OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mason City Council Regular Meeting - February 21, 2023

City Council — Tuesday, February 21, 2023
BodyMason City, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, February 21, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
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Transcript — Verbatim
0:54

February 21st, 2023.

0:57

First item of business is the roll call.

1:01

Diana, please call roll.

1:02

Lee.

1:03

Present.

1:04

Yeski.

1:05

Here.

1:05

Masan.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Toma.

1:07

Present.

1:08

Adams.

1:09

Present.

1:09

Mayor Shickle is absent.

1:11

Councilmember Simmons is absent.

1:13

All right.

1:14

Let the record reflect there is a quorum.

1:16

And congratulations to Councilman Simmons and his wife, who had a baby boy, Sebastian William yesterday.

1:22

So send him a well wish if you're able to.

1:26

Next we'll adopt the agenda.

1:28

I'll read through it first.

1:30

Excuse me, we're gonna adopt the agenda with the exception of number sixteen.

1:33

That item has been pulled at the request of the developer.

1:37

So is there a motion and a second to adopt the agenda removing item number sixteen?

1:43

Second.

1:46

Motion and second, any uh discussion.

1:49

All right, please call roll.

1:51

Yeski?

1:52

Yes.

1:53

Toma.

1:54

Yes.

1:54

Adams?

1:55

Yes.

1:55

Lee.

1:56

Yes.

1:57

Motion carries.

1:59

Uh next items public forum.

2:01

Uh mayor and city council welcome comments from the public on agenda items during this portion of the meeting.

2:07

Uh so if you have any comments on anything on the agenda, uh please come to the podium, state your name, address in the agenda item you'll be speaking about, and you'll have five minutes.

2:21

Anyone seeking to comment via Zoom, please use the raise hand feature.

2:31

Mayor Pro Tem, no one seeks to be recognized.

2:35

All right, we'll close the public forum.

2:37

Item one, City Administrators Monthly Report.

2:39

Uh City Administrator Airmannette.

2:43

Thank you.

2:44

Uh over the last month, a lot of activity uh occurring in several different realms.

2:51

We've continued to work on implementing the housing grant, uh meeting with partner organizations to uh seek to uh improve the area just west of downtown uh with investments both in owner occupied and rental units in that area.

3:08

Uh we've got partners such as uh Habitat for Humanity, 43 North, uh some private partners working with CG Public Health and so on.

3:18

It's uh a great collaboration and and it's some exciting developments occurring there, already a lot of interest from the public in in that grant.

3:26

Also continuing work on the Destination Iowa grant.

3:29

Uh we've got several ongoing recruitments.

3:32

Uh human resources have been working with departments like water reclamation to fill uh positions out there.

3:40

Uh those efforts have included videos to highlight the uh the positions, which I think have been really well received.

3:48

I very uh put a good polish and and helped tell that story on uh department that often doesn't get uh a lot of attention and helping us recruit into those positions.

3:59

Um also a lot of work on the budget, uh obviously the meetings with the council and mayor, uh meetings with departments to provide that information.

4:10

Um it's been a little bit of a weird year as far as the budget.

4:13

Obviously, we've had a few um audibles called by the state that have called caused us to you know reevaluate the different uh the different items within the budget, but uh I think it's been a strong process with a lot of good discussion, uh a lot of work from the departments put into that process.

4:32

And then uh along those lines I'll just mention there's been uh a lot of work uh regarding legislation trying to provide information uh to local organizations to legislators about uh property taxes and local option sales tax and the importance of those funding streams to carrying out public safety, providing recreation, um, and just many of the city services that often are taken for granted, but really need those revenues to help carry those out.

5:00

And so that has been a particular focus during this legislative session.

5:05

And then lastly, just some exciting news on well, I guess two more items.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Economic Development███████████████████19%
Vacant Building Management███████████████████19%
Fiscal Sustainability██████████████████18%
Procedural██████████10%
Public Engagement████████8%
Public Safety████████8%
Affordable Housing█████5%
Waste Management█████5%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Mason City Council Regular Meeting - February 21, 2023

The Mason City Council met on February 21, 2023, with Mayor Pro Tem presiding and a quorum present. Councilmember Simmons was absent due to the birth of his son. The meeting covered the city administrator's report, consent agenda items, public hearings on the capital improvements plan, maximum property tax dollars, a cemetery storage building, and the Highline Trail project, as well as a second reading of a vacant building registration ordinance. Discussion focused on recycling challenges, state legislative threats to property tax and local option sales tax, and the vacant building ordinance. Several items were approved, with notable pull and separate discussion of items 7 (AFSCME collective bargaining agreement) and 8 (Mason Creek Culvert payment).

Consent Calendar

  • Minutes: Regular minutes of February 7, 2023, approved.
  • Claims: Dated February 9 and 16, 2023, approved.
  • Appointment: Tom Drzycimski appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission.
  • Resolution setting public hearing date for General Obligation Corporate Purpose Loan Agreements.
  • Preliminary approval for tax abatements under the Mason City Urban Revitalization Tax Abatement Program.
  • Resolution approving collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME Local No. 1367 (Water, Street, Sanitation, Park, Electrical, and Library departments) – pulled for separate discussion.
  • Resolution accepting work and ordering payment for Mason Creek Culvert Replacement – Virginia Avenue – pulled for separate discussion.
  • Resolution authorizing acceptance of 2022 Iowa Certified Local Government Annual Report.
  • Resolution proposing conveyance of vacated public property to Deborah Schmidt, executor of Larry P. Harrington Estate, with public hearing set.
  • Resolution authorizing grant agreement with Iowa Finance Authority for Home Rehabilitation Block Grant Pilot Program – Downtown West Reinvestment District Project.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the public forum or public hearings.

Discussion Items

  • City Administrator’s Monthly Report: Aaron (City Administrator) reported on housing grant implementation, Destination Iowa grant, recruitment efforts (including videos for water reclamation positions), budget work, legislative advocacy on property tax and local option sales tax, and development updates (SHOPCO conversion to EVCO, River Two, Scooters grand opening). He also discussed the ongoing issue of recycling: glass and plastic have been going to the landfill due to no outlet, and the city is working with the regional landfill to find a solution.
  • Consent Item 7 – AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement: Councilmember Lee asked for highlights. Perry (staff) described the negotiation as successful, with reasonable wage increases given inflation, adoption of vacation plan changes from non-bargaining contracts, and added flexibility to attract skilled workers (electricians, mechanics, wastewater operators, etc.). The agreement also improved standby pay for water emergencies. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Consent Item 8 – Mason Creek Culvert Payment: Councilmember Yeski questioned the zero-dollar final payment. Mark (staff) explained that due to overpayment and a negative final amount, the payment was set to $0, with $3,610 deducted from the $20,000+ retention, resulting in a $17,000 retention release. He noted delays from utility work and subcontractor issues, and additional paving and water main relocation work. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Public Hearing 12 – 2024-2028 Capital Improvements Plan: The plan includes approximately $160 million in capital projects over five years. Councilmember Yeski asked about the plan's annual update. Staff confirmed it is updated yearly, with only year one binding. No public comments. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Public Hearing 13 – FY2024 Maximum Property Tax Dollars: Councilmember Lee expressed concern about state legislative uncertainty, noting the city set the max levy hearing tonight. He asked about options if the state changes property tax laws. Brent (Deputy Administrator) advised that the max levy does not affect the debt service levy, and recommended adjusting internal fund transfers if needed. He noted the budget deadline extended to April 30. The council discussed two state bills: House Bill (limiting assessment increases, restricting TIF) and Senate Study Bills 1124/1125 (consolidating levies, cutting commercial rollback, converting local option sales tax to state distribution). Brent and Aaron (City Administrator) elaborated on the negative impacts: tax shifting to residential, loss of local control, growth limitations, and potential service cuts. Councilmember Yeski criticized the state's handling of the rollback error (known in October, revealed in January) costing the city $375,000, which the city absorbed through fund balance. The motion passed unanimously.
  • Public Hearing 14 – Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery Maintenance Storage Building: Plans, specifications, and contract awarded to Larson Contracting Central, LLC of Lake Mills, Iowa. No public comments. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Public Hearing 15 – Highline Trail Project No. 18-1006: Plans, specifications, and contract awarded to Bob McKiness Excavating and Grading, Inc. of Mason City, Iowa. No public comments. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Action Item 17 – Vacant Building Registration Ordinance (Second Reading): Councilmember Adams asked about requirements for listing on MLS (for sale) and advertising (for lease: weekly newspaper or two social media sites). He relayed a citizen's question about the ordinance's purpose. Steven (staff) explained the goal is to encourage activation of vacant buildings and prevent blight and taxpayer burden. Councilmember Lee noted the ordinance was a three-year council goal. Councilmember Toma clarified that good-faith marketing efforts exempt owners from registration fees. Councilmember Yeski asked about the exemption rolling over; staff confirmed it continues as long as marketing is active. The motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved (Consent Agenda with exceptions): All consent items except 7 and 8.
  • Approved (Item 7): AFSCME collective bargaining agreement (unanimous).
  • Approved (Item 8): Mason Creek Culvert Replacement payment resolution (unanimous).
  • Approved (Item 12): 2024-2028 Capital Improvements Plan (unanimous).
  • Approved (Item 13): FY2024 Maximum Property Tax Dollars (unanimous).
  • Approved (Item 14): Cemetery storage building plans, specifications, and contract award (unanimous).
  • Approved (Item 15): Highline Trail project plans, specifications, and contract award (unanimous).
  • Approved (Item 17): Second reading of Vacant Building Registration ordinance (unanimous); final reading scheduled for March 7, 2023.
  • Pulled (Item 16): Zoning change for 15 North Taft Avenue was removed from the agenda at the developer's request.

Meeting Transcript

February 21st, 2023. First item of business is the roll call. Diana, please call roll. Lee. Present. Yeski. Here. Masan. Here. Toma. Present. Adams. Present. Mayor Shickle is absent. Councilmember Simmons is absent. All right. Let the record reflect there is a quorum. And congratulations to Councilman Simmons and his wife, who had a baby boy, Sebastian William yesterday. So send him a well wish if you're able to. Next we'll adopt the agenda. I'll read through it first. Excuse me, we're gonna adopt the agenda with the exception of number sixteen. That item has been pulled at the request of the developer. So is there a motion and a second to adopt the agenda removing item number sixteen? Second. Motion and second, any uh discussion. All right, please call roll. Yeski? Yes. Toma. Yes. Adams? Yes. Lee. Yes. Motion carries. Uh next items public forum. Uh mayor and city council welcome comments from the public on agenda items during this portion of the meeting. Uh so if you have any comments on anything on the agenda, uh please come to the podium, state your name, address in the agenda item you'll be speaking about, and you'll have five minutes. Anyone seeking to comment via Zoom, please use the raise hand feature. Mayor Pro Tem, no one seeks to be recognized. All right, we'll close the public forum. Item one, City Administrators Monthly Report. Uh City Administrator Airmannette. Thank you. Uh over the last month, a lot of activity uh occurring in several different realms. We've continued to work on implementing the housing grant, uh meeting with partner organizations to uh seek to uh improve the area just west of downtown uh with investments both in owner occupied and rental units in that area. Uh we've got partners such as uh Habitat for Humanity, 43 North, uh some private partners working with CG Public Health and so on. It's uh a great collaboration and and it's some exciting developments occurring there, already a lot of interest from the public in in that grant. Also continuing work on the Destination Iowa grant.

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