OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mason City Council Regular Meeting - January 3, 2023

City Council — Tuesday, January 3, 2023
BodyMason City, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, January 3, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
Meeting Thumbnail
⇩ GET FROM SOURCE

STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE

Transcript — Verbatim
1:01

And good evening, everyone.

1:03

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council.

1:06

Happy New Year.

1:08

This is the regular meeting for January 3rd of 2023.

1:13

The first item of business is the roll call.

1:15

Diana, would you call the roll?

1:18

Present.

1:21

Adams.

1:22

I'm Telma.

1:25

President Yaseski.

1:28

Simmons.

1:29

Present.

1:31

Let the record reflect that all members are present.

1:34

The next item of business is the adoption of the agenda.

1:37

Is there a motion to adopt the agenda?

1:39

Second.

1:40

We have a motion and a second.

1:41

Is there discussion?

1:43

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

1:47

All those opposed, same sign.

1:49

The motion carries.

1:51

Next we'll have the public forum.

1:52

This is your chance to comment on any item that is on the agenda.

1:57

If there's it an item on the agenda that you'd like to comment on, you can step forward and use the podium now, or you can uh uh contact us through Zoom.

2:06

Is there any public comment at this time?

2:15

Hearing no public comment, we'll go ahead and uh close the public hearing.

2:20

The next item on the agenda is my annual State of the City report.

2:26

It's a great honor to be presenting it at this time.

2:29

Members of the City Council, city officials, uh distinguished guests, friends.

2:35

It's such a privilege to be able to address you this evening.

2:39

Let's make just start by wishing everybody a very happy new year.

2:44

You know, these are really, really exciting times in Mason City, and there's so much going on, it's gonna be hard for me to get it all in and these remarks, but I'm gonna do my very best tonight.

2:55

From Pebble Creek to Rolling Acres, from downtown to the north end, River City is blessed with 17 great neighborhoods.

3:04

I mention this because for every resident, really the most important spot in town is within a hundred feet of your own home.

3:12

That's why flourishing neighborhoods is one of our immediate goals, one of the immediate goals for the city council uh for this new year.

3:22

And it's really something that everybody can help with.

3:24

It can be as simple as uh getting to know our neighbors, uh lending a helping hand to our neighbors in need.

3:30

You know, there's a lot of lonely people out there that would love nothing better than to get to know you.

3:37

Uh partnering with our police also makes for great neighborhoods.

3:41

One of the best ways you can do this is by simply calling our police dispatch number when you see something wrong or you sense that something unusual is uh happening in the neighborhood.

3:52

And there's plenty that the city will be doing immediately as well.

3:56

To make our neighborhood sparkle.

3:58

Our thriving downtown really is looking more beautiful than ever.

4:02

And now is the time for a similar renaissance in every neighborhood by investing in each one to make all of Mason City as vibrant as our central downtown.

4:15

One example where this is already happening is the West Downtown neighborhood.

4:20

The landmark Mason City YWCA is being transformed into a state-of-the-art housing along with an art gallery and community space.

4:29

We owe a debt of gratitude to the entrepreneurs, Elisha Marin, and Suzanne Crane for their vision for this part of downtown.

4:38

By the way, you can help by Googling Save the Mason City YWCA.

4:43

Let's help them raise 150,000 in donations by January 31st so that they can become eligible for other grants and assistance.

4:58

Let's show our appreciation.

5:10

Elsewhere in that same neighborhood struck construction is, if you've been by there, you can see it.

5:15

It's really moving quickly on the River Two apartments.

5:19

Frying audio and technology is brucing up their building at 219 First Street Southwest.

5:24

And 43 North Iowa has immediate plans for upgrading their space as well.

5:29

The city will be immediately matching these kinds of private investments with improvements in streets and trails and lighting along with other beautification.

5:40

In the new year, we'll be immediately redoubling our efforts as well to get rid of blighted property.

5:47

As you know, abandoned houses have a terrible impact on neighborhoods.

5:51

They hurt surrounding property values and they pose safety hazards as well.

5:57

Since the council, the city council three years ago adopted the goal, Mason City has addressed 48 blighted properties.

6:05

They're either being demolished or rehabilitated.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development████████████████████████████28%
Community Engagement██████████████████████22%
Procedural███████████████████19%
Tourism██████████10%
Public Safety█████████9%
Zoning Regulations████████8%
Affordable Housing████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Mason City Council Regular Meeting - January 3, 2023

The Mason City Council held its regular meeting on January 3, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Public Library. The meeting included the Mayor's State of the City report, approval of consent agenda items, a separate vote on a resolution for an economic development contract with EVCO Holdings, and a public hearing on a zoning change for the legacy golf course development. All council members were present.

Mayor's State of the City Report

Mayor delivered an annual report highlighting achievements and goals for 2023. Key points included:

  • Neighborhood revitalization efforts, including transformation of the YWCA into housing and art space, and the River Two apartments construction.
  • 48 blighted properties addressed since 2020 (compared to 1 in prior three years).
  • Metronet fiber-optic internet to be available to most of the city by September 2023; free downtown Wi-Fi by March.
  • Mason City Community School District enrollment increased to 3,404 students; new field house and pool opened.
  • 100 multifamily housing permits (representing $10 million investment) and doubling of single-family permits in 2022.
  • Development Review Committee received 62 proposals, approved 10 major plans.
  • Public safety: 6,000 fire/rescue calls, 18,000 police calls, 1,300 arrests.
  • Tourism: hotel/motel tax up 46% over pre-pandemic levels; Music Man Square record attendance.
  • Over 50 initiatives ongoing, including gateway upgrades, solar energy, and a joint comprehensive plan.
  • Downtown hotel project: USDA approved a loan guarantee for the hotel.
  • Upcoming State of North Iowa report on January 19, 2023.
  • 160 soldiers from 1133rd National Guard deployed to Poland; families recognized.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda included minutes of December 20, 2022, claims dated December 22 and 29, 2022, permits, and resolutions for temporary closure of public ways, work acceptance for the Sanitary Sewer CCTV Phase 3 Project, and authorization of an Iowa Economic Development Assistance contract with EVCO Holdings (item 7 was pulled for separate discussion). The remaining consent items were approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

Discussion Items

Resolution for EVCO Holdings High Quality Jobs Contract (Item 7)

Councilmember Lee requested explanation. City Administrator Steven explained the contract with IEDA provides $300,000 in direct assistance for creating 115 jobs at a qualifying wage of $19.83 per hour. Councilmember Adams questioned wage thresholds and confirmed via contract exhibits that all 115 jobs are above the qualifying wage. Councilmember Yusheski asked about consequences if job numbers are not met; staff responded that the development agreement includes a prorated structure reducing tax rebates, and cancellation if below a threshold. Jacqueline Arthur (Laird Law Firm) representing the developer said construction could be complete in first quarter 2023, with operations starting in second quarter. The resolution was approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

Zoning Change for Legacy Golf Course Development (Item 8) - First Reading

A public hearing was held. Jacqueline Arthur spoke on behalf of the owner, requesting approval of first reading of a zone change from Z2 Sub-Urban to Z7-6 Specific Use District (Golf Course Development). She noted drainage improvements and plans for first phase development in first quarter 2023. Councilmember Adams raised a citizen's concern about a 50-foot buffer (versus current 6-foot setback) and potential impact of adding ponds. City staff (Tricia) responded that the buffer is a significant enhancement, and that engineers are working to ensure no increase in water discharge; floodplain permitting with DNR is underway. The first reading was approved unanimously on a roll call vote.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda (excluding item 7) approved unanimously.
  • Resolution for EVCO Holdings/IEDA contract (item 7) approved unanimously.
  • First reading of ordinance amending zoning for legacy golf course (item 8) approved unanimously.

Note: No public comments were made during the public forum.

Meeting Transcript

And good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. Happy New Year. This is the regular meeting for January 3rd of 2023. The first item of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Present. Adams. I'm Telma. President Yaseski. Simmons. Present. Let the record reflect that all members are present. The next item of business is the adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? Second. We have a motion and a second. Is there discussion? All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed, same sign. The motion carries. Next we'll have the public forum. This is your chance to comment on any item that is on the agenda. If there's it an item on the agenda that you'd like to comment on, you can step forward and use the podium now, or you can uh uh contact us through Zoom. Is there any public comment at this time? Hearing no public comment, we'll go ahead and uh close the public hearing. The next item on the agenda is my annual State of the City report. It's a great honor to be presenting it at this time. Members of the City Council, city officials, uh distinguished guests, friends. It's such a privilege to be able to address you this evening. Let's make just start by wishing everybody a very happy new year. You know, these are really, really exciting times in Mason City, and there's so much going on, it's gonna be hard for me to get it all in and these remarks, but I'm gonna do my very best tonight. From Pebble Creek to Rolling Acres, from downtown to the north end, River City is blessed with 17 great neighborhoods. I mention this because for every resident, really the most important spot in town is within a hundred feet of your own home. That's why flourishing neighborhoods is one of our immediate goals, one of the immediate goals for the city council uh for this new year. And it's really something that everybody can help with. It can be as simple as uh getting to know our neighbors, uh lending a helping hand to our neighbors in need. You know, there's a lot of lonely people out there that would love nothing better than to get to know you. Uh partnering with our police also makes for great neighborhoods. One of the best ways you can do this is by simply calling our police dispatch number when you see something wrong or you sense that something unusual is uh happening in the neighborhood. And there's plenty that the city will be doing immediately as well. To make our neighborhood sparkle. Our thriving downtown really is looking more beautiful than ever. And now is the time for a similar renaissance in every neighborhood by investing in each one to make all of Mason City as vibrant as our central downtown. One example where this is already happening is the West Downtown neighborhood. The landmark Mason City YWCA is being transformed into a state-of-the-art housing along with an art gallery and community space. We owe a debt of gratitude to the entrepreneurs, Elisha Marin, and Suzanne Crane for their vision for this part of downtown. By the way, you can help by Googling Save the Mason City YWCA. Let's help them raise 150,000 in donations by January 31st so that they can become eligible for other grants and assistance. Let's show our appreciation.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com