Belle Plaine, Iowa
May 18, 2022
The Belle Plaine City Council met on May 18, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers with Mayor Dave Fish presiding. Present: Mitch Malcolm, Mary Pech, Judy Schlesselman, Lyle Morrow, and Garrett Landuyt. Also present: City Administrator Stephen Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Pech to approve the Consent Agenda, the Council Minutes of May 5, 2022, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Resident Comments: None.
Mayor Fish opened the public hearing at 6:03 p.m. concerning Municipal Infraction of Chapter 56 of the Belle Plaine City Code that deals with delinquent dog/cat licenses that are past due. None of the delinquent pet owners were in attendance.
Mayor Fish closed the public hearing at 6:05 p.m. concerning the delinquent pet licenses.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Pech to turn over all the delinquent dog/cat licenses to the Belle Plaine Police Department for processing. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Mindy Atkinson was present to give a report from Belle Plaine Community Development. The group now has a full board with the addition of new members Judy Schlesselman, Heather Carl, and Mitch Jacobi. The investment drive has been revamped and is ready to send out. They have been working on the 3rd of July activities and marketing for the Car Show, inflatables (Kid’s Zone), dance, and bags tournament. Main street hanging baskets are planned to go up May 25th and flags will be put up as well next week. Work continues on the bio cells, and they are addressing vandalism and maintenance at the Sound Park. Hiring a new director is the next big item on their list of things to accomplish.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve the second reading (with discussed minor revision) of Ordinance #58: an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa, by adding provisions allowing for the raising of urban chickens in Belle Plaine. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. There was also a brief discussion on who would inspect the sites prior to permit approval. It was suggested that we have employees from public works do the initial inspection.
Motion by Pech, seconded by Morrow to approve the first reading of Ordinance 22-6: an ordinance amending the provision pertaining to sewer service charges (rates would go from $11.20 to $11.84 per thousand gallons. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve the first reading of Ordinance 22-7: an ordinance amending the provision pertaining to water rate charges (in town rates would go from $6.98 to $7.38 and out of town rates would go from $8.92 to $9.43 per thousand gallons. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Pech to approve Resolution #22-05-03: a resolution authorizing an interfund load transfer from the Storm Water Fund to the Airport Fund. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
The Mosquito Control Contract was not yet available and will be added to the May 25th Special Council Meeting for discussion and/or approval.
The City Treasurer’s Report and the City Budget Report for April were given to the Council for their information. A report for Eagle Point Solar is still in progress.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Morrow to accept the revised approval of the Belle Plaine Municipal Airport Rehabilitate Runway 18/36, Taxiway & Apron Pavements Project Contract with Iowa Civil Contracting of Victor, Iowa for the total amount of $402,644.00 which is he total when adding Alternate Bid, A, Bid B and Bid C to the already approved base bid. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. (Note: This will cost the Belle Plaine taxpayers $0.00 as FAA grant will pay for 90% of it & 10% will be paid by the Mansfield Trust.)
Chief Hudson provided a written report from the police department. The department has been focusing on nuisance abatement orders issuing 30 in April and 30 more so far in May with 28 of them being for tall grass. Mike Campbell is in his 3rd week of academy training with graduation scheduled for August 19. Officer Houstyn Phinney is leaving the BPPD and taking a job with Tama County. We are having some problems with the Chevy Silverado; it will be taken in for repairs!)
The City Administrator, Stephen Beck, reported on the 9th Avenue water main project recently completed by the public works team. This was the first project that our team completed 100% of the work without hiring outside help. The team replaced a section of water main that had a large leak and replaced a service line off this section of main. There were a lot of things to work around such as storm sewer and fiber optic lines at multiple levels. The team operated a safe work site and will do the concrete once the ground settles. This first dig went well and served as a valuable learning experience. We are meeting with FEMA tomorrow and working to get a culvert project and roads project approved. He has been in contact with Northland Securities, Veenstra & Kimm, a new engineering firm that specializes in water and wastewater projects and two filter companies. Lines will be painted in June prior to the July 3rd/4th activities.
Mayor Fish reported on upcoming meetings with the Benton County Landfill, ECICOG, and Benton Development Group. Next week will be a very busy week. Also noted the Benton/Iowa County Development group has offered a ½ time position for an assistant executive assistant. Candidate is expected to accept the job.
Correspondence: Reminder to the Council of the public hearing for Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at 6:00 pm in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall to amend the current budget. Also noted that Mosquito Control contract will be added to this agenda.
Old Business: None
Resident Comments: None
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to enter into closed session at 7:11 p.m. under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (g) to avoid disclosure of specific law enforcement matters, such as current or proposed investigations, inspections or auditing techniques or schedules, which if disclosed would enable law violators to avoid detection. On roll call vote, Landuyt, Morrow, Malcolm, Pech, and Schlesselman all voted aye. Motion carried.
On a motion by Schlesselman with a second from Pech the council on roll call vote 5-0 came out of closed session at 7:36 p.m. (Landuyt, Morrow, Malcolm, Pech, and Schlesselman all voted aye. There were no negative votes.)
On a motion by Landuyt with a second from Pech the council authorized the administration to have our lawyer, John C. Wagner Law Offices, P.C., send the zoning letter as presented. On roll call vote, Landuyt, Morrow, Malcolm, Pech, and Schlesselman all voted aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
Dave Fish, Mayor
Attest: Sandy Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval
Jim Magdefrau 