Morrison City Council: No to board for sports complex

MORRISON – The City Council isn’t keen on having a separate committee oversee the sports complex, but a proposal to do so sparked an animated discussion this week.

At a City Council meeting Monday, Alderwoman Marti Wood proposed the creation of a separate board for the sports complex, which is in its second year. She wanted it to have powers similar to the library board.

But City Attorney Tim Zollinger said the council doesn’t have the authority to create such an entity. He said the council only could set up an ad hoc advisory committee for the sports complex.

Wood then suggested that such a committee also would be fine for the sports complex. She said such a panel could get the type of information that she has asked for but hasn’t received, such as inventories.

City Administrator Jim Wise questioned how much information the sports complex’s director, Jim DuBois, should provide.

“Do I want him to count Snickers bars?” Wise asked.

"We should,” Wood said.

“You’re free to count Snickers bars anytime you want,” Wise responded.

Most of the other council members said they didn’t want such a committee.

Alderman David Rose called it “another layer of bureaucracy,” and Alderman Guy Hayenga said it would amount to micromanagement.

Alderman Leo Sullivan said “yes or no” when asked about the idea. He said he would favor it if it helped DuBois do his job.

“Another set of eyes can be good or can be bad,” he said.

Last month, DuBois reported that rental revenue at the sports complex was less than expected during the March-through-November season. And expenses were higher than projected, he said.