Regular Meeting of the Mason City City Council - February 6, 2024
Regular Meeting of the Mason City City Council - February 6, 2024
The Mason City City Council held a regular meeting on February 6, 2024, at 7:00 P.M. in the Mason City Public Library. Mayor Shickle was absent; Mayor Pro Tem presided. The council approved a consent agenda with one item pulled for separate discussion, conducted two public hearings, and passed several resolutions and a code amendment on second reading.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes from January 16, 2024 (regular) and January 25, 2024 (worksession) were approved.
- Claims dated January 18, 25, and February 1, 2024, were approved.
- Permits were approved.
- The December 2023 Financial Report was accepted.
- Reappointment of Brent Hinson and appointment of Scott Bratrud to the Landfill of North Iowa were approved.
- Resolution establishing certain funds within the City’s Chart of Accounts (Item 6) was approved.
- Resolution setting a hearing date for the proposed 2025–2029 Capital Improvements Plan (Item 7) was approved.
- Resolution awarding a contract to SCS Engineers for planning assistance in transitioning to automated collection services (Item 8) was approved.
- Resolution awarding a contract to Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. for the Taft Avenue Water Main Loop Project (Item 12) was approved.
- Resolution approving property owner applications under the Home Rehabilitation Block Grant Program – Downtown West Reinvestment District (Item 10) was approved.
- Item 11 (Bike Park Shelter grading contract) was removed from the agenda.
- Item 9 (levying assessments for charges on properties) was pulled for separate discussion (see below).
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public spoke during the public forum, and no written comments were received for either public hearing.
Discussion Items
- Item 9 – Levying Assessments for Charges on Certain Properties: Councilman Yesheski asked whether the city loses any revenue when the county collects these charges with property taxes. Staff (Brent) explained that all fees are assessed on top of the original charge, making the city whole. The council then approved the resolution unanimously.
- Public Hearing – Fire Department Dormitory Addition and Remodel (Item 13): The council adopted plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimated cost; reviewed the bid tabulation; awarded the contract to Henkel Construction Company; and approved the contract and bond. All items passed unanimously.
- Public Hearing – General Obligation Loan Agreement (Item 14): The council adopted a resolution to take additional action on a proposal to enter into a $13,500,000 General Obligation Loan Agreement. Approved unanimously.
- Action Item 15 – Ordinance Amending City Code (Titles 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10): On second (final) reading, the council approved amendments regarding fees for service, bond, and insurance requirements. Unanimous approval.
Key Outcomes
- All consent items except Item 9 were approved by a single motion with unanimous votes (5 ayes: Mason, Yesheski, Latham, Lee, Simmons, Adams).
- Item 9 (levying assessments) was approved separately by unanimous vote.
- Items 13A–D (Fire Department dormitory addition/remodel) were approved together by unanimous vote.
- Item 14 (GO loan agreement, $13.5 million) was approved by unanimous vote.
- Item 15 (code amendment on fees and bonds) was approved on second reading by unanimous vote.
- The meeting adjourned without further business.
Meeting Transcript
First item is the roll call. Lee. Present. Latham. Present. Mason. Here. Yes. Adams. Present. Simmons. Present. Mayor Shickle is absent. All right. Next item is to adopt the agenda. Is there a motion and a second? Second. Motion by Councilman Yosheski. Second by Councilman Simmons. Toma. Sorry. Latham. Councilman Latham. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. Motion carries. Next is the uh public forum. Uh we'll welcome comments on agenda items only. Step to the podium. If you have any agenda items to address, recite your name and address, and you'll have a few minutes. Otherwise, we'll also accept comments online. Anyone seeking to be recognized on Zoom, please use the raised hand feature. Mayor Pro Tem. There are no attendees via Zoom. All right. We'll close the public forum. Move to the consent agenda. I'll read the items. Then council members have an opportunity to pull. Uh one minutes, two is to claims, three's permits, four is the December 2023 financial report. Five is uh Mayor recommending approval uh to reappoint Brent Henson and a new appointment for Scott Brattree to the landfill of North Iowa. Uh number six establishing certain funds within the city's chart of accounts. Seven resolution setting a date for a hearing on the proposed 2025 through 2029 capital improvement plans for the city of Mason City. Eight is award a contract to SCS engineers of West Des Moines, Iowa for professional services related to planning assistance in transitioning to automated collection services in the city of May City, Iowa. Nine, levying assessments for charges on certain properties and certification to the county treasurer for collection with property taxes within the city of May City, Iowa. Ten approving property owner applications under the home rehab black block grant program, downtown West reinvestment district, and authorization to bid improvements with qualified contractors. 11 has been removed from the agenda. 12 is award a contract to short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. of Mason City, Iowa for professional services related to the Taft Avenue Water Main Loop Project.
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