MASON CITY – The following are the city council meeting minutes and expenses paid by the city of Mason City for the period ending on May 4, 2023:
Mason City Room May 2, 2023
Mason City, Iowa 6:00 P.M.
MINUTES
COUNCIL WORKSESSION
The City Council of the City of Mason City, Iowa, met in Worksession pursuant to law and rules of said Council, in the Mason City Room of the Mason City Public Library at 6:00 P.M., on May 2, 2023. The meeting was called to order by the Mayor and on roll being called, there were present, Mayor Schickel in the Chair and the following Council Members: Masson, Jaszewski, Thoma, Lee, Adams. Absent: Symonds.
1. Police and Fire Department Facilities Renovation Update:
Administrator Burnett stated the purpose of the Work Session was to update the Council on the activities at the Fire and Police Department, advising both departments had engaged architects.
FIRE FACILITY: Fire Chief Bullinger provided historical background of the nearly 50-year-old building stating originally the idea was to build a central hub and then have satellite hubs around the city and stressed the building was still in a great located, however when it was built it did not incorporate ambulance services or take into consideration female Firefighters (privacy, dorms and showers). He stressed this was a strong building with good structure and the repairs/fixes to the structure had been good, but it now needed more than that. He explained because of how the building was constructed they could not go up and instead had to go out. He mentioned how Firefighters had an elevated cancer risk due to carcinogens and emphasized the importance of removing gear as soon as possible and how the current facilities only allowed for two people in the showers with warm water running out after that second person. He also stressed the need to modify the acoustics system and explained how the old alarm system tones elevated the heart rate, adding new technology had what was called “art tones” and lights and had less negative effect on the heart rate. He reviewed tuckpointing and heating and cooling needs, advising right now none of the windows had seals. In addition, he stated COVID had taught them the importance of not having everyone congregating in one room because if one person was sick, everyone would be sick so obtaining separation was important. In addition, he stated there was no sprinkler system on the first floor and there was a need to install more cameras.
He reviewed the planned Capital Improvements Project stating it would encompass a new HVAC system, Station Alerting System, window replacement, roof, tuckpointing, shower and locker room facilities, intercom system and bedroom “dividers”. The budget to complete the project was $3.8 to $4 million range.
Andy Meyer from Bergland and Cram provided a Power Point rendering of what the new building would look like.
Administrator Burnett stressed recruitment of both Police and Fire had been difficult and these improvements would help with recruitment as well as the retention of existing employees.
Mayor Schickel questioned the timeline and financing with Burnett stating it would come out of Local Options Sales and Service Tax and ARPA funds.
Council comments followed regarding parking and how they planned to deal with any disruptions.
POLICE FACILITY: Police Chief Brinkley stated the Police Facility was built in 1978 and the operations and functions had changed since that time, noting there was no longer a jail holding facility, nor was Cerro Gordo County EMS housed there and there were now female Police officers. He also pointed out they still had the sewage dumping pit and galvanized plumbing and needed improvements to the evidence storage area. In addition, he also stressed the importance of retention and recruitment and the need for continued improvements to the facility in lieu of new construction.
Brinkley stated the total budget was $950,000 and provided a breakdown of the costs, noting they would be doing a phased approach and listed the various phases and what it would encompass.
Council comments followed regarding the timeline and completion dates.
The Mayor adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m.
/s/Bill Schickel
Bill Schickel, Mayor
ATTEST:
/s/Aaron Burnett
Aaron Burnett, City Clerk
Publish 5-11-23
Emailed 5-4-23