Mason City City Council Regular Meeting - January 16, 2024

The Mason City City Council held its regular meeting on January 16, 2024 at 7:00 PM, with all seven council members present. The meeting covered the city administrator's monthly report, a consent agenda with routine approvals, several action items including a zoning change, fee structure updates, appointments, and a resolution opposing a proposed utility rate increase. Public comment was received on the zoning change.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from previous meetings (January 2, January 10, and January 11, 2024).
• Approved claims dated January 4 and 11, 2024.
• Approved permits.
• Approved Resolution setting a public hearing for February 6, 2024 on a General Obligation Loan Agreement not to exceed $13,500,000. The loan will finance capital improvements including the 4th Street retaining wall, Highway 122 work, Highway 65 South work, and a new well in southwest Mason City for economic development.
• Approved Resolution authorizing a Chapter 28E Agreement for participation in the Winnebago River Watershed Management Coalition with multiple counties and cities.
• Approved Resolution authorizing a Supplemental Letter Agreement with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. for additional services on the Winnebago Way/12th Street NE Street and Utility Rehabilitation Project (SWAP).
• Approved Resolution authorizing a Demolition Agreement with Robin E. Hjelle for properties at 810 North Commercial Alley and 19 9th Street Northeast.
• Approved Resolution authorizing notice to bidders and setting a public hearing for construction of the Mason City Bike Park Building Bid Package 3 (shelter house).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jacqueline Arthur (Laird Law Firm, 114th Street NE) spoke on Agenda Item 11 (rezoning). She urged the Council to waive the second reading and move to final approval, noting the project's aggressive timeline. She stated that the rezoning would allow subsequent applications for a parcel split, major site plan review, and a special exception to the zoning board of adjustment. She reported no public opposition at previous hearings.

Discussion Items

• City Administrator's Monthly Report: Aaron Burnett highlighted the budget and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) work, preparation of bids for multiple projects (Bike North Iowa, Riverwalk, fire department dormitory, Murphy Park Bridge), housing and brownfield grants, electronic records implementation, and demolition of Mystic Lanes (demolition permit issued, owner intends to rebuild). He noted the city’s solid financial position. Council members asked about electronic records scanning and plans for Mystic Lanes.
• Item 5 (Recreation Programmer Promotion): Council clarified that Dylan Hall’s move to Recreation Programmer – Youth Sports is a lateral move, not a promotion, with salary unchanged at $29.31/hour. Approved.
• Item 9 (Demolition Agreement): Aaron Burnett and staff explained that the two buildings to be demolished share a common wall issue; the agreement indemnifies the city and allows contractor access to adjacent property. The building to the south is owned by Robin Hjelle and used for storage/residence, not abandoned. Council discussed timing and condition of adjacent structure. Approved.
• Item 10 (Bike Park Shelter): Burnett provided an update that Bid Package 3 (shelter house) should attract smaller contractors; completion target is next spring. Bid Package 2 (bike park) will come before council within a month.
• Item 11 (Rezoning at 43rd Street SW and South Washington Avenue): Council debated waiving the second reading. Councilman Lee expressed initial hesitation but supported due to lack of public opposition and alignment with economic development goals. The motion to waive second reading passed unanimously (6-0). Then final approval passed unanimously (6-0). The developer aims to acquire the property by April and begin construction soon after.
• Item 12 (Fee Structure Ordinance): First reading of an ordinance to move fee schedules from ordinance to resolution, allowing easier adjustment by council vote. Deputy City Administrator Brent Henson explained the efficiency benefits. Approved unanimously.
• Item 13 (Appointments): Reappointed Cynthia Hansen and Mary “George” Loebach Riesen to the Active Living and Transportation Committee. Appointed Councilman Will Symonds as council representative to the Visit Mason City Board, replacing the late Councilman Tom Toma. Councilman Symonds abstained. Approved.
• Item 14 (Resolution Opposing Alliant Energy Rate Increase): Councilman Symonds introduced a resolution opposing Alliant Energy’s proposed nearly 20% rate increase. Discussion included that Alliant is a monopoly and already the highest-cost provider in Iowa, affecting both residents and economic development. Councilman Latham asked about Alliant’s justification; Councilman Yeski asked what increase would be acceptable. Councilman Adams supported the resolution but expressed skepticism about its impact. Councilman Lee noted it may be more symbolic but supported it. City Administrator Burnett noted the last rate increase was in 2019 and that Alliant’s high rates are an economic development concern. Approved unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved as presented, with items 5 and 9 removed and approved separately (both unanimous).
• Rezoning (Item 11): Second reading waived; ordinance approved on final reading (6-0).
• Fee Structure (Item 12): First reading approved (6-0); will require two more readings for final passage.
• Appointments (Item 13): Approved (6-0, with Councilman Symonds abstaining).
• Resolution Opposing Alliant Rate Increase (Item 14): Approved (6-0). The resolution will be forwarded to the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB). Citizens were encouraged to submit comments to IUB referencing Docket RPU-2023-0002.
• All other action items received unanimous approval.