Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – October 3, 2023

The Mason City City Council met on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Public Library. The meeting covered a consent agenda with 14 items (two pulled for separate discussion), two public hearings, and two action items. Major topics included a new bookstore, a parking lot purchase for police department expansion, a building inspection agreement with Kensett, $800,000 in sanitary sewer repairs, and updates to city code for traffic and building official qualifications.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously (5-0) the consent agenda with the exception of items 10 and 13, which were pulled for separate discussion. Items approved en bloc included: minutes of September 19, 2023; claims dated September 21 and 28, 2023; permits; July financial report; acceptance of the Mason City Housing Authority annual report for FY2022-2023; hiring Andrew Monson as Police Department Utility Worker at $24.46 per hour; award of janitorial services contract to Midwest North Iowa Janitorial Services (July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2028); setting a public hearing date on the Expanded Mason City Unified Urban Renewal Area and plan amendment; encroachment permit amendment for Foxtrot Properties at 13 South Federal Avenue (related to bookstore); resolution to buy a parking lot (item 10); resolution vacating a storm sewer easement at Southport Shopping Center; resolution fixing a public hearing on an addendum to the real estate purchase agreement with North Iowa Housing Development Corporation; 28E agreement with Kensett (item 13); and resolution approving contract and bond for the Police Department remodel.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Item 16 (alley conveyance) : An anonymous written comment was received late that afternoon stating “leave our alley alone.” The comment was entered into the record. No other public comments were received on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Item 10 – Purchase of parking lot south of Police Station : Councilman Yusheski asked about the funding source, noting the memo said “no impact on operating budget.” The city attorney explained the funding would come from capital improvements, not operating funds. Chief Brinkley clarified the lot will initially be used for employee parking and storage of excess vehicles before auction. Long-term plans include securing the corner, demolishing an old structure, bringing the MRAP home, and providing secure parking for patrol cars. Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 – 28E agreement with Kensett for building inspection : Councilman Lee discussed his conversations with city staff about the workload. The inspections are done on overtime (portal to portal) and would not interfere with Mason City’s obligations. Past agreements (with Forest City and Rudd) resulted in very few inspections (10–12 hours total). Approved unanimously.
• Item 18 – First reading of ordinance amending qualifications for Chief Building Official : Council learned that the current chief building official is retiring on October 31, 2023. The code currently lists specific qualifications that were discovered to be outdated and restrictive. The amendment removes the detailed qualifications from the code to allow flexibility for future hires while still requiring necessary certifications (mechanical, electrical, plumbing). An interim contract building official will be sought. Council discussed the possibility of waiving readings, but proceeded with first reading. The earliest a new hire could be approved is the first meeting in November. Approved on first reading (unanimous).

Key Outcomes

• Item 10 (Parking lot purchase) : Approved 5-0.
• Item 13 (Kensett 28E agreement) : Approved 5-0.
• Item 15 (Sanitary sewer repairs) : Public hearing held; no public comment. Resolutions A, B, C, D approved 5-0. Contract awarded to Bob McKiness Excavating and Grading, Inc. of Mason City, Iowa, for approximately $800,000 to prevent inflow and basement flooding.
• Item 16 (Conveyance of vacated alley in Central Heights) : Public hearing held; anonymous comment received. Approved 5-0.
• Item 17 (Final reading of traffic code update) : Ordinance amending Title 9, Chapters 1 and 10, including alternate side parking provisions, to comply with state code. Approved 5-0 on final reading.
• Item 18 (First reading – Chief Building Official qualifications) : Approved 5-0 on first reading; second reading scheduled for October 17, 2023.

The meeting adjourned following the action items.