Belle Plaine, Iowa
June 16, 2021
The Belle Plaine City Council met on June 16, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. at the Belle Plaine Community Center to allow for social distancing, with Mayor Dave Fish presiding. Present: Mary Pech, Judy Schlesselman, and Mitch Malcolm. Garrett Landuyt arrived at 6:30 p.m. Mark Tegeler was absent. Also present: City Administrator Stephen Beck, City Clerk Jacki McDermott, and Assistant City Attorney Gage Kensler.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Pech to approve the consent agenda consisting of the council minutes of June 2, 2021, and bills received, seconded by Malcolm. On roll call, all voted aye. Motion carried.
Residents Comments: None.
The Mayor opened the public hearing concerning the building inspection at 1507 6th Avenue. Motion by Schlesselman, to approve the request of Duane Carlson to begin rehabilitation of the house, seconded by Pech. On roll call vote, Schlesselman and Pech voted Aye, and Malcolm voted No. Motion carried. The City Building Inspector, Mike Tomash, will be inspecting the building again on September 1, 2021, to see the progress.
Rachel Montgomery from Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation was present to tell the Council about festivities on July 3. A cornhole or bags tournament is being planned as well as activities for children including a kids zone with inflatables and the band Tyler Richton and the High Bank Boys from 8:00 p.m. until midnight. There will be no car show. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to approve outdoor service for the Office, the Oasis and Grand Central Station and blocking off the sidewalk and parking area in front of the Office on July 3 and 4 from 1:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Rachel also spoke about plans for cleaning the bio-cells before July. She has put notices on social media today and noted that Mary Pech has already done most of the west block.
Police Chief Kris Hudson told the council that four candidates did testing for the open police officer position on June 6. One person passed both tests and she will be interviewed tomorrow. The mayor said that he believes the city is on the right track by using building inspector Mike Tomash. The mayor also said that the city will have a meeting with the legal negotiator tomorrow to begin the process of submitting the pay raise to the union.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Schlesselman to approve a Belle Plaine Business Incentive Grant in the amount of $4,500 for Jennings-Bradshaw American Legion Post 39 at 1008 12th Street. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve a Belle Plaine Business Incentive Grant in the amount of $1,766.49 for Christene Vokoun-Spotlight Studio at 727 12th Street. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Pech to approve Resolution 21-06-02 to include a Cost of Living adjustment for non-bargaining employees. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Garrett to approve the first reading of Ordinance 87, an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to water rates. The raise is $.20 per thousand gallons in town and a raise of $.25 per thousand gallons out of town. Rates are based on the bond closing rate study by Northland Securities. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Pech to approve the first reading of Ordinance 99, an ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa, by amending provisions pertaining to sewer rates. The raise is $.33 per thousand gallons. Rates are based on the bond closing rate study by Northland Securities. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve drop the historical preservation status on the building at 718 13th Street. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. Assistant City Attorney
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to the approve the tobacco/cigarette licenses for the City of Belle Plaine. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
The City Treasurer’s Report for May and the City Budget Report for May were presented to the City Council by the City Clerk. The Mayor advised that he contacted Eagle Point Solar about the problems with the solar panels and is expecting a response soon. Eagle Point has asked several questions about the well field solar fields and will finish analyzing the entire system. They will return to the council in the near future with a report.
The water levels in the wells have dropped a foot over the last weekend. The water department has fixed six small leaks and is testing Well #6 in case it is needed. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to activate Resolution 12-07-06, a resolution dealing with water use restrictions for all potable water customers for the City of Belle Plaine. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
The City Administrator, Stephen Beck, reported that he has contacted Wilford Stone, a legal negotiator, to review the police salaries and take this information to the union. The City will also offer one week of vacation after 90 days for employment.
He also advised the council that the airport main hanger has damage from the derecho. The damage will be quoted out by three contractors, and the city shop will have a new roof and insulation installed because of derecho damage. The wellfield also needs work. He also advised that he is very pleased about the meetings he has had with FEMA and the engineering firm.
He also told the council about a water tower inspection in the future.
The Mayor told the council that the Benton Development Group met with Iowa County Development and decided to extend their agreement with Kate Robertson for another 90 days. Their next meeting will be back in Van Horne. They are also planning a luncheon for city clerks in the county so that they will be able to meet and exchange ideas.
The Mayor will also have more information forthcoming about the Iowa League of Cities Conference which will be held in Coralville this fall. He hopes that city representatives will be able to attend since it is so close that overnight stays won’t be necessary.
The Mayor also noted that during the last siren test he went to the west edge of town and was able to hear the siren outside.
Correspondence: None.
Old Business: None.
Resident Comments: Wendie Winkie presented the council with a petition regarding saving the building at 718 13th Street.
Judy Schlessleman asked about fireworks since it is so dry. The Mayor said that decision will be made closer to the time. If it needs to be postponed, maybe it can be done on August 10th which is the anniversary of the derecho.
Motion by Landuyt to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Malcolm. On roll call, all voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Dave Fish, Mayor
Attest: Jacki McDermott, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval
| Bills Approved by the City Council on June 16, 2021 | |
| $33,281.00 | ACCO (storm damage repairs) |
| $2,450.15 | ACCO (pool supplies & dewinterization) |
| $11,995.59 | Alliant Energy (gas/electric-all depts) |
| $109,206.75 | Ardent Lighting (storm damage repairs) |
| $82.54 | AT&T Mobility (police wireless services) |
| $325.00 | B&B Vent Cleaning (clean Comm Ctr exhaust system) |
| $65.63 | Belle Plaine Chevrolet Buick (police vehicle repairs) |
| $600.34 | Belle Plaine Hardware (supplies-all depts) |
| $141.71 | Brandon Pierce (clothing allowance) |
| $260.00 | City of Belle Plaine (umpire money) |
| $211.00 | Countryside Vet Clinic (boarding strays) |
| $177.50 | Diam Pest Control (pest control services) |
| $99.50 | Edge Communications (VOIP service) |
| $161.44 | Ehlen Plumbing & Heating (Franklin bathroom repairs) |
| $264.33 | Employee Benefit Systems (insurance benefits) |
| $933.87 | Friedman Distributing (parks mower maint) |
| $592.51 | Grieder Standard (fuel – all depts) |
| $117.80 | Heartland COOP (chemicals) |
| $901.15 | Heiman Fire Equipment (fire equipment) |
| $2,210.00 | Iowa Dept of Revenue (water,sewer,pool taxes) |
| $1,671.00 | Iowa League of Cities (membership dues) |
| $268.33 | John Wagner Law Office (legal fees) |
| $2,754.63 | KMDE (solar energy) |
| $90.50 | LEAF (copier lease) |
| $88.98 | Midwest One VISA (police ad) |
| $1,078.78 | Midwest One VISA (pool supplies,DNR fees,text-em-all) |
| $103.60 | NPC (credit card fees) |
| $402.40 | Our Town Publications (May legals & police ads) |
| $31.40 | Petty Cash-Clerk (police postage & car wash) |
| $343.76 | Pitney Bowes (postage machine lease) & postage |
| $5,200.00 | Precision Gutter Works (storm damage repairs) |
| $4,667.00 | Precision Sheet Metal (storm damage repairs) |
| $97.64 | Rachel Cashman (reimburse for pool activities) |
| $141.47 | Roth Appliance (repair Drahn concession fridge) |
| $104.40 | Scharnweber, Inc (outlet for batting cage) |
| $419.58 | Tama/Grundy Publishing (police ads) |
| $18.75 | Thomas Company (pool maint) |
| $935.81 | Town & Country Wholesale (concession supplies) |
| $107.80 | Town & Country Wholesale (pool & city hall supplies) |
| $350.00 | Trugreen (weed control service-box park) |
| $250.00 | UMB Bank (bond fees) |
| $314.86 | USA Communications (phones/internet-all depts) |
| $53.27 | US Cellular (police cell phone) |
| $2,136.07 | VGM Forbin (police computers) |
| $369.18 | Victor Lumber (field chalk) |
| $330.00 | Victor Lumber (storm damage repairs) |
| $1,421.08 | Wendling Quarries (sand & salt) |
| $3,050.70 | Wittrock T-shirts (shirts & uniforms) |
| $190,878.80 | |
| May 2021 SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND DISBURSEMENTS | |
| Revenues by Fund | |
| General | $38,066.91 |
| Windstorm 2020 | $0.00 |
| COVID-19 | $0.00 |
| Road Use | $25,820.49 |
| Special Revenue (exc Road Use & Covid and Windstorm) | $27,768.10 |
| Covid and Windstorm) | |
| Capital Projects | $0.00 |
| Debt Service | $8,342.60 |
| Airport | $220.00 |
| Water Project 2019 | $0.00 |
| Water | $29,098.46 |
| Sewer Capital Project | $0.00 |
| Sewer | $41,502.60 |
| Landfill/Garbage | $20,337.27 |
| Storm Water | $4,884.00 |
| Yard Waste | $2,300.00 |
| $198,340.43 | |
| Disbursements by Fund | |
| General | $51,477.34 |
| Windstorm 2020 | $125,945.95 |
| COVID-19 Spending | $2,842.36 |
| Prairie Park | $0.00 |
| Partners for Beautification | $0.00 |
| Road Use | $14,197.99 |
| Donovan Spending | $2,852.64 |
| Equipment | $0.00 |
| Economic Development | $180.39 |
| Housing & Urban Development | $1,237.50 |
| Employee Benefits | $13,067.46 |
| Emergency Fund | $0.00 |
| Police Forfeiture | $0.00 |
| LOST | $610.92 |
| TIF | $0.00 |
| Medical Bldg | $0.00 |
| Community Center | $2,019.11 |
| Library Improvement | $4,908.25 |
| Capital Projects | $0.00 |
| Debt Service | $98,797.74 |
| Airport | $4,462.54 |
| Water Project 2019 | 0 |
| Water | $19,191.29 |
| Sewer Project | $0.00 |
| Sewer | $16,981.64 |
| Landfill/Garbage | $35,550.13 |
| Stormwater | $101.55 |
| Yard Waste | $814.47 |
| $395,239.27 |
Jim Magdefrau 