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Mason City Council 6/8/26
Published: Jun 8, 2026
City Council Considers Ordinance to Define and Prohibit Data Centers
The council considered Ordinance 2026-51, which proposes to update the zoning ordinance by defining and prohibiting data centers city-wide. Currently, data centers are defined only in the Downtown Mason Mile district. The proposed definition focuses on size, access, and on-site employee presence, with an exception for businesses housing their own data within industrial or office buildings. The ordinance also includes provisions to remove the existing downtown definition and prohibit data centers in commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts. Minor updates to the zoning ordinance were also proposed, including allowing fuel canopies in front yards for gas stations, reclassifying theaters, concert halls, and banquet halls from conditional to permitted uses in B2 districts, specifically prohibiting temporary signs like feather flags and inflatables, and clarifying that parking is a permitted principal use in certain Mason Mile zoning areas. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance.
Coffee Roaster Rooted Grounds Proposes New Headquarters with Rezoning Request
Ordinance 2026-52 proposes rezoning approximately 8.0281 acres from HT1 high-tech light industrial to INDPUD industrial planned unit development for the Rooted Grounds headquarters. Rooted Grounds, currently a coffee roastery in the Maid manufacturing hub, needs the PUD zoning to accommodate warehousing, which is not allowed as a main use in the HT1 district, and potential future commercial uses like a tasting center. The proposed development includes one large building for offices, roasting, and storage, with main access from Central Park Boulevard and secondary access to Mesa Montgomery Road. The plan features green space, a walking path around a detention pond, and an employee patio. Planning Commission was supportive and added conditions for screening of loading doors, provision of PUD buffers, and building height information. The applicant agreed to these conditions. The Maid Chamber and CDC President and CEO, Sheri Taylor, spoke in support of the project, highlighting Rooted Grounds' positive community impact and commitment to being good neighbors.
Mason Police Department to Acquire Pepper Ball Launchers for Enhanced Safety
Ordinance 2026-59 authorizes the city manager to contract with Lessle Lethal LLC for pepper ball launchers for the Mason Police Department, not to exceed $100,000. This acquisition allows the police department to migrate from older, less safe 'beanbag' munitions to a less lethal option that lies between verbal commands and higher force. Pepper ball launchers fire projectiles that break on impact, releasing an irritant powder affecting eyes and the respiratory system, designed to cause discomfort and reduce adversarial activity or encourage individuals to leave an area. While not frequently used, the previous beanbag munitions were used once in 15 years. The new technology is considered safer, with less risk of injury, and offers versatility, including deployment in enclosed spaces where an individual may be barricaded. This is intended to enhance officer and public safety during rare circumstances requiring crowd dispersal or hazardous activity reduction.
New Community Engagement Program and Upcoming City Events Announced
The City Manager reported on the launch of a new program called "Seat at the Table," designed to increase interaction between council members and the public. The first session is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10th, at 7 PM in the community room of Fire Station 51. Additional sessions will be scheduled, with details available on the city's website. The report also highlighted upcoming safety workshops on June 11th and July 9th, focusing on youth decision-making and self-confidence, respectively. Free community swim clinics for parent-toddler safety and beach safety were also announced. Reminders were given regarding city office closures for the July 3rd Red Rhythm and Boom event and July 6th in observance of the holiday. Details for the Red Rhythm and Boom event on July 3rd were provided, including entertainment schedules and a fireworks display by Rousey's Fireworks. The report acknowledged the extensive city employee and volunteer efforts involved in organizing the event. Finally, information was shared about the Mason Community Players' upcoming summer shows and the Warren County Foundation's Community Service Awards banquet on September 17th, for which the council was asked to sponsor a table.
City Approves Three-Year Software Contract for IT Infrastructure Maintenance
Ordinance 2026-61 authorizes the city manager to enter into a three-year licensing and maintenance contract with Solar Winds for software patch management and server monitoring software, not to exceed $83,000. The city's IT staff is small, and they rely on contractual services for critical operating systems. Solar Winds has been a contractor since 2019, but this is the first time council consideration is needed due to the shift from perpetual to subscription-based agreements, increasing the contract cost above the council approval threshold. The software ensures server health, performance, uptime, and reliability, while also keeping software current, compliant, and functioning properly, serving as a proactive approach to preventing system issues. The annual fee was included in the 2026 budget, but the move to a subscription model was not anticipated.
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