Mason City Council Regular Meeting - November 7, 2023
Mason City Council Regular Meeting - November 7, 2023
The Mason City Council held its regular meeting on November 7, 2023, at 1:00 PM (UTC). The agenda included proclamations, a special announcement, and action on multiple consent and regular agenda items, covering recycling, infrastructure, housing, economic development, and child care funding.
Proclamations & Special Announcements
- Mayor Bill Schickle presented a proclamation designating November 13–19, 2023, as National Apprenticeship Week in Mason City, recognizing North Iowa Area Community College’s apprenticeship programs (HVAC, welding, carpentry, etc.).
- A second proclamation recognized Saturday, November 11, 2023, as Veterans Day, honoring the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association and the 3,700+ veterans inscribed on the Central Park monument.
- Mary Mark Walter (River City Sculptures on Parade) announced the 2023-24 People's Choice Award winner: "Story Hour" by Sandra Johnson. 150 ballots were cast (85 from Mason City, 20 out-of-state, 2 from Canada, 4 from Norway). The sculpture will be permanently placed near the library’s children’s room, bringing the total permanent sculptures to 62 and cumulative sales to $990,000 (approaching $1 million).
Consent Agenda
- The consent agenda was adopted with the following items pulled for separate discussion: Item 8, 10, 13, 18, 20, 21, and 23. All other consent items were approved unanimously (recorded via roll call: Mason, Lee, Simmons, Adams, Yesheski all aye).
Discussion Items
- Item 8 – Appointment of Kyle Peterson as Chief Building Official: Councilman Lee reported a contractor’s concern about delayed permits; staff clarified that delays were due to an electrical inspector’s extended leave, not the new appointment. Peterson must obtain required certifications within 18 months or face job jeopardy. Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 10 – Agreement with Absolute Waste Removal for Recyclable Materials: The agreement allows expanded recycling starting January 1, 2023, including colored glass, and creates a future opportunity for single-stream recycling. Staff noted the current source-separation process will continue initially; education materials (flyer) will be distributed (e.g., with water bills). Council discussed education challenges and the potential for automated collection. Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 13 – Acceptance of 2023 Pavement Marking Program: Councilman Yesheski noted a $300/day penalty was assessed for late completion; the contractor paid without dispute. Work was finished. Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 18 – Contract with Impact 7G for Brownfield Removal Grant Administration ($500,000): John Reese (Impact 7G) explained the process: Phase I assessments (due diligence) and possibly Phase II (subsurface investigation) are voluntary; property owners are not required to remediate. Staff highlighted that the program reduces stigma and can unlock redevelopment (e.g., River Two apartments). Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 20 – Agreement with North Iowa Housing Development Corporation: Approved for housing initiatives. No further discussion.
- Item 21 – Authorizing Notice to Bidders for Destination Iowa Bike Park and Trails (First Bid Package): Package 1 is single-track trail construction (spring 2024 completion by fall 2024). Packages 2 (bike park features) and 3 (shelter) will go to bid soon. Staff noted Murphy Park Bridge is the longest lead item (due to Army Corps approval). Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 23 – Designating $100,000 ARPA Funds for Child Care Initiative: The city pledges ARPA funds as part of a two-for-one state match to increase child care worker wages by $2/hour. Councilman Simmons, with children in daycare, emphasized the local shortage. Staff clarified funds are one-time and administered through North Iowa Corridor. Motion carried unanimously.
- Item 24 – Public Hearing on Urban Renewal Area: Staff requested a tabling to the November 21 meeting due to missing agricultural consent. Motion to table carried unanimously.
- Item 25 – First Reading of Annexation Ordinance (Southwest Mason City): Voluntary annexation for future development. Approved on first reading.
Key Outcomes
- All agenda items were approved, most unanimously, with the exception of Item 24 being tabled to November 21, 2023.
- Council encouraged public education on recycling and noted a potential future workshop on single-stream conversion.
- Child care funding and brownfield assessments were highlighted as essential workforce and economic development tools.
- The meeting adjourned after all business.
Meeting Transcript
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 7th of 2023, and the first order of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Lee. Adams. Yeski. Here. Simmons. Present. Let the record reflect that we do have a quorum present. Next item is adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? So moved. Motion and a second uh discussion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. The motion carries. The agenda is adopted. And we have a full agenda tonight. Uh items council will be acting on, including expanded recycling, uh, neighborhood improvements, and uh the next step in the destination Iowa outdoor recreation. But first, we have uh three special items of business, a proclamation designating national apprentice week, and we have Colleen Fryn and Melinda McGregor uh with us this evening. If you'd step forward at this time, I'd be an honor to present this uh proclamation to you. This is the proclamation that I'll be uh uh presenting. Um Colleen is with the Chamber of Commerce, Melinda is with uh NIAC uh here in Mason City, and it's uh an honor to read it to you at this time. Whereas National Apprenticeship Week is celebrating its ninth anniversary, and whereas registered apprenticeship programs enable employers to develop their future workforce while offering career service affordable paths to seeking higher high wage unemployment, and whereas Mason City recognizes the efforts of North Iowa Area Community College has made in implementing apprenticeship programs including uh HVAC and industrial maintenance repair, welding, uh carpentry, phlebotomy, accounting, while also providing training for employees that sponsor their own apprenticeship programs and supporting more than seven area high schools participating in pre-apprenticeship programs. Now, therefore, I Bill Shickle, mayor of Mason City, do hereby proclaim Monday, November 13th, 2023 through November 19th, 2023 as National Apprenticeship Week in Mason City. Thank you. Congratulations on your great work. Whereas twelve stones of shining granite stand proudly in historic Central Park in Mason City, and whereas those eight-foot stones highlight a place of beauty for veterans, families, and visitors to reflect and find solace as they honor those serving our country, and whereas the names of 19 veterans have been inscribed in this monument in just the past year, and whereas they join more than 3700 other veterans from our community whose names have been etched for eternity in this sacred place, and whereas the best way we can show our gratitude is to not limit ourselves and our community to small dreams, and whereas we owe a special debt of gratitude to the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association, Chairman Randy and Secretary Diane, uh for more than a hundred years now. The association has made sure that we always remember. Now, therefore, it is an honor as Mayor of Mason City to hereby recognize Saturday, November 11th, 2023 as Veterans Day in Mason City, and invite everyone to join in a tribute at 10 a.m. Saturday, Central Park. Our community, of course, is filled with men and women who step forward when their country asks for help. These this Veterans Day find a veteran in your life and ask him or her about their story of service. Our acknowledgement and simple thanks makes every vet stand a little taller. Can we show our appreciation? Next, we have a special announcement. I'd like to call Mary Mark Wolder forward with River City Sculptures on Parade with a very special announcement. Go ahead, Mary. Thank you, Mayor. Good evening. Thank you to the council members and the city staff for your support of River City Sculptures on Parade, especially the operations department, which literally does a tremendous amount of heavy lifting in this project. So I am Mary Mark Walter. I'm here to represent River City Sculptures on Parade. And tonight I'm here to announce this year's People's Choice Award for the 2324 Sculpture Exhibit. We had 150 ballots.
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