Mitchell City Council to consider approving $560K bid for Cadwell Park press box, shaded structure project

Sam Fosness, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·6 min read

Feb. 20—MITCHELL — The Mitchell City Council will consider awarding a construction company's bid on Tuesday to build a new press box atop Cadwell Park.

The lone bid for replacing the Cadwell Park press box came in roughly $192,000 over the city's $400,000 project budget. Despite the bid coming in high, the council will decide during the 6 p.m. meeting on Tuesday at City Hall whether to award Rexwinkel Concrete's $560,000 bid.

If the bid is awarded, the $592,700 project will replace the 460-square-foot structure that sits atop the bleachers of the baseball park overlooking the field.

Upgrading Cadwell Park has come into focus among city leaders over the past few years. A key factor motivating some council members like Council President Kevin McCardle to invest in making improvements to the baseball park is attracting the annual South Dakota State Amateur Baseball tournament.

The press box dates back to 1975. As it's aged through several decades, local baseball leaders say it's reached the point of a total replacement.

As part of the project, the press box would welcome a new feature for a portion of the stadium seats known as a shaded structure. The shaded structure would extend from the press box roof.

"Right now, we don't have any shade for the seating area. We have a lot of fans who are older, and the lack of shade in 90-degree summer heat can keep people from taking in a baseball game. This will make Cadwell one of the best in the state," McCardle said.

Cadwell Park has hosted the amateur baseball tournament 19 times in the past. It's been a popular host site among amateur baseball commissioners who select the host cities each year. Mitchell has been tabbed to host the 12-day event this year in August and in 2024.

If the bid is awarded, the goal is to complete the project before the upcoming 2023 amateur baseball tournament in August.

Mitchell Baseball Association has pledged to contribute $200,000 for the press box project, which the city has agreed to match. It's unclear yet how the additional costs that went over the project's budget will be funded.

Toward the later half of Tuesday's meeting, the council will discuss the proposed water and sewer rate increases for this year and into 2024.

As of now, the $9.21 base rate for water services in Mitchell represents the same fixed costs for all users, regardless of usage. However, a new equitable rate structure was proposed by an engineering firm in early January. City officials are mulling over the rate structure as a one option to consider moving forward.

Under the newly proposed equitable rate structure, a home with a 1-inch water meter — a typical size for a home — would have a monthly water base rate of $13 in 2023 with a $5.10 per unit charge, while a business with a 3-inch meter would be charged a $78 monthly base rate and $5.10 per unit fee.

For wastewater rates, the proposed model would increase the average monthly bill (based on a 5,000 gallon per month user) — which is at $39.01 — to $51.49 this year. In 2024, the monthly bill would jump to $54.33 and ultimately increase to $60.81 by 2027.

The following items will be considered as part of the consent agenda:

* Approve the minutes and reports from the Feb. 6 council meeting.

* Approve committee reports.

* Approve the following raffle permits: Mitchell Skating Hockey Association with the drawing to be held on Feb. 19; Gertie Belle Rogers PTA with the drawing to be held on Mar. 11; Pheasant Country with the drawing to be held on June 5; VFW with the drawing to be held on Sept. 23.

* Approve authorization to apply for the state Department of Health's Good and Healthy Community grant.

* Approve authorization to apply for Midco foundation grant.

* Approve authorization to participate in the "New National Opioid Settlements."

* Approve the following volunteer board appointments: Kevin Genzlinger to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term to run from 2023 to June 30, 2026; Jim Buechler to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term to run from 2023 to June 30, 2026; Jen Bradley to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term to run from 2023 to June 30, 2026; Melissa Schwalm to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term to run from 2023 to June 30, 2026; Jay Larson to the Community Services Board (Nutrition) for a term to run from 2023 to June 30, 2025.

* Approve 2023 volunteer list.

* Set the date for the following bid opening: 1:30 p.m. on Mar. 1, for street shop fuel tank replacement project.

* Approve gas and fuel quotes.

* Approve pay estimates.

* Approve bills, payroll, salary adjustments, new employee hires, authorization of recurring payments and other expenses.

* Recite pledge of allegiance and receive invocation from North Ridge Baptist Church.

* Hear citizens input.

* Hold hearing on the following alcohol license applications: An application of the Corn Palace Shrine Club for a Special Event Liquor License, located at the Masonic Hall on April 22, 2023 for a wedding; Corn Palace Shrine Club's application for a Special Event Liquor License located at the Masonic Hall on June 3, 2023 for a wedding; Corn Palace Shrine Club's application for a Special Event Liquor License, located at the Masonic Hall on June 9, 2023 for a wedding; Corn Palace Shrine Club's application for a Special Event Liquor License, located at the Masonic Hall on June 17, 2023 for a wedding; Corn Palace Shrine Club's application for a Special Event Liquor License, located at the Masonic Hall on Aug. 4, 2023 for the Lakeview Golf Event; Corn Palace Shrine Club's application for a Special Event Liquor License, located at the Masonic Hall on Sept. 23, 2023 for a wedding; Corn Palace Shrine Club's application for a Special Event Liquor License, located at the Masonic Hall on Oct. 7, 2023 for a wedding; Corn Palace Shrine Club's application for a Special Event Liquor License, located at the Masonic Hall on Oct. 27, 2023 for the Sportsman Classic; Corn Palace Shrine Club's application for a Special Event Liquor License, located at the Masonic Hall on Dec, 31, 2023 for New Years Eve Bash.

* Award bid for Third Avenue and Main Street portion of Downtown Streetscape project.

* Approve amendment to an agreement for the construction of the ground storage tank project.

* Approved agreement for testing and inspection services for the ground storage tank project. City staff recommend GeoTek Engineering to complete the services.

* Approve agreement to select McLaury Engineering for the construction engineering work at the Third Avenue and Main Street intersection for the streetscape project.

* Approve resolution regarding historic preservation findings at 622 N. Duff St.

* Approve first reading of an ordinance that aims to rezone lots 3 and 4, square 8, in Weavers Squares Addition, from R3 Medium Density Residential district to Highway Business district.

* Approve authorization to proceed with pursuing a secondary water source with Fort Randall Community Water District.

* Hold discussion on resolution setting utility rates for 2023 and 2024, along with implementing new utility rate structure as presented by HDR Engineering at a January council meeting.