OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mason City City Council Regular Meeting - March 19, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, March 19, 2024
BodyMason City, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, March 19, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 25:13

Transcript — Verbatim
1:21

Good evening, everyone.

1:23

Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council.

1:27

This is the meeting for March nineteenth of twenty twenty four.

1:30

The first item of business is the roll call.

1:33

Diana, would you call the roll?

1:35

Lee?

1:36

Present.

1:36

Ms.

1:37

Here.

1:38

Latham?

1:38

Here.

1:39

Yes.

1:40

Here.

1:40

Councilmember Simmons and Adams are absent.

1:45

But the record reflect that we have quorum present and Councilman Simmons is with us online this evening.

1:53

I'd also like to acknowledge Councilman Yushewski's granddaughter Jessica Yes Yeshewski with us this evening.

2:00

Welcome, Jessica.

2:01

We're delighted to have you with us this evening.

2:05

Jessica works in theater uh in Chicago.

2:09

Uh the next item of business is the adoption of the agenda.

2:12

Is there a motion to adopt the agenda?

2:14

So second.

2:16

Uh discussion.

2:18

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:21

Aye.

2:22

Aye.

2:22

All those opposed, same sign.

2:24

The motion carries.

2:27

Next is the public forum.

2:29

This is your chance to comment on any agenda item.

2:32

If there is an item on the agenda that you would like to comment on, you can approach the podium, state the number that you would like to comment on, and the floor is yours at this time.

2:46

Seeing no public comment, we'll close the public hearing and go to the regular consent agenda.

2:52

We have the minutes followed by the claims, followed by the permits.

2:56

Do we have the city ministry's report?

2:58

Excuse me.

3:10

Yeah.

3:10

It's the best report you ever had right there.

3:13

Um council mayor, thank you.

3:16

Uh we're coming up upon spring here, so much like every year we've we have quite a few programs that start to ramp up as we get into warmer weather.

3:26

Uh some of those being golf, the rec programs, opening of the shelters, and and so many other activities that uh support amenities for the for the public.

3:36

Uh this year we were able to open up the golf course quite a bit early.

3:40

Uh and there was a lot of activity already out there.

3:43

As you know from going through the budget, when we get an early open on the golf course, it's uh it's really good for the finances of the golf course to get open like that.

3:51

So I think that's uh a really positive thing to uh to be able to do that.

3:57

Additionally, uh a lot of development projects in the works, continuing to work through uh those uh proposals with the North Iowa corridor and uh and recruit those businesses.

4:10

One of the exciting announcements I think we had uh since I last gave you a report was the uh receipt of a community funding uh community project funding from Congresswoman Henson's office through the appropriations bill.

4:24

Uh that was a million dollars that'll actually go towards those development uh that development that we see out in the industrial park that'll help fund the uh TAF water main loop that goes out there, which will provide a much needed utility and providing higher water capacity out to the industrial park.

4:42

Many of the businesses that we seek to recruit are heavy water users, and so having that utility out there is is valuable.

4:49

So very appreciative to Congresswoman Henson's office and the work that uh she put forward with uh securing that funding for us.

5:00

Uh additionally, we're continuing to work through bids on quite a few projects.

5:03

I've mentioned this, I think, every single time I've uh had a report over the last six months.

5:07

Uh unfortunately, you'll see that we've actually delayed two bids in this agenda.

5:13

Uh the reasons for that are are really they're laid out in the memo, but the when we work with those bids, we want to make sure that we get the best competition and we get the the contractor's questions answered and and get those bids refined as much as possible to have a good uh competitive bid process.

5:32

And so, in that with that in mind, those bids needed to be delayed, but I still believe we've got uh we've put together great bid packages that will uh get those projects completed on time for the grants that uh that fund those.

5:47

Let's see.

5:48

Additionally, I just wanted to mention some of the work that's been happening kind of behind the scenes with the watershed management authority.

5:56

Uh you've seen some action come before council on that.

5:59

The first meeting of that group did come together, and I think it's exciting to see that taking off.

6:05

Along with that, we also had the first meeting of the countywide uh REAP commission getting back together.

6:11

REAP is a funding stream through the state of Iowa.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████35%
Affordable Housing███████████████████████████████████35%
Technology and Innovation██████████10%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Public Engagement██████6%
Environmental Protection███3%
Zoning Regulations███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Mason City City Council Regular Meeting - March 19, 2024

The Mason City City Council met in regular session at 7:00 p.m. on March 19, 2024, in the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library. The transcript's roll-call announcement is internally inconsistent: it first listed Councilmembers Simmons and Adams as absent, then stated Councilman Simmons was participating online; later votes record Simmons as present. Councilmember Adams was absent. The council adopted the agenda, heard the city administrator's monthly report, approved the consent agenda with one item pulled, held a public hearing on community development and housing needs, and voted on three ordinances.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the consent agenda (5-0) with the exception of item 8, which was pulled for separate consideration. Items included minutes (agenda lists "March 5, 2023," likely a typo for March 5, 2024), claims dated March 7 and 14, 2024, and permits.
  • Item 5: Resolution levying assessments for property charges and certifying them to the County Treasurer for collection with property taxes.
  • Item 6: Resolution adopting the Revised Personnel Policy Manual, with updates including streamlined hiring practices, formalized practices, enhanced funeral leave, and pregnant worker provisions.
  • Item 7: Resolution authorizing publication of notice and a May 7 hearing on a consolidated Federal Transit Administration/state transit assistance application; approximately $1.2 million from vehicle use tax for transit.
  • Item 9: Resolution accepting a Special Warranty Deed from AP of Mason City, LLC for property in Outlot A of Autumn Park Subdivision to improve flood management.
  • Item 10: Resolution authorizing notice to bidders for the 2024 Street Panel and Curb Replacement Program, setting an April 16 hearing, with an estimated $294,000 contract paid by road use tax and G.O. bonds.
  • Item 11: Amendment to Resolution No. 24-32 extending Willow Creek Riverwalk bidding to March 26, 2024, moving the public hearing to April 2, 2024, and changing bid security to 10%.
  • Item 12: Amendment to Resolution No. 24-51 extending Mason City Bike Park Bid Package 2 bidding to April 9, 2024, and moving the public hearing to April 16, 2024.
  • Item 13: Resolution awarding a $90,000 contract to WHKS for FY2024-2025 Sanitary Sewer Repairs from capital improvement funds.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were offered during the public forum.

City Administrator's Monthly Report

  • City Administrator Aaron Burnett reported that spring programs were ramping up and the golf course opened early, which is financially beneficial.
  • He announced receipt of $1 million in federal community project funding through Congresswoman Henson's office for the TAF water main loop in the industrial park, providing higher water capacity for businesses.
  • Two bid openings (Willow Creek Riverwalk and Mason City Bike Park) were delayed to improve bidder competition and answer contractor questions.
  • He noted the first watershed management authority meeting and the restart of the countywide REAP commission.
  • He said the city is monitoring state legislation, particularly stormwater bills that could be damaging to local regulation.

Item 8: Downtown West HOME Pilot Program

  • A resolution approving a property owner application under the 2023 Downtown West HOME Pilot Program was pulled from the consent agenda and considered separately. The mayor initially described the property address as 422 2nd Street NW, then later as 424 2nd Street NW; the agenda does not specify the address.
  • In response to Councilmember Yushewski's question, staff said the program sets a maximum grant of $50,000 with a homeowner match; with the $1 million grant plus additional city funding, roughly 30-40 homes could be helped.
  • The improvements were described as approximately $57,000 in plumbing, porch, gutter, and other work, and as the 12th home improved in the neighborhood under the grant program.
  • Approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Hearing: 2024 Community Development and Housing Needs Assessment

  • Development Services Director Steven Van Steen read the required statement for the CDBG-related public hearing. The assessment identified high-priority needs for low/moderate-income residents: housing rehabilitation and outdoor recreational opportunities, with connectivity to internet/communications networks as a medium priority. For non-low/moderate-income residents, high-priority needs were dwelling units in downtown buildings, new mid-level housing, and industrial infrastructure expansion.
  • The city is not currently applying for a CDBG grant. Aaron Burnett explained a potential grant for downtown free Wi-Fi expansion (about $100,000) was not pursued because federal requirements and survey restrictions made it nearly impossible to complete in time; he also noted delays caused by utility pole attachment issues.
  • Councilmember Latham asked whether the city could later apply if a workable plan developed; staff confirmed it could.
  • The resolution adopting the assessment was approved unanimously (5-0).

Action Items: Ordinances

  • Item 15 (final reading): Ordinance amending Title 9, Chapter 2 to remove weight limits on the repaired 12th Street bridge and Birch Script Road trail. Councilmember Yushewski asked if there were objections; none were reported. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Item 16 (final reading): Ordinance amending Title 9, Chapter 4 to remove speed limits on the Birch Script Road trail. Approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Item 17 (second reading): Ordinance amending Title 12 zoning regulations for the newly annexed southwest Mason City area, signs on vehicles, and golf course development. Approved unanimously (5-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Adopted the agenda as presented.
  • Approved the consent agenda (5-0), excluding item 8.
  • Approved item 8, the Downtown West HOME Pilot Program property owner application (5-0).
  • Adopted the 2024 Community Development and Housing Needs Assessment (5-0).
  • Passed final readings on weight-limit and speed-limit ordinance amendments (5-0 each).
  • Passed the second reading of zoning ordinance amendments (5-0).
  • Adjourned with no further business.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. This is the meeting for March nineteenth of twenty twenty four. The first item of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Lee? Present. Ms. Here. Latham? Here. Yes. Here. Councilmember Simmons and Adams are absent. But the record reflect that we have quorum present and Councilman Simmons is with us online this evening. I'd also like to acknowledge Councilman Yushewski's granddaughter Jessica Yes Yeshewski with us this evening. Welcome, Jessica. We're delighted to have you with us this evening. Jessica works in theater uh in Chicago. Uh the next item of business is the adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? So second. Uh discussion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. The motion carries. Next is the public forum. This is your chance to comment on any agenda item. If there is an item on the agenda that you would like to comment on, you can approach the podium, state the number that you would like to comment on, and the floor is yours at this time. Seeing no public comment, we'll close the public hearing and go to the regular consent agenda. We have the minutes followed by the claims, followed by the permits. Do we have the city ministry's report? Excuse me. Yeah. It's the best report you ever had right there. Um council mayor, thank you. Uh we're coming up upon spring here, so much like every year we've we have quite a few programs that start to ramp up as we get into warmer weather. Uh some of those being golf, the rec programs, opening of the shelters, and and so many other activities that uh support amenities for the for the public. Uh this year we were able to open up the golf course quite a bit early. Uh and there was a lot of activity already out there. As you know from going through the budget, when we get an early open on the golf course, it's uh it's really good for the finances of the golf course to get open like that. So I think that's uh a really positive thing to uh to be able to do that. Additionally, uh a lot of development projects in the works, continuing to work through uh those uh proposals with the North Iowa corridor and uh and recruit those businesses. One of the exciting announcements I think we had uh since I last gave you a report was the uh receipt of a community funding uh community project funding from Congresswoman Henson's office through the appropriations bill. Uh that was a million dollars that'll actually go towards those development uh that development that we see out in the industrial park that'll help fund the uh TAF water main loop that goes out there, which will provide a much needed utility and providing higher water capacity out to the industrial park. Many of the businesses that we seek to recruit are heavy water users, and so having that utility out there is is valuable. So very appreciative to Congresswoman Henson's office and the work that uh she put forward with uh securing that funding for us. Uh additionally, we're continuing to work through bids on quite a few projects.

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