Jordan City Council gives Brewers the green light to play ball – SW News Media

The Jordan Brewers may soon run the bases of the Mini-Met despite restrictions laid out in Gov. Tim Walz Executive Order 20-74.

The Jordan City Council adopted a COVID-19 preparedness plan Monday night for organizing adult sports at the town ballpark, paving the way for the Brewers to take part in the Minnesota Baseball Associations 2020 season.

The council adopted the plan despite the governors June 9 order limiting outdoor gatherings. In researching the issue, City Administrator Tom Nikunen said the governors office was clear on their stance.

The governors office says the intent of Executive Order No. 74 was to not allow games to be played, Nikunen said in a council memo.

Nikunen also consulted the League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trusts risk management attorney Chris Smith, who said the citys liability in the event someone contract COVID-19 at a ballgame is relatively low.

They will represent us if there is a lawsuit, Nikunen said. They think that our chance of having liability in this instance, if somebody were to get sick, that would be hard to prove.

The resolution was adopted by a 4-1 vote, with Councilwoman Amanda Schuh opposed. Councilman Bill Heimkes abstained due to technological difficulties that interfered with the teleconference. Councilman Robert Whipps said he wants the Brewers to play ball but decided to abstain.

I dont think I should be telling people to go violate the executive order, so Im not going to give you a thumbs up or a thumbs down but Ill tell you straight to your face thats the reason why Im not doing it, Whipps said.

Mayor Tanya Velishek and councilmen Jeff Will, Terry Stier and Jeremy Goebel voted to approve the resolution. Goebel said prohibiting baseball in light of the recent weeks activities is hypocritical.

Theyre playing baseball in every small town around us and the same hypocrite whos making these rules and telling us we cant do it is out protesting with 5,000 people telling us on TV that its OK, but they next day you cant play baseball? Cmon.

According to Nikunen, Brewers General Manager John Breunig said the team probably wont be ready to play immediately, as the field and concession stand require upkeep.

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Jordan City Council gives Brewers the green light to play ball - SW News Media

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