Mason City Council Meeting - September 17, 2024: Best in Show, Infrastructure Contracts, and Northbridge Site RFP
Mason City Council Meeting - September 17, 2024
Meeting Overview
The meeting opened with roll call (all council members present) and adoption of the agenda. A special announcement recognizing the "Best in Show" winner of the Sculptures on Parade program was presented by Mary Mark Walder (Mason City Public Library) and Edie Blanchard (McNider Museum). No public comments were made. The consent agenda was approved with three items (8, 10, 11) pulled for separate discussion. Key decisions included approval of a pedestrian ramp compliance contract, a water plant upgrade study contract, and a resolution authorizing an RFP process for the Northbridge site. A public hearing on the Taft Avenue Water Main Loop was closed, and the project was approved.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda included approval of: regular meeting minutes (September 3, 2024); claims dated September 5 and 12, 2024; permits; reappointment of Charlie West and Tyler Schaefer to the Cemetery Board; appointment of Wyatt Portis as a Police Officer at $32.07/hour; promotion of Officer Mark Tiedemann to Police Sergeant at $41.94/hour; a resolution for contract and bond for the Downtown Pedestrian Ramp Compliance Program (Item 8, pulled); a resolution for contract and bond for Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery Storm Sewer Improvements (McKinnis Excavating, $26,000); a resolution for professional services to SEH of Mason City for Water Works Plant Upgrades (Item 10, pulled); and a resolution authorizing an RFP process for the proposed sale of parcels for the Northbridge site (Item 11, pulled). All items except those pulled were approved by unanimous voice vote.
Discussion Items
- Item 8 – Downtown Pedestrian Ramp Compliance Program: The $75,000 contract (funded by road use tax) covers cement, sidewalk, curb, and gutter work for ADA compliance. Councilman Yesheski asked about construction timing; Administrator Mark stated it would start in fall and finish in spring 2025 if necessary. Approved unanimously.
- Item 10 – Water Plant Upgrades Study: A $42,000 contract with SEH Engineering for a study of upgrades to the Mason City water treatment plant, which was built in 2004 and has treated 37 billion gallons. Councilman Adams inquired if this was separate from nutrient reduction (yes) and about total project cost ($14.9 million in the five-year plan, with rates built in). Approved unanimously.
- Item 11 – Northbridge Site RFP: The property (0.85 acres, not 5 acres as initially stated) is zoned for commercial, multifamily, and downtown uses. Administrator Aaron explained that 29 housing developers have been contacted, and the RFP deadline is October 21, 2024. Council discussed the flexibility of proposals (residential, commercial, or mixed-use) and the benefits of Mason City’s designation as a "Thriving Community" by the Iowa Finance Authority, which gives extra points for workforce and low-income housing tax credits. Approved unanimously.
- Public Hearing – Taft Avenue Water Main Loop: The project is funded by a $1 million federal grant and $1.9 million in economic development bonds. It came in approximately $700,000 under the estimated $2.7 million. Administrator Aaron and Mark explained that the loop will provide water redundancy, higher flows, and support development in the industrial park and the newly annexed area west of the UP railroad. Approved unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- The "Best in Show" award for Sculptures on Parade was given to Mark Hall (Waseca, MN) for the sculpture "Trickle" (steel and glass), located at North Federal and East State Street. The artist receives a $2,000 stipend. To date, 76 sculptures have been sold, 60 permanently displayed, with total sales of $1,140,350 over 12 years.
- Consent agenda approved (items 2-11 less 8,10,11).
- Item 8, Item 10, and Item 11 approved unanimously.
- Resolution 12 A, B, C (Taft Avenue Water Main Loop plans, bid tabulation, and contract award to Summers’ Enterprise, Inc. of Masonville, IA) approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening and welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. This is the meeting for September 17th, 2024. I'm Mayor Bill Schickle. We're happy to have you with us this evening. The first item of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Lee. Present. Adams. Present. Simmons. Present. Here. Yesky. Here. Latham. Here. Let the record reflect that all members are present. The next item of business is the adoption of the agenda. Do we have a motion to adopt the agenda? So move. Second. We have a motion by Councilman Yashewski, a second by Councilman Mason. Is there discussion? Hearing none. Diana, uh all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. The motion carries. Thank you. The agenda is adopted. We have a very special item right now, a report from uh Sculptures on Parade, actually an announcement of the best in show of the 81 beautiful sculptures on parade that go through. Thank you, drum roll. Thank you. For the enthusiasm. The 81 beautiful sculptures that uh go through some of the most scenic and uh historic spots in Mason City. And hitting that up is uh Mary Mark Walder with the public library, and Mary's with us this evening. Mary, good evening, welcome. Thank you. Um so good evening, everybody. I'm Mary Mark Walter, director of River City Sculptures on Parade and the Mason City Public Library. Um so thank you to the mayor and council for your continued support of the sculptures on parade program. I also thank the city administrator, finance director, the park board, planning and zoning committee, and most of all the operations department. Um they do a great job of making this important public art program run smoothly. Um thank you to the River City Sculptures on Parade committee members. Uh Cheryl Schertz is here with us tonight along with Steve. He's kind he's a committee member too, de facto. Uh Linda Willoughkey, uh, Terry Tell, Bruce McKee, Jim Zack, and Ron Muller are also serve on the committee. And they um it's a very active committee and they do a super job.
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