball Tournaments. [He presented] a proposal…that would lease the Complex for ten years and allow his organization to promote and administer youth Baseball Tournaments, that he felt could have an economic impact for the area of over $3 million dollars per year. Like with any venture that creates a change from the norm, opposition sprang forth from visitors within the room. Kramlich’s proposal called for conversion of all current diamonds to grass infields and permanent mounds. [That] would create a need for Softball to move to new homes, that he felt were available at Water Works Park, Morrison High School, and St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church. A required investment by Kramlich and the City would be necessary, to perfect the various diamonds and upgrade them to the quality facility that entices travel teams from throughout the Midwest to want to participate. Kramlich offered great optimism for his plan. [He noted] that his organizations currently successfully manage similar tournament venues in seven locations in
Illinois and nine locations in Wisconsin.
Open discussion followed from the visitors. Concerns were varied:
• moving Softball from the Complex
• dominating field time with tournaments
• restricted practice times
• maintenance of Football facilities
• allowing local tournament scheduling
• trust [in] the presenter’s facts and numbers.
The discussion closed with comments from Kim Ewoldsen, Executive Director of Morrison Economic Development. She urged locals to remain focused on what is best for the area and our youth. She hopes that a committee, represented by various concerned entities, will be formed and continue to work on the many concerns which surfaced at the meeting.