Mitchell City Council votes on $400,000 field usage deal

Mitchell City Council members will vote Monday on a three-year agreement that allows the Bison Baseball Club to use Cadwell Park. The deal covers the 2027 to 2029 seasons. The Parks and Recreation Board approved the terms on Oct. 15, but the council is now reviewing the language.

City Attorney Justin Johnson placed the agreement on the agenda at the request of council members. They asked for it after a special meeting of the Parks Board a week ago. The council had asked the Parks Board to make the approval conditional on the city council's sign-off. The Parks Board declined that request.

“This would have helped alleviate any friction between conflicting decisions by the Parks and Recreation Board and the City Council,” Johnson said in his staff report. He noted that state statute says park board actions are subject to the approval of the governing body.

Council President Kevin McCardle said his focus is on protecting the city's investment in the baseball field. The city spent approximately $400,000 on the Cadwell infield. He wants the team to split its 20 home games between Cadwell Stadium and Drake Field.

“I have no problem with them coming to town,” McCardle said. He questioned whether the field can handle all the games without enough time for maintenance in between.

Council Vice President Tim Goldammer also has questions about the agreement. He said a recording of the Oct. 15 Parks Board meeting was unavailable for review. Without that recording, he could not hear the answers to questions about field conditions and scheduling raised during that meeting.

“I had questions that I didn't get answers to,” Goldammer said. He said he believes it would be great for the Bison to come to Mitchell. Both McCardle and Goldammer said they had not spoken directly with Bison representatives.

Mayor Jordan Hanson questioned why the council is involved in an agreement already approved by the Parks Board. She said she has heard nothing but support from the public for the team coming to town.

“I don't see what the benefit is of bringing it to council, and I don't know what problem they're trying to solve,” Hanson said. “I'm not sure why they need a say in the matter.”

The council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at 612 N. Main St. On the same agenda, the council will consider setting a ballot date for a runoff election ordinance. They will also take the first reading of the 2027 city budget ordinance.