Mason City Council Regular Meeting – April 16, 2024
Mason City Council Regular Meeting – April 16, 2024
The Mason City Council held a regular meeting on April 16, 2024, with Mayor Pro Tem presiding in the absence of Mayor Shickle. The council adopted the agenda, recognized two proclamations, heard the city administrator's report, and acted on a series of consent agenda items and public hearings. Key decisions included approval of a rezoning for a warehouse, the annual budget, several public works contracts, and a controversial downtown parking lot sale and development agreement. The council also approved a 120-day extension for the downtown hotel/mall project and a tax increment financing agreement for a Stellar Industries expansion.
Consent Calendar
- Approved minutes, claims, permits, March 2024 financial report, promotion of two fire lieutenants, purchase of HVAC unit for water reclamation office, purchase of collection camera system (item 10 pulled for separate vote), pavement marking program contract, Willow Creek Riverwalk project contract, authorization for Murphy Park Trail and Bridge project bidding (item 13 pulled for separate vote), and resolution for downtown West Home Pilot Program. Consent agenda approved 6-0 with items 10 and 13 pulled.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Diane Arnt (owner, Reflections Salon, 21 1st St NE) expressed concern over the sale of the parking lot at 1st and Delaware, citing lack of communication, loss of nine parking spots (plus 24 reserved for tenants), safety, snow removal, and potential impact on businesses. She questioned how the lot was chosen and noted her business generated $858,000 revenue and $58,000 in sales tax in 2023.
- Jessica Glenn (owner, Bears Sugar Salon & Med Spa) echoed parking concerns, stating her business had over 13,000 client visits in 2023 and gross revenue over $1 million. She worried about safety for staff and clients, especially at night, and the impact of a four-story building blocking signage.
- Jen Pope (owner, Roosevelt Nutrition Counseling) supported the previous speakers, adding concerns about parking for elderly and disabled clients and the need for better communication from the city.
- Kent Hall (Clear Lake) spoke in favor of the rezoning for an Overhead Door warehouse, noting it would move operations away from schools.
Discussion Items
- City Administrator's Report (Aaron Burnett): Highlighted spring capital improvement projects, including groundbreaking for bike park shelter, completion of mountain bike trails (River Hawk, Evans Preserve, kayak launch) by end of year, terminal construction at airport (first flight scheduled December 2024), utility work on South Federal, and DOT detour on 122. Noted strong revenues from interest, hotel/motel, and sales tax. Emerald ash borer removal continues.
- Item 10 – Collection Camera System: Councilman Yesheski questioned the need; Bill (public works) explained the system is for emergency response, not covered by outside contractor. Approved 6-0.
- Item 13 – Murphy Park Trail and Bridge Project: Councilman Lee noted this is a major regulatory hurdle. WHKS representative said bridge fabrication may take time, but foundation work will proceed; completion expected fall 2024. The city administrator confirmed the Prairie Land Trail connector is the last Destination Iowa project; sidewalk improvements near John Adams may be cut due to budget pressures. Approved 6-0.
- Public Hearings (items 15-22):
- Item 15 – Rezoning for warehouse (1500 block S Federal): Approved first reading 6-0; will be second reading at next meeting.
- Item 16 – Annual budget FY2025: Approved 6-0.
- Item 17 – Bike Park bid package 2: Approved 6-0.
- Item 18 – Street panel curb and replacement program: Approved 6-0.
- Items 19, 20, 21 – Parking lot sale, development agreement, and parking lease: Extensive discussion. Councilman Lee moved to take items 19,20,21 together. City Administrator outlined details: 36-unit four-story building with structured parking, loss of 9 parking spots, 8 income-tested units (approx. $1,100/month), developer responsible for maintenance. Business owners expressed concerns about parking, safety, and communication. Council split: Lee, Simmons, Yesheski, Adams supported; Latham and Mason opposed. Motion carried 4-2.
- Item 22 – Stellar Industries TIF agreement: Chad Schreck (North Iowa Corridor) and city administrator praised the project: 40-50 new jobs, $10-12 million investment, conversion from warehousing to manufacturing. Approved unanimously 6-0.
- Item 24 – Hotel/mall project extension: City administrator explained the 120-day extension (deadline May 11, 2024) to allow developer to close or provide a clean break. Council discussed next steps and agreed to a workshop on May 14. Approved unanimously 6-0.
Key Outcomes
- Rezoning for Overhead Door warehouse passed first reading (6-0).
- Annual budget for FY2025 adopted (6-0).
- Bike park and street panel contracts awarded (6-0).
- Downtown parking lot sale and development agreement (items 19,20,21) approved 4-2 (Yesheski, Simmons, Adams, Lee in favor; Latham, Mason opposed).
- Stellar Industries TIF agreement approved unanimously (6-0).
- Hotel/mall project extension approved unanimously (6-0); special meeting/workshop scheduled for May 14 if needed.
- Consent agenda items 10 and 13 approved separately (both 6-0).
- City administrator directed to provide a written project update and schedule a work session on the hotel/mall project.
Meeting Transcript
Regular meeting in the May City City Council, April sixteenth, twenty twenty-four. Uh, first time in the business is the roll call. Lee Present. Adams present. Yeski. Here. Simmons. Present. Here. Latham. Present. Mayor Shickle is absent. Let the record reflect there is a quorum. Mayor Pro Tim is in the chair. Uh, is there a motion in a second to adopt the agenda? So move. Second. Motion by Councilman Massan, second by Councilman Yasheski. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. The agenda is adopted. A couple special items of business proclamations. Uh, to get started here. The first one is in recognition of Arbor Day, and our operations and maintenance director, Will Stangler will come forward and take it. Receive it. Um, this is written by Mayor Shickle. I'll reason read it as written. In eighteen seventy-two, Jay Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. And this holiday called Arbor Day was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world, and trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce life-giving oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife, and trees are a renewable resource giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products, and trees in our city increased property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify our community, and trees where wherever they are planted are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now, therefore, Bill Shekel, Mayor of Mason City, do hereby proclaim Friday, April twenty sixth, twenty twenty-four as Arbor Day in the city of May City, Iowa. And I urge all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. Next one is a make it okay proclamation for 2024. And receiving this on behalf of the city is our finance director, Deputy City Administrator Brent Henson. Again, I'll read it as Mayor Shick will have the proclamation written. Whereas mental health is essential to everyone's overall health and well-being, and there's a proven connection between good mental health and overall personal health. And mental ill and mental illnesses are real and prevalent in our county regardless of socioeconomic boundaries and stigma and fear of discrimination keep many who would benefit from mental health services from seeking help. And education is an effective way to reduce the stigma of mental health illnesses. And we encourage our citizens to get help from mental illnesses and to understand it. It is as important to treat as any other illness, such as diabetes or heart disease. And people with mental illnesses recover if given the necessary services and supports in their communities. People with mental illnesses make important contributions to our families, our workplaces, our schools, and our communities, and good mental health is critical to the well-being and economic viability of our families, communities, schools, and businesses. And with greater public awareness about mental illnesses can change negative attitudes and behaviors towards people with mental mental illnesses. Therefore, Mayor Bill Schickle, on behalf of the City of Mason City, hereby proclaims the month of May as Make It Okay Month. As the mayor, he calls upon all Mason City citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses and schools to recommit our community to increasing awareness and understanding of mental health, reducing stigma and discrimination, and promoting appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illnesses. Thanks, Brent. Next item on the agenda is our public forum. This is the opportunity for attendees to comment on any agenda item. We just asked for your name and address and also the agenda item or number you're speaking on. There are several separate public hearings towards the back end of the meeting.
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