Mason City City Council Regular Meeting - September 20, 2022

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.