OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Mason City Council Regular Meeting – April 15, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, April 15, 2025
BodyMason City, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, April 15, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 30:32

Transcript — Verbatim
0:27

Good evening, everyone.

0:28

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

0:32

I'm Mayor Bill Schickle.

0:33

Thank you for joining us tonight.

0:35

The first order of business is the roll call.

0:37

Diana, would you call the roll?

0:39

Latham.

0:41

Simmons.

0:42

Present.

0:42

Adams.

0:43

Present.

0:44

Lee.

0:44

President.

0:46

Here.

0:46

Yesky.

0:47

Here.

0:48

Let the record reflect that all members are present.

0:51

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

0:55

Is there a motion to adopt the agenda?

0:57

I make a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of one proclamation that Aaron's delivering here.

1:03

A second.

1:05

We have a motion and a second on the table.

1:09

Further discussion.

1:11

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

1:15

All those opposed, same sign.

1:17

Next, I have a very special proclamation to uh read this one first, Mr.

1:22

Mayor.

1:24

Go ahead.

1:25

All right.

1:31

Mr.

1:31

Mayor, I'm not sure if you're aware, but you recently become the longest serving mayor in Mason City history.

1:36

So we have a proclamation here that uh Mr.

1:39

Mason brought forward that I'd like to read and present to you on behalf of the City Council here.

1:44

So it reads, whereas the City of Mason City has had 45 different mayors since the first D.B.

1:50

Mason in 1870, and whereas the Honorable Ken Q served 4,384 days as the mayor from 1974 to 1985.

1:59

And whereas the Honorable George E.

2:01

Menden served 5,844 days as the mayor from 1954 through 1969.

2:07

And whereas three people have served multiple non-consecutive terms as mayor, including William Shickle, F.

2:13

M.

2:13

Norris, and T.A.

2:14

Potter, and whereas William Shickle has now served a record 5,000 918 days and counting as the mayor of the city of Mason City, Iowa.

2:23

Whereas the City of Mason City has greatly benefited from Mayor Shickle's service and guidance since his first term in 1990.

2:30

Now therefore I, Paul Adams, Mayor Pro Tim, and the City Council of City of Mason City do hereby proclaim April 13th through the 19th in Mason City as Mayor William Schickle Week and encourage citizens of Mason City to invest their time and talents in our local community.

2:46

Thank you, Mayor.

3:21

It's not easy to do.

3:24

Wow.

3:24

Thank you so much.

3:26

You know, it's uh it is an honor of a lifetime to serve all of you and to serve the the people of Mason City.

3:33

So I don't know that I've ever received a proclamation, so given how quite a few of them, but so thank you all so much.

3:42

Hey and you got a week instead of just a day.

3:54

And there will be uh some cake in the back after after the meeting, and uh we got two cakes, one gluten-free uh for for Mr.

4:01

Mayor and uh one not.

4:02

So, Councilman Masan, you think of everything.

4:05

Yeah.

4:06

Well, I I'll look forward to an enjoying that uh that shortly.

4:10

Now, I can't necessarily top that, but I'll try.

4:13

I'd like to ask our operations and maintenance manager to please step forward at this time.

4:18

I have an Arbor Day proclamation that uh I'd like to uh present.

4:24

So first of all, I'll read it.

4:27

Whereas Mason City has been honored for 20 consecutive years by the National Harbor Day Foundation with a prestigious Tree USA Award, and whereas this honor is granted only to cities that place a priority on maintaining and increasing the life-giving benefits of our precious trees, and whereas the bountiful canopy of trees on our streets, parks, and recreation trails provide shelter, shade, and inspiration, and whereas a crowning moment of the Tree City USA Award this summer will be opening of the tree-shaded riverwalk district and waterfront plaza, and the destination Iowa bike park, and the Murphy Park Trail footbridge over the Winnebago River, a stunning addition to the bridges of Mason City, and whereas study shows that such improvements contribute to the reduction in crime, a decreased uh health care costs and increased economic.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural█████████████████████████████29%
City Administrator's Report█████████████13%
Public Safety████████████12%
Affordable Housing█████████9%
Economic Development████████8%
Parks and Recreation███████7%
Transportation Safety███████7%
Engineering And Infrastructure███████7%
Personnel Matters█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Mason City Council Regular Meeting – April 15, 2025

The Mason City City Council met on April 15, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Public Library. The meeting included proclamations honoring Mayor Bill Schickle for becoming the longest-serving mayor in city history and celebrating Arbor Day, as well as reports, consent agenda approvals, public hearings on the budget and property sales, and a final reading on ward boundary changes.

Proclamations

  • Mayor Pro Tem Paul Adams read a proclamation declaring April 13–19, 2025 as Mayor William Schickle Week, recognizing that Schickle has served a record 5,918 days (and counting) as mayor since 1990. Two cakes were provided after the meeting, one gluten-free for the mayor.
  • Operations and Maintenance Manager Jim presented an Arbor Day proclamation, noting Mason City has received the Tree City USA Award for 20 consecutive years. The city has identified 5,500 ash trees on public right-of-way; 4,500 have been removed due to emerald ash borer, leaving about 1,000 to go. Arbor Day was proclaimed for April 25, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the public forum.

City Administrator’s Monthly Report

City Administrator Aaron Roussell reported:

  • Airport: Year-over-year increase in airplane deplanements is 82% , attributed to the direct Chicago flight and free parking. A future Denver destination was discussed, but near-term priority is moving the early flight earlier for better connections.
  • Facilities: Ribbon cuttings are scheduled for the new police department (early May), fire department, bike park, riverwalk, and Murphy Park Bridge.
  • Prairie Rock Trail System is gaining statewide attention; Roussell presented at the Iowa Rural Development Summit.
  • Mohawk Square: The city received a judgment in a 657A action, but the owner (Anthony Allos) appealed, so legal proceedings continue. An estimate from WHKS placed stabilization costs at about $30 million; demolition is likely.

Consent Calendar

Approved unanimously (7-0) with the exception of item 6, which was pulled for separate vote. Items approved en bloc:

  • Minutes of April 1, 2025
  • Claims dated April 3 and 10, 2025
  • Permits
  • Resolutions for: public hearing on SRF financing for Water Reclamation Plant (May 20); contract/bond for 2025 Pavement Marking Program (under budget, funded by local option sales tax); notice for public hearings on 2025 Street Rehabilitation and Downtown Pedestrian Ramp Compliance (both May 20); award of grass/weed mowing contract to Rite Way Lawn Service; a $30,000 forgivable loan to Tom Abbas for Floyd & Leonard (510 S. Washington Ave.) for a $450,000 upgrade; a tax abatement agreement for a proposed shooting range at 221-225 19th St. SW; notice of hearing on Urban Revitalization Plan amendment (May 6); change orders for Willow Creek Riverwalk ($11,500) and Mason City Bike Park (due to soil issues).

Discussion and Vote on Item 6 – Hiring Firefighter/EMTs

Councilman Adams asked Fire Chief about the five vacancies. The chief confirmed there are five openings (one longstanding, one resignation, three retirements of officers). The hires bring the department to 39 firefighters. Approved unanimously (7-0).

Public Hearings and Votes

  • FY 2025-2026 Budget: No public comment. Resolution adopted unanimously. Councilman Latham thanked staff for keeping taxes low.
  • 2025 Street Panel and Curb Replacement (Item 18): No public comment. Resolutions A, B, C (approve plans, bid tabulation, and award to Larry Elwood Concrete, Inc.) adopted unanimously.
  • Sale of 527 4th St. NE (Item 19): Property sold to North Iowa Corridor Housing Development Corporation. Unanimous approval.
  • Sale of 430 1st St. NE (Item 20): Sold to same corporation. Unanimous.
  • Sale of 626 N. Delaware Ave. (Item 21): Sold to same corporation. Unanimous.
  • Sale of property to Mason City Hotel Associates (Item 22): Resolution approving disposition under urban renewal. City Administrator explained the development agreement will come back soon; the hotel project faces market uncertainty but the developer (Kinzett) is experienced. Unanimous approval.

Action Item – Final Reading on Ward Boundaries (Item 23)

Final reading of an ordinance amending Title 1, Chapter 9, Section 5 of the City Code to adjust boundaries for the 2nd and 4th wards due to the Tractor Supply annexation. Unanimous approval (7-0).

Key Outcomes

  • Proclamations issued for Mayor Schickle Week and Arbor Day.
  • Consent agenda (except item 6) approved 7-0.
  • Hiring of five firefighter/EMTs approved 7-0.
  • FY 2025-2026 budget adopted 7-0.
  • Street/curb replacement contract awarded to Larry Elwood Concrete, Inc. 7-0.
  • Three city-owned properties sold to North Iowa Corridor Housing Development Corporation, each 7-0.
  • Property sale for downtown hotel project approved 7-0; development agreement to be presented later.
  • Ordinance adjusting ward boundaries adopted on final reading 7-0.
  • Meeting adjourned after no further business.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. I'm Mayor Bill Schickle. Thank you for joining us tonight. The first order of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Latham. Simmons. Present. Adams. Present. Lee. President. Here. Yesky. Here. Let the record reflect that all members are present. The next item of business is the adoption of the agenda. Is there a motion to adopt the agenda? I make a motion to adopt the agenda with the addition of one proclamation that Aaron's delivering here. A second. We have a motion and a second on the table. Further discussion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. All those opposed, same sign. Next, I have a very special proclamation to uh read this one first, Mr. Mayor. Go ahead. All right. Mr. Mayor, I'm not sure if you're aware, but you recently become the longest serving mayor in Mason City history. So we have a proclamation here that uh Mr. Mason brought forward that I'd like to read and present to you on behalf of the City Council here. So it reads, whereas the City of Mason City has had 45 different mayors since the first D.B. Mason in 1870, and whereas the Honorable Ken Q served 4,384 days as the mayor from 1974 to 1985. And whereas the Honorable George E. Menden served 5,844 days as the mayor from 1954 through 1969. And whereas three people have served multiple non-consecutive terms as mayor, including William Shickle, F. M. Norris, and T.A. Potter, and whereas William Shickle has now served a record 5,000 918 days and counting as the mayor of the city of Mason City, Iowa. Whereas the City of Mason City has greatly benefited from Mayor Shickle's service and guidance since his first term in 1990. Now therefore I, Paul Adams, Mayor Pro Tim, and the City Council of City of Mason City do hereby proclaim April 13th through the 19th in Mason City as Mayor William Schickle Week and encourage citizens of Mason City to invest their time and talents in our local community. Thank you, Mayor. It's not easy to do. Wow. Thank you so much. You know, it's uh it is an honor of a lifetime to serve all of you and to serve the the people of Mason City. So I don't know that I've ever received a proclamation, so given how quite a few of them, but so thank you all so much. Hey and you got a week instead of just a day.

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