Mason City City Council will meet Tuesday evening at 7 PM at the Mason City Library. Agenda items include demolition of three homes, discussion of the North Iowa Fair’s water bill, and the controversial status of the Mayor’s appointments (or non-appointments) to the Human Rights Commission.| 
Councilman Don Nelson has requested discussion of Mayor Eric Bookmeyer’s appointments to the Mason City Human Rights Commission at Tuesday night’s Mason City City Council meeting.
There has been considerable angst at City Hall over this subject, as some there believe there is an effort underway by Bookmeyer and possibly other Council members to shutter the Human rights Department. Bookmeyer denies any such effort is underway, as does Councilman Scott Tornquist. “Nobody tried to “eliminate” the Human Right Commission or the Human Rights Department last year,” he told NorthIowaToday.com.
NorthIowaToday.com was told by Councilman Jeff Marsters “Just wonder, if it’s related to someone planning elimination of this department in the city like was attempted last year. I guess, only the mayor can give you a true answer.”
Read more on this subject:
– Human Rights Commission appointments have City Hall buzzing
– Human Rights controversy won’t go away
Also on the agenda for the Council:
– A recommendation from City Administrator Brent Trout to declare three Mason City homes unsafe and proceed with their demolition. The houses are located at 156 14th Street NW, 810 9th Street NW, and 548 10th Street NE. The property owners would be assessed for the costs.
– An ordinance change for zone Z5 that would allow property owners to add fences to their properties in the downtown area.
– A recommendation from Trout for the purchase of four Crown Victoria Pursuit Vehicles for the police department from Mason City Ford.
– A recommendation from Trout for the purchase of legal services from a Des Moines law firm related to a franchise agreement between the city and Alliant Energy.
– A recommendation from Trout to waive thousands of dollars in penalties assessed to the North Iowa Fair for an overdue water bill. Trout is also recommending allowing the Fair to add individual water meters in each building at the Fairground that would help lower their monthly water costs.
