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Record of Proceedings

Mason City Council Meeting – May 6, 2025: Proclamations, Youth Hockey Lease, and Public Hearings

City Council — Tuesday, May 6, 2025
BodyMason City, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, May 6, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 28:25

Transcript — Verbatim
1:15

Good evening, everyone.

1:17

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

1:21

This is the meeting for May 6th of 2025.

1:24

I'm Mayor Bill Schickle.

1:25

We're delighted to have you with us this evening.

1:28

Thank you for joining us.

1:29

The first item of business is a roll call.

1:32

Diana, would you call the roll?

1:33

Lee.

1:34

Present.

1:35

Adams?

1:35

Present.

1:36

Simmons.

1:36

Present.

1:37

Here.

1:38

Latham.

1:39

Present.

1:39

Councilmember Yashewski is absent.

1:41

Let the record reflect that we do have a quorum present.

1:45

Next item is adoption of the agenda with the exception of proclamation number three, a proxy awareness at the request of the organizer, that will be presented in my office.

2:03

Motion by Councilman Mason.

2:05

Second.

2:05

Second by Councilman Latham.

2:07

Further discussion.

2:09

Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:13

Aye.

2:14

All those opposed, same sign.

2:16

One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to recognize and honor people that do great things in our community, recognize people that are really an inspiration and providing a service in the community.

2:30

And we have three such proclamations tonight.

2:34

The first is historic preservation month, and I'd like to ask the members of the historic preservation commission to step forward at this time.

2:43

Chair Chris Erdal, thank you for your service, along with Laura Little, Joyce Dyke, Terry Harrison, Daryl Arnold, Tom Krasinski, and Craig uh Benaboos.

2:55

Thank you so much for your service.

2:57

And you know, as you come forward, I just want to mention, you know, that we have so many shining examples of historic restoration uh in Mason City.

3:07

Um thank you for your work on those.

3:09

I just think of a few, the upper story housing that we're seeing downtown and restoration there, uh the historic YWCA restoration, the historic elks building.

3:19

I don't know if you've been by there, it's just looking fabulous with the the new windows and plans for saving uh Susie Qs.

3:26

Um all of those, not to mention the Riverwalk District and Waterfront Plaza, which by the way, mark your calendar, opens June 13th at tentatively June 13th at uh 10 o'clock in the morning.

3:39

Um pays tribute to two of our most uh significant hor historic reserv restorations, the Meredith Wilson Boyhood home, of course, and uh the historic uh park in and so keeping all of that in mind it's an honor as mayor of Mason City to hereby proclaim May 2025 as historic preservation month in Mason City and call upon the people of Mason City to enjoy and experience and share our gratitude with the members of the historic preservation commission and all who value historic preservation in Mason City.

4:15

Can we please show our appreciation?

4:39

I'd like to call forward Dylan Schulty.

4:41

Uh Dylan is our transit and operations safety manager, along with a member of our wellness committee, and he'll be uh accepting uh the proclamation this evening.

5:00

And whereas outdoor recreation promotes good mental health, exemplified by offerings and opportunities throughout Mason City, including the river walk that we talked about a minute ago, all of our prairie rock trails, our bike park, and whereas strong mental health and uh and a it makes a framework for a flourishing community and societal indicators that uh cause a reduction in crime and and a safer community.

5:22

Uh and whereas the things like the North Iowa Civics be uh chaired by Councilman John Lee, history teacher at Mason City at a John Adams School, fosters community health by building understanding and trust in our local institutions so important, uh, and trust among one another.

5:39

And while as uh Mason City uh boasts exceptional mental health services, simple acts such as you know talking to each other and uh with a trusted friend and getting to know our neighbors can also serve as powerful medicine.

5:55

Now, therefore, I bill Schickle, mayor of Mason City to hear proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Day in Mason City, and I extend an invitation to all to participate in the Make It Okay celebration.

6:08

That'll be down in the plaza, the principal performing arts pavilion, 1145 a.m.

6:13

Thursday, May 15th.

6:16

Um Dylan, to you and the uh wellness committee.

6:20

Uh thank you for your great work.

6:42

Next uh up is uh bicycle safety month in conjunction with uh bicycling month uh in uh Mason City.

6:52

And I'd like to uh call forward Mark Verba with the bicycle coalition along with the members of the Active Living and Transportation Commission, Matt and those that have been advocates for uh biking in Mason City.

7:04

If you would uh step forward uh at this time, it's an honor to uh present uh this proclamation.

7:13

And uh, you know, with the extensive network of paved trails uh dedicated to safe and accessible bikes in Mason City.

7:22

River City is establishing itself as Mason City's uh and as America's biking capital.

7:29

The most recent addition uh being the stunning Murphy Park Bridge and the trail over the Winnebago River, uh linking the East and West Trails and Parkland.

7:39

Uh say the date uh very soon, toward the end of May, we'll have the grand opening and dedication of that.

7:45

Uh more word to come on that.

7:47

But along with our growing bicycle reputation also comes uh responsibility.

7:53

The upcoming ride of silence uh raises awareness of the need for safety by honoring those cyclists who have been injured or killed while riding.

8:04

This year, in memory of Jenny Bowles Verba, tragically killed as you may recall by a distracted driver in Mason City this last summer.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation████████████████████████████████████36%
Procedural███████████████████████████████31%
Mental Health Awareness███████████11%
Historic Preservation█████████9%
Active Transportation████████8%
Transportation Safety█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Mason City Council Meeting – May 6, 2025

The Mason City City Council met on May 6, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Mason City Public Library. Mayor Bill Schickle presided. Councilmember Yashewski was absent; a quorum was present. The agenda was adopted with the exception of the Apraxia Awareness Day proclamation, which was presented privately. The meeting featured three ceremonial proclamations, a consent agenda with unanimous approvals, and three public hearings.

Proclamations & Special Presentations

  • Historic Preservation Month (May 2025): Council recognized the Historic Preservation Commission, highlighting restoration projects including upper-story housing, the YWCA, the Elks building, and the Riverwalk District. The Waterfront Plaza opens June 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
  • Make it OK (Mental Health Awareness Day): Dylan Schulty, Transit and Operations Safety Manager, accepted the proclamation. The Make it OK celebration will be held Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:45 AM at the Principal Performing Arts Pavilion.
  • Bicycle Safety Month (May 2025): Mark Verba of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition and members of the Active Living and Transportation Commission accepted the proclamation. The proclamation honored Jenny Bowles Verba, killed by a distracted driver in 2024, and highlighted the upcoming Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 6:40 PM starting at Central Park. Mark Verba’s advocacy contributed to Iowa’s new hands-free cell phone law, effective July 1, 2025.

Consent Calendar

All items on the consent agenda were approved unanimously except Item 19, which was pulled for separate discussion:

  • Minutes of April 15 and worksession minutes of April 22, 2025.
  • Claims dated April 17, 24, and May 1, 2025.
  • Permits.
  • March Financial Report.
  • Promotion of Tim Cahalan to Fire Captain at $41.84/hour.
  • Appointment of Kristi Taylor as Data Processing Specialist at Pay Grade G, Step 5 ($24.62/hour).
  • Resolution authorizing temporary street closings for the 86th annual North Iowa Band Festival (May 24, 2025, parade and May 22–25 events).
  • Resolution setting a May 20, 2025, hearing on amending the FY2025 budget (Amendment #2).
  • Resolution accepting work and ordering payment for the Pierce Avenue NW over Willow Creek Bridge Railing Replacement.
  • Resolution approving contract and bond for the 2025 Street Panel and Curb Replacement Program.
  • Resolution approving a settlement agreement between the City and JoAnn M. and Russell J. Hardy for property south of the North Ohio Avenue cul-de-sac.
  • Resolution authorizing a real estate purchase agreement with Chad Joseph Jones for property at 929 N. Pierce Avenue (part of the city’s effort to eliminate a dilapidated property).
  • Resolution authorizing Amendment #1 to the Building Renovation & Life Safety Grant Program with 2 Artists, LLC for the YWCA renovation (extending the deadline to June 2026).
  • Resolution setting a June 3, 2025, public hearing on Urban Renewal Plan Amendment No. 8 (Downtown Reinvestment) and Amendment No. 5 (Forest Park Economic Development Area).

Discussion Items

Item 19 – Lease and Management Services Agreement with Mason City Youth Hockey (MCYH) for the Multipurpose Arena The council discussed a one-year agreement for MCYH to lease the Multipurpose Arena for ice sports. Key changes from the previous agreement:

  • Cleaning responsibility: Defined in the lease, assigned to MCYH (volunteers or paid staff). Councilman Latham and Adams noted past confusion and praised the clarity.
  • Ice-out months: Reduced from nine to eight months (dropping a warm month) to lower utility costs for both the city and MCYH.
  • Management fee: Covers city staff services (arena manager salary and benefits) provided year-round.
  • Naming rights: Retained by the city; the administrator reported ongoing conversations with potential sponsors. Councilman Adams questioned the one-year term; the administrator explained it allows continued adjustments based on operational data. The agreement was approved unanimously.

Public Hearings

Item 20 – Transit Funding Application Dylan Schulty, Transit Operations and Safety Manager, presented the annual application to the Iowa DOT. Funding requests:

  • Federal Section 5311 grant: $857,252 ($757,252 for operations, $100,000 for capital). Operations require a 50% local match; capital requires 20%. Both included in the FY26 transit budget.
  • State revenues (from motor vehicle taxes): estimated $343,621 (Mason City’s share: 1.76%). Total: $1,200,873. No public comment; the resolution was approved unanimously.

Item 21 – State Revolving Fund for 43rd Street SW Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Resolution authorizing submission and execution of an SRF Environmental Review application. No public comment; approved unanimously.

Item 22 – Urban Revitalization Plan Amendments (Resolution A and Ordinance B)

  • Resolution A adopting Amendment No. 4 to the Urban Revitalization Plan for the Mason City Combined, Amended & Restated Urban Revitalization Area. Approved unanimously.
  • Ordinance B (first reading) amending the ordinance designating the revitalization area. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Proclamations were issued for Historic Preservation Month, Make it OK (Mental Health Awareness Day), and Bicycle Safety Month.
  • Consent agenda (excluding Item 19) approved unanimously.
  • Item 19 – One-year lease with Mason City Youth Hockey for the Multipurpose Arena approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Resolutions 20, 21, and 22A approved unanimously (5-0).
  • Ordinance 22B approved on first reading unanimously (5-0).
  • The meeting adjourned with an invitation to the ribbon cutting of the renovated Mason City Police Department on May 7, 2025, at 10:00 AM ($1.8 million project funded largely by local option sales tax).

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. This is the meeting for May 6th of 2025. I'm Mayor Bill Schickle. We're delighted to have you with us this evening. Thank you for joining us. The first item of business is a roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? Lee. Present. Adams? Present. Simmons. Present. Here. Latham. Present. Councilmember Yashewski is absent. Let the record reflect that we do have a quorum present. Next item is adoption of the agenda with the exception of proclamation number three, a proxy awareness at the request of the organizer, that will be presented in my office. Motion by Councilman Mason. Second. Second by Councilman Latham. Further discussion. Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. One of the best parts of my job is the opportunity to recognize and honor people that do great things in our community, recognize people that are really an inspiration and providing a service in the community. And we have three such proclamations tonight. The first is historic preservation month, and I'd like to ask the members of the historic preservation commission to step forward at this time. Chair Chris Erdal, thank you for your service, along with Laura Little, Joyce Dyke, Terry Harrison, Daryl Arnold, Tom Krasinski, and Craig uh Benaboos. Thank you so much for your service. And you know, as you come forward, I just want to mention, you know, that we have so many shining examples of historic restoration uh in Mason City. Um thank you for your work on those. I just think of a few, the upper story housing that we're seeing downtown and restoration there, uh the historic YWCA restoration, the historic elks building. I don't know if you've been by there, it's just looking fabulous with the the new windows and plans for saving uh Susie Qs. Um all of those, not to mention the Riverwalk District and Waterfront Plaza, which by the way, mark your calendar, opens June 13th at tentatively June 13th at uh 10 o'clock in the morning. Um pays tribute to two of our most uh significant hor historic reserv restorations, the Meredith Wilson Boyhood home, of course, and uh the historic uh park in and so keeping all of that in mind it's an honor as mayor of Mason City to hereby proclaim May 2025 as historic preservation month in Mason City and call upon the people of Mason City to enjoy and experience and share our gratitude with the members of the historic preservation commission and all who value historic preservation in Mason City. Can we please show our appreciation? I'd like to call forward Dylan Schulty. Uh Dylan is our transit and operations safety manager, along with a member of our wellness committee, and he'll be uh accepting uh the proclamation this evening. And whereas outdoor recreation promotes good mental health, exemplified by offerings and opportunities throughout Mason City, including the river walk that we talked about a minute ago, all of our prairie rock trails, our bike park, and whereas strong mental health and uh and a it makes a framework for a flourishing community and societal indicators that uh cause a reduction in crime and and a safer community. Uh and whereas the things like the North Iowa Civics be uh chaired by Councilman John Lee, history teacher at Mason City at a John Adams School, fosters community health by building understanding and trust in our local institutions so important, uh, and trust among one another. And while as uh Mason City uh boasts exceptional mental health services, simple acts such as you know talking to each other and uh with a trusted friend and getting to know our neighbors can also serve as powerful medicine. Now, therefore, I bill Schickle, mayor of Mason City to hear proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Day in Mason City, and I extend an invitation to all to participate in the Make It Okay celebration. That'll be down in the plaza, the principal performing arts pavilion, 1145 a.m. Thursday, May 15th. Um Dylan, to you and the uh wellness committee. Uh thank you for your great work. Next uh up is uh bicycle safety month in conjunction with uh bicycling month uh in uh Mason City.

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