Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – November 12, 2024

The Mason City City Council held its regular meeting on November 12, 2024, at 7:00 PM. The meeting included proclamations honoring veterans and GIS Day, the announcement of the People's Choice Award for the River City Sculptures on Parade, an update on the EPA Brownfields grant, and several consent agenda items. The council also debated and approved individual items including a change order for the fire department dormitory project, a public hearing setting for a Habitat for Humanity partnership, an urban renewal plan amendment, an annexation for a new Tractor Supply store, and the final reading of a zoning ordinance.

Proclamations and Special Presentations

• Veterans Day Proclamation: Mayor Bill Shickle recognized Randy Sol Sulsa, Chair of the Mason City Veterans Memorial Association, and invited the community to a ceremony on Veterans Day (November 11) at 10:30 AM at Central Park.
• GIS Day Proclamation: Laura Mott, the city's GIS analyst, was recognized for her work on Geographic Information Systems, and the day was proclaimed GIS Day in Mason City.
• River City Sculptures on Parade People's Choice Award: Mark Walder, director of the program, announced that the 2024 People's Choice Award winner is "Slow Dancing" by sculptor Judd Nelson, sponsored by Nancy Sweetman. To date, 75 sculptures have been sold for a total purchase price of $1,179,350, with 61 permanently displayed on the sculpture walk.
• EPA Brownfields Grant Update: Ben Curtis of EOCN Environmental Group (formerly Impact 7G) presented a progress report on the four-year, $500,000 EPA grant. Key metrics: 4 phase one environmental site assessments completed, 1 phase two completed, 5 properties seeking EPA eligibility, and a parcel-by-parcel inventory of over 1,400 parcels in the downtown area. The city has spent about $100,000 (20% of the grant) and is on track. City Administrator Aaron Burnett noted that the grant has already assisted with the River Two apartments, the new hotel downtown, the Delaware apartments, and analysis of the old Kirk Apartment site.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the consent agenda (items 1–14 and 16) with a unanimous vote, except for items 15 and 17 which were pulled for separate discussion. Routine items included:
  • Approval of minutes, claims, permits, and the September financial report.
  • Appointments to various boards: Mike McCulvie and Bonnie Clunder (new) and Scott Shipman (reappointment) to the Housing Advisory Appeals Board; Richard Haas to the Airport Commission; Judy Pedalty to the Library Board.
  • Appointment of Jim Collins as Public Works Director, Ryan Merrill as Firefighter Paramedic, and Jason Howe as Water Reclamation Heavy Equipment Operator.
  • Approval of an amendment to the SEH professional services agreement for the 43rd Street Southwest lift station.
  • Resolution accepting work and ordering payment for the Elmwood St. Joseph Cemetery Storm Sewer Improvement Project.
  • Resolution approving a purchase of a truck and plow from Midwest Peterbuilt Group for the street department.

Discussion Items

• Item 15 – Change Order for Fire Department Dormitory Addition: Councilman Lee thanked Fire Chief for finding savings and requested a summary. The Chief reported that the project is ahead of schedule (mid-January move-in anticipated) and the change order covers structural reinforcements, plumbing repairs, aesthetic improvements, and ceiling revisions. The changes are within budget and will enhance long-term maintenance. The motion carried unanimously.
• Item 17 – Setting Public Hearing for Habitat for Humanity Grant: Councilman Yeshewski asked about the funding source (Fund 147, the housing fund) and the mechanism. City Administrator Burnett explained that the $100,000 grant (matching a Cerro Gordo Foundation grant) will be paid back over time from increased property tax revenues from the 13 new homes, functioning like a TIF but simpler. Councilman Lee expressed support for the creative approach. The motion to set the public hearing for November 19, 2024, passed unanimously.
• Item 18 – Urban Renewal Plan Amendment (Public Hearing): Councilman Lee initially had concerns about using TIF funds for tree removal, but after discussion with City Administrator Burnett, he clarified that the amendment is narrowly scoped to prevent low-income homeowners from losing their homes due to high tree removal costs. The council stressed that the actual implementation will come back for approval. The motion passed unanimously.
• Item 19 – Annexation of 40 Acres for Tractor Supply (Public Hearing): Councilman Yeshewski asked about the rationale for annexation. City Administrator Burnett explained that the annexation is a negotiated deal tied to providing city water and sewer utilities. The building is nearly 100% compliant with city codes, and the annexation will bring additional tax base and sales tax. The only non-conformity is a small portion in the 500-year floodplain. The motion passed unanimously.
• Final Reading of Zoning Ordinance: The ordinance to bring the city into compliance with new state code zoning requirements was approved on final reading with a unanimous vote.

Key Outcomes

• All votes were unanimous. No roll call votes were recorded as split.
• The consent agenda (items 1–14, 16) was approved.
• Item 15 (Fire Department dormitory change order) was approved.
• Item 17 (Habitat for Humanity public hearing set for November 19, 2024) was approved.
• Item 18 (Urban renewal plan amendment) was approved after a public hearing.
• Item 19 (Annexation for Tractor Supply) was approved after a public hearing.
• The final reading of the zoning ordinance was approved.
• The council will next meet on November 19, 2024, for the Habitat for Humanity public hearing.