Public Meetings - Mason City, Iowa

The Mason City Council met on October 4, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Public Library. The meeting covered a proclamation for Fire Prevention Week, the City Administrator’s monthly report, approval of consent items, a public hearing on a rejected bid, and final readings of two zoning ordinances. All council members were present (President, Adams, Simmons, Lee, Toma, Yushewski). Consent Calendar - Items 3–15 (except 16 and 17, which were pulled for separate discussion) were approved unanimously by roll call vote (6-0). These included: - Approval of minutes (September 20, 2022) - Claims dated September 22 and 29, 2022 - Permits - August 2022 Financial Report - Acceptance of the Mason City Housing Authority Annual Report for FY 2021-2022 - Appointment of Linda Hunt as Administration Assistant (Recreation) at Grade G Step 2 ($20.72/hour) - Appointment of Asa Smith as Firefighter at starting wage $21.96/hour - Resolution levying assessments for charges on certain properties - Resolution setting a public hearing date for the CDBG grant for Vermilya Apartments (13 & 15 South Federal Avenue, Foxtrot Properties, LLC) - Resolution authorizing a forgivable loan to Tierney Main Street for 4173 South Federal Avenue (Corridor Revitalization Loan) - Resolution authorizing a forgivable loan to John and Jodi Degen for 2810 South Federal Avenue (Corridor Revitalization Loan) - Resolution authorizing assignment and assumption of note/mortgage related to 2019-2021 South Federal Avenue (Corridor Revitalization Loan) - Resolution approving Final Plat for Autumn Park Subdivision Public Comments & Testimony - Written Comment: One written objection was received from Kingland regarding the bid process for the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery Maintenance Storage Building. The comment was noted but did not affect the council’s decision to reject the bid. - No oral public comments were made during the public hearing or forum. Discussion Items - Item 16 – FEMA Advanced Assistance Application for Upstream Storage on Ideal Creek and Mason Creek: - Council discussed the intent to apply for a FEMA grant to evaluate upstream storage, with the goal of reducing floodplain impacts in the Eastbrook neighborhood and along Mason Creek. The application is for site evaluation and environmental assessment, with a small local match. The process is expected to be long (years). If projects are completed, the city would request a letter of map revision from FEMA to remove structures from the floodplain. Councilmember noted that property owners in affected areas may be required to carry flood insurance until the project is completed (at lender’s discretion). The resolution was approved unanimously (6-0). - Item 17 – Purchase of Real Estate Adjacent to Mason City Municipal Airport: - Discussion clarified that the parcel is a 33-foot-wide strip of land that the city believed it owned but was actually still owned by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). The city has utilities installed there and obtained a temporary permit from DOT. The purchase will clear up the title defect. The resolution was approved unanimously (6-0). - Item 19 – Final Reading of Ordinance Rezoning Property at 600 Block of South Adams Avenue from Z3 General Urban to Z4 Multi-Use District: - No discussion. Approved unanimously (6-0). - Item 20 – Final Reading of Ordinance Amending Title 12 (Zoning Regulations) for Floodplain Overlay District: - No discussion. Approved unanimously (6-0). Key Outcomes - Proclamation: Recognized October 4–8, 2022 as Fire Prevention Week. Assistant Deputy Chief Randy Elsburn accepted the proclamation. - Bid Rejection: The council voted unanimously (6-0) to reject the bid for construction of the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery Maintenance Storage Building. No new bid solicitation or next steps were discussed. - Consent Agenda: Approved with items 16 and 17 removed for separate votes. - All action items passed unanimously: No dissenting votes recorded. Special Items - Proclamation & City Administrator’s Report: City Administrator Aaron (last name not given) delivered a report highlighting economic development (e.g., EVCO at former Shopko Center, small redevelopments like Pipe Dream Pizza, Scooter’s Coffee, upper-story units, Federal Row workforce housing, River Two apartments), infrastructure work (televising, lining, point repairs, street rehab), winter preparation challenges (supply chain delays for dump trucks), and a presentation to the Iowa DOT on October 11 regarding Highway 122. Financial conditions were noted as improving with increased interest income and local option sales tax certainty.

This regular meeting of the Mason City City Council, presided over by Mayor Bill Schickle, began at 1:00 PM (transcript indicates both morning and evening references, but the official date is September 20, 2022). The council addressed a special proclamation, a consent agenda with infrastructure and public safety items, a public hearing for sewer rehabilitation, two zoning ordinance amendments, and a lengthy discussion on the Highway 122 corridor feasibility study. All votes were unanimous. Consent Calendar - Item 17: Approved the purchase of 25 complete sets of personal safety protective gear for firefighters at a cost of $103,000, budgeted in the capital improvements plan. - Item 9: Awarded a $69,000 contract to SEH Engineering for design services for the major reconstruction of 12th Street Northeast and Winnebago Way, funded with federal, state, and local monies; construction is planned for summer 2023. - Item 10: Approved a sidewalk permit for the Old Creamery, a new ice cream shop downtown, to allow outdoor seating in the right-of-way (previously temporarily permitted by the city administrator). - All items were approved unanimously by roll call vote (all six council members present: Yascheski, Simmons, Adams, Mason, Lee, Toma). Public Comments & Testimony - There were no public comments on any agenda items or the public hearing. Mayor Schickle confirmed no one was seeking to be recognized on Zoom or in person. Public Hearing – Sewer Infrastructure Contract (Item 11) - A public hearing was held for a $991,000 contract awarded to Bob McKinnis Excavating for sewer inflow and infiltration work. Mayor Schickle emphasized the importance of this investment for public safety, citing crises in Jackson, Mississippi, and Flint, Michigan. No public comment was received; the motion to approve items A–D carried unanimously. Discussion Items Special Presentation: Kiwanis Club Proclamation - Mayor Schickle read and presented a proclamation recognizing the River City Morning Kiwanis Club’s 50 years of service (founded September 11, 1972). The club’s signature project is Kiwanis Park, dedicated in September 2018, and it has donated funds to support children’s organizations. The proclamation designates September 29, 2022, as River City Morning Kiwanis Club 50th Anniversary Day in Mason City. Zoning Amendment – Blanchard Blossoms/Mason City Roofing (Item 12) - Second reading of a resolution to change the zoning district from Z3 General Urban to Z4 Multi-Use District. No objections were raised at the planning and zoning commission public hearing. The motion passed unanimously. Floodplain Ordinance Amendment (Item 13) - Second reading of amendments required by federal and state regulations to revise Mason City’s floodplain maps. Councilman Lee led a detailed discussion with Assistant City Administrator Trisha Sundal about the consequences of not adopting the ordinance: - If the city fails to adopt the new maps, FEMA would suspend the city from the National Flood Insurance Program. Residents with flood insurance (including those whose homeowners insurance is backed by FEMA) would lose coverage, creating mortgage problems. Additionally, any future FEMA disaster assistance would be unavailable for the first $250,000 of damage per structure. - The appeal window for the maps has closed; no appeals were filed in Mason City. - Councilman Lee had received inquiries from residents and acknowledged he was not in favor of the floodplain changes but felt the council had no choice (calling it a “Hobson’s choice”). He asked about the possibility of future map revisions if the city or DOT improves the bridge on Highway 122. City Engineer Mark Rahm noted that bridge is under DOT jurisdiction and is considered in good condition with no replacement plans. City Administrator Aaron Burnett confirmed that the DOT has no intention of replacing it. - The resolution passed unanimously. Highway 122 Corridor Feasibility Study (Item 14) - City Engineer Mark Rahm introduced WHKS engineer Fuad Duaoud, who summarized the feasibility study for the Highway 122 corridor (from Lark Avenue to Winnebago Way, approx. 2.5 miles with 6 signalized intersections, 18,000 vehicles per day in 2017). Three alternatives were presented: - Alternative 1: Implement the 2020 TEEP (Traffic Engineering Assistance Program) study improvements—adding turn lanes, closing accesses, replacing signals—costing approximately $8 million. - Alternative 2: Full reconstruction of six intersections with new traffic signals and median narrowing, estimated at $50 million. - Alternative 3: Full reconstruction with roundabouts at five intersections (Eisenhower, Village Green, Taft, Grover, and Winnebago Way), also estimated at $50 million. - Council members asked clarifying questions: - Councilman Simmons confirmed land acquisition costs are included in both $50 million estimates. - Councilman Yasheski asked about the payment timeline; Rahm said it would be a multi-year project with no funding yet committed. - Councilman Massan supported roundabouts based on experience in Italy and noted studies show they are safer and more efficient. - Councilman Lee asked about the next steps: after this meeting, the preferred alternative will be presented to the Iowa DOT Commission on October 11 to pursue federal funds. A NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) study will follow, and a categorical exclusion could shorten the environmental review. A formal funding vote would occur much later. - Councilman Adams asked about ongoing maintenance costs; Rahm noted roundabouts eliminate traffic signal maintenance, but Burnett added that roundabouts require landscaping upkeep. - Burnett confirmed the city has a placeholder in the Capital Improvement Plan for this project. - The council accepted the feasibility study and each member stated their preference: all six council members (Adams, Toma, Simmons, Lee, Mason, Yasheski) chose Alternative 3 (full reconstruction with roundabouts). There was no formal vote, but this consensus will be forwarded to the DOT. Key Outcomes - All consent agenda items (17, 9, 10) were approved unanimously. - Public hearing item 11 (sewer contract) was approved unanimously. - Zoning amendment (Item 12) passed on second reading unanimously. - Floodplain ordinance amendment (Item 13) passed on second reading unanimously; Councilman Lee expressed opposition but acknowledged the city had no alternative. - Highway 122 feasibility study (Item 14) was accepted; all council members endorsed Alternative 3 (full reconstruction with roundabouts) as the preferred alternative to present to the Iowa DOT Commission. - The meeting was adjourned.