Morehead City council approves interim two-season extension of Marlins license

The Morehead City Council voted unanimously July 9 to approve an amendment extending the Morehead City Marlins' license for two seasons through 2028, the city manager said, to satisfy a league requirement that facilities show two seasons of use before teams can schedule the next year.

City Manager Randy, who opened the presentation, told council members the extension was needed so the Marlins could meet the league's scheduling requirement and to buy time to negotiate a longer-term license. "We've been informed by [the league] that they had to have two seasons of available play to allow them to schedule for the subsequent season," Randy said. He presented an amendment drafted by the city attorney that he said would extend the current agreement for two seasons and modify exclusive-use language so it would not conflict with an existing college agreement.

The amendment reduces the Marlins' prior exclusive-use language and establishes seasonal windows. Under the amendment as discussed, the Marlins' season runs May 1 through Aug. 31; the college's fall window runs Sept. 1 through Oct. 31 and its spring window Jan. 1 through April 30. Randy said the city retains final authority to prohibit play or other activity if field conditions or safety warrant it.

Council members pressed for a fiscal assessment of the change and clarity on charges and revenue. Randy said the per-event fee structure in the draft follows the college agreement and the city's fee schedule; he also agreed to pursue an assessment of whether the arrangement would be revenue neutral. Several council members requested the manager return with negotiated language and a progress report; the council discussed aiming to complete a longer-term agreement well before next season and mentioned a 90—120-day review window after the season as a target for progress reporting.

The motion to recommend the amendment was made by Mayor Pro Tem George Baloo and seconded by Council Member Harvey Walker; after discussion the council voted by raised hands and approved the amendment unanimously. The meeting record does not record individual roll-call tallies for each member, and the council recorded the outcome as unanimous by voice/hand vote.

Public commenters gave mixed reactions at the meeting. Mary Martin, who said she lives across from the stadium, asked the city to address traffic, loud music and neighborhood impacts: "They're taking your values. They speed down the street. They wreck the driveway," she said. Andrea Cybeck, who identified herself as a volunteer with the Marlins, praised the program's benefits for players and host families and said stadium music is radio-edited, not profane. A longtime neighbor identified by the mayor as Wayne said the Marlins had been "wonderful neighbors" and urged a long-term agreement of five to seven years if possible.

Randy told the council he has begun negotiations and will continue working with the Marlins and with the college to finalize a longer-term arrangement. He said the amendment is an interim step intended to keep the Marlins on the schedule while the city and tenants work toward a multiyear deal. The council adjourned after the vote; Randy and staff will return with more detailed terms and the requested fiscal assessment in follow-up sessions.