The Mason City City Council and Mayor met at their new location in the Mason City Room at the Mason City Public Library Tuesday night. Video of the public forum included.|
The Mason City City Council and Mayor met at their new location in the Mason City Room at the Mason City Public Library Tuesday night. Councilman Don Nelson did not attend the meeting.
Mayor Eric Bookmeyer proclaimed January 21, 2011 as “Coaches vs Cancer Day.” People are encouraged to wear pink on that day.
Two B’s Lawn Care got the OK for snow and ice removal duties at flood buyout properties.
There was discussion of new parking spaces that will be added downtown near the newly restored Park Inn Hotel. There will be 19 new spots in the alley between the hotel and Bank of America. There will also be 15 new spots on the south side of Central Park. Those will be angled parking and take off about 5 feet from the current sidewalk area.
The Council agreed to set a public hearing for February 1 for an agreement for private development between the City and Soy Energy. The City has already agreed to provide financial incentive to Soy Energy. Soy Energy purchased the Freedom Fuels plant and has moved its headquarters to Mason City. Soy would need to create 20 new jobs at $16.00 average starting wage and invest $10 million in the community.
Council also approved zoning changes on first reading. Among the changes, in Z1 Agricultural District, a limitation was removed that limited the number of agricultural buildings and now makes the total number of square feet of all buildings on a lot the controlling regulation. In districts Z2, Z3 and Z4 has new language that removes the limitation on the number of accessory buildings allowed. In district Z5, small accessory buildings would be allowed. In district Z6, all buildings can be reviewed as principal buildings.
A public forum was held after the regular meeting, where the public can address the Mayor and Council. Watch video of the public forum:
