Mason City City Council Regular Meeting - December 5, 2023
Mason City City Council Regular Meeting - December 5, 2023
Meeting Overview
The Mason City City Council held its regular meeting on December 5, 2023, with all council members present. The meeting included special presentations, a lifesaving award ceremony, discussion of the October 2023 financial report, approval of a bridge inspection contract, a fire department remodel project resolution, and two readings of zoning and corporate limits changes for annexed property in southwest Mason City.
Special Presentations
- Active Living and Transportation Commission Annual Report: Dr. Steve Schertz presented the seventh annual report. Highlights included: the Friends of Willow Creek group held a cleanup on October 30, 2023, with 30–40 volunteers; trail ribbon cuttings for East State Street (April 24, 2023), South Portion (October 2023), Birch Drive (August 17, 2023), and East Park kayak launch (August 30, 2023). The bike share program logged 99 rides with a net profit of $58.43. The commission thanked Craig Clark for managing the program.
- Police Department Lifesaving Award: Chief Jeff Brinkley presented the award to Officers Jim Redeker, Josh Madole, Sergeant Ben Vanderbrecke, and Sergeant Terrence Prohaska for their response to a tractor rollover on May 17, 2023, at 4:04 PM in the 4900 block of 12th Street NE. The victim, Joey Shearman, was trapped and not breathing. Officers lifted the tractor, bystanders pulled him free, and officers administered CPR and used an AED. Shearman fully recovered. Bystanders Merle and Kelly Brock's were recognized. A 46-second body-worn camera video was shown.
Public Comments & Testimony
No public comments were made.
Consent Agenda Items
The consent agenda included approval of minutes, claims, permits, October 2023 financial report (item 6), appointments (Katrina Cornick as firefighter paramedic, Matt Clark as police officer, Rick Ott as police evidence specialist, Rachel Glasai as wastewater laboratory technician), setting a public hearing for December 19, 2023, on amending the FY2024 budget, awarding a contract to WHKS & Company for 2024 bridge inspection and rating ($12,000), a resolution authorizing a public hearing on plans and estimated cost for the Mason City Fire Department remodel project ($5.8 million), and authorizing a grant application for historic preservation survey. Items 6, 12, and 13 were pulled for separate discussion and vote.
Discussion Items
- October 2023 Financial Report (Item 6): Councilman Simmons asked about the ambulance fund's financial health. Finance Director Brent Henson responded that the fund is on track with budget, though reimbursement timing can cause delays. The fund has a healthy balance, but ambulance purchases remain capital-intensive. On storm sewer funds, Henson noted the fund has been heavily tapped for projects like Winnebago dam mitigation and North Central storm sewer study ($125,000), but operating costs are low ($90,000/year). Councilman Yasheski followed up on ambulance replacement schedule (yearly for three years, then break, then FY29) and collection challenges. The report was approved unanimously (roll call vote: all ayes).
- WHKS Bridge Inspection Contract (Item 12): Councilman Yasheski asked about bridge deficiencies. Fuad from WHKS explained that if a bridge is a hazard, they notify the city to restrict traffic and provide recommendations in a report with budget estimates and timeline. Fuad characterized the city's bridges as in good condition, with no posted bridges (the 12th Street NE bridge was replaced). The contract was approved unanimously (roll call: all ayes).
- Mason City Fire Department Remodel Project (Item 13): Councilman Adams asked about scope changes from the original bid that was rejected. Assistant City Administrator Aaron explained that the scope now includes HVAC replacement, which was omitted previously. The original bids were high due to poor bidding environment. The project is delayed to bid into a more favorable winter environment, with hopes of offsetting revenues from various sources. The resolution setting a public hearing was approved unanimously (roll call: all ayes).
- Zone Change (Item 15) - First Reading: The property (approx. 240 acres) in southwest Mason City, annexed from county land, is being rezoned to Open Industrial. It was supported by the comprehensive plan. Councilman Lee asked about rezoning land not yet officially possessed; city staff confirmed the annexation was already recognized by the Secretary of State. No public comments were received. The first reading was approved unanimously (roll call: all ayes).
- Corporate Limits Change (Item 16) - Final Reading: Final approval for the same annexed property for economic development purposes. Motion by Councilman Mason, second by Councilman Simmons. Approved unanimously (roll call: all ayes).
Key Outcomes
- All consent agenda items were approved after separate votes on items 6, 12, and 13.
- Resolution authorizing a public hearing for the fire department remodel project was approved.
- First reading of the zone change (to Open Industrial) was approved.
- Final reading of the corporate limits change was approved.
- Lifesaving awards were presented; officers and bystanders were recognized.
- Next steps: Public hearing on budget amendment on December 19, 2023; public hearing on fire department remodel project; bridge inspection contract awarded to WHKS.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. This is the meeting for December 5th, 2023. We're delighted to have you with us this evening. The first order of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Lee. Here. Adams. Present. Yeski. Here. Mason. Here. Simmons. Latham. Here. Let the record reflect that all members are present. The next item is the adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? So moved. Motion by Councilman Mason, second by Councilman Yesheski discussion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. The motion carries. We have two special items of business tonight. First is the Active Living and Transportation Commission annual report. Dr. Steve Schertz is with us. And after that, the Mason City Police Department life saving award presentation. We're looking forward to both of them. Stephen, go ahead. Thank you. It's um nice to be here again. This is I believe the seventh year annual presentation for our commission. Um if we could have the slides. And I think we've made a lot of progress this year. Indeed. Um this is a slide from last year, uh 2022. Um in the Willow Creek Master Plan of 2020, um, they recommended forming a friends of Willow Creek group to maintain to clean up the area. Um they were talking the that initial um plan was from um Washington or I'm sorry, from Monroe to Washington. Um we that group was supposed to work with our commission, but we it was not we were not the group, we were not that group. Um we were asked to form the organization, and um last year I said we're still searching for a leader. Uh uh, I'm sorry about this. Can I have the next slide? Maybe so that was 2022. Here's the Friends of Willow Creek 2023. Um we had two leaders volunteer Sharon Steckman and Skyler Lee. They uh organized the event that was held on October 30th.
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