Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Mason City Council held its regular meeting on October 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Mason City Room of the Public Library. The council addressed special presentations, approved the consent calendar with several pulled items, and unanimously supported resolutions discussed in detail.
Item 7 - Appointment of Police Officer: Councilman Adams pulled this item. Chief McKelvy reported that the Mason City Police Department is currently down six officers but has two additional candidates in the final background stage. Councilman Adams expressed gratitude for recruitment efforts and welcomed the new hire, Cade Schilling, at a rate of $34.35/hour. The council voted unanimously to approve.
Item 15 - Peninsula Urban Renewal Area: Councilman Adams also pulled this item. Councilman Stephen explained that the resolution sets a public hearing for November 3, 2026, to designate a new urban renewal area east of downtown, encompassing the peninsula formed by Willow Creek and the river. The initial plan focuses on infrastructure improvements, but may eventually include assistance for utility installation in areas where limestone is near the surface. He emphasized urgency due to a state legislative change effective January 1, 2027, that eliminates the use of school levy for Tax Increment Financing (TIF). By holding the hearing and advancing the TIF ordinance before the end of the year, the city can maximize the incentive benefits. The council approved the resolution unanimously.
Order clerk, please call the role. Adams. Present. Latham. President. Simmons. Present. Yeski. Hines. Here. All councilmen are present. Is there a motion assigned to adopt the agenda? So moved. Second. Jeski and Hines. Clerk, please call the roll. Yeski. Yes. Hines. Yes. Simmons. Yes. Adams. Yes. Latham. Yes. Massan. Yes. All right. Um yearly reading is over. Mark Walter is going to step up and tell us the people's choice for the sculptures on parade. All right. Thank you. Council. Thank you, Mayor Lee. Okay. So I'm Mary Mark Walter, Director of River City Sculptures on Parade. We have a really um deep and intelligent board. Jim Zach, Cheryl Schertz, Terry Tell, Brenda Willkey, Bruce McKee, Ron Muller, and Bill Shickle is on the board now. So it's big time. River City Sculptures on I'm here to prom to announce the People's Choice Award for this year, 26-27. And I want to thank the council, city administration, operations, parks and recording E. D. Blancher Blanchard, and the McNider Museum for supporting the sculpture program so much. It would not happen without all of their help. Um and from the many sponsors of the sculptures each year and the grants that we receive. This is a 14th year of sculpture walk. To date, the committee has sold 92 sculptures. There are 87 sculptures on the sculpture walk this year, and 72 of them are permanent sculptures.