Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – April 21, 2026

The Mason City City Council met on April 21, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library. The meeting included proclamations, the administrator's report, a consent agenda with several items pulled for separate discussion, public hearings on transit funding, street projects, a utility easement vacation, the annual budget, and a zoning ordinance change, as well as action items. Key decisions included approval of the FY27 budget, first reading of a rezoning (with a supermajority requirement due to a petition), and second reading of a speed ordinance amendment.

Consent Calendar

• Approved unanimously: minutes of April 7, 2026; claims dated April 9 and 16, 2026; permits; appointment of Kyle Easley to the Cemetery Board; hiring of Matthew Schubert as Multipurpose Arena Supervisor; resolution adopting a Master Schedule of Fees (item 9 - pulled for separate vote); resolutions approving contract and bond for 2026 Pavement Marking Program; supplemental agreement with SEH for Pennsylvania Avenue Street & Utility Improvements; amendment with WHKS & Co. for N. Pierce Avenue and 12th Street NW Roundabout; publication of notice for 2026 Housing Fund application; setting hearing date for Urban Renewal Area expansion; and item 16 (BuRLS grant application) as part of the consent package. Items 9, 15, and 16 were pulled for separate discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dylan Schulte (Transit Operations and Safety Manager) presented a prepared statement on the transit assistance application (item 17), requesting approval of federal and state funding totaling $1,203,510 for the FY27 transit budget. No public opposition was received.
• Paulina Shumanova (resident) addressed the budget (item 21) with six questions regarding data center development, environmental studies, water impact, utility rates, land preservation, and the long-term community vision. She expressed concern about prioritizing industrial use over natural resources.
• Ellen Pritchard Sedlock (Director of Retail Operations, Pritchards) spoke on the rezoning request (item 22) for the Legacy and Black Dolphin property, explaining the change from Z2 Suburban to Z3 General Urban, with a conditional restriction excluding gas station and convenience store uses. She addressed traffic, drainage, and compatibility with the neighborhood.

Discussion Items

• Proclamations: The Mayor proclaimed April 24, 2026, as Arbor Day and recognized Mason City as an IMBA Trail Town, encouraging residents to plant trees and enjoy trails.
• City Administrator’s Monthly Report: Eric reported on Earth Day week cleanups, tree planting efforts, and expressed concern about proposed state property tax reform legislation that could remove about $500,000 from the city’s budget starting in FY28, urging public outreach to legislators.
• Master Schedule of Fees (Item 9): City staff explained that the fee schedule is reviewed annually; adjustments included a correction for an end loader rate (from $100 to $150) and updated water supply fees, some unchanged since 1991. The goal is to align fees with costs as an alternative revenue source.
• DORAL/CORAL Loans and BuRLS Grant (Items 15 & 16): Councilman Adams highlighted the investments at 12 and 14 South Federal Avenue – a breakfast/lunch spot (total project cost ~$465,000) and facade improvements. The forgivable loans total $60,000 (DORAL) and $14,057 (CORAL), with the BuRLS grant totaling $113,000. Staff clarified funding sources (hotel/motel tax, TIF, ARPA) and that these are not property tax dollars.
• 19th Street SW Resurfacing (Item 18): Staff described a $1.76 million milling and overlay project from west city limits to Taft intersection, including safety improvements such as a three-lane section with center turn lane, lane narrowing, raised median at Casey’s, and traffic signal replacement. The 55 mph speed zone will be pushed back west of Eisenhower. The project is expected to be completed before Newman school starts.
• Downtown Pedestrian Ramp Compliance (Item 19): Contract awarded to Larry Elwood Concrete, Inc. for ADA ramp upgrades.
• Fiscal Year 2027 Budget (Item 21): The annual budget for FY ending June 30, 2027, was adopted after public hearing. Councilman Latham noted that no data center proposal is currently pending, and that environmental studies have been conducted for the McNider zone.
• Rezoning – Z2 to Z3 (Item 22): The rezoning of 17.7 acres at 19th Street SW and South Harding Avenue to General Urban District, with a conditional restriction excluding gas/convenience uses. A petition with sufficient signatures required a supermajority vote (5-1 or 6-0). The applicant (Core Group) plans 53 multi-family units with amenities. Staff noted a major storm sewer restricts development on the northern portion. The house known as Black Dolphin’s future is to be addressed at a future meeting.
• Speed Ordinance Amendment (Item 23): Second reading of an ordinance amending Title 9, Chapter 4, Section 1 on speed restrictions, aligning with the 19th Street safety improvements.

Key Outcomes

• Item 9 (Master Schedule of Fees) – Approved 6-0.
• Item 15 (DORAL/CORAL forgivable loans for 12 and 14 South Federal) – Approved 6-0.
• Item 16 (BuRLS grant application for The Sound Bite) – Approved 6-0.
• Item 17 (Transit assistance application) – Resolution adopted 6-0.
• Item 18 (19th Street SW HMA Resurfacing – plans, bid, and contract award to Heartland Asphalt) – Approved 6-0.
• Item 19 (Downtown Pedestrian Ramp Compliance – plans, bid, and contract award to Larry Elwood Concrete, Inc.) – Approved 6-0.
• Item 20 (Utility easement vacation at 508 North Delaware Avenue) – Approved 6-0.
• Item 21 (Annual budget for FY ending June 30, 2027) – Resolution adopted 6-0.
• Item 22 (Rezoning from Z2 to Z3 with conditional restriction) – First reading approved 6-0 (supermajority met). Requires two more readings with same supermajority.
• Item 23 (Speed regulations amendment) – Second reading approved 6-0.
• Meeting adjourned.