Jake Weber, Vice President of Ingstad Media, made a request to the Morris City Council via Zoom for their regular meeting on October 21. Ingstad Media has owned radio station KMRS-KKOK in Morris since 1999, and in that time, Weber said, has made many updates and improvements to the building and equipment, however, at this point, they have hit a wall and the building they currently reside in cannot maintain their needs. The condition of the studio also makes it difficult to attract good on-air talent and has contributed to turnover.
Remodeling would be far more costly than relocating and trying to broadcast during a large remodel, Weber said, is nearly impossible due to the equipment and satellites.
Weber stated to the council that they have found a building in town that would be suitable for their needs, and they have a buyer for their current land but have recently discovered that the land is under a municipal limited-use provision. The provision keeps the new buyer from doing anything new and causes a severe detriment to the valuation of the property. The potential buyer got a real estate broker to give a valuation, and it’s only as high as $25,000. Weber said that they are being taxed on a county valuation of $256,000 which has increased significantly in the last five years.
Weber proposed to the council that the City of Morris purchase the property from Ingstad Media for the amount it’s valued at per the county with a long-term agreement to keep the tower and transmitter there. This would allow the radio station to move into a new building, and keep their business in Morris.
The next best feasible option for them, financially, Weber said, would be to move into their studios in Montevideo. They could still cover local sports and events, but would no longer be a daily presence in Morris.
Mayor Kevin Wohlers said that they appreciate every business in town, and the contributions provided by KMRS-KKOK, and the services they provide to the community, but when it comes to land acquisition, there is a process they need to follow.
Council member Jeff Miller suggested beginning the process with the planning commission to potentially get the land rezoned, which would allow the radio station to sell it at a higher valuation and for the buyer to be able to use the land as they wish.
Weber said they’d be happy to be rezoned, and since they are not working with a strict timeline, going through the planning commission as a first step is a reasonable option. Council member Brian Solvie added that it seems to make the most sense as a first step, and said that the provision is nearly 30 years old, so it would be worth taking a new look at.
City Manager Rebecca Schrupp reported that the City of Morris has been working with Superior’s NextGen group to upgrade East Side Park to be a fully accessible destination playground. The upgrades will include swings, a two-to-five-year-old play area, a five-to-twelve-year-old play area, and a possible outdoor workout area. The ground will be a poured-in-place material, including picket fencing around the play areas, she said, and all areas of the park such as the bathroom, shelter, and band shell, along with the play areas have been discussed.
Schrupp said the approach will likely be multi-phased, beginning with the playground. She said that they are focusing on a community-funded and built playground that will be done similarly to Robbins Island in Willmar. The group has met with several playground designers on overall design and layout, as well as for the playground equipment itself. Schrupp reported to the council that the NextGen group will be spearheading the fundraising efforts and plans to hold regular fundraising events and opportunities in the community. They are also working with West Central Initiative to hold the funds from these fundraising events, so when the fundraising is completed and the playground is ordered, the funds will be transferred to the City of Morris to purchase the equipment. Mayor Wohlers noted that parking can be a frustration at East Side Park, and asked if that is being considered in any of the upgrade planning. Schrupp said that planning for a parking area to be located where the current play equipment is has been discussed, and that the new play equipment will be located closer to the 7th Street side of the park.
The council approved the updated job descriptions provided by ABDO Solutions. They did not approve the wage step scale for non-union employees but will consider it at a later meeting. Council member Brian Solvie stated that he was uncomfortable passing a new wage step scale without completely understanding even though he thinks it’s the right path, and suggested talking about it further during a work session.
