OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mason City Council Regular Meeting - September 3, 2024

City Council — Tuesday, September 3, 2024
BodyMason City, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 3, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 37:47

Transcript — Verbatim
0:48

And good evening, everyone.

0:50

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

0:53

I'm Mayor Bill Schickle.

0:55

This is the meeting for September 3, 2024.

0:59

And thank you for being with us this evening.

1:01

The first order of business is the roll call.

1:03

Diana, would you call the roll?

1:05

Lee.

1:05

Present.

1:06

Adams.

1:07

Present.

1:07

Simmons.

1:08

Present.

1:09

Here.

1:09

Latham.

1:10

Here.

1:10

Yesky.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Let the record reflect that all members are present.

1:15

The next item is the adoption of the agenda.

1:18

Is there a motion to adopt the agenda?

1:21

So moved.

1:22

Second motion by uh Councilman Latham, a second by Councilman Yashesky.

1:27

Tim.

1:28

It was Latham.

1:30

Second by Councilman Latham.

1:32

Um additional who is a second by Councilman Mason.

1:37

Second by Councilman Mason.

1:39

Uh discussion.

1:41

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

1:44

Aye.

1:45

All those opposed, same sign.

1:47

The motion carries.

1:49

Next, we have two very special items of business.

1:51

We have a proclamation for breast cancer awareness month.

1:55

And following that, we have a proclamation declaring this Thursday through Saturday is filmmakers week in Mason City.

2:03

We have a delegation here representing breast cancer awareness, and I'd uh like to ask them to uh step forward at this time.

2:10

Jerry Barker and uh Penny McClasland from Sarrogota County Public Health today is here are here today on behalf of uh breast cancer awareness time and this is the proclamation that I'll be reading to you uh at this time, and by the way, thank you for the lovely uh uh pink ribbons this evening.

2:32

Whereas breast cancer is the most common cancer for women affecting one in eight women in the United States, and whereas because awareness and early detection, more people were diagnosed in 2024 with breast cancer, however, in 2024 there were five percent fewer deaths recorded in the state of Iowa, and whereas alcohol is a leading risk factor with really most forms of cancer, including breast cancer, and whereas IO has the fourth highest incidence of alcohol related cancer in the United States, and whereas women who have regular breast screen screening have a uh 26% lower breast cancer death rate.

3:16

Now, therefore, I'm Bill Shickle, mayor of Mason City, do hereby proclaim the month of October designated as breast cancer awareness month and education for screening, and would like to ask everyone to join the pink and teal warriors in the fight against breast cancer.

3:35

Can we show our appreciation to these words?

3:44

Thank you, Penny.

4:03

Councilman Mason is very active in filmmaking in Mason City, just completed a new film called Silent Treatment that will be featured at the uh film festival uh coming up here on uh Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

4:17

Uh Councilman Mason, before we get started, could you introduce your colleagues, please?

4:21

This is uh this is our news board members, man.

4:24

Uh this is a list of our new vice president this year.

4:27

Welcome all, and uh here is the uh proclamation.

4:32

Whereas Mason City has a rich and long history in making movies, and whereas the Iowa Independent Film Festival now in its 17th year, uh runs this Thursday through Saturday in Mason City and in Claire Lake.

4:48

And whereas this Thursday night the local filmmakers showcase will celebrate films made in a one-county area of Sarrogoto County and in this area, and that will be right here uh in this room Thursday evening.

5:02

And whereas the competition uh features uh films uh from 50 of the 193 films submitted from nine different uh countries, and whereas the film ranges in length from three minutes up to about uh two hours, representing a range of styles and including features and documentaries and animation along with music videos.

5:26

And whereas dozens of producers, directors, and actors from all over the country will attend the Iowa Independent Film Festival right here in Mason City.

5:35

And whereas nightly networking socials will be held to give filmmakers and the public a chance to mingle and discuss the uh making of films and the future of the filmmaking industry.

5:47

Now, therefore, I Bill Schickle, mayor of Mason City.

5:50

Uh, do hereby proclaim September 5 through 7 as filmmaker week in Mason City and extend our sincere appreciation.

5:59

Please join me in extending a welcome and appreciation to the Iowa Independent Hill Press.

6:21

Next, we'll move to the public forum.

6:23

This is your chance to comment on any item on the agenda.

6:27

If there's an agenda item that you'd like to comment on, please step forward and use the podium and state the number of the item that you would like to comment on, and the floor is yours.

6:46

Hearing no comment at this time, we'll close the public hearing and we'll move to the regular city administrators' monthly report.

6:54

Uh Aaron Burnett, go ahead.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
City Administrator's Report██████████████████████████████████████38%
Procedural██████████████████████22%
Affordable Housing██████████████████18%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Arts And Culture██████6%
Personnel Matters████4%
Public Safety███3%
Water And Wastewater Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Mason City Council Regular Meeting - September 3, 2024

The Mason City City Council met on September 3, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Public Library. All council members were present. The meeting included two proclamations, the city administrator's monthly report, approval of a consent agenda (with one item pulled for separate discussion), and three public hearings for capital improvement projects. No public comments were made during the public forum.

Proclamations

  • Mayor Bill Schickle proclaimed October 2024 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting that one in eight women in the U.S. are affected, that Iowa has the fourth highest incidence of alcohol-related cancer, and that regular screening reduces breast cancer death rates by 26%. Representatives from Cerro Gordo County Public Health accepted the proclamation.
  • Mayor Schickle proclaimed September 5–7, 2024 as Filmmakers' Week in Mason City, recognizing the 17th annual Iowa Independent Film Festival, which features 50 films from 193 submissions across nine countries, ranging from 3 minutes to 2 hours in length. Councilman Mason, active in local filmmaking, introduced festival board members.

Consent Calendar

  • The council approved the consent agenda (items 4–13) by a voice vote with a second by Councilman Mason. Items included:
    • Minutes of August 20 and August 23, 2024
    • Claims dated August 22 and 29, 2024
    • Permits
    • Reappointments: David Guetzko to Airport Commission; Joshua Brueggeman, Cheryl Hubbard, and Michael Daley to Building Advisory & Appeals Board; appointment of Dustin Howe to Electrical Examiners and Appeals Board
    • Designation of Trick-or-Treat on October 31, 2024, 5:30–7:30 PM
    • Promotion of Firefighter/Paramedic Katherine Sainci to Fire Lieutenant
    • Resolution approving the FY2024 Street Finance Report ($3.9 million in road use tax)
    • Resolution accepting work and ordering final payment ($14,000) for the Sanitary Sewer CCTV Phase 5 Project (total project $270,000)
    • Resolution approving contract and bond for the Pierce Avenue NW over Willow Creek Bridge Railing Replacement Project ($116,000)
    • Professional Services Agreement with Dixon Engineering for water tower maintenance inspections
  • Item 14 (purchase of property at 613 4th Street NE) was pulled from the consent agenda and discussed separately.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

  • City Administrator's Monthly Report (Aaron Burnett):
    • Police recruitment is improving, with increased interest and some certified officers. The department is still down 8–10 officers, but retirements are being matched. Councilman Simmons asked about increasing the authorized strength to 50 to buffer future retirements; Burnett noted that filling the current 10 vacancies is the immediate priority.
    • The Public Works Director search has been extended to widen the applicant pool. Brent Henson is serving as interim director. The position is a top priority; salary and support are strong, but candidate relocation is a challenge.
    • Several grants are pending: ATIP (for 122 West planning), State Rec Trails (for Prairie Land Connector Trail), and an EPA grant (response expected in October). The city has strong partners (WHKS, Impact 7G) for grant writing.
    • Private entities submitted grants: Kinseth Hotel for a Brownfield/grayfield tax credit (up to $1.5 million) for a hotel project expected to start construction in spring 2025; and Kirk Apartments, being developed by Dev Partners (who also did Federal Rowhomes and future Delaware project).
    • Burnett will attend the Thriving Iowa Communities housing conference after the meeting. The designation has already generated developer interest, including a site plan for a potential development.
  • Item 14 – Purchase of 613 4th Street NE:
    • Councilman Lee inquired about the long-term vision for the property. Burnett explained that the city is acquiring properties to eliminate the need for a retaining wall along 4th Street NE. Future options include selling to a developer for single-family or twin homes, or using the lots for open space. The property purchase will allow more flexibility in grading and development. Councilman Latham expressed support for the project, noting it will improve the appearance of the street. The motion to approve the purchase passed unanimously (6-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda (items 4–13) approved unanimously.
  • Item 14 – Resolution authorizing purchase of 613 4th Street NE approved unanimously (6-0).
  • Public Hearing Item 15 – 2024-25 Sanitary Sewer Repairs: Resolutions adopting plans, awarding contract to Bob McKiness Excavating & Grading Inc. of Mason City, and approving bond. Approved unanimously.
  • Public Hearing Item 16 – Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery Storm Sewer Improvements ($25,500): Resolutions adopting plans, awarding contract to Bob McKiness Excavating & Grading Inc., and approving bond. Approved unanimously.
  • Public Hearing Item 17 – Downtown Pedestrian Ramp Compliance Program: Resolutions adopting plans, awarding contract to Larry Elwood Concrete of Mason City, and approving bond. Approved unanimously.
  • Meeting adjourned following the conclusion of business.

Meeting Transcript

And good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. I'm Mayor Bill Schickle. This is the meeting for September 3, 2024. And thank you for being with us this evening. The first order of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Lee. Present. Adams. Present. Simmons. Present. Here. Latham. Here. Yesky. 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. Second motion by uh Councilman Latham, a second by Councilman Yashesky. Tim. It was Latham. Second by Councilman Latham. Um additional who is a second by Councilman Mason. Second by Councilman Mason. Uh discussion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. The motion carries. Next, we have two very special items of business. We have a proclamation for breast cancer awareness month. And following that, we have a proclamation declaring this Thursday through Saturday is filmmakers week in Mason City. We have a delegation here representing breast cancer awareness, and I'd uh like to ask them to uh step forward at this time. Jerry Barker and uh Penny McClasland from Sarrogota County Public Health today is here are here today on behalf of uh breast cancer awareness time and this is the proclamation that I'll be reading to you uh at this time, and by the way, thank you for the lovely uh uh pink ribbons this evening. Whereas breast cancer is the most common cancer for women affecting one in eight women in the United States, and whereas because awareness and early detection, more people were diagnosed in 2024 with breast cancer, however, in 2024 there were five percent fewer deaths recorded in the state of Iowa, and whereas alcohol is a leading risk factor with really most forms of cancer, including breast cancer, and whereas IO has the fourth highest incidence of alcohol related cancer in the United States, and whereas women who have regular breast screen screening have a uh 26% lower breast cancer death rate. Now, therefore, I'm Bill Shickle, mayor of Mason City, do hereby proclaim the month of October designated as breast cancer awareness month and education for screening, and would like to ask everyone to join the pink and teal warriors in the fight against breast cancer. Can we show our appreciation to these words? Thank you, Penny. Councilman Mason is very active in filmmaking in Mason City, just completed a new film called Silent Treatment that will be featured at the uh film festival uh coming up here on uh Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Uh Councilman Mason, before we get started, could you introduce your colleagues, please? This is uh this is our news board members, man. Uh this is a list of our new vice president this year. Welcome all, and uh here is the uh proclamation. Whereas Mason City has a rich and long history in making movies, and whereas the Iowa Independent Film Festival now in its 17th year, uh runs this Thursday through Saturday in Mason City and in Claire Lake. And whereas this Thursday night the local filmmakers showcase will celebrate films made in a one-county area of Sarrogoto County and in this area, and that will be right here uh in this room Thursday evening. And whereas the competition uh features uh films uh from 50 of the 193 films submitted from nine different uh countries, and whereas the film ranges in length from three minutes up to about uh two hours, representing a range of styles and including features and documentaries and animation along with music videos.

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