Mason City City Council Regular Meeting - November 1, 2022
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Mason City City Council Regular Meeting - November 1, 2022
The Mason City City Council met on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Public Library. Mayor Bill Schickle presided, and all council members were present. The meeting included two proclamations, a consent agenda, and three public hearings. Key decisions included approving a letter of interest for a sister city relationship with Deschan, Kosovo, adopting a two-year policy agenda, awarding an engineering contract for Destination Iowa trail improvements, vacating a utility easement, approving a site plan for a county public works garage, and advancing a first reading of a zoning amendment to create a golf course specific district.
Proclamations
- Veterans Day Proclamation: Recognized Friday, November 11, 2022, as Veterans Day in Mason City, honoring the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association and inviting the community to a tribute at Central Park at 10:30 AM.
- National Apprenticeship Week Proclamation: Declared November 14–20, 2022, as National Apprenticeship Week in Mason City, highlighting efforts by North Iowa Area Community College and the Mason City Chamber of Commerce to expand registered apprenticeships.
Consent Calendar
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously with three items pulled for separate consideration: item 6 (sister city letter), item 8 (policy agenda), and item 11 (trail engineering contract). Items approved en bloc included:
- Minutes of October 18, 2022
- Claims dated October 20 and 27, 2022
- Permits
- Approval of a letter of interest for a sister city relationship with a city in Kosovo
- Resolution approving the FY 2021-2022 Annual Financial Report
- Resolution adopting the Policy Agenda for Calendar Years 2023 and 2024
- Resolution accepting work and ordering payment for the City Hall Reception Area Renovation Project
- Resolution establishing ambulance transport rates effective November 2, 2022
- Resolution awarding contract to WHKS & Co. for Preliminary Engineering for Destination Iowa Trail Improvements
- Resolution authorizing additional funding for the BuRLS Grant Application for Vermilya Apartments
- Resolution authorizing submission of an EPA Brownfields Community Wide Assessment Grant (up to $500,000)
Public Comments & Testimony
- Item 14 – Utility Easement Vacation: Frank Annick, owner of Stone Pillar, spoke in favor of the vacation, stating the buyer is handicapped and needs a larger property to accommodate a wheelchair. He urged approval so the building project could move forward this year.
- Item 16 – Golf Course Zoning (First Reading): Jacqueline Arthur (Laird Law Firm) urged adoption of the new golf course specific zoning classification, noting it would allow expanded uses at golf courses. Terry Weisner, president of the Mason City Country Club, spoke in support, stating the new owner (Joe) is committed to building a new clubhouse by the end of 2024 and is excited about course improvements.
Discussion Items
- Item 6 – Sister City Letter of Interest: Councilman Joshua Mason explained the initiative, noting Iowa’s long-standing sister state partnership with Kosovo and that Mason City’s National Guard unit is deploying there. The proposed partner city is Deschan. There is no monetary impact; the relationship facilitates cultural exchanges, student visas, and trips. The letter is needed for the mayor of Deschan to join an upcoming delegation of 17 mayors visiting Mason City. Councilman Yasheski asked about business relationships; Mason confirmed they can develop informally. The motion carried unanimously.
- Item 8 – Policy Agenda for 2023-2024: Deputy City Administrator Brent Henson presented the six policy agenda goals developed from a council goal‑setting session: (1) commence construction of River City Renaissance Hotel and Main Street Experience and make RCR a permanent tagline; (2) get Highway 122 West reconstruction funded through state/federal resources and begin planning; (3) design and implement Destination Iowa trail improvements, with completion by December 31, 2026 (clarified that funds must be committed by 2024 but payments can run through 2026); (4) help neighborhoods flourish via infrastructure, housing, and a nuisance abatement task force; (5) expand housing options and implement housing study findings; (6) achieve full summer utilization of the multi‑purpose arena. Councilman Mason praised the process as comprehensive, balanced between quick wins and stretch goals, and mindful of staff bandwidth. The motion carried unanimously.
- Item 11 – WHKS Engineering Contract for Destination Iowa Trails: Aaron Burnett, City Engineer, detailed the $4.5 million grant and the first step of preliminary engineering for trails, including a pedestrian bridge across the Winnebago River, paved multi‑use trails (10 ft wide), single‑track trails, and linking the High Line Trail. The conversion of Birch Drive to trail will be a one‑season project planned for the next construction season. Councilman Yasheski requested clarification on trail users (non‑motorized, except e‑bikes and scooters). Councilman Adams asked about the Birch Drive timeline; City Engineer Mark Rams confirmed it would be completed in less than one construction season with budgeted funds. Councilman Toma asked for public outreach; Burnett promised website and social media updates. The motion carried unanimously.
- Item 16 – Zone Change (First Reading) – Golf Course Specific District: The proposed ordinance creates a new zoning classification (Z7-6) for golf courses, allowing expanded uses such as hotels, restaurants, and other amenities. It is the first reading; the council discussed whether to waive the second and third readings to expedite the process for the former Mason City Country Club property. Councilman Yasheski and Councilman Adams expressed comfort with waiving the second reading at the next meeting (November 15) if no negative public comments arise, but not waiving the first and second together. Councilman Lee agreed, citing the need for public notice. City Attorney Steve (not fully identified) noted that a second public hearing and notification would occur when the actual rezoning application is filed. The motion to approve on first reading passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Approved unanimously: Item 6 (sister city letter), Item 8 (policy agenda), Item 11 (trail engineering contract), Item 14 (vacation of utility easement), Item 15 (site plan for county public works garage), and Item 16 (first reading of golf course zoning ordinance).
- Consent Agenda: Approved with items 6, 8, and 11 pulled and voted separately; all carried 6-0.
- Next Steps: The council will hold a second reading of the golf course zoning ordinance on November 15, 2022, with the possibility of waiving the third reading. The developer will proceed with design work after receiving assurance of eventual approval. The Destination Iowa trail planning will begin immediately with WHKS. The policy agenda will be distributed with November utility bills.
Meeting Transcript
And good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. I'm Mayor Bill Schickle. We're delighted to have you with us this evening. This is the meeting for November 1, 2020. The first order of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Lee. Here. Adams? Present. Yeski. Here. Massan. Here. Toma? Present. Simmons. Present. Let the record reflect that all members are present. The next item on the agenda is the adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? Second. We have a motion and a second. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. The motion carries. We have two special items of business before we get started this evening. I'm going to ask Chairman Randy Solsa and Secretary Diane Castro to step forward at this time. Chairman Randy Sulsa is the chair of the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association. Diane is the secretary. And Randy served as the construction electrician first class with the United States Navy construction battalion responsible for building much of the infrastructure and the U.S. military locations around the world. Chairman Solsa retired from the Navy after 23 years of service. Randy, thank you for your service. And Diane, thank you for your service at the Veterans Memorial Association. And in honor of Veterans Day coming up, I have a very special proclamation that I would like to read and present to you at this time. Whereas twelve stones of shining granite stand proudly in historic Central Park in downtown Mason City, and whereas these eight-foot stones highlight a place of beauty for veterans, families, and visitors to reflect and reflect and find sous as they honor those serving our country. And whereas the names of 19 veterans have been inscribed in the in that monument in just the past year, and whereas they join 3700 other veterans from our community whose names have been etched for eternity in this sacred sacred place. And whereas the best way we can show our gratitude is by not squandering the precious gift of freedom that they defended for us and not limiting ourselves or our community to small dreams. And whereas we owe a special debt of gratitude to the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association, which for the past 100 years has made sure that we always remember. Now therefore, I Bill Schickle, Mayor of Mason City. It's a high honor to recognize Friday, November 11th, 2022 as Veterans Day in Mason City, and invite you to join a special tribute, 10 30 a.m. Friday, November 11th in Central Park. Our community is filled with men and women who step forward when their country asks for help. The veteran this Veterans Day, find a veteran in your life and ask him or her about their story of service. Let's show our appreciation and congratulations. And so there's just a couple of things to take note of.
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