Belle Plaine, Iowa
March 16, 2022
The Belle Plaine City Council met on March 16, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Belle Plaine Community Center to allow for social distancing, with Mayor Dave Fish presiding. Present: Mitch Malcolm, Mary Pech, Judy Schlesselman, Lyle Morrow, and Garrett Landuyt. Also present: City Administrator Stephen Beck, City Clerk Sandy Walton, and Assistant City Attorney Gage Kensler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Pech, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Consent Agenda, the Council Minutes of March 2, 2022, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Resident Comments: None.
Mayor Fish opened the public hearing at 6:02 p.m. for the 2022-2023 Budget of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa. No comments were received.
Mayor Fish closed the public hearing at 6:07 p.m. concerning the 2022-2023 Budget of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Schlesselman to approve resolution #22-03-01: a resolution to approve the City of Belle Plaine Budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
The dog biting incident at the Virgil Witt residence was resolved prior to the meeting. The dog has been removed from the city limits of Belle Plaine.
Ginny Smalley was present to discuss the status of her nuisance property at 1402 2nd Avenue. She gave an update on what she had completed and what her plans are to comply to the balance of the items on the nuisance letter. After much discussion, council chose to move forward with the proposed nuisance resolution. They also told Ms. Smalley that she can continue to work on the property until this is filed with the court and potentially until the court hearing is set as long as she responds to any court documents.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to approve resolution #22-02-02: a resolution and order regarding the dangerous building at 1402 Second Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Jennifer Derby was at the meeting to discuss the current nuisance complaint dealing with the property at 1111 15th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. She gave the council a written response and addressed any questions. She is to return to council once she receives the quotes to finish the clean-up of the torn down house and let them know of the expected timeline for completion of the project.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Morrow to approve the application for a free water tap for the new property construction at 706 21st Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa as well as the additional three months of free water based on monthly quantity limits. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Morrow to set the public hearing to accept bids & grant application for the pavement rehabilitation project at the Belle Plaine Airport for April 6, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. at the Belle Plaine City Council Meeting at City Hall. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to approve resolution #22-03-03: a resolution to sign a contract for audit services with Faller, Kincheloe, & Co, PLC for years ending June 30, 2023, 2024 and 2025. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Landuyt to approve resolution #22-03-02: a resolution regarding reasonable accommodation request for service animals located within city limits; with a few minor grammar and/or spelling corrections. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Mindy Atkinson and Amber Hoover gave a report from Belle Plaine Community Development. They still have two openings on the BPCDC Board that need filled. They reported on the 3rd of July Events (car show, kid zone & bags tournament). They will be searching for a new BPCDC Director as soon as the Board vacancies are filled. A bio cell report was provided.
Chief Hudson brought 3 door quotes to the meeting for council review and wanted the council to entertain the thought of adding surveillance cameras and some additional outside lighting at city hall. He also reported that Officer Schmidt will be leaving and is going to the Bremer Co Sheriff’s Office. Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Morrow to approve the door bid from Victor Lumber. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
The City Treasurer’s Report and the City Budget Report for February were given to the Council for their information. A report for Eagle Point Solar is still being developed.
There were no Committee of the Whole topics listed for discussion.
The City Administrator, Stephen Beck, gave his report. He provided the Council with an update on the status of the MOU. It will be signed by the union by next week. He had a good zoom meeting with the DNR and Nick Viall earlier this week. He has also been in contact with Dan Helm, a water treatment consultant. We are developing answers for Michelle at the DNR. He has also been in close contact with her. Mayor Fish recommended he talk to Nick about Newhall’s filtration system to see if it is something that might work for us. The Tree Board will meet again this week regarding more grants. He also gave a report from Curtis Brown on the status of his property on 7th Avenue. Interviews for the Heavy Equipment Operator went well this week.
Mayor Fish attended the 911 Meeting where they passed the budget and discussed the county is paying for all of the new pagers. He will attend ECICOG and BDG meetings next week. The Landfill meeting is Thursday at 6:30pm in Van Horne. Either Steve or Mary will attend the meeting in his absence.
Correspondence: The nuisance complaint was addressed earlier in the meeting.
Old Business: A reminder that the council will move back to council chambers in city hall starting in April. It was recommended we post a sign at the Community Center to let residents know we have moved the meetings back to City Hall.
Resident Comments: None.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Morrow to enter into closed session at 8:02 p.m. under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (j) to discuss 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 close session. On roll call vote, Landuyt, Morrow, Malcolm, Pech, and Schlesselman all voted aye. Motion carried. The City Clerk and Attorney were excused. The Mayor assumed the clerk duties during the remainder of the meeting.
On a motion by Landuyt with a second from Malcolm the council on roll call vote 5-0 came out of closed session at 8:54 p.m. (Landuyt, Morrow, Malcolm, Pech, and Schlesselman all voted aye. There were no negative votes.)
On a motion by Malcom with a second from Landuyt the council on an unanimous vote ordered the Mayor to send a letter to the complaining party (Andy Neuhaus) expressing the council actions on his complaint. (A copy of that letter is to be placed in Steve Beck’s personal file.)
Motion by Landuyt with a seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.
Dave Fish, Mayor
Attest: Sandy Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval
Jim Magdefrau 