Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – July 15, 2025

The Mason City City Council held a regular meeting on July 15, 2025, at the Mason City Public Library, starting at 7:00 p.m. (following a closed session at 6:00 p.m. for the City Administrator's annual review). The meeting included proclamations, a city administrator's report, a consent agenda, discussion on two pulled items, and a public hearing on a bond issuance. Councilmember Lee was absent; all other members were present.

Proclamations

• Parks and Recreation Month: The mayor proclaimed July 2025 as Parks and Recreation Month, recognizing the city's 20+ miles of trails, 600 acres of parkland, and the newly opened River City Riverwalk. Annie Hanson, chair of the Parks and Recreation Board, accepted.
• 100th Anniversary of Highland Park Golf Course: The mayor proclaimed 2025 as the centennial anniversary year, noting the course hosts over 16,000 rounds of golf annually. Nick Largen, golf course leadership, accepted.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were offered on agenda items. The mayor noted that a citizen (about chickens) stayed after the meeting to speak with council and staff.

City Administrator's Report

• Aaron Burnett reported on:
  • Prairie Land Connector trail project – delayed due to EPA grant issues, but progress expected soon.
  • A video produced by Nelson Media telling the story of the Riverwalk and public art.
  • Completion of the bike park on the north side; two upcoming ribbon cuttings.
  • Fireworks enforcement – citations issued for violations; communication efforts were successful.
  • East Park project – paused due to grading analysis, house relocation expected within a month, then two homes will be sold via housing development corporation.
• Public Works Director Jim Collins presented on automated sanitation collection:
  • Three container sizes shown: 32, 64, and 96 gallons. The 64 and 96 would be weekly for trash; the 96 would be for recycling every other week (bi-weekly).
  • Recycling will be single-stream but separate from garbage. Different colored tops may distinguish containers.
  • The city aims to implement within a year, pending council decisions at a future work session.
  • Councilmember Yashinski asked about single-stream; confirmed recycling is single-stream but garbage must stay separate.

Consent Agenda

• Items 1-7 and 10-12 were approved en masse by a roll-call vote: all present voted aye.
• Items 8 and 9 were pulled for separate discussion.
• Consent items included: approval of minutes (July 1, 2025), claims (July 3 & 10), permits, hiring of two police officers (Hayden Hoffmeyer and Logan Campbell), amendment to Building Renovation & Life Safety Grant Agreement (Brick and Tile Building), change orders for Fire Department dormitory, purchase of a fire aerial truck, public art easement and placement, quit claim deed and right-of-way dedication, and change order for Willow Creek Riverwalk project.

Discussion Items

• Item 8 – Change Orders for Fire Department Dormitory Addition: Councilman Latham expressed frustration that engineering oversights led to change orders (items 38-41), costing the city. Fire Chief explained that some items were missed by the engineering team but that pricing was fair and no hidden surprises remain. City Administrator noted that Berglund & Cram (architect) had been a good partner but acknowledged the high number of change orders was undesirable. Motion to approve carried unanimously (5-0).
• Item 9 – Purchase of 100-foot Heavy Duty Aerial Tower Truck: Councilman Yashinski questioned the $2.1 million cost, noting the last engine cost ~$750,000. Chief explained that aerials are far more expensive, and fire apparatus prices jumped significantly around 2018. The 2025 purchase price includes a $500,000 prepayment (discount of $86,000) with the remainder financed via bonds in fiscal 2029. Motion carried unanimously (5-0).
• Item 13 – Public Hearing and Approval of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2025: No public comment. Deputy City Administrator Brent Henson and financial advisor Maggie Berger (Spear Financial) presented. The bonds fund capital projects: $500,000 for the aerial truck, street improvements (Pearson/12th intersection, street rehab, US 65 contribution), a high ranger for tree removal, airport projects, and automated sanitation collection vehicles and containers. The bond sale received nine bids; award recommended to Piper Sandler & Co. (Minneapolis) at a true interest rate of 3.3820%. The city's Moody's rating was reaffirmed at AA3. A revision moved $95,000 of principal from the last maturity to year one to match the budgeted debt levy. Council approved the issuance unanimously (4-0, Councilmember Adams absent but noted as 'Absent' on roll call).

Key Outcomes

• Proclamations adopted – Parks and Recreation Month and Highland Park's centennial.
• Consent agenda approved (all but Items 8 & 9) by unanimous vote.
• Item 8 approved – Change orders #38-41 with Henkel Construction for the Fire Department dormitory, with noted concerns about engineering errors (vote: 5-0).
• Item 9 approved – Resolution to purchase a 100-foot heavy duty aerial tower truck from Reliant Fire Apparatus for $2.1 million, with $500,000 down and remainder in FY2029 budget (vote: 5-0).
• Item 13 approved – Award of General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds, Series 2025, to Piper Sandler & Co. at 3.3820% true interest rate (vote: 4-0 with one absent).
• Retirement recognition – Trisha Sandal, Planning and Zoning Manager, was recognized for 23.5 years of service; her last day is July 30, 2025.

No further business; meeting adjourned.