Belle Plaine, Iowa
June 17, 2020
The Belle Plaine City Council met on June 17, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. with Mayor Dave Fish presiding in the council chambers. Mitch Malcolm, Mary Pech, Judy Schlesselman, and Garrett Landuyt answered roll call. Mark Tegeler was absent. Also attending were City Administrator Stephen Beck, Assistant City Attorney Gage Kensler and City Clerk Jacki McDermott. Brandon Van Nevel from Belle Plaine Parks and Rec was present to video the meeting for Facebook. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the Consent Agenda, the Council Minutes of June 3, 2020, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
Resident Comments: none.
The Mayor told the Council that he had a written report on the activities of the Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation from Morgan Mitchell (Director) and that the police department is reporting that the new police pickup has arrived and when it is retired from police work it will be passed on to the street or water department.
The Mayor opened the public hearing concerning the Belle Plaine application with USDA Rural Development for financial assistance to purchase a police vehicle, light bar and vehicle equipment. After several minutes with no comments except the Mayor indicating this was for a future vehicle and the USDA had encouraged them to apply. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution 20-06-01 authorizing the City of Belle Plaine to seek financial assistance from USDA for financial assistance to purchase a police car, light bar and vehicle equipment. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried
Heidi Kuhl from Northland Securities was present to discuss the possibility of approving Northland Securities as the underwriter to seek advice concerning the issuance of General Obligation Refund Bonds and to approve a nonbinding engagement letter. Motion by Pech, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Northland Securities as the underwriter to seek advice concerning the issuance of General Obligation Refund Bonds and to approve a nonbinding engagement letter. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried. Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to publish notice and then hold a hearing concerning the bonding topic for the July 15, 2020 council meeting. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
Josh and Clarissa Osborne were present to discuss a fence at 1505 2nd Avenue, which had originally been rejected by the zoning administrator and then the zoning board recommended it be approved by the city council. They plan to construct the fence from steel roofing. They have the approval of all their neighbors. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve the fence for Josh and Clarissa Osborne. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
Robert Brown was present to discuss obtaining a plumber’s license to do work on his mother’s property and through the neighboring properties to reach the sewer main on 9th Avenue. He has or can buy the proper insurance; however, does not hold a state license as is required by the Belle Plaine Code. Beck suggested that he be sponsored by a licensed plumber, have written approval from the neighbors, have Al Dvorak from public works on site while he is working and have approval of the city administrator before beginning work Malcolm made a motion, seconded by Schlesselman to have the work proceed in this manner. All voted Aye; motion carried.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve the third reading of Ordinance #87: an ordinance that calls for a 20 cents per thousand gallons raise and a 25 cents per thousand gallons raise for out-of-town customers for water rates starting in the next fiscal year. On roll call vote, Pech, Malcolm, Landuyt, and Schlesselman all voted Aye, motion carried. The ordinance will become law upon publication. These rates will be on the August bill.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve the third reading of Ordinance #99: an ordinance that calls for a 31 cents per thousand gallons raise for sewer rates starting in the next fiscal year. On roll call vote, Pech, Malcolm, Landuyt, and Schlesselman all voted Aye, motion carried. The ordinance will become law upon publication. These rates will be on the August bill.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Pech to approve the Belle Plaine 4th of July Committee annual fireworks show at Franklin Park under the direction of the Director of Pyrotechnic Displays, Joel Hanzelka, for the City of Belle Plaine. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve Resolution 20-06-02: a resolution approving a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for non-bargaining group employees. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution 20-06-03 a resolution regarding the 2020 sidewalk repairs for the City of Belle Plaine and also adding one more address. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
Motion by Pech, seconded by Malcolm to approve the tobacco permit/cigarette license renewals for the City of Belle Plaine. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve the recommendation and letter by the City Clerks to start utility shutoffs again on July 3rd if payment plans have not been completed.. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
The City Treasurer’s Report for May and the City Budget Report for May were given to the Council.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to have the City Administrator draft a proposal and put it out as an RFP for people to bid for an outside enforcement officer (building inspector) for the City of Belle Plaine. He will include an hourly rate, a rate per house and a rate per day. On roll call vote, all voted Aye, motion carried.
City Administrator Stephen Beck told the Council that he has discovered that the newest FEMA flood plain maps do not include the correct representation for many properties in the City of Belle Plaine as incorrect data was used to draw the maps. He is working to have the maps changed. He also reported that Nick Viall has resigned as the sewer operator to accept a position with the City of Cedar Rapids. He is willing to assist as a part time employee or a private contractor. Ads will be placed with the local papers, the DNR and League of Cities to find a replacement sewer operator.
The Mayor reported that the Benton Development Group executive committee met and is working on a location for a new office for the Director. He also reported that he went to a Benton County 911 meeting where they are working on a plan for a new tower north of Vinton. The mayor reported that the community center can be rented again but there will be no rental of the kitchen area because of the sterilization of the kitchen for senior meals. He also reported that Denny Brown has resigned from the Zoning Board. The Mayor alerted the council to the latest directives on the COVID -19 situation from the Governor. He encourages everyone to wear masks at our local 4th of July fireworks and said he would call Mosquito Control of Iowa to find out when they are spraying in Belle Plaine.
The mayor set the date and time for the second budget amendment hearing for June 29, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Pech, to enter into closed session at 8:13 p.m., under Iowa Code 21.5 concerning the city administrator’s position to “evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a closed session. On roll call, Pech voted Aye, Malcolm voted Aye, and Schlesselman voted Aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to come out of closed session at 9:13 p.m. On roll call vote, Pech, Malcolm, Landuyt, and Schlesselman all voted aye. Motion carried.
There was no action from the closed session.
Motion by Landuyt adjourn the meeting, seconded by Malcolm. On roll call vote, all voted Aye. Meeting adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
Dave Fish, Mayor
Attest: Jacki McDermott, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
| Claims Approved by the City Council on May 20, 2020 | |
| $194.70 | Alliant (all bills) |
| $45.00 | American Legion (flag) |
| $407.26 | Banner Fire Equipment (fire air pack maintenance) |
| $94.08 | Batteries Included (batteries for fire air packs) |
| $1,429.34 | Belle Plaine Community Development Corp (hanging baskets, flags) |
| $334.56 | Belle Plaine Hardware (supplies all depts) |
| $80.00 | Brown Supply (marking flags) |
| $42.69 | Bruce Gapstur (airport crack sealer) |
| $82.17 | Carquest (wipers and seals) |
| $46,412.50 | Chelsea Savings Bank (debt service) |
| $750.00 | Clerkbooks (software support) |
| $27.00 | Countryside Vet Clinic (boarding strays) |
| $23.94 | David Carl (clothing allowance) |
| $204.00 | Ehlen Plumbing & Heating (water repair and wrap gas pipe) |
| $640.00 | Equipment Management Company (fire equipment repairs) |
| $278.00 | Fleming Irrigation (ballfield spring startup) |
| $12,054.11 | Friedman Farm Supply (mower and repair) |
| $388.78 | Galls (police uniforms and lockout tool kit) |
| $14.99 | Gahring Machine (mower repair) |
| $1,554.40 | Grieder Standard (fuel all depts) |
| $103.40 | Group Services (insurance cost) |
| $175.30 | H&L Repair (fire engine repair) |
| $327.87 | Harris Flowers (flowers for parks, fire station and city hall) |
| $1,225.25 | Hawkeye Fire & Safety (fire extinguisher inspections) |
| $1,230.42 | Hawkins (pump repair and chemicals) |
| $535.94 | Heartland Coop (weed control) |
| $5,078.95 | Heiman Fire Equipemnt (fire equipment repairs) |
| $100.00 | Iowa Insurance Division (509A filing fee) |
| $1,623.00 | Iowa League of Cities (dues) |
| $199.00 | Jo Blanchard (plexiglass for library) |
| $229.95 | John Deere Financial (clothing for water dept) |
| $36,630.17 | John Grieder Motors (silverado pickup) |
| $1,051.40 | Keystone Labs (water and sewer testing) |
| $2,462.18 | KMDE (solar bill) |
| $457.91 | Koch Office Group (copy machine contract) |
| $815.50 | Kollmorgen, Schlue & Zahradnik (legal) |
| $25.00 | Kris Hudson (fuel for police car) |
| $14.82 | Kristi Sorensen (spray bottles for disinfectant for library) |
| $505.74 | Lance-Scapes (chips for fire station) |
| $185.50 | LEAF (copy machine lease two months) |
| $24.50 | Manatt’s (rock for Main Street Project) |
| $86.73 | National Processing Center (credit card fees) |
| $265.00 | Overhead Door Co of CR (repair airport door) |
| $143.76 | Pitney Bowes (lease postage machine) |
| $304.80 | Port O Jonny, Inc (farmer’s market & baseball field) |
| $42.50 | Radio Communications (tech service police radio) |
| $331.27 | Register Media (May publishing) |
| $12,138.16 | Republic Services (garbage, recycling May & sewer plant June) |
| $30.00 | Secretary of State (notary for police) |
| $88.32 | Storey Kenworthy (office supplies) |
| $57.88 | Timber Gate Gardens (flowers) |
| $600.00 | Trent Grieder (mowing) |
| $881.19 | USA Communications (phones all depts) |
| $46.42 | U.S. Cellular (police cell) |
| $34.22 | Vickie Schwab (grass booster) |
| $417.21 | Visa (Call Em All, thermometer, Zoom, cargo carrier) |
| $287.99 | Wendling Quarries (rock) |
| $332.66 | Zip Mart (fuel police dept) |
| $134,147.43 | |
| May 2020 SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS | |
| Revenues by Fund | |
| General | $57,184.53 |
| Road Use | $23,919.75 |
| Special Revenue (exc Road Use) | $35,272.10 |
| Capital Projects | $0.00 |
| Debt Service (proceeds of debt) | $15,745.08 |
| Airport | $440.00 |
| Water Project 2019 | $0.00 |
| Water | $33,533.25 |
| Sewer Capital Project | $0.00 |
| Sewer | $44,633.05 |
| Landfill/Garbage | $19,876.60 |
| Storm Water | $4,852.00 |
| Yard Waste | $2,300.00 |
| $237,756.36 | |
| Disbursements by Fund | |
| General | $43,157.42 |
| COVID-19 Spending | $1,447.07 |
| Prairie Park | $0.00 |
| Partners for Beautification | $0.00 |
| Road Use | $22,461.74 |
| Donovan Spending | $0.00 |
| Equipment | $310.00 |
| Economic Development | $0.00 |
| Housing & Urban Development | $0.00 |
| Employee Benefits | $11,739.68 |
| Emergency Fund | $0.00 |
| Police Forfeiture | $0.00 |
| LOST | $3,502.08 |
| TIF | $0.00 |
| Medical Bldg | $0.00 |
| Community Center | $410.72 |
| Library Improvement | $2,012.42 |
| Capital Projects | $0.00 |
| Debt Service | $334,063.95 |
| Airport | $12,654.96 |
| Water Project 2019 | $0.00 |
| Water | $28,535.17 |
| Sewer Project | $0.00 |
| Sewer | $20,574.60 |
| Landfill/Garbage | $34,628.11 |
| Stormwater | $72.17 |
| Yard Waste | $457.83 |
| $516,027.92 |
Jim Magdefrau 