MASON CITY – The Mason City City Council met Tuesday evening and discussed uses for flood buyout properties scattered around Mason City. A dog park was a favorite idea, although it may not happen for two or three years. Also discussed was driveway access to businesses on Federal Avenue.
The Mason City City Council met Tuesday evening and discussed uses for flood buyout properties scattered around Mason City. The consent agenda was unanimously approved 5-0. Council member Jeff Marsters was absent due to the recent death of his wife, Jeanine.
A dog park was a favorite idea for use of some of the land, although it may not happen for two or three years, according to City Planner Tricia Sandahl. Factors that would hold up the creation of a dog park in the flood buyout property areas are FEMA rules and red tape, budget issues, and simply getting the land cleared of abandoned homes.
There are 161 lots around Mason City that are in flood zones that will no longer be used as residential or other similar uses and will need reuse ideas. Many of the properties or lots will be “naturalized” or just allowed to grow grass and have minimal or no city maintenance.
City Administrator Brent Trout did say that land will always be available in the future if new ideas come up.
The council did haggle somewhat over the prospect of a public listening post over the proposed multi-purpose arena. Council member Don Nelson added the idea to the agenda, and the other council seemed mostly lukewarm on the idea, saying not enough information on the project was available to present to the public. Max Weaver made the point that the council would be asking for input from the citizens, not the other way around, and that good ideas come from the people, not just the experts. In the end, the idea passed 4-1 with Janet Solberg voting against it. The listening post will be held June 2nd at the Mason City Room of the library. No time was set.
Action item #20, Weaver asking the council to make a decision on curbs and driveways on N. Federal Ave. in the streetscape project area, was postponed until Jeff Marsters is present at a meeting.
Watch video of the entire city council meeting:
