MASON CITY – The City Council of Mason City and the Mayor met tonight on the NIACC campus. The meeting was quick and orderly with only a few discussion points.
The Council would not agree to extend “support and financial commitment” for the Main Street Program, a program sponsored by Main Street Mason City. Main Street Mason City’s Board Of Directors is mainly made up of business leaders from Mason City. The City is already committed to the Main Street Program financially through June 30, 2011.
Councilman Jeff Marsters expressed concern about committing City dollars to the program during a “tough budget year” calling it “irresponsible to commit financial support” and added consideration for financial support for this program should be made “right along with all the other requests” during the budget process.
Councilman Scott Tornquist said he was committed to the program and felt it was appropriate for the Council to maintain its commitment as well.
The Council did vote to extend “support” for the Main Street Program through July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. Future financial support would be considered during the budget process which starts in December.
Listen to the Council discuss this agenda item:
Another interesting agenda item involved the controversial situation in East Park and Shelter House #1 located there. Councilman Scott Tornquist added the agenda item in an effort to make sure the Shelter was protected from demolition. Councilman Jeff marsters, while agreeing with Tornquist in principle, would not support the agenda item due to what he perceived as interfering with the “elected Park Board.” The agenda item failed 3-2.
In other business, Alex Kuhn was removed as a nomination to the Zoning Board of Adjustment due to his membership on a board at the United Way.
Councilman Max Weaver did not attend the Council meeting.
The public listening post at the end of the Council meeting featured only one speaker at the podium.
