Mason City Council Worksession and Regular Meeting — November 3, 2026

On November 3, 2026, the Mason City Council met at the Mason City Public Library. A 6:00 p.m. worksession was on the agenda to discuss the previously tabled Ordinance Title 12, Chapter 4 text amendments and rezoning; the supplied transcript contains no discussion from that worksession and begins with the 7:00 p.m. regular meeting. The regular meeting included a Veterans Day proclamation, the City Administrator's monthly report, approval of the consent agenda with one pulled item, two public hearings, and first reading of a solid-waste administrative fee ordinance. No public comments were made during either public hearing.

Proclamation

• The Mayor proclaimed Wednesday, November 11, 2026, as Veterans Day in Mason City. Recognized attendees included Charlie West (U.S. Marines, 1984–1992), Norris Hughes (U.S. Army E7, 1974–1983), and Diane Casto (American Legion Auxiliary).
• The proclamation noted 12 granite stones/footstones in Central Park, more than 3,700 veterans honored from the community, and 11 names added to the monument in the past year. Residents were invited to a tribute at 10:30 a.m. on November 11 in Central Park.

City Administrator's Monthly Report

• The Administrator reported that the Southbridge Mall parking lot had been repaved and reopened, with new lighting and landscaping continuing. Henkel was credited for completing the parking lot work quickly.
• Housing projects are being advanced with SOS Engineering, and U.S. Highway 122 is continuing through design, with bid/construction anticipated in 2028.
• The Willow Creek Master Plan received national recognition.
• The finance department is completing the audit, annual financial report, debt obligation report, urban renewal report, and beginning budget season.

Consent Calendar

• A motion to approve the consent agenda passed unanimously, with item 12 pulled separately by Councilman Latham.
• Approved consent items included the October 20, 2026 minutes; claims dated October 22 and 29, 2026; permits; July financials; resolutions levying property and tree-removal assessments; CDBG policies, forms, and certifications; the federal grant code of conduct; two forgivable loans to Music Man LLC for 321 and 331 South Delaware Avenue under the Downtown Revitalization Loan Program; and two Building Renovation/Life Safety (BuRLS) grant applications for Music Man LLC.
• Item 12, a resolution awarding a contract to Accord Architecture Co. for Southbridge Mall improvements, was discussed and approved unanimously. The Administrator said the $850,000 not-to-exceed amount covers architectural services for the full, phased conference center project, not only the initial roof and demolition work.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke during the public hearings. Public hearings for items 13 and 14 were opened and closed without comment.

Public Hearings and Action Items

• 13A: Resolution declaring necessity and approving the urban renewal plan amendment for the November 2026 addition to the Mason City Unified Urban Renewal Area — approved unanimously.
• 13B: Ordinance providing for the division of taxes levied on taxable property in the November 2026 addition to the Mason City Unified Urban Renewal Area — approved unanimously.
• 14: Resolution authorizing the transfer and sale of the East-West Alley and un-vacated portion of the East-West Alley in Block 13 of H.E. Francisco's 2nd Addition — approved unanimously.
• 15: First reading of an ordinance amending Title 4 (Health and Sanitation), Chapter 2, Article C, Section 2 to add Paragraph E, Administrative Fees and Charges — approved unanimously. City staff clarified that the ordinance itself does not set fees; separate fee-setting action would be required. Staff noted approximately 25,000 carts are in service and only one incident, fireworks-related, would have triggered the damage fee. Education remains the primary response to recycling contamination. A $100 contamination/recovery fee was discussed as a proposed cost-recovery measure, with the city currently losing money on contaminated recycling loads.

Key Outcomes

• All agenda votes were unanimous.
• Veterans Day in Mason City was proclaimed for November 11, 2026.
• The consent agenda was approved, and pulled item 12 was separately approved.
• Urban renewal resolutions 13A and 13B were approved.
• The alley transfer and sale was approved.
• The ordinance amendment passed first reading and will require additional readings.
• Before adjournment, the Mayor encouraged residents to vote, noting about 32 minutes remained before polls closed.