[2:44] It's bringing the September 1st, the city council meeting in order. Clerk, call the roll, addams, present.

[2:50] Massion, late, them, present, Simmons, Heinz, you, Sheski, here.

[2:56] The record show, all council members present, is there a motion, a second to adopt the agenda?

[3:00] So, a moment, a second, you, Sashki, Massion, clerk, and call the roll.

[3:07] You, Sheski? Yes, Massion, Simmons, Adams, Heinz, Latham. Yes.

[3:13] All right, we'll move on to special items tonight.

[3:15] We've got a lot of things sold right around here.

[3:17] We're going to start with Prairie playground update.

[3:21] I believe it's Dennis Wilson, Brian Paul.

[3:22] You're going to come up and give us an update.

[3:27] Hello, everyone.

[3:29] My name is Dennis Wilson.

[3:30] I'm Chairman of the Friends of the Prairie playground.

[3:33] About seven months ago, we put a committee together to look

[3:38] in the feasibility of replacing the Prairie playground.

[3:42] And there's four reasons for that.

[3:45] The parent playground was built 38 years ago.

[3:49] Out of wood, it's deteriorated over those years.

[3:54] And there's four really good reasons

[3:56] that should be replaced.

[3:58] Number one is, including every day,

[4:00] I think the day is 38 years ago,

[4:03] they didn't think about this.

[4:05] Disabled kids.

[4:07] Kids with disabilities.

[4:08] Kids who can't play on ordinary playground.

[4:11] This one does not work.

[4:13] We would chips are not conducive to wheelchairs and that's what the base is basically made up of

[4:21] in the playground there so it is not adaptable to people with disability, especially children.

[4:29] The other thing is age and inclusive.

[4:32] There is no playground in Mason City that has a playground area for toddlers, two to three years old.

[4:38] I don't want my wife and I. We had two little kids between those ages. She was scared to

[4:43] death. Take up the playground because of the kids playing around there. All the new playgrounds

[4:50] have toddler, school, sheep, area of four kids, and especially places for parents to watch.

[4:57] Now the other two, safety.

[5:05] Thank you, Dennis. I'm going to actually go back real fast. This wasn't working when he was there. I want to recognize the committee that has been put together. We have Dennis Wilson, who's chairing it up. We have park board members, Dr. Lala, and Ann Hansen. We have Carol Deppmer. And in the audience, we have Tammy Hurtzel, Gary Watnam, myself, and then Matt Svarel.

[5:29] just wanted to thank them for their commitment to this.

[5:32] So we do have a pretty good task for slash committee

[5:38] sparing this up that was appointed by the park board.

[5:41] So just wanted to give you that.

[5:44] All right, safety.

[5:46] I wanted to thank a 1998 when this was installed.

[5:49] I looked back.

[5:50] I was driving a Nissan dot maximum.

[5:52] I thought that was probably a state-age car at the time.

[5:55] A lot has changed in that time.

[5:57] So just like in playground equipment,

[5:59] it just like safety standards.

[6:02] This is one thing where you have three different elements

[6:04] coming to the same platform.

[6:06] When you have kids running around, having fun,

[6:10] kind of in that plays zone, you get a lot of collisions

[6:13] like this.

[6:14] So again, it's not nothing like that

[6:17] where it is on purpose, but just over time,

[6:22] designs have gotten better.

[6:24] Visibility lines for safety has improved.

[6:27] And all this has gone quite a bit since 1998.

[6:31] Also, you can see some of the deteriorating posts on this picture.

[6:34] I just want to point that out like on top of those posts.

[6:37] Those are, it's just, what's rotten away.

[6:41] The other thing is maintenance.

[6:43] And again, it's like those posts, the car there showing its sign.

[6:49] You know, a number of years back, yield program for their Mason City Chamber,

[6:54] didn't massive improvements.

[6:56] They raised the 80s in amount of money to do that, too.

[6:58] Work to that stage where someone's going to have to do that again.

[7:03] So, looking at this is becoming ongoing and ongoing.

[7:05] It's going to be less years and less years.

[7:08] We said we needed to do something like this.

[7:11] Another key factors we talk accessibility

[7:14] is maintenance.

[7:15] See this shows how much wood chips we do.

[7:16] We do a ton of wood chips every single year.

[7:20] This new playground would have poor employees.

[7:22] It makes it very accessible for all ages to walk across and enjoy that area.

[7:29] Just so you know, kind of what the timeline of this, we did an internal fizzle that

[7:32] will study kind of with the people saying, is this necessary?

[7:37] We did some research.

[7:38] We went to Pella, Ames, Acety, to look at their playgrounds, and then next council meeting,

[7:45] we are going to do the proposal.

[7:48] We're doing our question proposal for like all major and minor playground

[7:52] companies to come up with the design.

[7:55] When I've been talking to these people beforehand, I said if you're not going to

[7:57] allow us, we don't want you to come to Mason City because that's the type of

[8:00] projects we want.

[8:02] That's the type of projects.

[8:03] If we're going to replace an iconic playground, we can't just do it with anything.

[8:07] We need to replace it with something that pays homage to Mason City.

[8:12] And that's what I've told these people as I'm having stuff,

[8:16] as I'm having the communications.

[8:19] After that, we're going to get into design after we accept it.

[8:24] There are requests for proposal.

[8:25] We're going to have to work on the final design

[8:27] and pricing.

[8:28] Then we're going to be fundraising for this,

[8:30] and then we're going to be install.

[8:33] So it all depends on how aggressive we are,

[8:36] and how many grants are out there,

[8:38] and what not, this could take anywhere from 18 months,

[8:40] could take up to four years. But just want to make sure Council is aware of everything.

[8:46] A very good thing. And if you have any questions.

[8:50] Council, any questions? Thank you very much for the presentation. Councilman,

[8:54] the sound. Yes, so it sounds like a lot of work into it, but have we actually got any

[8:59] TD input into this? Because I mean we don't want adults making stuff for kids and they don't like it.

[9:04] Roger that. There will be the playground companies

[9:10] have a ton of kid input in there during the design process and whatnot. We do have

[9:16] we have board members that have kids. We have staff that have kids. We will be getting

[9:22] some we will be getting input from the kids for that but again like I said the top playground

[9:28] companies if they don't have kids in mind they wouldn't be the top playground companies in the world.

[9:33] So they're in it to make money, but yeah, yeah, they're in it to make money, you know,

[9:38] show I get it, but yeah, I mean, it is parents, but at some point, you know,

[9:42] kids actually want to use it, you know what I mean?

[9:44] Yeah, no, Rod, yeah.

[9:48] Councilman Adams, thanks Mayor.

[9:51] Tell me a little bit more about the fundraising.

[9:53] Are you looking to fundraise the toll cost, the project,

[9:56] or will they be asking city?

[10:00] City funds towards it, or what's that look like?

[10:01] I think it's going to be a little bit of both. The park board is actually did put some base money in this current

[10:06] CIP project or CIP year to start going after matching grants and other things. I mean, we are talking

[10:14] potential $3 million for playground, fall surface, and install is probably about the price tag it is. But again, don't

[10:24] want to jinx us. If we start fundraising, sometimes the state comes to us and say, may

[10:28] to city, you can produce fairly fast.

[10:32] So if we have our ducks in the line,

[10:33] hopefully we can get some decent grant funds

[10:36] to be matching a lot of the stuff we'll be raising.

[10:39] Obviously, we're going to be going after corporations,

[10:42] like Ancony, Ames, and Pella have one after corporation,

[10:48] foundations, and Dennis can talk the legacy donations.

[10:54] Well, there's legacy's out there.

[10:56] We know that.

[10:57] Well, look at the record here at the base city of grants that have helped support projects.

[11:03] What do we put for me to like, like, back up to the edge of the river?

[11:06] Can you step up to the microphone people at home need to hear you?

[11:10] We put that in as far as grants for me and into the bike banks to me and in the riverfront.

[11:17] How many of me and into the hotel, the Franklin Lake right of hotel?

[11:22] If you go back to the records and look at the grants that have been granted granted, it may

[11:27] city.

[11:28] They run into the millions.

[11:30] So the money is out there.

[11:31] Legacy.

[11:33] Got a farmer or a chair.

[11:35] Green Highway.

[11:36] Give 25 million.

[11:36] This is a hospital.

[11:41] So, you know, the money is out there.

[11:43] I think if you have a project, it has integrity.

[11:46] Look at the bike paths.

[11:48] People, that was given not by people, but by whoever you show the grant, because there was integrity there, they was needed, and it served me some city.

[11:57] This is going to serve me some city.

[12:00] This is not a neighborhood playground.

[12:02] It's a regional playground.

[12:04] You go down there any time.

[12:06] Through the week, and you're going to, sometimes, find a school bus in four city,

[12:10] Elgona, and not even see them from overlead.

[12:13] Come down there, and they let the kids out.

[12:15] They've played it there and they have lunch there and they have wonderful time.

[12:19] So it's an opportunity for Mason City to have something real special, not just an ordinary

[12:24] playground, but something that applies to all kids, it gives all kids a chance to play.

[12:29] And it shows something for Mason City, I think Mason City can do it, it like Brian says,

[12:33] it may take a year, it may take four years.

[12:37] But it's opportunity is there.

[12:40] And if we grabbed that opportunity, I think now it's time to start doing it.

[12:43] We don't know who is out there and they'll be willing to give it this.

[12:47] Well I think something so overlooked a lot of times there is legacy money out there.

[12:52] What would you give to have one of these especially of course in this playground is going

[12:57] to be a big engine and of course they're going to name it the 4507.

[13:02] And that engine probably is the $80,000 piece of equipment.

[13:07] What would you be willing to give $80,000 so your name could be on the family, or business

[13:12] could be on that plaque on that engine, but that's some of the things that we have.

[13:17] But I think this is a very important project for basic city and I think the more people

[13:21] look at it, they're on a sand net.

[13:24] You know, I expected a lot of pushback on this because this was a very, in the 98 when they

[13:32] built it, there were 400 volunteers down there.

[13:36] They built it in six days and you know, it's something that if you took part on that project

[13:43] You can be very proud of what you did, but, you know, over the years, it's time for change.

[13:50] It's a feature of itself.

[13:53] Other questions?

[13:57] All right.

[13:57] Thank you very much, gentlemen.

[13:58] Appreciate it.

[13:59] Thanks for the update.

[14:01] We'll move on to number two.

[14:02] Scholars on for a best and show announcements.

[14:06] Can't believe it's already been a year.

[14:10] Mark Walter and thank you very much.

[14:12] Drumroll, here we go.

[14:13] Thanks for having us.

[14:15] I'm Mary Mark Walter, I'm here on behalf of Reversity Scholars on Parade, and it is time to announce the best and show award.

[14:22] We do have another award that we will give out in probably six weeks, maybe.

[14:29] And that is the People's Choice. So please vote. Please vote a lot.

[14:33] Like in Chicago, like early and often.

[14:38] So yeah.

[14:40] And change your handwriting.

[14:41] Okay. So if you do that.

[14:42] Anyway, so it's been a very successful program.

[14:47] We really appreciate everybody's support.

[14:49] The city's support of it.

[14:51] Apparations does literally major heavy lifting.

[14:55] All the departments help us and have helped us

[14:57] over the years in some way.

[14:59] .

[15:00] Or grateful for that and we're really grateful to the museum and Edie Blanchard. She heads the jury for this and takes care of the voting and gives up some time.

[15:10] And it's really a lovely thing to do for us, because there's a lot of moving pieces in parts and they do a superb job. So, Edie, you can take a break.

[15:21] Edie Blanchard, everyone, thank you, Edie.

[15:24] Well, she talked a little bit about the museum handling the jarring and what we have is

[15:30] we have myself, Marlinsky Digan, who is the curator, Congo, who is the Professor of

[15:37] Art and Iac and Marjorie Geigerho, who is the NIAC, our professor specializing in architecture

[15:43] and sculpture.

[15:45] And so we have a rubric that we use that's used commonly in museums that judge on their skill

[15:52] level and the impact and and all of the sim we fill it out for all of the sculptures.

[15:58] We go around and do that one day and so we unanimously did pick the sculpture entitled

[16:07] Round and Round by Martin Lee and Houts.

[16:11] I think that's how you spell it or say it and the sculpture is located on the north side of

[16:17] state street, near the intersection of Penn Avenue, it's a little in chaos right now because

[16:24] it's by the construction there. But I do encourage everybody to go see it. It has acrylic

[16:30] form plates, it actually moves. It's there about this big and very unique and unusual. We see

[16:38] a lot of brown sculptures, a lot of metal welding sculptures, things of that nature. But I don't

[16:44] we've ever had like ceramic acrylic once that I know of. So we're very pleased that the

[16:50] committee could do this for the sculptures on print. Thank you very much. Appreciate it and

[16:58] congratulations to Martin, Lena. Lean out, say thank you. Thank you very much.

[17:11] You're going to stay

[17:18] So we have the American Alliance of Museums, the Accreditation Commission Awards Accreditation,

[17:23] to Charles H. McNider Art Museum, first demonstration of a highest professional standards

[17:28] for education, public service, and collections stewardship.

[17:32] And it's commitment to continued institutional improvements.

[17:35] What a outstanding asset for this down.

[17:37] You want to take us through it?

[17:39] Yes, so the museum was first accredited in 1978, obviously standards have changed a lot since then.

[17:47] It's an extremely complicated process that actually takes us about 18 months to go through.

[17:53] And the accreditation, we do it every 10 years.

[17:57] It's very extensive and it really is a badge of honor to have it.

[18:02] Less than 3.3% of museum's nationwide have been accredited.

[18:08] and only 33 museums in Iowa have been accredited,

[18:11] which is a little bit more than average

[18:12] because we're overachievers here in Iowa.

[18:16] And this means that we're later

[18:17] on the areas of educational programming,

[18:19] museum exhibitions, collection, care,

[18:21] community outreach, and all those things that give back

[18:24] to the community.

[18:26] The committee was most impressed by the museum's

[18:29] educational programming, including outreach

[18:31] to nursing homes, partnership with NIAC,

[18:33] as well as programming held within the building.

[18:35] The museum each year, tracks over 18,000 visitors, and it also holds two large community events every year.

[18:42] The McNatter Arts Festival and Holiday Open House.

[18:45] We also host two puppet shows each year for free, and dozens of our classes each month for students ages two to seniors.

[18:53] It has an amazing art collection and several traveling exhibitions each year.

[18:59] The committee was amazed at the depth and breadth of the museum's educational programming

[19:06] and the community involvement with the museum.

[19:10] The committee, like they always do, did know there's two areas of improvement being in the next few years to maintain its accreditation.

[19:16] And the first was to minimize that from our ceramic studio, coming upstairs and impacting the collection.

[19:22] And the second is to complete the offsite collection storage, which is a CIP item that you guys know about,

[19:27] which has been something for end of the progress and we need to turn a progress report in by

[19:32] 2028. So we should be able to do that. I don't have any worries about that.

[19:37] This is in the museum. As I mentioned, upcoming CIP plan and the board has voted to do an RFP

[19:43] to begin finding a fundraiser to assist with that. The museum is extremely pleased. It was

[19:50] once again able to pass the very high standards required to be accredited. This is not

[19:54] something that every museum is able to attain,

[19:56] and it speaks volumes to the dedication of the staff

[19:59] board city company.

[20:00] Council, community, and users of the facility. On behalf of the McNatter Museum, I appreciate your continued support that allowed the accreditation to be possible.

[20:10] Well, if you get a credit to everybody else, let's make sure we get credit to you. Congratulations.

[20:19] Thank you.

[20:20] I don't think people realize how great it is, and I don't.

[20:23] It's, you know, I'm not, I mean, you would not look at me and I, well, he's screens artist, but I love your museum and I think people don't realize how often you turn things over in there.

[20:33] And there's a reason to go back every couple months I believe so yeah, congratulations. Thank you very much. Thank you

[20:39] Any questions from the council.

[20:43] Thank you.

[20:44] Thank you

[20:46] Now we have the Bally annual update for National Champion. I know that's my term, but

[20:54] Chamber of Commerce Colleen, Brian

[20:56] Where's I feel like I need to walk up music with that title, right?

[21:06] All right, well, good evening Mayor and council. I appreciate the opportunity to share with you some updates and I'd

[21:14] first like to introduce our team who is here with me this evening. Nate Rougi, our membership director,

[21:19] Alison Crowell, our vice president and Kelby Schultz, our program and marketing director,

[21:25] Keegan Sifert, formerly Barcoma, is not able to be here because she is on her honeymoon this week,

[21:30] and then Kathy Lloyd representing child care resource and referral is here on behalf of our Board of Directors.

[21:36] I want to use our time to give you a brief update on the chamber, what we focused on over the past year, and where we're headed next.

[21:43] It really has been an important year for our organization.

[21:46] We adopted a new strategic plan, rebranded as the Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce,

[21:51] and introduce branding that is closely aligned

[21:54] with the city of Mason City and Main Street Mason City.

[21:59] That alignment was intentional.

[22:01] We're all telling different parts of the same Mason City story.

[22:04] And we believe there's value in presenting a unified front

[22:07] to our residents, our businesses, visitors,

[22:10] and perspective residents.

[22:12] At the same time, one of our most important organizational goals

[22:15] is to become a chamber that is truly member driven.

[22:18] We want to listen first,

[22:20] understand what our members need and make sure our priorities and resources reflect those needs.

[22:26] So that philosophy is reflected in the four strategic priorities that our boards set this past September,

[22:32] we're coming up on one year and those are small business growth, civic engagement, membership value,

[22:38] and inspiring a shared vision for our community. On small business growth, we focus more intentionally

[22:43] on the businesses that make up the majority of our membership. Many of you may or may not know,

[22:48] But 70% of our members have 10 or fewer employees.

[22:52] So when we talk about supporting business and business

[22:54] and business, we're really often talking about supporting

[22:57] those small businesses.

[22:59] So we've created more opportunities for those businesses

[23:01] to connect to share challenges and access

[23:04] practical resources.

[23:06] A great example of that is this week, actually, on Thursday

[23:09] and there are a few spots still available.

[23:11] We're hosting a free national AI training

[23:14] from Google and the US Chamber of Commerce

[23:16] to help businesses explore

[23:18] how they can use new technology in areas like marketing, hiring, customer service, finance,

[23:23] and operations. Our second priority has been civic engagement. We believe a strong business

[23:28] community should also be an engaged business community and engaged with all of you.

[23:32] Our roles to help members better understand what's happening at this level, at the state

[23:36] level, and at federal levels, and give them meaningful ways to participate in conversations

[23:40] that affect business and community. So locally that means helping to strengthen communications

[23:45] between our businesses and our government, giving members a clearer way to bring forward issues and concerns.

[23:52] And most importantly, I think, is serving as a convener when we see an opportunity to bring people together around a shared challenge.

[23:58] Example of that is the work that we've done over the past three years for child care works in supporting that industry in our area.

[24:06] Our third priority is membership value, we're nothing without our members, so that is closely tied to being a membership driven organization.

[24:14] And over the past year, we've been looking closely at how businesses engage with our chamber

[24:18] and how we can better demonstrate the value of that investment.

[24:21] We've changed our membership structure, continue to strengthen our program and events, and

[24:26] spends a lot of time listening directly to our members.

[24:29] Our fourth strategic priority is inspiring a shared vision for Mason City and building pride

[24:35] in place.

[24:35] I think it's also my favorite one.

[24:38] We know that Mason City has a great deal to be proud of.

[24:40] We've invested in our downtown.

[24:42] We'll you've invested in our downtown, our riverfront, our schools, our neighborhoods, art and culture as ED mentioned.

[24:48] Recreation and amenities that many community are sized just simply do not have.

[24:54] Not every park director or recreation director is going to the playground folks and say,

[25:00] We want the best of the best. You need to wow us in Mason City. The private place is about more than just those physical improvements. It's also really about how people feel about their community, how they talk about it, whether that's in person or on the Facebook chat pages, and whether they believe they have a role in shaping the future. I think that's a really important part is making sure that people feel that they have a voice in that they're listening to.

[25:25] So earlier this summer, we conducted a community survey asking two important questions.

[25:30] What are you proud of in Mason City and where do we still have room for improvement?

[25:34] And next week, our community conversation will build directly from those responses,

[25:39] taking that discussion one step further by asking what does it mean to be a Mason City in?

[25:44] During our community conversation session, happening at the McNight or Art Museum,

[25:48] we will be developing a community culture statement, much like what many of you have in your businesses,

[25:53] that captures the values and characteristics we want

[25:56] mayors city to be known for.

[25:58] We do not want it to be a slogan that's sitting in a conference

[26:01] room or gets put on our shelf.

[26:02] We wanted to be grounded in what we've heard from residents over

[26:05] the past few months, and shaped by the people who live, work,

[26:08] race families, build businesses, and invest here.

[26:12] Then we are going to roll out a broader, pride and place

[26:15] marketing effort that will come out this fall.

[26:17] So over the past several months and most importantly,

[26:20] it's past few weeks we've been developing a new campaign

[26:22] and video that tells the Mason City story through the people and places that make this community special.

[26:28] This is about opportunity, creativity, connection, progress, and the people who are building

[26:33] what comes next.

[26:34] And you'll see a couple of familiar faces in this video.

[26:39] And then finally in October, we're going to bring all of this together at our annual meeting.

[26:44] We do have something special to celebrate.

[26:46] Our national conference in New Orleans just last month or actually not two months ago.

[26:50] We renamed that Chamber of the Year.

[26:53] So we are letting the good times roll for our annual meeting this year.

[26:57] It will be a chance to celebrate that recognition and the many achievements happening throughout Mason City.

[27:03] The Chamber of the Year award may have our name on it, but it reflects much more than the work of our staff.

[27:08] It reflects our strong members, strong partnerships, and a community willing to collaborate and tackle these challenges together.

[27:16] Community development and economic development are increasingly the same conversation.

[27:20] Businesses need employees, customers, future leaders, and a community where players people want to live.

[27:26] Our job is to help make the case that Mason City is a place worth choosing.

[27:31] Well, also helping to do the work necessary to make sure that that is true.

[27:35] So we're proud of the progress we've made over the past year and excited about what's ahead.

[27:39] We appreciate the partnership with our city and many of the city staff that make our dreams come true.

[27:45] And sometimes we get to hand over that work to our city staff who keeps things going like the fabulous sculptures on parade that is now being overseen by many of the folks who are up here.

[27:57] We're also so thankful for our businesses and organizations and individuals who are also progressive in moving Mason City forward.

[28:03] So thank you for the opportunity to share what's been happening with us and I'd be open to any questions that you might have.

[28:10] Thank you for coming and going very much.

[28:12] Councilman, is any comments or questions?

[28:18] All right.

[28:18] Well, then you stay right there or come on up here.

[28:20] We'll move on to issue number five of the

[28:22] Proclamation speaking of your week and October.

[28:25] We have a couple of proclamations tonight.

[28:28] You'd chamber and supporters come on up with

[28:31] Colleen, don't leave her hanging here.

[28:32] All you kind of come up here.

[28:36] As you come up here, we'll get started.

[28:41] Proclamation.

[28:42] We're asked for 110 years.

[28:44] As a greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce has served as a leading voice for local business,

[28:48] economic development, community improvement, and silver partnership in Mason City, and

[28:52] whereas the Chamber represents more than 650 members and over 16,000 regional jobs with

[28:57] approximately 2-thirds of its membership made up of small businesses employing fewer than

[29:02] 10 people.

[29:03] Whereas Chamber has been, and that's outstanding partner with the City of Mason City and

[29:06] helped lead and support important community efforts, including North Iowa, Ban Festival,

[29:10] We're ever seen sculptures on parade, workforce, development, business advocacy, leadership

[29:15] development, and major downtown revitalization initiatives.

[29:20] And whereas in July of 2026, the Greater Mesa City Chamber of Commerce was named 2026

[29:26] Chamber of the Year category one by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives and one

[29:31] of the highest national honors awarded to any Chamber.

[29:35] Whereas this recognition reflects the leadership of President and CEO, Colleen Fryn,

[29:39] Chamber staff, Board of Directors, all volunteers, members, and generations of local businesses

[29:45] who have invested, investment and service continue to strengthen Mason City.

[29:50] Now therefore I, John Lee, Mayor of the City of Mason City, do hereby proclaim October 5

[29:55] through the 10th, 2026 as Greater Mason City Chamber of Commerce Week.

[30:00] In recognition of the Chamber's on ten years of service, a extraordinary partnership with the city-based city and this great achievement as a nationally recognized chamber of the congratulations.

[30:34] Now we'll move on to number six, special items.

[30:37] It's become a big deal in Mason City and that's still makeers week September 7th through the 13th.

[30:43] We can have you guys come up here and stand here and I'll go on to this one.

[30:49] Whereas Mason City area has a proud history and film and entertainment from the music man

[30:54] to Bill Bear's sound and music puppets now housed at the Midnighter Art Museum and whereas

[30:58] a creative tradition continues with the Iowa premiere of Love Shot on September 7th

[31:03] and filmmaking workshop with Hollywood veteran Bob Sherman on September 9th and whereas

[31:08] Iowa independent film vessel now on its 19th year will bring filmmakers, actors, producers

[31:14] and audience to Mason City September 10th through the 12th and whereas a festival

[31:19] will feature films of many styles and lengths including a special local filmmaker

[31:23] showcase celebrating what created right here in Sir Lord of County and where

[31:27] as events throughout the week will give filmmakers on the public a chance to meet

[31:31] sheer ideas and celebrate the art of storytelling and now therefore I

[31:36] John Lee Marocity may say do here by proclaim September 7th through the 13th as

[31:41] Bill makers week in Basin City.

[31:43] Basin City encourages everyone to support the festival, meet filmmakers, watch a movie, and celebrate

[31:49] the creativity happening right here in River City.

[32:02] Thank you.

[32:03] Thank you.

[32:04] Thank you.

[32:04] Also Councilman Masans in on that group.

[32:06] Congratulations.

[32:07] Thank you for the work you've done.

[32:18] Now, we'll move on to public forum.

[32:21] I'm going to say the Council will welcome comments from the public only on agenda items during

[32:25] the public forum.

[32:25] You are asked to give your name, address, and agenda item number or topic, you are referring to on the agenda, please keep your comments in concise and limited to three minutes, podium is all yours.

[32:47] Seeing that no one at the public form will close the public form and as always the riveting city administrator report.

[32:56] I remember that the much anticipated today I'll keep it short because we had a long lead in to this

[33:04] But just a few things I want to touch on obviously we continue on the card smart work

[33:10] You know, we had to make a change with that extra bag on top. I think you've probably seen that in the social media

[33:16] We've talked about that a little bit

[33:17] So now that'll be a call in when it's placed next to the the

[33:23] Next to the Ben, I think we're continuing to have great work on the education side, recycling

[33:30] still a little bit of a challenge, we still get some contamination there, and so working

[33:35] to address that, you know, at a certain point there's going to have to be repercussions

[33:41] for folks that just are choosing to use that as a rubbish bin, and if they do that, then we're

[33:47] We're going to have some consequences there.

[33:50] We'll see those coming forward as we move through this process.

[33:56] But for the most part, the vast majority of citizens

[33:59] are doing a fantastic job with it.

[34:01] And we're seeing improvements there.

[34:05] And the cart swaps are starting to die down a little bit.

[34:08] So we'll start when are we cutting that off to him?

[34:12] Friday.

[34:13] Friday is the end.

[34:13] So if you need to swap your cart, do it quick, do it now.

[34:16] Do not delay. Reach out to Jim. He'll answer you directly.

[34:22] He loves talking to people.

[34:25] So, I'll joke on you, site. It has gone really well. The staff has done a fantastic job of working through it.

[34:31] You know, people have just realized they needed in the vast majority of cases that they wanted a larger Ben.

[34:37] And so staff has worked to accommodate that as they've been able to.

[34:41] So beyond that, I wanted to recognize Kristen Foster just started.

[34:50] She's the new city engineer.

[34:52] I'm going to give her a chance at the end here just to address the council real quick.

[34:58] But happy day.

[35:00] I have her, she is really quickly getting up to speed on everything. She just started, but she comes with a wealth of experience from previous positions with Minnesota DOT and some county engineer work up there, working in the private sector.

[35:15] So I think this was a great ad to our staff.

[35:20] And obviously, needed.

[35:22] We'd been without a city engineer for quite a while.

[35:26] But Stephen has done a fantastic job in the interim

[35:28] as the acting, but it's good to get some permanency there

[35:35] and move forward with obviously with all the construction

[35:38] projects we have.

[35:39] There's a dire need there.

[35:42] And then just quick mention.

[35:44] I know we've had a lot of interest in Shelter 2 that went through DRC, we're looking to

[35:51] get that work underway as quickly as possible, a court architecture has helped us navigate

[35:56] that.

[35:57] There's been some unique challenges with code compliance and things along those lines with

[36:00] it being the floodplain but I feel like we're getting through that and we'll get that up

[36:05] running and then also the parking lot next to the hotel that's under construction, that

[36:13] work, we'll start soon under a construction manager at risk process.

[36:19] You see that in the agenda, but we were fortunate enough to get a grant to help cover

[36:24] that.

[36:25] And so we have some additional state funds that came through from destination.

[36:29] I would have helped us pay for that.

[36:31] So that's fantastic, which allows us to do some additional landscaping in the area, some

[36:36] additional beautification, and really spruce that up to make it the gem that it is

[36:43] in that area. So with that, happy to answer questions or we're going to

[36:49] have a person come up and person you want to take the right to

[36:52] just introduce yourself and we'll welcome you welcome aboard.

[36:58] Thank you very much.

[36:59] Good evening Mr. Mayor and council members. I'll start by thinking you for your

[37:03] vote of support last month. My family and I moved here to Mason City a

[37:07] couple of weeks ago for many of the reasons that were outlined in

[37:11] tonight's earlier presentation were excited to meet more of the

[37:14] community stakeholders as time goes by and for tonight I'd want to thank Mr.

[37:19] Mr. Bernette and fellow department heads for the warm welcome over the past week.

[37:23] We're excited to be here and I look forward to being part of the team.

[37:27] Is there any comments or questions?

[37:30] Welcome aboard.

[37:32] Thank you.

[37:34] Are there any questions for city minister chair Bernette?

[37:38] Councilman Adam.

[37:39] Thanks.

[37:39] I've got a few hit on different departments,

[37:45] Steven, and I'd see in your part of the report

[37:48] that construction of the hotel is progressing on schedule.

[37:51] Do we know timeline on when that might be finished?

[37:55] I think the original timeline was into the year, they still on track for that.

[37:58] As far as I know, we haven't had any delays that I'm aware of as far as inspections go.

[38:06] The construction has gone very well, we haven't had any

[38:09] any hiccups or anything that might have put things behind.

[38:13] So I don't know if you know any more than I do about it,

[38:15] but I think we're in good shape.

[38:18] It is progressing on schedule.

[38:21] The one caveat I would say is,

[38:23] begins with put a very aggressive time frame on

[38:26] getting the hotel completed.

[38:28] So kudos to them.

[38:30] If they hit that timeline,

[38:31] And they move mountains to make it happen and Hackel's been just nonstop busy down on that

[38:41] site.

[38:43] So I would say it's aggressive, but they're on pace right now.

[38:49] So.

[38:49] Next is for some error or engineering who ever wants to take this one, but update on 122 in

[38:59] federal projects for those progressing on schedule that we're aware of from the

[39:05] DOT.

[39:07] Steve?

[39:07] Right.

[39:09] We won't, we won't thrust Kristen into this.

[39:13] We'll give her one more week.

[39:14] We'll let, we'll let, we'll let, let the acting engineer take it for a second.

[39:27] Yeah, 65 South, that's on schedule.

[39:29] They got, the last page was done.

[39:31] I believe last week, that was down to 24th Street, so they just finished up last

[39:36] with all the utility water sanitary sewer and storm sewer. So that is progressing. Highway 122,

[39:44] they did do another pave from a crescent west to Polka Avenue. So that's in progress.

[39:57] They're both on

[39:58] by Skydron.

[39:59] Yeah.

[39:59] Yep.

[40:00] It'll be, they're both scheduled to be done by the end of this, end of this construction season. Okay. Yeah.

[40:06] Talking about the extra bags on sanitation, do they call to make the pick up arrangements for that?

[40:13] How much notice are we requiring a day, two days? Because it's hard to know a week in advance if we're going to have extra garbage.

[40:21] So if a customer has extra garbage, just like if they would have a chair, they just call in

[40:27] and the next time they get collected, we'd go pick it up.

[40:32] Now if it was today and you wanted your tag to bag and it's your day for collection, if you

[40:40] call it in early enough, we can still get it.

[40:43] We go out every single, well, not Wednesday, but we go out every single day with crews to pick

[40:48] of large items, so adding a bag to that route is of no-consequence.

[40:54] And just to be clear, extra bags still require the green tag.

[40:57] Yes, yes, they do.

[40:58] That was so great.

[41:01] And then one more question or comment,

[41:05] I heard a rumor that we finished our last ash tree in the city right of wood to the...

[41:12] Are you okay?

[41:12] Okay. I was, yes, today is momentous day in the city of Mason City, Honourable Mayor and Council.

[41:22] We took down the very last tree in the right of way. There are no more.

[41:30] And we started over almost 2900 trees to take down just ash.

[41:40] In the meantime, while we're doing that, it doesn't mean the other trees, we still aren't falling, still don't need to remain, and all that sort of thing.

[41:51] But we've done all that work.

[41:54] And today, we got our crews, we took a picture, it will be on social media if it's not already.

[42:02] Our crews that have worked on it today and in the past took a picture in front of the last dead

[42:08] astray and it's we're pretty excited about it and now we have parks of course and some

[42:17] other areas to work on but this marks in an important part of our journey and I'm really excited

[42:25] about it.

[42:26] Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, crew. It's been a several year process to get to this.

[42:30] Oh yeah, six, five, six, yeah. Really, really appreciate their hard work. So thank you very much.

[42:36] Thank you.

[42:37] So you're a minister, Bradenette?

[42:38] Yeah, I think that it just bears repeating. I mean, the amount of hustle that the

[42:46] arborist crews put in while still, you know, obviously when you're taking down trees, you

[42:51] have to be safe. That's a very dangerous activity. But they exhibited just a constant effort

[43:01] to chew through this. And it can be a little monotonous at times, maybe a lot monotonous

[43:07] at times. But they really put a great effort out there. It always shocked me when I'd

[43:15] get the report on how many trees they were able to take down in a month and sometimes those

[43:19] months, you know, you've got high winds, you've got bad weather conditions, but they made

[43:25] a lot of headway quickly. There's still a lot to do in the parks, but the last right

[43:31] away tree, absolutely, being taken down, the ash tree, being taken down is definitely

[43:37] something to celebrate. And a lot of that is, you know, I think that that is a comment

[43:43] about the effort of the council to, whether it's, you know, sewer infiltration or, you know,

[43:51] working on ash trees. Some of these, you know, some of these efforts are really like how

[43:56] to eat the elephant. It's one bite at a time. That's exactly what this is. It's one tree at a time.

[44:01] It's one point repair at a time. It's one sewer slip lining at a time. And that's how you

[44:06] care for infrastructure and take care of the community. But that dedication actually has to come

[44:09] from the council, it has to come from staff, leadership, et cetera, and so I think this

[44:15] is an example of just another time that leadership and staff dedication came together

[44:21] to work through a really difficult problem in a great time frame.

[44:27] Thank you.

[44:27] Any other comments?

[44:30] I'll tell you something.

[44:31] Erin, could you, you know, I know this is something you and I've talked about, could you

[44:36] be a little bit about the pollinator program that we're going to work on?

[44:41] Yes.

[44:42] And I think, I don't know, Brian, do you want to talk a little bit about it or not?

[44:46] So the pollinator program, we actually sought out a grant to help increase pollinator

[44:53] habitat within the community.

[44:56] This is always an ongoing effort.

[45:00] You know, realistically, these are great spaces for nature within our community. And, you know, trying to make sure that we locate those in good locations throughout the community, from a water quality standpoint, from a nature standpoint, and just community interaction.

[45:17] Several of those were identified throughout the community.

[45:19] and that planting is going to be on going really where we're working on it right now and

[45:27] we'll continue until we get all the places planted down.

[45:32] The move towards a pollinator, a pollinator habitat from a turf grass kind of habitat is

[45:44] too well.

[45:45] It's mini fold.

[45:46] I mean, there's just a numerous benefits to it, you know, from a nature standpoint, obviously it's a better habitat for our community and environmentally, from a water quality standpoint, obviously those native grasses have a better absorption rates, so they help us with water retention, also just, you know, provide less runoff, you know, less opportunity for water quality to be impacted by that area.

[46:13] And then also, just from a maintenance standpoint,

[46:19] not on the front end, I will say,

[46:21] everyone thinks Pertigress is super easy to establish.

[46:23] That is 100% not true.

[46:26] Matt Sparrow could give you a whole experience on that.

[46:30] To get it established, it takes a lot of effort.

[46:32] But once it's established, it doesn't require that

[46:35] they were going out there and mowing nonstop.

[46:38] Because we just have an insanely large park system and a lot of public area that's not even within the park and so it's important to try and make sure that we're mitigating as much of the request that we have of staff as possible.

[46:56] But this is a really a win-win-win scenario, you know, it's, I think that, you know, you've received some some comment that's negative on the implementation of the pollinator, you know, it's, it is a, I think it's located in a place, the place we chose were chosen based off of, you know, are they tucked away areas, are they, are they areas that are, that are conducive to this use?

[47:26] and I think staff worked hard to identify those

[47:29] and implement that in those locations.

[47:33] The only other thing I would add is we are using

[47:37] contractors that truly understand how to do

[47:41] the application process early on,

[47:45] but we are constantly talking to the tall grass,

[47:51] prairie department out of the University of Northern Iowa.

[47:53] Where was it? The Harvard of the Midwester, Northern Iowa, I thought so.

[48:00] University of Iowa has a Prairie program, Department of Agriculture, Iowa, DOT,

[48:05] or DOT, Iowa, DNR, so many acronyms right now. So we're taking this very seriously.

[48:13] We're starting with some floodbytes just so you know the next places we've identified are some

[48:18] some marshy areas in our parks.

[48:21] So again, we'll be doing this to just improve our water quality

[48:25] and we are a work.

[48:26] This is one of the projects that we work closely

[48:28] with with the new position that's a shared position

[48:30] with the county, Clear Lake, and Mason City

[48:32] with the water quality expert too.

[48:34] So, thank you very much.

[48:36] Thank you.

[48:38] You know, the questions?

[48:41] Thank you very much.

[48:42] We'll move on to the consent agenda.

[48:46] Look as well, a good here.

[48:49] Eight minutes, nine claims, 10 permits, 11.

[48:53] Mayor appointing Scott Boyle to the Library Board and Col.

[48:56] Col. Bulgerman, Buckleman, to the Winner Bag of Watershed.

[48:59] 12. Resolution-Levian Assessments for Charges on Certain Properties and Certification

[49:04] of the Same, the County Treasure.

[49:06] 13 is Resolution-Levian Special Assessments for Tree Removal Charges on Certain Properties

[49:11] and Certification of the Same.

[49:12] 14 is a resolution of support for an application for a grant through the Iowa Clean

[49:17] a Tainment Program for the DOT for improvements in the intersection of Ireland-22 in South

[49:23] Tap Avenue.

[49:24] 15 is a resolution award of contract to ankle construction company for construction of

[49:29] the manager at risk with may city parking lot.

[49:31] Just mentioned.

[49:32] 16 is a resolution authorizing notice to better fixing the amount of bed security in order

[49:37] in clerk to publish notice and fixing a date for receiving the same.

[49:41] For a public hearing on plans to specifications forms of contract and instrument to

[49:44] for construction of the Sanctuary sewer repairs.

[49:47] 17 is a resolution of improving contract and bond

[49:49] for the construction of island park golf course irrigation system.

[49:52] 18 is a resolution of adapting the update

[49:54] in the city public transit title six program

[49:57] in accordance with the federal title.

[50:00] Six program guidelines and then 19 is a resolution authorized approval of execution of the assignment and assumption note and mortgage regarding 518 North Federal Avenue and B is a resolution authorized approval and execution of subordination agreement between the city and the city and former state bank related to the rehabilitation of 518 North Federal Avenue and conjunction with the revitalization loan.

[50:24] Who are there any items the council would like to pull 15?

[50:28] Addams 15

[50:33] with the exception of 15 do I have a motion?

[50:37] Most people.

[50:38] Second, Muson and Yusheski, any discussion on consent agenda?

[50:44] Work called the role.

[50:45] Muson?

[50:46] Yusheski?

[50:46] Yes.

[50:47] Layton?

[50:47] Yes.

[50:48] Yes.

[50:51] Go back to 15.

[50:53] Councilman Addams, you have a motion.

[50:55] Move approval.

[50:57] Addams, I'm motion.

[50:58] Second.

[51:00] Lay them.

[51:01] Addams.

[51:01] Thanks, Mayor.

[51:03] Erin, just explain for me, what's the difference between higher

[51:08] and a construction manager at risk instead

[51:09] of just a thankless, the contractor and why do we do it?

[51:13] Well, there's a lot of procedural actions, as you've seen.

[51:16] We have to move through, you go through the process of SOQ,

[51:22] statement of qualifications, and then we go through an RFP process, we select the contractor

[51:31] that we want to use to be the construction manager of risk, and then they move forward,

[51:36] and then we get there, essentially, their price, that they move through, and they go out and

[51:44] seek work from subcontractors, et cetera.

[51:47] So the advantage of a lot of cities are moving to a consortium manager at risk form,

[51:56] it's just recently been allowed by the state of Iowa as a loud process.

[52:02] It allows you to work closely through the design process and identify issues that might

[52:17] because your contractor just throws a wild number or tries to navigate an issue and just

[52:26] there remove some of that uncertainty because you've got the contractor kind of at the table

[52:31] as you're moving through those things. I think one of the cons you could say is that the

[52:37] bidding process, I think, is a little bit more cutthroat and you're putting people directly

[52:45] up against each other to get the lowest bid.

[52:50] But honestly, what we've seen in the recent bidding environment, there is an argument for

[52:55] construction manager at risk because, frankly, a lot of these companies aren't really

[53:00] that hungry.

[53:01] And so we're not seeing a great bidding environment.

[53:04] So the benefit of not having a design that could potentially increase costs or not having delays

[53:12] because of lack of coordination, et cetera,

[53:17] that provides an avenue for us to control those

[53:21] costs on a project better. But we also don't have that effort to try and keep the cost as

[53:34] lowest possible all the way through. That can be a bad thing. If you went to your house and

[53:39] said, you know what? I'm only going to take the lowest bit I can find for this thing. There are

[53:44] a few people you would not hire that would give you a great little bit. From a city standpoint,

[53:50] this allows us to have a little bit more control working with that construction manager

[53:54] to make sure that it's obviously responsible to the taxpayer, but it's also the best product

[53:59] for the taxpayer and the best planning for the taxpayer. Because sometimes those who design projects,

[54:08] sometimes don't necessarily design projects that people who build projects would think is the best design.

[54:15] So, this is kind of marrying those two a little bit closer together, allowing for better communication.

[54:21] And hopefully in the end a better project, you know, I can tell you, honestly, I'm not 100% sold at the construction manager of risk format.

[54:30] I think that it's something that it makes sense on this project with the proximity to other construction projects.

[54:36] the just sheer number of projects that Hainkel has done in that area, you know, the integration

[54:44] of that parking lot with the joining private investment and the public investment is a lot

[54:50] that goes into that. And so by having that better coordination, I think we'll see a better outcome

[54:56] from that, but I would definitely not say that this is...

[55:00] You know, the process that we should use for every single project, but we're going to have to have more conversations on that and see what the best outcome is.

[55:12] I will say, from my conversations with other communities, they've seen great benefits from using construction and manager risk and they would recommend it.

[55:21] So, you know, I think possibly at some point we might see that the majority of public work actually goes to more of this kind of format.

[55:29] Just because the bidding environment is not producing great beds for the taxpayer at the end of the day.

[55:37] All right.

[55:38] Thank you, nothing further.

[55:39] Thank you, Councilman.

[55:40] Any other Councilman questions comments?

[55:44] No further discussion?

[55:45] Clerk, call the roll.

[55:46] Addams.

[55:47] Yes.

[55:49] Siemens.

[55:50] Yes.

[55:52] Motion carried.

[55:54] We'll move on now to public hearing.

[55:57] resolution authorizing vacation in conveyance of a public property to NIAC and subsequent

[56:01] acquisition of the land from NIAC and the NIAC Foundation for the location of future infrastructure.

[56:07] And I was a time for public hearing.

[56:09] You have any comments, please step up to the podium,

[56:18] seeing no public comments.

[56:20] We were close to the public forum, is there a motion a second to adopt the resolution?

[56:26] So move.

[56:27] Are you shesky?

[56:29] Second.

[56:29] Simmons on second.

[56:32] Caltsman, are you shesky?

[56:33] No.

[56:33] I have no question.

[56:36] Caltsman, Simmons?

[56:37] No.

[56:38] Any other comments or questions from council?

[56:43] Clerk, call the roll.

[56:44] Are you shesky?

[56:44] Yes.

[56:45] Simmons.

[56:48] Addance.

[56:51] Motion carried.

[56:51] We'll move on to number 21.

[56:53] Administrative Recommending Proveal.

[56:55] As an ordinance of many of the city code.

[56:56] by repealing Title 12, it's only regulations chapter 4, text amendment, and the

[57:00] rezoning, and it's entirety in adopting a new chapter in lieu there of.

[57:04] This is on first, we'll go to public hearing here, and again, you have any comments?

[57:10] Step up to the podium,

[57:17] see and on, we'll shut down the public forum.

[57:21] Is there a motion of second to adopt this resolution?

[57:23] of the movement or ordinance.

[57:25] Mason?

[57:26] Second.

[57:27] Hines.

[57:28] Councilman.

[57:29] Mason.

[57:30] Can you just give me just a couple of sentences?

[57:34] Why we're doing that?

[57:36] Certainly.

[57:37] A couple of reasons.

[57:38] One is that at the state level during the last legislative session, there were some

[57:43] changes to the statute related to zoning for cities and what's enabled through the

[57:51] legislation, you may recall that if the owner is a property within 200 feet of a property

[57:59] to be resowned, submit a protest petition, then it requires a super majority vote of the council

[58:05] to approve that rezoning. That section of the state code has been repealed. And so that's one

[58:11] of the things we're doing is repealing that in our local ordinance. The other has to do with standing

[58:16] for who can submit a text amendment for consideration by planning and zoning commission

[58:22] in city council.

[58:25] It was kind of ambiguous as to who would have standing and we had a situation where it

[58:29] citizen proposed a text amendment and requested that it be reviewed.

[58:36] We submitted that to the city attorney and the city attorney found that in this

[58:40] particular case that there was no standing so we did not hear that.

[58:45] They appealed that to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the ZBA appelled the denial of the appeal.

[58:53] And so to clarify who does have standing, we've made some changes just so that it's clear

[59:01] that text amendments can be initiated by the Council by the Planning and Zoning Commission,

[59:07] or by city staff under the direction of the city administrator.

[59:10] If a citizen has a desire for a change in the text of the zoning ordinance, then the normal

[59:17] process is to approach their elected officials to start that process.

[59:21] Just as if I wanted to see something happening at the state, I can't just send them a bill

[59:25] and say, look at this, I need to go and see my representatives and try to get them to support

[59:31] that.

[59:32] So that's the process that we're formalizing.

[59:34] So on the item one, do we have to repeal it or we're just repealing it because it's just the bad to me?

[59:46] I don't believe that we'd have to repeal it.

[59:49] I think it's important to be consistent with what's happening statewide.

[59:54] My understanding is the genesis of this is that there was a very good housing project that was proposed.

[1:00:00] In another city and Iowa that face the protest petition and they couldn't get the supermajority, they got the majority, but not the supermajority.

[1:00:12] And that was a housing project that the community felt that was greatly needed.

[1:00:17] And as I've looked at what's happening nationwide, there are a lot of states that adopted the same requirement that have also abandoned it.

[1:00:24] So I think that there's a real effort to

[1:00:32] be able to approve projects like this,

[1:00:35] like the tradition, the legacy project that failed

[1:00:37] on a supermajority vote first time

[1:00:39] and was approved later to be able to do those kinds

[1:00:42] of projects without having to fear

[1:00:45] that supermajority thing.

[1:00:49] So obviously people still have the opportunity to

[1:00:51] to object to a rezoning and to present their concerns to the commission in the city council and you still have the ability to deny that rezoning if you see fit.

[1:01:01] I just want to force a law anymore.

[1:01:04] It won't require the super majority.

[1:01:07] Thank you.

[1:01:08] All right.

[1:01:09] Councilman.

[1:01:10] Councilman Adams.

[1:01:11] So my understanding correct the Steven that.

[1:01:14] Very clearly that there's no.

[1:01:17] there would be no majority requirement, no matter how many neighboring property owners sign a petition.

[1:01:22] I have to go away completely, we aren't replacing it with anything.

[1:01:29] Is this something where city code is code supersedes state code?

[1:01:36] I mean, there's no requirement in the state code that says they have to do this.

[1:01:39] I understand it incorrectly.

[1:01:42] There's a gray.

[1:01:44] Yeah, I think it's gray.

[1:01:45] I might want to have if that's where we'd have to maybe have that looked at by the city

[1:01:49] attorney.

[1:01:52] We can be, because it's a state that can be more restrictive than the state is kind of basically

[1:01:59] where it comes down to.

[1:02:00] We cannot be in certain areas.

[1:02:03] Yeah.

[1:02:03] I mean, the kind of notorious for taking away local controls.

[1:02:06] I don't know if that was one of these issues where state code doesn't give us an option

[1:02:11] and we're just doing it because the state code tells us we have to.

[1:02:14] or if we have options here.

[1:02:16] Again, I think I need to do a little research on that.

[1:02:19] My opinion is that I think we should be consistent

[1:02:21] with the state code and with what other cities

[1:02:24] throughout the state are doing so that it's obvious

[1:02:28] that we're open to those kinds of projects

[1:02:31] that might generate that kind of opposition.

[1:02:36] Yeah, we can look into and talk to the attorney.

[1:02:40] And so the next reading, you've got that information

[1:02:44] if you choose to move in that direction.

[1:02:48] The councilman, councilman, I've just echoed the same concern

[1:02:51] because it appears that the system would have no recourse

[1:02:54] if they objected to it.

[1:02:55] All right, at least they could have the normal,

[1:02:57] what happens in front of that council,

[1:02:59] but I think that, and I understand your position

[1:03:01] in which you're saying there is, we can't supersede the state.

[1:03:04] But it would be nice to at least give a voice on to that

[1:03:07] that you used to be there somewhat, because justified.

[1:03:11] Right.

[1:03:14] Other councilman.

[1:03:16] I'm going to vote no tonight because I just don't believe that we should take that opportunity away from the citizens to talk to each of us and to all of us say no, I think that's totally, totally wrong.

[1:03:31] So I'm going to vote no tonight.

[1:03:33] All right.

[1:03:34] Are the council members?

[1:03:38] Please hold a roll.

[1:03:40] Yes.

[1:03:41] Yes.

[1:03:44] Layton?

[1:03:45] No.

[1:03:45] Simmons?

[1:03:47] Yes.

[1:03:48] Adams?

[1:03:49] You should ask me.

[1:03:53] Motion pass on first.

[1:03:55] We'll move on to 22 action item.

[1:03:58] Ordnance of many of the city code by repealing the halonine chapter 4.

[1:04:01] Speed regulation section 1.

[1:04:03] Speed restriction section 3.

[1:04:04] Speed limits on IOIOS122.

[1:04:07] This is on seconds. Do we have a motion approval on second, are you shesky?

[1:04:12] Second, Adam's on seconds.

[1:04:16] Counseling is shesky.

[1:04:17] No, I have no.

[1:04:18] Counseling Adams?

[1:04:19] No comment.

[1:04:20] There are comments questions from any other council member.

[1:04:24] Seeing none.

[1:04:25] Clerk, please call the roll.

[1:04:26] You shesky?

[1:04:27] Yes.

[1:04:27] Adams.

[1:04:28] Mason.

[1:04:30] Simons.

[1:04:30] Yes.

[1:04:31] Hines.

[1:04:32] Yes.

[1:04:33] Motion carried.

[1:04:34] We'll move on number number 23,

[1:04:36] ordinance amending the city code by adding

[1:04:38] a definition to title four,

[1:04:40] health and sanitation chapter one,

[1:04:42] nu sense section one,

[1:04:43] definitions of appealing chapter one,

[1:04:44] nu sense encircle a,

[1:04:46] we need section one,

[1:04:47] nu sense declared and adopted a new section one

[1:04:50] in lieu thereof.

[1:04:51] This is on first.

[1:04:53] As our motion is second,

[1:04:54] that ordinance will be received

[1:04:55] and placed on file for first consideration.

[1:04:58] Move approval on first.

[1:04:59] So

[1:05:03] I have a, at least one question on this. I had a citizen within the last few weeks, they were growing some native plants in their backyard and a neighbor called it in as a nuisance and it was cut down.

[1:05:19] Some wondering,

[1:05:24] what is the process in which we verify if something is not just weeds and

[1:05:30] nuisance versus native prairie?

[1:05:34] So, the tax amendment is written to hopefully make this pretty cut and dry essentially for

[1:05:42] act.

[1:05:42] It's written the definition of a manager native landscape is managed.

[1:05:47] So there is some kind of differentiation between overgrown grass and the overgrown grass on purpose to the prairie grass.

[1:05:56] Whether that's a border of rock that you see in front yards, some kind of small fencing,

[1:06:02] or even just it's mode around.

[1:06:04] So you're growing this section that is native plants.

[1:06:07] Maybe that's milkweed that's decided to grow in your yard and you don't want to cut it down because it's

[1:06:13] andator habitat. You're mowing around it, and it's not in a place in your yard that like the

[1:06:19] right of way. We're very clearly in this text and on it, it does not prohibit native plantings

[1:06:25] in the right of way that are over 36 inches tall. And that's because 36 inches is typically where

[1:06:30] we start having visibility issues per pedestrians and cars. So there are car routes in the code in

[1:06:36] order to protect visibility triangles that we've identified. And typical areas where people

[1:06:43] would run into an issue if you had 12 sunflowers growing there.

[1:06:48] But still allow people to grow those native plants,

[1:06:51] and even landscape their entire yard and grayery grass

[1:06:54] if they see fit within reason.

[1:06:58] And then also to make it easily identifiable for our

[1:07:01] code enforcement staff, the public,

[1:07:03] and also the mowing contractors that we use,

[1:07:06] if something does get called in as a weed notice,

[1:07:09] and the contractor shows up on site and sees that

[1:07:12] It's a little overgrown, but that's clearly on purpose.

[1:07:15] They've been mowing around it repeatedly.

[1:07:17] They're trying to maintain that, and it's not an area that's causing visibility or harm,

[1:07:22] or growing on to someone else's property.

[1:07:24] It's not noxious weeds as defined by state code are things that overpopulate.

[1:07:32] So like a dandelion is a noxious weed.

[1:07:34] Dandelions are not a native plant that's protected in the state of Iowa where milk weed is.

[1:07:39] So, if you're growing native plants that are just a lawn full of dandelions, that's defined

[1:07:44] in state code as a noxious weed, and that's easily identifiable.

[1:07:48] Versus things like cut plant,

[1:07:52] purple cone flowers, milkweeds of various varieties, those

[1:07:56] things that are also easily identifiable, but not a dandelion.

[1:08:00] We're running on, we trust you as the, as the homeowner, if you tell me that that's definitely

[1:08:06] this, and I Google it.

[1:08:07] And it matches. We're good. If you're telling you that the 500-dandelions you're growing as a native garden are your native garden

[1:08:15] I'm going to tell you that state code has to find that as a noxious weed. So it's more common sense approach but it's in order to make sure that the people who do have native plants and they're not able to

[1:08:28] They're not clearly delineated or it is over a certain height. We're giving you parameters in order to grow native species but in a way that doesn't impact neighbors

[1:08:36] and if it does impact your neighbors it's easy for steady staff to say that's approved

[1:08:42] because it follows these guidelines or you're right that does look like overt

[1:08:46] growth. So that's kind of the hope behind this it may need some tweaking we've

[1:08:51] not initiated this before previously I myself was investigating every

[1:08:57] complaint that was a native planting and that was a little bit too much of a burden

[1:09:00] for me to go to every front yard and say yes that's this that's that's that

[1:09:05] We're good. These are all native. You've got to mow around the rest. It wasn't effective long-term.

[1:09:14] A follow-up to what you would said. You mentioned code enforcement and the contractor that we have go mow.

[1:09:22] Does code enforcement go look at it first or you mentioned that you did. What's kind of the procedure, I guess, after somebody calls in, what may or may not be a nuisance.

[1:09:32] So, when we get a news of complaint for news is complaint for grass and weeds, it just goes

[1:09:39] it goes straight to our contractor and our contractor goes to site on that they have a certain

[1:09:43] deadline to get it moat, they go on that day and if it's been moat or it's been taken

[1:09:48] care of, they don't mow it, nothing happens. So, most of the time, or I should say, hopefully

[1:09:53] most of the time you get a weed notice or a grass notice that you need to mow your yard

[1:09:58] and you know your yard and then the city.

[1:10:00] Contractors shows up on their day and it's already done and they drive away. In the cases where there has been discussion of this is native and there were complaints or there was interaction between the contractor or city staff and the homeowner that had this planting, it usually came up a lot before the contractor went to do the mowing. So you get the notice you have a few days to mow your yard. It's not like a snow notice where you have to do it the next day. You have 24 hours.

[1:10:28] It's serious, mowing you have about a week to mow your yard before the contractor shows up.

[1:10:36] So, most of the time if people have native plantings and they're disputing that it's a nuisance,

[1:10:40] they call in and we discuss with them at that time and that's where I or other staff would have gone out to look at their yard with them and look through what they have planted.

[1:10:52] We get people calling in from the public to tell us that there's overgrowth.

[1:10:58] The streets department, our garbage crews, it's really a city, a whole city effort in order to create that list of who gets the notice, and it's not, you get one and you don't, if there's any overgrowth on the block, the whole block's going to get one.

[1:11:13] So we try and we call it blanketing, but it's better to get everyone in trouble than single someone out and fairly.

[1:11:22] Thank you.

[1:11:23] Thank you.

[1:11:24] I think Laytham on second.

[1:11:26] I have no comment.

[1:11:28] Any other council member?

[1:11:29] Simple question of clarification.

[1:11:32] Do you know whether it doesn't need to.

[1:11:35] It's not just a sweezers face it because invasive is pretty common.

[1:11:39] And I'm just curious about how that would be implemented.

[1:11:42] Because that's pretty common with a lot of our native plants as being also classified as invasive.

[1:11:47] do you know? I would have to review the sectional code that we specifically amended. However,

[1:11:56] Mason City code chapter four, which deals with nucenses and weeds,

[1:12:00] references the state. This is not the sectional code that I typically deal with on a day-to-day

[1:12:06] basis, so bear with me a little. And that comes from state codes. We directly take that reference

[1:12:13] and we line them up. Now, day to day enforcement is the city of Mason City saying you're not allowed to have

[1:12:20] dandy lines? No. So dandy lines was maybe not the best example of something that is a noxious or

[1:12:28] invasive species. Now, if it is native to the state and it's within the handbook passed out by the DNR and Iowa State

[1:12:41] site to discuss that, when time permits, that's the kind of guidelines I'm looking at.

[1:12:48] So I'm looking at what does the state say?

[1:12:50] And also, I'm not a prairie expert.

[1:12:53] So if you are, and you say, this is native to Iowa, and here's my research, I'm going

[1:12:59] to defer to you.

[1:13:00] We're not here to say, I'm not a prairie expert.

[1:13:06] I'm not a violent biologist.

[1:13:07] I'm not a botanist.

[1:13:08] I'm a city planner, and so I've done the research that I can.

[1:13:12] I have resources in order to help me figure this out,

[1:13:15] but if someone does come to the city or the conservation board

[1:13:19] and says the city mode this, it was, we're going to defer to you before we

[1:13:23] roll it. We rather leave your earth's grass alone and have it be

[1:13:26] overgrown than have some kind of dispute or mow your native garden,

[1:13:30] or garden of any kind, even if it's not native.

[1:13:36] Thank you.

[1:13:37] Any other comments?

[1:13:40] Clerk, call the roll?

[1:13:42] Simmons?

[1:13:42] Yes.

[1:13:43] Layton?

[1:13:44] Yes.

[1:13:44] You're Shesky?

[1:13:45] Yes.

[1:13:46] Yes.

[1:13:47] Yes.

[1:13:49] Thank you very much.

[1:13:51] Motion carried.

[1:13:52] We'll move on to ordinance of many city code by repealing Title 10 building regulations

[1:13:56] after two building codes article F.

[1:13:58] Housing Code Section 5 amendments to code chapter 3.

[1:14:01] paragraph A adopted a new paragraph A and new thereof.

[1:14:05] This is on first.

[1:14:06] Do we have a motion second or ordinance we received and placed on file for first consideration so move

[1:14:12] Lathe them on first second second

[1:14:15] Simmons councilman lathe and Steven. Could you just highlight please?

[1:14:28] This is just an extension of what we've already had in chapter four because in chapter 10 it

[1:14:36] Does talk about

[1:14:37] which is the housing code, it does talk about weeds and so we're just making this consistent with what you're considering in chapter four.

[1:14:46] Thank you.

[1:14:49] It's called when Simmons.

[1:14:51] Nothing.

[1:14:52] Any other further discussion?

[1:14:55] Clerk, call the room.

[1:14:56] Lay them.

[1:14:57] Simmons.

[1:14:58] Yes.

[1:15:00] Yes. Addams. Yes. The motion carried. Seeing nothing further on the agenda, we stand adjourned.

September 1, 2026 Council Packet

Agenda

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