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Record of Proceedings

Mason City Council Meeting June 2, 2026: Brownfields Presentation, Trash Cart Rollout, and Major Bond Approval

City Council — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyMason City, Iowa
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 58:32

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
1:35

I've called the meeting to order.

1:36

It is June 2nd, 2026, 7 p.m.

1:39

We are in the May City Room at the May City Public Library.

1:46

Heinz.

1:47

Here.

1:48

Yeshewski.

1:48

Here.

1:49

Adams.

1:49

Present.

1:50

Simmons.

1:51

Present.

1:51

Mayor Lee is absent.

1:53

Let the record reflect.

1:54

We have a quorum.

1:54

Mayor Pro Tim is in the chair.

1:56

Do we have a motion and the second to adopt the agenda with the addition of addendum 12A?

2:01

So moved.

2:02

Second.

2:03

Second by Heinz.

2:05

Discussion.

2:07

Clerk, please call the role.

2:10

Yes.

2:10

Heinz.

2:11

Yes.

2:11

Simmons.

2:12

Yes.

2:13

Latham.

2:13

Yes.

2:14

Adams.

2:14

Yes.

2:16

Yes.

2:17

Motion passes.

2:18

The agenda's been adopted.

2:20

First is a special item of business, and for that, we have a presentation by Ben Curtis from EOSIN on the Brownsfield project.

2:28

Welcome, Ben.

2:30

Thank you.

2:30

I'll try to keep my remarks brief here.

2:33

I know I've got fairly limited time, but um, for those of you that don't know me, my name is Ben Curtis.

2:38

I work for a company called the EOC Environmental Group.

2:40

When we started with Mason City, I was working for a company called Impact 7G.

2:44

Uh, we're now named EOC and it's just a whole corporate merger thing happening.

2:48

Um but we were brought on in 2023 to assist with uh Mason City's 500,000 EPA um Brownfield assessment grant to support environmental work and redevelop redevelopment planning um from 2023 to 2027.

3:01

And as I'll get into here in a second, we're well out of schedule.

3:04

Um this may end up actually being my last presentation as part of this grant um for the fact that we're uh three years in and almost fully expended on the grant, which is awesome news.

3:13

Um so the program's focus on downtown core areas, uh looking at environmental concerns that could potentially limit redevelopment um through town.

3:21

That was the the purpose of that $500,000 grant.

3:24

The majority of the funds were um spent doing environmental assessments, phase ones, phase two environmental side assessments.

3:30

Could you speak a little louder?

3:32

Yeah, I'll move a little closer.

3:34

Is that better?

3:35

Okay.

3:35

So uh majority of funds were spent on environmental side assessments, phase ones, phase twos, asbestos work, lead-based paint, um, soil testing, groundwater testing, all the good stuff that goes into the environmental world.

3:48

Um through the program, we've completed 16 of those phase ones, five phase twos across 39 different parcels over 44 acres, which is uh a pretty good success for uh for a $500,000 grant.

4:00

Um there's a lot that obviously goes into that, but um in the 2023 work plan with the EPA, the city agreed to um those metrics, and we actually exceeded them um due to keeping costs lower on certain items.

4:13

So uh good progress there.

4:15

Um real quick, most sites really actually showed fairly minimal contamination, which uh you know is is kind of brownfields one-one that there's the perception of risk, but until you do a study um in some way or another of phase one and phase two, you don't really know, right?

4:29

Um and through those phase one, phase two is asbestos work, lead-based paint work.

4:33

We are able to significantly help some properties through the redevelopment progress or process.

4:39

Um either city owned or privately owned as well.

4:43

Um we've done a lot of public engagement in the past three years uh regarding this.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Water And Wastewater Management██████████████████18%
Engineering And Infrastructure████████████████16%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Environmental Protection█████████████13%
Personnel Matters█████████9%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Economic Development██████6%
Parks and Recreation█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Mason City Council Meeting | June 2, 2026

The Mason City Council met on June 2, 2026 at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library. The meeting featured a presentation on the EPA Brownfields grant, the City Administrator's monthly report, approval of consent and action items including a $43 million sewer revenue bond, and several code amendments. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved minutes of May 19, 2026.
  • Approved claims dated May 21 and 28, 2026.
  • Approved permits.
  • Approved April financials.
  • Approved Resolution fixing 2.8% wage increase for non‑bargaining employees and compensation for appointed officials for FY 2026/2027, effective June 22, 2026.
  • Approved Resolution awarding contract to WHKS & Co. for FY 2026/2027 Sanitary Sewer Repairs.
  • Approved Resolutions setting dates for sale of bonds and authorizing preliminary official statements (items 10a and 10b).
  • Approved Resolution for uplift of Refuse Truck #93 with cart and dumpster tipper systems from Elliott Equipment Co.
  • Approved Resolution for a forgivable loan to Gregory Held for rehabilitation of 714 South Delaware Avenue (CoRL program).
  • Approved Resolution hiring Corey Backlin as Finance Director (Grade T, Step 5).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No public comments were made during the public forum or the public hearings for items 13 and 14.

Discussion Items

Brownfields Grant Presentation (Special Item)

  • Ben Curtis of EOC Environmental Group (formerly Impact 7G) presented on the $500,000 EPA Brownfield assessment grant awarded to Mason City in 2023. He reported that the grant is 95% expended, with 16 Phase I assessments and 5 Phase II assessments completed across 39 parcels covering 44 acres – exceeding original metrics. Most sites showed minimal contamination. Key redevelopments supported include Home2 Suites by Hilton, Encore Senior Living, Delaware, SouthBridge Mall, and Mohawk Square. A $1.5 million EPA cleanup application for Mohawk Square (asbestos abatement and demolition) is pending, with an announcement expected late June/early July. Curtis noted that the Brownfields program will face reduced federal allocation next year, making future grants more competitive. He praised city staff (Brent, Rachel, Aaron) for their coordination.
  • Councilmember Yahsheski asked about the scope: assessment only (not cleanup). Curtis clarified that assessment prepares sites for future cleanup grants and that the city has a pipeline of properties for future applications.

City Administrator’s Monthly Report (Item 2)

  • Aaron reported on the successful Bike Fest at Prairie Rock Trails over the weekend, headlined by Red Bull and Trek, drawing attendees from across the Midwest. He noted the event’s appeal to younger demographics.
  • Property tax legislation: The new law caps urban revitalization tax abatement at 2% roll‑on, effectively eliminating that tool. TIF (tax increment financing) and urban renewal remain viable, but the city is still analyzing the impact.
  • Highway 122 improvements moving forward with WHKS and DOT; timeline is tight due to utility and NEPA processes.
  • Trash cart rollout: Carts arrive at operations center June 18, distribution begins June 22, with completion expected in about 8 days. Old carts can be left with a note for pickup the week prior to switch. Councilmember Simmons raised recycling of old bins; Aaron suggested Iowa Waste Exchange. Councilmember Hines asked about truck clearance for tight spaces; staff noted the new trucks are nimble and a tipper will be retained for hard‑to‑reach areas.
  • City Engineer position still open; HR continues recruitment.
  • Theatre at the mall: Councilmember Mason reported positive feedback from performances of “Music Man” and “Footloose”; upcoming shows include Shrek and Princess Bride. A Facebook page is live, and sponsorship/rental pricing will be finalized soon. The space can also serve as a meeting venue.

Item 7 – Appointments to Boards

  • Councilmember Mason asked about the role of the Winnebago Watershed Board. Aaron explained it is a 28E joint collaboration among Clear Lake, Mason City, and counties to improve water quality and access to grants; it meets through a watershed coordinator. No authority to force action—focus is on education, advocacy, and facilitating best practices. Rachel VanHauen appointed as Grant Administrator to the board. Dan Kamm appointed to Landfill of North Iowa board.

Item 12A – Hire Finance Director

  • Aaron introduced Cole Backlin (currently City Administrator of Humboldt, Iowa) as the new Finance Director. Backlin stated his philosophy as “responsible action” – balancing fiscal responsibility with proactive investment. Start date July 6, 2026. Council unanimously approved.

Item 13 – 12th Street NW Turn Lane Improvements (Public Hearing)

  • Project was awarded to Bob McKiness Excavating despite coming in $45,000 over engineer’s estimate. Aaron explained the cost overrun is absorbed by the city, but the safety benefit and improvement for access to ASA Obloy justify the cost. Construction to start immediately with flagging but no road closures.

Item 14 – $43,000,000 Sewer Revenue Bonds Series 2026 (Public Hearing)

  • The bonds are for federally‑mandated wastewater treatment plant improvements. Aaron and Jim confirmed the debt can be serviced without exceeding the lowest third of rates in Iowa, based on conservative rate studies. The project is required and will ensure long‑term capacity and reduce I&I (inflow and infiltration).

Item 15A – Zoning Change (Final)

  • Rezoning 33.58 acres at Mercy Medical Center from Z7‑1 Specific Use District to Z3 General Urban District.

Item 15B – Workforce Housing Tax Credit Application

  • Resolution supporting Willow Pointe, LLC/Kading Properties’ application to the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Item 16 – Lead Service Line Replacement Code Amendment (Final)

  • Amends City Code to address lead service lines, including galvanized pipe downstream of lead. Jim explained that about 3,700 address units may require replacements; the city will replace both public and private sides where needed. Maps of lead service lines are available on the city website.

Item 17 – Nuisance Definitions Update (Final)

  • Repeals and replaces definitions in Title 4, Chapter 1 to accommodate automated cart collection – trash carts will not be considered nuisances. Councilmember Latham asked if this speeds up enforcement; Jim responded that the change primarily addresses cart status, not overall enforcement, which remains strong.

Key Outcomes

  • Approved all consent and action items unanimously by roll call votes.
  • Brownfields Program: Acknowledged completion of 95% of grant activities; City to await EPA decision on $1.5M cleanup grant for Mohawk Square (expected late June/early July 2026).
  • Trash Cart Rollout: Distribution begins June 22; old carts can be left for pickup with a note; Iowa Waste Exchange recommended for recycling bins.
  • Finance Director Hired: Cole Backlin approved; start date July 6, 2026.
  • 12th Street Turn Lane: Construction starting early June; cost overrun absorbed.
  • $43M Sewer Bond: Approved; rates to remain competitive.
  • Lead Service Line: Code amendment passed; replacement program will proceed with public outreach.
  • Upcoming Event: Art Fest on Saturday, June 13, 2026, with pancake breakfast served by City Council.

Meeting Transcript

I've called the meeting to order. It is June 2nd, 2026, 7 p.m. We are in the May City Room at the May City Public Library. Heinz. Here. Yeshewski. Here. Adams. Present. Simmons. Present. Mayor Lee is absent. Let the record reflect. We have a quorum. Mayor Pro Tim is in the chair. Do we have a motion and the second to adopt the agenda with the addition of addendum 12A? So moved. Second. Second by Heinz. Discussion. Clerk, please call the role. Yes. Heinz. Yes. Simmons. Yes. Latham. Yes. Adams. Yes. Yes. Motion passes. The agenda's been adopted. First is a special item of business, and for that, we have a presentation by Ben Curtis from EOSIN on the Brownsfield project. Welcome, Ben. Thank you. I'll try to keep my remarks brief here. I know I've got fairly limited time, but um, for those of you that don't know me, my name is Ben Curtis. I work for a company called the EOC Environmental Group. When we started with Mason City, I was working for a company called Impact 7G. Uh, we're now named EOC and it's just a whole corporate merger thing happening. Um but we were brought on in 2023 to assist with uh Mason City's 500,000 EPA um Brownfield assessment grant to support environmental work and redevelop redevelopment planning um from 2023 to 2027. And as I'll get into here in a second, we're well out of schedule. Um this may end up actually being my last presentation as part of this grant um for the fact that we're uh three years in and almost fully expended on the grant, which is awesome news. Um so the program's focus on downtown core areas, uh looking at environmental concerns that could potentially limit redevelopment um through town. That was the the purpose of that $500,000 grant. The majority of the funds were um spent doing environmental assessments, phase ones, phase two environmental side assessments. Could you speak a little louder? Yeah, I'll move a little closer. Is that better?

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