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Record of Proceedings

Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – July 1, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, July 1, 2025
BodyMason City, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, July 1, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:10:54

Original source
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1:45

Good evening, everyone.

1:46

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

1:50

This is our meeting for July first of twenty twenty five.

1:53

I'm Mayor Bill Schickle.

1:55

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

1:57

The first order of business is the roll call.

1:59

Diana, would you call the roll?

2:02

President Adams?

2:04

Present.

2:06

Simmons.

2:06

Present Yushevsky.

2:08

Here.

2:08

Latham.

2:09

Present.

2:09

Let the record reflect that all members are present.

2:12

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

2:16

Is there a motion to adopt the agenda?

2:18

So moved.

2:19

We have a motion by Councilman Yasheski.

2:22

Second, second by Councilman Simmons.

2:25

Further discussion.

2:27

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

2:29

Aye.

2:30

All those opposed the same sign.

2:32

Next we'll have the public forum.

2:34

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

2:38

If there is an agenda item that you would like to comment on, you may step forward, use the podium.

2:43

You have five minutes, please state your name, address, and the number of the agenda item that you would like to comment on.

3:08

Hi, my name is Ann Scarcello.

3:10

I live at two oh seven sixth street, Northeast here in Mason City.

3:24

That would be item three A.

3:25

Three A, okay.

4:09

And also a lot of people say yes, we provide assistance for drug users or anything like that to we make it easier for them to use because we provide those devices.

4:38

And there needs to be more in this town that does that and does not discriminate against anyone.

5:02

We accept everyone.

5:04

We provide a safe place.

5:06

And maybe it's not a permanent fix to our problem.

5:12

But they come into our store and for that five minutes.

5:28

If you take away something, it will be found somewhere else.

5:33

So that's all I have to say.

5:36

Thank you very much for your comments this evening.

5:39

Further comments this evening on agenda items.

5:44

Any further comments tonight on agenda items.

5:52

Yes, sir.

5:53

Go ahead.

5:54

Hello.

5:54

This is uh my name is Assam Said.

5:56

I live 1267 Moonstone Core M C D.

6:01

So I'm the owner of North Side Liquor and Lika Tobacco and Grocery.

6:05

I am not prepared, so I don't know the agenda item number, just like one of the things that we're going to do.

6:09

Yeah, number uh three A, yeah.

6:10

Yeah, 3A.

6:12

So just want to say it, uh we have like our sign outside of Northside.

6:17

Nobody uh laws uh under 21, so we have no intention to sell under aids and on the other stores.

6:24

Uh everything is covered and uh invisible in the store, the Aldeglass products, but uh still like if CG requires, we can we are ready to build a separate room and um like we can work on that like everything we can do, like uh whatever city wants, we will we're ready to do that.

6:46

Thank you.

6:47

Yeah, thank you very much, sir.

6:48

Further comments tonight on agenda items.

6:53

Any further comments tonight on any item on the agenda.

6:58

Thank you for your comments tonight.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation██████████████████████22%
Fiscal Sustainability██████████████████18%
Budget Equity Analysis███████████████15%
Procedural██████████████14%
Animal Welfare██████████████14%
Cannabis Regulation██████6%
Zoning Regulations█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Water And Wastewater Management██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – July 1, 2025

The Mason City City Council held its regular meeting on July 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Public Library. The meeting included a public forum, adoption of a consent agenda with several items pulled for separate discussion, and action on a water tower rehabilitation contract, a downtown hotel development agreement, and an ordinance updating animal control regulations regarding chickens.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Ann Scarcello (207 Sixth Street NE) commented on agenda item 3A (denial of permits for sale of glass and metal devices). She stated that her store provides a safe place and assistance for drug users, and argued that removing the devices would only shift usage elsewhere. She implicitly opposed the denial.
  • Assam Said (1267 Moonstone Core, owner of North Side Liquor and Tobacco) also commented on item 3A. He stated that his store complies with age restrictions, conceals products, and is willing to build a separate room if required by the city. He expressed a desire to obtain the permit.

Consent Calendar

The consent agenda was approved with the exception of items 3A, 4, and 5, which were pulled for separate discussion. The approved consent items included:

  • Minutes of June 17, 2025
  • Claims dated June 19 and 26, 2025
  • Permits (excluding 3A)
  • May Financials (pulled for discussion)
  • Resolution adopting the Private Dead and Diseased Tree Program (pulled)
  • Resolution setting bond sale date for General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds
  • Resolution approving wastewater plant separation distance waiver
  • Resolution approving purchase of 2026 Ford F-250 truck for Animal Control
  • Resolution approving permanent placement of three public art sculptures at Georgia Hanford Park, Highline Trail, and Mason City Public Library
  • Resolution approving Amendment No. 1 to Economic Development Grant Agreement with Habitat for Humanity for renovation of three rental houses

Discussion Items

  • Item 3A – Denial of Permits for Sale of Glass and Metal Devices: The council considered a recommendation to deny requests from three businesses (at 1303 4th Street SW, 418 South Federal Avenue, and 18 North Monroe Avenue) to sell glass and metal devices. Chief of Police stated that in 30 years he had never seen these devices used for tobacco, and there is no legal use for them. Councilman Latham noted that the items can be purchased online, denying the city a 40% up-front tax and sales tax. The motion to approve the denial passed 6-1, with Councilman Lee voting no. There is no appeal right for this permit decision.
  • Item 4 – May Financial Report: Finance Director Brent reported that the city ended the fiscal year slightly behind budget on local option sales tax ($41,000 short) and hotel-motel tax ($17,000 short). The June local option sales tax payment was the lowest of the year, reflecting April economic activity. The city is also awaiting significant state reimbursements: the Destination Iowa grant ($4.5 million total) has only received about $800,000 to date, and the Downtown West Home Grant ($1 million) has received nothing. Staff noted that the negative fund balances in the local option sales tax projects fund and ARPA projects fund are due to unreimbursed state grants and are expected to be resolved as reimbursements come in. If trends continue, future service cuts may be necessary. The report was approved unanimously.
  • Item 5 – Private Dead and Diseased Tree Program (Emerald Ash Borer): The council adopted a resolution creating a voluntary special assessment program for owner-occupied properties. Key features: the city will issue bonds to front removal costs, assess property owners over 10 years at 7% interest, with a maximum assessment cap of 10% of the property’s assessed value. Any cost above that cap will be covered by the city as a grant. The program is not income-tested; the 7% interest is intended to discourage use by those who can afford other financing. Staff emphasized this is a lender-of-last-resort program. Councilman Lee expressed concern that the program could still burden low-income homeowners, but the motion passed unanimously.
  • Item 11 – Water Tower Rehabilitation Project (Public Hearing): The council held a public hearing and approved three resolutions (adopting plans, bid tabulation, and awarding contract) for the “Water Tower Rehabilitation Project 25-1005.” The low bid from Seven Brothers of Shelby Twp., MI came in at $193,000, well below the engineer’s estimate. Councilman Yeshewski asked about the wide range of bids; staff assured that low bids have previously resulted in quality work. Motion passed unanimously.
  • Item 12 – Downtown Hotel Development Agreement: The council approved two resolutions: (A) a Development Agreement with ES 2024 Mason City Hotel Associates authorizing annual appropriations of tax increment payments, and (B) a $2,000,000 Urban Renewal Tax Increment Credit Support Agreement. City Administrator Aaron Burnett stated that all procedural steps are complete and the city is ready to close. The developer intends to close within weeks and begin construction in August, with a groundbreaking to be scheduled. Both resolutions passed unanimously.
  • Item 13 – Animal Control Ordinance Update (Chickens): The council approved the first reading of an ordinance repealing and replacing Title 8, Chapter 4 (Animal Control) to address inadequate regulations, particularly regarding urban chickens. The new ordinance limits the number of chickens to six per property (down from 25) in Z2 and Z3 districts, with setback requirements for coops. A permit process is introduced; existing owners with more than six chickens will have one year to come into compliance. The ordinance also updates beekeeping regulations. Motion passed unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Item 3A: Denial of permits for glass and metal devices approved 6-1 (Lee dissenting). No appeal right.
  • Item 4: May Financial Report approved unanimously. Staff to monitor revenue trends and consider budget adjustments for FY27.
  • Item 5: Private Dead and Diseased Tree Program adopted unanimously. Staff will implement immediately; contact Development Services for participation.
  • Item 11: Water Tower Rehabilitation contract awarded to Seven Brothers, $193,000. Approved unanimously.
  • Item 12: Downtown hotel development agreement and tax increment credit approved unanimously. Closing expected in weeks, construction in August.
  • Item 13: First reading of animal control ordinance passed unanimously. Two more readings required; permit fee to be set later.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the regular meeting of the Mason City City Council. This is our meeting for July first of twenty twenty five. I'm Mayor Bill Schickle. We're delighted to have you with us this evening. The first order of business is the roll call. Diana, would you call the roll? President Adams? Present. Simmons. Present Yushevsky. Here. Latham. Present. 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? So moved. We have a motion by Councilman Yasheski. Second, second by Councilman Simmons. Further discussion. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed the same sign. Next we'll have the public forum. This is your chance to comment on any item on the agenda. If there is an agenda item that you would like to comment on, you may step forward, use the podium. You have five minutes, please state your name, address, and the number of the agenda item that you would like to comment on. Hi, my name is Ann Scarcello. I live at two oh seven sixth street, Northeast here in Mason City. That would be item three A. Three A, okay. And also a lot of people say yes, we provide assistance for drug users or anything like that to we make it easier for them to use because we provide those devices. And there needs to be more in this town that does that and does not discriminate against anyone. We accept everyone. We provide a safe place. And maybe it's not a permanent fix to our problem. But they come into our store and for that five minutes. If you take away something, it will be found somewhere else. So that's all I have to say. Thank you very much for your comments this evening. Further comments this evening on agenda items. Any further comments tonight on agenda items. Yes, sir. Go ahead. Hello. This is uh my name is Assam Said. I live 1267 Moonstone Core M C D. So I'm the owner of North Side Liquor and Lika Tobacco and Grocery. I am not prepared, so I don't know the agenda item number, just like one of the things that we're going to do.

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