Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026
Mason City City Council Regular Meeting – August 18, 2026
The Mason City City Council met on August 18, 2026, at the Mason City Public Library. The meeting included proclamations, recognitions, a consent agenda, a public hearing, and action items. All votes were unanimous. Key topics included an overdose awareness proclamation, wellness month, recognition of the Newman Catholic baseball team and Mandi Pralle, denial of a liquor license, grant applications for St. John Baptist Church, and approval of the Highland Park Golf Course irrigation project.
Special Items
- Proclamation – International Overdose Awareness Day: Mayor John P. Lee proclaimed August 31, 2026, as International Overdose Awareness Day in Mason City, honoring lives lost and supporting recovery efforts. The proclamation acknowledged health care professionals, first responders, Cerro Gordo Public Health, North Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition, and Crisis Intervention.
- Proclamation – Wellness Month: Mayor Lee proclaimed August 2026 as Wellness Month. Tammy Herzl, representing the Mason City Family YMCA, accepted and announced a “Splash into Membership” drive with a goal of 500 new YMCA memberships. She noted a delay in pool reopening due to an air return system issue but emphasized the drive covers all YMCA offerings.
- Certificate of Recognition – Newman Catholic Baseball Team: The council recognized the Newman Catholic Knights for winning the 2026 Iowa Class 1A State Baseball Championship, defeating Moravia 11–1. This marks the team’s ninth state title (tying for second most in Iowa history) and their 27th state tournament appearance (an Iowa record). Head coach Alex Bowl and the team were congratulated.
- Certificate of Recognition – Mandi Pralle: Mandi Pralle was recognized for running approximately 280 miles across Iowa from Council Bluffs to Muscatine in 4 days and 17 hours. This was her second cross-state run; she previously ran ~300 miles in 10 days in 2014. In 2023, she completed a 24-hour run of over 11 miles to raise funds for the YMCA. She was praised as an example of wellness and community spirit.
Public Comments & Testimony
No members of the public spoke during the public forum.
Consent Calendar
The consent agenda (items 5–7, 9–13, 15–17) was adopted unanimously after pulling items 8 and 14 for separate discussion. Approved items included:
- Approval of minutes from the August 4, 2026 council worksession and regular meeting.
- Claims dated August 6 and 13, 2026.
- Permits.
- Appointment of Brandon Broers as Street Swing Worker at $31.25/hour.
- Resolution levying assessments for charges on certain properties (tax collection).
- Resolution levying special assessment for tree removal charges.
- Resolution adopting final assessment schedule for the 12th Street Turn Lane Improvements Project.
- Resolution authorizing DOJ FY2026 Community Policing Development Microgrants application for Mason City Police Department.
- Resolution authorizing application to the State Historic Preservation Office of Iowa for a FY27 Emergency Historic Resource Development Program (HRDP) Grant for St. John Baptist Church (item 15).
- Resolution approving conditional encroachment easement with Charles C. and Kathy K. Schroeder for a garden shed.
- Resolution ordering a public hearing on proposed vacation and conveyance of public property to NIACC and subsequent acquisition of land.
Discussion Items
- Item 8 – Liquor License Denial for Prime Wine & Spirits: Council approved denial of the liquor license for Prime Wine & Spirits at 1104 N Federal Ave, effective September 1, 2026. Police Chief explained the business had four or more subsequent alcohol violations (including supplying to minors). The state Department of Revenue gave 30 days to appeal, which expired the day before the meeting. The license revocation is a hard null for the location for at least one year; alcohol sales are prohibited, but hemp or tobacco may still be sold. Council asked about compliance checks and future reapplication. Vote: unanimous.
- Item 14 – Grant Application for St. John Baptist Church Preservation: Council authorized submission of an application to the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preserving Black Churches Grant Program. Discussion revealed the city owns the church (715 6th St SW), built with salvaged materials. Immediate needs include preservation of original wood-framed windows (deteriorated, glass releasing), sewer damage, and a wood-framed bell tower. No match is required. The goal is repurposing the building for public use (minimum 16 hours/week), with a future community needs study planned. The Historic Preservation Commission president noted a roof was donated by Young Construction a few years ago. Vote: unanimous.
- Public Hearing Item 18 – Highland Park Golf Course Irrigation System: Council adopted plans, specifications, and contract, and awarded the contract to Uleman Enterprises, Inc. of Elkhorn, NE. Director Pauly answered that the project is small enough to potentially be completed this fall, possibly closing one hole at a time with minimal disruption due to low season. Material cost increases affected budget. Contract allows work through end of 2026. Vote: unanimous.
Action Items
- Item 19 – Speed Limit Ordinance Amendment (First Reading): Council approved amending City Code Title 9, Chapter 4 (Speed Regulations) to repeal and replace sections on speed restrictions and speed limits on Iowa Highway 122 and U.S. Highway 65. City staff explained the change aligns with the state’s July 1, 2026 increase of the general speed limit from 55 to 60 mph on those highways within city limits. Vote: unanimous.
Key Outcomes
- All items passed unanimously on roll call votes.
- Liquor license for Prime Wine & Spirits denied, effective September 1, 2026; location ineligible for alcohol license for one year.
- Grant applications authorized for St. John Baptist Church preservation (both National Trust and State Historic Preservation Office).
- Highland Park Golf Course irrigation project awarded to Uleman Enterprises.
- Speed limit ordinance amended on first reading to match state 60 mph on Highways 122 and 65.
Meeting Transcript
I will now call the meeting of the Mason City City Council to order. Clerk, call the role. Adams. Present. Here. Yeski. Here. Heinz. President. Latham. President Simmons. Present. Thank you very much. Is there a motion a second to adopt the agenda tonight? No move. Second. Musheski Masan. Clerk, please call the roll. Yeski? Yes. Masan. Yes. Simmons. Yes. Adams. Yes. Latham. Yes. Hines. Yes. All right. Thank you very much. We'll move on to special items. Tonight we got uh a couple of proclamations and couple recognitions here. Um first one. Um, if you can come up with um anyone else who would like to be part of this recognition and the work you guys do. Come on up, thank you very much. Whereas Mason City recognizes the harm caused by drug overdose and remembers the lives lost in families and communities forever affected. And whereas International Overdose Awareness Day, observed, August 31st, calls us to remember those we have lost, reduce the stigma surrounding substance use and recovery, and strengthen efforts to prevent future deaths. And whereas overdose affects families and communities throughout North Iowa, we recognize the health care professionals, first responders, recovery advocates, Cerro Gordo Public Health, and North Iowa Harm Reduction Coalition and Crisis Intervention and others working to save lives and support recovery. And whereas recovery is made possible through treatment, resources, encouragement, and the support of families, professionals, and community, but lasting change also requires personal courage, responsibility, and the decision to take that first step toward a different future. And whereas those affected by substance use are our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, co-workers, neighbors and friends, deserving of compassion, support, and the opportunity for recovery. Now, therefore, I, John P. Lee, Mayor of Mason City, do by do hereby proclaim Monday, August 31st, 2026 as International Overdose Awareness Day. In Mason City, Iowa, encourage our community to remember those we have lost, support those who are struggling recovering, and work together to prevent overdose and save lives in the future. Thank you for the work you do. If I can have Tammy Herzl and anybody else with the why. And whereas some of the most powerful steps toward better better health are also among the simplest: walking, biking, playing, spending time outdoors, stepping away from our screens, connecting face to face with family, friends, and neighbors, and making movement and human connection a natural part of our everyday lives. Also, whereas Mason City is committed to becoming a community where healthy choices are easier by investing in our parks, our trails, recreational opportunities, walkable neighborhoods, pedestrian connections, and public spaces that invite people to get outside, move, gather, and connect. Whereas organizations such as Mason City, Family YMCA, along with health care providers, schools, businesses, community organizations, families, and individuals throughout all of North Iowa, help create opportunities for people of every age and ability to pursue healthier and more active lives.
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