Mason City Council Regular Meeting - May 16, 2023
Mason City Council Regular Meeting - May 16, 2023
The Mason City City Council met in regular session on May 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Public Library. Mayor Bill Schickle presided. The meeting included proclamations, a city administrator's report, approval of a consent agenda, and public hearings on street and budget items.
Consent Calendar
- Unanimously approved: Minutes of May 2, 2023, claims dated May 4 and 11, 2023, permits, and resolutions 7-20. Key items include: purchase of a $523,000 hydro-excavation truck, a backhoe for water utility, lab equipment for water reclamation, $1.3 million street rehabilitation program, $2.3 million Winnebago Way/12th Street NE project (with $800,000 in grants), final design for Destination Iowa Trail, a public hearing for U.S. 65 realignment, approval of Beck's First Subdivision final plat, alley vacation for a community garden, note and mortgage assignment for a South Federal Avenue rehabilitation, vacant building registration fee structure, and a public hearing date (June 20) for the Forest Park Economic Development Area expansion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were offered during the public forum.
Discussion Items
- City Administrator's Monthly Report (Deputy City Administrator Brent Hinson): Reported on several key issues:
- HF 718 (property tax bill) passed, viewed as unfavorable to city services; staff will seek strategies to maintain service levels.
- Housing rehabilitation initiatives: completion of a housing study, a downtown West million-dollar state grant rehab project, and a proposed amendment to the Forest Park Urban Renewal Area to create a dedicated funding stream for home rehab in central Mason City.
- Kirk Apartments fire aftermath: The city initially hired an emergency abatement contractor, but on May 15 the property owner's insurance company authorized a specialized demolition contractor. Demolition is expected to begin May 17, with initial completion by late next week (May 26) and full cleanup in 3-4 weeks. Phased street reopening will occur as safe. Councilmember Lee asked about architectural salvage; Hinson noted Main Street Mason City has an agreement with the property owner to recover some historic fabric.
- Councilmember Lee also asked about police hiring: Chief Jeff Brinkley reported the department is 8 officers down, with 6 candidates in background investigations after a May 6 test; expected hire date mid-July to early August. Regarding Highland Golf Course, Recreation Director Paulie reported strong membership (up 20 full-time passes, 12 weekday passes, youth and family memberships up, green fees up), 13 outings planned, and a positive outlook.
- Councilmember Lee additionally asked about summer events at the Mason City Arena: Paulie listed 11 events in 13 weeks, including the United Way Rise and Shine Relays (May 17), a Justin Moore concert (June), an MMA event (July 15), Bob and Tom comedians (July 29), and a Crowder concert (August 6). Tickets available on the arena website.
- Councilmember Yeski asked about the fate of the Kirk site: Hinson said the foundation will be removed 3 feet below grade, basement holes drained, and the site filled and seeded, leaving an empty lot.
- Public Hearings:
- Item 21 (Illinois Bridge Improvement Project): No bids received; will be rebid in fall for next year. Councilmember Lee confirmed it is a standalone project and does not affect the overall trail timeline (funds must be allocated by late 2025).
- Item 22 (Scrip Road Conversion Project): Awarded to Heartland Asphalt, Inc. of Mason City for $428,000, funded by Destination Iowa grant and local option sales tax. The road will be converted to an asphalt trail with parking, a canoe launch potential, and lockable gates. Completion expected by late summer/August.
- Item 23 (Budget Amendment #2 for FY2023): Net increase of $368,000 in reserves. Approved.
Key Outcomes
- Proclamations: National Police Week (May 14-20, 2023) and Tourism Month (May 2023) proclaimed.
- Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (Councilmember Adams absent).
- Scrip Road Conversion Project (Item 22): Motion to approve resolutions A, B, C carried unanimously (Lee, Simmons, Toma, Massan, Yeski all yes).
- Budget Amendment #2 (Item 23): Motion to approve carried unanimously.
- Illinois Bridge Project (Item 21): No action taken due to lack of bids; re-bidding planned for fall.
- Next Steps: Public hearing on Forest Park Economic Development Area expansion set for June 20, 2023. Kirk Apartments demolition to begin May 17, with phased street reopenings.
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 March 16th, for May 16th, 2023, and the first order of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Lee. Present. Toma. Go ahead with the rest of the case. Yeski. Here. Simmons. Present. Ms. On. Councilmember Adams is absent. And Councilmember Toma will be joining us on our Mason City Live line. We'll go now to the adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? So moved. We have a motion. Is there a second? Second. Of a motion and a second discussion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. The motion carries. Thank you. Two specials item of business, uh, two proclamations. Very delighted to be able to do this. First, we have National Police Week. I'd like to ask Chief Jeff Brinkley along with Ozzy Ole from KCMR Radio to please uh step forward to receive this uh proclamation. Um KCMR Radio has been working on Project Gratitude, and in so doing is uh honoring our Mason City Police Department as part of National Police Week, and that's what this uh proclamation is all about, and I'd be honored to read it to you right now. Whereas today we honor a hero of our history who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect and serve the people of Mason City a hundred and thirty years ago this year, and whereas Special Railroad Police Officer Timothy O'Brien died when he was shot in the line of duty on October 2nd, 1893, and whereas we honor Officer O'Brien not only for his sacrifice but also because he's a symbol of the service and commitment and dedication of the 48 officers in the Mason City Police Department and who put themselves on the line every day to protect and serve us. And whereas the flag presented to the O'Brien family when his name was etched for eternity in the Iowa Peace Officers Memorial is now on display in the lobby of the Mason City Police Department. And whereas we're grateful to Mason City Police Sergeant Greg Scott for doing the historical research necessary to have Officer O'Brien's name added to the Iowa Police Officers Memorial, and whereas National Police Week 2023 is a time set aside to honor the service and sacrifice of Officer O'Brien and all law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty while protecting our communities and safeguarding our democracy. Now, therefore, I bill Schickle, Mayor of Mason City, do hereby proclaim the week of May 14th through the 20th this week, 2023, as National Police Week in Mason City, and salute the outstanding service of the law enforcement officers in Mason City and communities across Iowa and the nation. Chief Brinkley, please extend uh our thanks to your uh officers, and thank you, Ozzy. That's your appreciation. Show our appreciation for you and all of your law enforcement officers. And we also have uh some lights here to show the city support. These are lights that you can put outside. They're a blue light. Thank you, Ozzy. Thank you very much. Thanks, Oz. No, that's tourism. Where's yours?
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