In what is shaping up to be a contentious meeting of the Mason City City Council and Mayor, even by their own standards, the Council will ask for a “ruling” on Mayor Eric Bookmeyer’s power to vote on Council agenda items.|
In what is shaping up to be a contentious meeting of the Mason City City Council and Mayor, even by their own standards, the Council will ask for a “ruling” on Mayor Eric Bookmeyer’s power to vote on Council agenda items.
The item is number twenty on this evening’s agenda, brought forward by Council members Marsters, Nelson and Weaver. “Dead last,” according to one Council member. “How did a Council member’s (Scott Tornquist) item get to number 18 on the agenda, ahead of an action item (number 19)? I’ve never seen that in all my years on the Council.”
Item 18 on the agenda is a request for a approval for a grant to the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center for a Micro-Enterprise Program, brought forward by Council member Scott Tornquist. The grant amount requested is $9,750.
The interesting angle on this item is that the Council already denied funding of the Micro-Enterpirse program, totalling $165,000. However, NorthIowaToday.com is told that since the dollar amount of the grant requested is below $10,000, the Mayor could vote and break the 3-3 tie that currently exists on the Council regarding support of the program.
Council member Jeff Marsters told NorthIowaToday.com that he does not support the Micro-Enterprise program due to the current economic climate and because “There’s absolutely no check and balance to insure the taxpayer’s really get anything for their money.”
Council member Max Weaver says he will support the program if Sandy Servantez is selected by Mayor Bookmeyer to serve on the Human Rights Commission. The Mayor has steadfastly refused to nominate Servantez. The commission has asked the Mayor to appoint Servantez.
Council member Don Nelson also refuses to support the program due to the current economic climate in Mason City.
Read more about the Pappajohn Center’s proposed Micro-Enterpirse Program here.
Item 19 on the agenda is an action item, “Administrator recommending approval” for an agreement between the city and Cargill Kitchen Solutions for an expansion project Cargill wants.
See related story on the Cargill expansion and financial incentives, here.
Also on the agenda:
– Notice to bidders would be sent out regarding the “East Park Band Shell Exterior Restoration Project” for cost estimates
– Notice to bidders would be sent out regarding the “2010 CDBG Disaster Recovery Sanitary Sewer Repairs” for cost estimates
– An amendment to an agreement between the city and Accessible Space, Inc. on the amount if time they have to buy land located at 5th Street NE and North Delaware Ave. The possible ten-unit dwelling may also change to a fourteen unit dwelling.
– A change order for Holland Contracting to replace concrete near the west entrance to the Commons Area at the Mason City library.
Much more on tonight’s meeting, including video, will be posted later.|
