Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – May 19, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – May 19, 2026
The Mason City City Council held a regular meeting on May 19, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the Mason City Public Library. The council adopted the consent agenda, conducted public hearings, and took action on multiple items including rezoning of a 17.7-acre property for multifamily housing, approval of a $43 million sewer revenue loan, a major Highway 122 West corridor improvement project, and a lead service line replacement ordinance.
Consent Calendar
- Minutes of May 5, 2026, claims, permits, and multiple resolutions were approved en bloc. Items pulled for discussion: Resolution 11 (sewer revenue loan and disbursement agreement up to $43,000,000) and Resolution 13 (predesign agreement with IDOT for Highway 122 West Project). The consent agenda as amended passed unanimously after discussion.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Elizabeth Boyer (2209 Augusta Drive) opposed the rezoning of the Legacy Golf Course property (Item 22). She requested additional contingencies to limit uses beyond apartments (e.g., inns, clinics, trade schools, drive-throughs), stating the blanket Z3 rezoning allows too many uses.
- Mitchell Jergna (2350 Country Club Drive) opposed the rezoning, citing unresolved drainage issues, building height concerns (30-35 feet vs. typical two-story homes), and questioned the need for more apartments given current occupancy.
- Rugby Sliger (Briarstone Court) spoke on Item 18 (General Obligation Urban Renewal Loan Agreement), questioning the timing of the $4.5 million loan for mall improvements (conference center white-boxing, parking lot, and Mohawk Square demolition) given state budget cuts.
Special Item – Visit Mason City Yearly Update
Lindsay James (Visit Mason City and Main Street Mason City) reported on 2025-2026 accomplishments:
- Tourism: Prairie Rock Trails Bike Fest (May 29-31), new IMBA Trail Town designation, 2026 Travel Iowa advertising campaign, River City Steak Challenge (July 3-4) moving downtown for its 10th anniversary.
- Main Street: Over 265,000 visitors to downtown in 2025; 1,820 volunteer hours valued at $54,700; six signature events; new Welcome Center; 2026 Friday Night Live Summer Series (starts June 5); received the 2026 Main Street Iowa Placemaking Project Award for the Willow Creek Riverwalk.
Discussion Items
- Highway 122 West Project (Item 13): The project is in the IDOT five-year plan with a target construction start in 2028. It is a phased, total rebuild from Winnebago Way west to the city limits (approximately 5-year construction). Funding primarily via TIF revenues; city staff continue pursuing federal BUILD grants and other state funds. The city will hold a public workshop on traffic staging in summer 2026.
- Sewer Revenue Loan (Item 11): $43 million at 3.25% interest over 20 years for Water Reclamation Facility improvements. The loan will be repaid through sewer rates; a 5-year rate plan (3.5% base + 12% usage) will start in FY28. The project is mandated by EPA nutrient reduction compliance by 2027.
- Urban Renewal Loan Agreement (Item 18): $4.5 million issuance for: $2.9 million white-boxing the Younkers space for a future conference center; $600,000 for parking lot repairs; $1 million for Mohawk Square demolition. Staff noted the building envelope condition and need to act to prevent further deterioration.
- Urban Renewal Area Amendment (Item 19): Expanded the Mason City Unified Urban Renewal Area to include the Tahoe property (southeast corner of South Kentucky and 19th Street SE) and the Mercy Medical Center area (north of MercyOne West Campus). This enables use of TIF for infrastructure and urban revitalization tax abatement (10-year, 100% city tax abatement for multifamily, excluding school levy).
- Rezoning – Legacy Golf Course (Item 22): Final reading of ordinance rezoning 17.7 acres from Z2 (Sub-Urban) to Z3 (General Urban) for a proposed three-story apartment complex. Council discussed drainage concerns (developer found and will connect to main storm tile), building height (peak ~32-35 ft, comparable to two-story homes), and apartment occupancy demand (all recent complexes near full occupancy). A conditional zoning agreement prohibits gas stations and convenience stores. The ordinance passed 6-0.
- Mercy Medical Center Rezoning (Item 23): Second reading of rezoning 33.58 acres from Z7-1 (Specific Use) to Z3 (General Urban) to allow future development. Passed unanimously.
- Lead Service Line Replacement Ordinance (Item 24): First reading of code amendments requiring replacement of lead service lines upon repair (rather than repair alone). Part of a three-pronged policy including special assessment financing and city match. The city has a GIS map for property owners to check service line material. Passed unanimously.
- Nuisance Definitions (Item 25): First reading of ordinance repealing and replacing Section 1 of Chapter 1 (Nuisances) in Title 4. Passed unanimously without discussion.
- Willow Creek Riverwalk Project (Item 26): Resolution accepting work and authorizing payment. The project won a state placemaking award; former Mayor is giving monthly tours. Passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda (Items 3-17 as amended) approved unanimously.
- Resolution 18 (Urban Renewal Loan Agreement) approved unanimously after public hearing.
- Resolution 19 (Urban Renewal Area Amendment) approved unanimously.
- Resolution 20 (Budget Amendment #2) approved unanimously.
- Resolution 21 (Quit Claim Deed to Sandra K. Whitt Trust) approved 5-0-1 (Councilman Latham abstained).
- Ordinance 22 (Legacy Golf Course rezoning) passed 6-0 on final reading; associated zoning agreement and workforce housing tax credit support resolutions also passed unanimously.
- Ordinance 23 (Mercy Medical Center rezoning) passed 6-0 on second reading.
- Ordinance 24 (Lead service line replacement) passed 6-0 on first reading (second reading set for June 2, third for June 16).
- Ordinance 25 (Nuisance definitions) passed 6-0 on first reading.
- Resolution 26 (Willow Creek Riverwalk acceptance) approved unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
Let's bring the May 19th, 2026 Councilman to order. Um we please call the role. Adams present. Simmons, Hines here, Platham President. Yeski here. All right. Is there a motion and second to adopt the agenda? So those in all those in favor say aye. Aye. Motion carried. Tonight we got a special item, get an update here from Lindsay James, uh representing Visit Mason City and also Main Street Mason City, obviously very busy this time of year. Welcome, Lindsay. Thank you. Good evening, Mayor, Council members, and city staff. Thank you for the opportunity to provide an update tonight from Visit Mason City and Main Street Mason City. I'll begin with visit. Visit Mason City's mission is to enhance the economy of Mason City and North Iowa through the promotion of the area as a destination for overnight visitors. As we move into the summer travel season, we're entering one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year for tourism in our community. May traditionally marks the beginning of a new tourism season. Attractions return to regular operating hours, travel activity increases, and we begin welcoming visitors attending major events such as horse shows, the North Iowa Band Festival, and much more. That content is now being utilized in digital marketing campaigns promoting Prairie Rock Trails, Mason City's new IMBA trailtown designation, and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the area. We also recently launched our 2026 Travel Iowa Spring Advertising Campaign, promoting outdoor recreation in Mason City and Clear Lake. Our screens down fun up campaign includes display ads, streaming audio, streaming video, connected TV, and digital billboards. Additional highlights from the past several months include hosting travel writers and content creators, coordinating our annual spring break family day, launching monthly guided riverwalk tours, assisting with promotions surrounding the recent reopening of the Southbridge Movie Theater and Special Showings of Footloose and the Music Band, and hosting the Main Street Iowa Spring Workshop, which brought approximately 80 attendees to Mason City for two and a half days and generated an estimated 150 room nights. We also recently hosted representatives from Travel Iowa for an architectural tourism familiarization tour that included the Historic Park Inn, Stockman House, and Rock Crest Rock Glen Historic District, as well as several downtown businesses. Travel Iowa is currently featuring Mason City's architectural experiences in their international marketing efforts targeting travelers from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Looking ahead, excitement continues to build around the inaugural Prairie Rock Trails Bike Fest scheduled for next weekend, May 29th through the 31st. We are incredibly grateful for the support of sponsors including Trek and Red Bull, along with Wayne's Ski and Cycle, Ziggler, CL Tel, Clair Lake Bank and Trust, Henkel Construction, ISG, Bank Iowa, Cargill, Curry's Edward Brandt and Associates, Heartland Asphalt, the Blue Heron Bar and Grill, and Wealth Progression Group. Planning is also underway for the annual River City Stake Challenge on July 3rd and 4th. In celebration of the event's 10th anniversary, this SCA-sanctioned state cook-off will be moving downtown, bringing a boost to local businesses during a traditionally slower holiday weekend. Additional projects currently underway include development of the Love Where You Live Hospitality Training Curriculum in partnership with NIAC Workforce Solutions, and production of a new promotional video highlighting the Lime Creek Nature Center and outdoor recreation opportunities in the area. While Visit Mason City continues promoting the community externally, our team also remains deeply involved in strengthening the heart of our community through the Main Street Mason City program. Main Street Mason City's mission is to foster vibrant local businesses, enrich cultural experiences, and create a welcoming atmosphere while revitalizing our historic downtown district and celebrate Mason City's unique cultural heritage. 2025 was a year of tremendous momentum, growth, and impact for Main Street Mason City. We welcome several new businesses to the district, including Alma Mercantile, Rue 421, the Sugar Stash, Snap Cash, Michael's Finds, The Glow Studio, and Moonshot, each bringing new energy, creativity, and investment into downtown. Our volunteers continue to be the driving force behind so much of this work. In 2025 alone, volunteers contributed more than 1,820 hours supporting beautification efforts, committee work, special events, and community projects, representing a value of more than $54,700. Main Street Mason City hosted six signature events throughout the year, including the Spring Hop Brunch Crawl, Bruder Brew Bike Ride, Haunted Historic Building Tour, Jingle Mingle Pub Crawl, Skate with Santa, and the Friday Night Live Summer Series. Friday Night Live once again activated downtown week after week with 10 weeks of free live music on the Federal Avenue Pedestrian Plaza. According to Main Street America data, more than 265,000 visitors spent time in downtown Mason City this past year, reinforcing the importance of downtown as both a community gathering space and a visitor destination. One of the most visible accomplishments of the year was the relocation of our office and the opening of the new downtown welcome center in partnership with Visit Mason City. This project helped fill a key vacancy downtown while increasing visibility visibility, accessibility, and collaboration between our organizations. We also strengthened community storytelling through our partnership with KCMR Radio and the launch of the Main Street Minute, a bi-weekly radio segment highlighting the people, projects, and progress shaping downtown Mason City. Additional accomplishments included installation of new streetscape banners, promoting outdoor recreation and the new community branding, growth in social media reach and engagement, updated building inventory and participation in the Main Street America Booms Data Tracking Program, participation in the Main Street Iowa Impact Study, and the launch of a community holiday gift guide encouraging residents and visitors to shop local. This work would not be possible without the support of our volunteers, investors, sponsors, and community partners. We were especially encouraged to see growth in our Friends of Main Street program and new and increased investment from community partners who had not previously contributed financially to the organization. These partnerships continue fueling programming, special events, and transformational projects throughout downtown Mason City. As we look ahead, Main Street Mason City remains focused on three key priorities strengthening our organizational capacity and partnerships, better connecting downtown to outdoor recreation assets like the Prairie Rock Trails, Highline Trail, and Riverwalk, and reinforcing Mason City's identity as a cultural and entertainment destination. We were recently honored to receive the 2026 Main Street Iowa Placemaking Project Award for comprehensive placemaking effort in recognition of the Willow Creek River Walk Project and awards celebrating projects that strengthen community identity and create meaningful impact within Main Street districts. We've also announced the 2026 Friday Night Live Summer Series lineup, which kicks off June 5th with free live music every Friday evening on the Federal Avenue Pedestrian Plaza.
openpublica.com