Mason City Council Regular Meeting - March 3, 2026

The Mason City Council met on March 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM to consider a consent agenda, public hearings, and action items. Key topics included adoption of the 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, tabling bids for the Water Reclamation Facility, and first readings of two controversial rezoning ordinances for the River City Industrial Park. The public provided extensive testimony on the rezoning, which drew concerns about potential data center development, water usage, noise, property values, and lack of transparency. After deliberation, the Council approved the CIP, tabled the water facility bids, and passed both rezoning first readings by votes of 4-2.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of February 17, 2026 (regular) and February 5, 2026 (worksession).
• Approved claims dated February 19 and 26, 2026.
• Approved permits.
• Approved the hire of Brad Meyer as Rental Housing/Code Enforcement Officer (Grade I, Step 3, $29.65/hr).
• Approved resolutions levying assessments for charges on properties and tree removal, authorizing bid notices for the 2026 Pavement Marking and 19th Street SW HMA Resurfacing projects, setting a public hearing date for a General Obligation Loan, accepting the 2025 Iowa Certified Local Government Annual Report, and approving the collective bargaining agreement with the Mason City Fire Fighters Association Local Union No. 41.
• Approved two items pulled from consent: #8 (19th Street SW HMA Resurfacing with Milling) and #11B (Architect contract for East Park Shelter project).

Public Comments & Testimony

Item 12 (2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan):

• Max Weaver (1428 27th St SW) criticized the allocation of $2 million for a conference center in the old Yonkers space and $2.75 million for mall building upgrades, arguing that the city should not own a mall or arena and that a public meeting on the mall's future was scheduled for later that week. He urged pulling the mall-related items from the CIP.

Items 14 & 15 (Rezoning for River City Industrial Park):

• Over 20 residents spoke in opposition to the rezoning of agricultural and residential land to Z6-O Open Industrial District. Key concerns included:
  • Potential for a hyperscale data center, with references to a map showing a seven-building layout from QTS.
  • Water consumption (up to 5 million gallons/day) and strain on the electrical grid.
  • Noise from 24/7 cooling systems (low-frequency hum, decibel levels up to 100 at source).
  • Reduced property values (10-20% drop cited).
  • Insufficient buffer distances (initially 500 ft, later increased to 1,000 ft, but many requested 1,500 ft).
  • Traffic, stormwater drainage, and light pollution.
  • Lack of public notification and transparency; many learned of the rezoning through word-of-mouth or Facebook.
  • A petition with 448 signatures opposing the rezoning was submitted.
• Several speakers demanded independent studies on water, environmental, and economic impacts before proceeding.
• A few speakers (e.g., Dan Raymaker) urged calm and fact-gathering, not dismissing the rezoning outright.
• Chad Schreck (EDC) presented details: the rezoning would allow large self-contained industries; a 1,000-foot buffer with a 25-foot vegetative strip; a 60 dB noise limit (7am-7pm) and 50 dB (7pm-7am); restrictions on livestock, waste, fuel, asphalt, scrap yards, and utility-scale solar/wind; traffic restricted to arterial roads; and a requirement that development reduce pre-existing drainage by 10%.
• Council members answered questions: no specific proposal or negotiations exist; a data center is one potential prospect but not a done deal; development agreements would impose further conditions.

Discussion Items

• Item 8 (19th Street SW Resurfacing): City Engineer Brent presented the project – overlay from west city limits to Taft intersection, replacing traffic lights, converting from undivided four-lane to three-lane with center turn lane, and adding a raised median. The project aims for safety improvements and will have a pilot car for a couple of weeks during construction.
• Item 11B (East Park Shelter): The shelter, damaged by fire, will be rebuilt to current floodplain and ADA standards. Cost est. $325,000–$400,000 with 9% design fee. Insurance proceeds include depreciated value (under $300,000) plus a code compliance section up to $500,000.
• Item 12 (CIP): Councilman Latham moved approval, emphasizing that the CIP can be adjusted later. Councilman Simmons noted that budgeting does not guarantee spending and that budget season is upcoming. Staff explained the $2 million for conference center “white boxing” (interior demolition and prep), $2.75 million for mall building/site improvements (parking lot, roofing, lighting), and $1.5 million for Mohawk Square redevelopment. Councilman Yeshewski noted that city ownership of the mall was necessary to prevent further deterioration and can become a profit center.
• Item 13 (Water Reclamation Facility): Bids came in 35% above estimate ($33.8M est., low bid $45.6M). Staff recommended tabling to March 17 to identify elements that can be deferred 3-5 years to soften rate impacts. Compliance deadline is June 2029; construction timeline ~18 months.
• Items 14 & 15 (Rezoning): Extensive council debate. Councilman Latham voted no on item 14 but said he would consider a future development agreement; Councilman Yeshewski also voted no, citing the need for more public information and a site visit to a community with a data center. Councilman Simmons expressed support for the rezoning but noted the poor timing of a leaked map. Councilman Adams asked for details on water and power concerns; staff reported that modern data centers use closed-loop cooling, minimal water consumption, and that Alliant Energy would cover grid upgrade costs. City Planner Steven clarified that spot zoning arguments are unlikely to succeed because the rezoning extends existing Z6-O areas. Council members emphasized that this is only a first reading and that no specific project is pending. Councilman Simmons suggested the landowner might withdraw after three readings.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda: Approved as amended (items #8 and #11B pulled and passed separately).
• Item 8 (19th Street SW Resurfacing): Approved unanimously (motion by Latham, second by Adams).
• Item 11B (East Park Shelter): Approved unanimously.
• Item 12 (2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan): Approved by roll call (all yes).
• Item 13 (Water Reclamation Facility): Public hearing held; motion to table to March 17, 2026 approved unanimously.
• Item 14 (Rezoning ≈19.22 acres Z3→Z6-O and 204.22 acres Z1→Z6-O, first reading): Approved by a 4-2 vote (Latham and Yeshewski dissenting).
• Item 15 (Rezoning ≈79 acres Z4→Z6-O and 80 acres Z1→Z6-O, first reading): Approved by a 4-2 vote (Latham and Yeshewski dissenting).
• Item 16 (Zoning code amendments – final): Approved unanimously.
• Item 17 (Repeal taxi/limousine regulations – final): Approved unanimously.

The meeting adjourned after 9:00 PM. Council members remained available for informal discussion with citizens.