Belle Plaine, Iowa

July 20, 2022

The Belle Plaine City Council met on July 20, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers with Mayor Dave Fish presiding. Present: Mitch Malcolm, Mary Pech, Garrett Landuyt, Judy Schlesselman and Lyle Morrow. Also present: City Administrator Stephen Beck, City Attorney Jennifer Zahradnik and City Clerk Sandy Walton. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Morrow to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of July 5, 2022, Council Minutes of July 6, 2022, Emergency Council Minutes of July 8, 2022, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

Resident Comments: None

Belle Plaine Community Development’s Monthly Report was given by Judy Schlesselman. She said the group had started to review the July 3^rd celebration (which they felt was successful) and examine some possible changes for next year. That evaluation will continue. They are also stating the search for a new Director.

Mayor Fish swore in full-time officer Andrew Batcheller. Part-time officer Bruce Rhodes was unable to attend the meeting and will be sworn in next week. Chief Kris Hudson reported on active shooter plans/training, a large cash seizure by his department, firearms training, the cleaning and purging of the evidence room, the Bulletproof Vest Grant which pays 50%, and the upcoming ILEA graduation by Mike Campbell on August 19^th. A council member had a question/suggestion regarding police patrolling which was discussed.

Council took roughly a 15-minute recess (6:12 p.m. to 6:28 p.m.) to tour the police department.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to approve the second reading of Ordinance #22-8, an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa by amending provisions pertaining to the standard penalty. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

Motion by Morrow, seconded by Schlesselman to waive the third and final reading of Ordinance #22-8, an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa by amending provisions pertaining to the standard penalty. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. The ordinance will become law upon publication.

Motion by Pech, seconded by Landuyt approval for the Benton County Brewing Company to block off four parking spots on the north side of 12^th Street near their business from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the Opal & Hazel Firewood Pizza Truck on August 13, 2022. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. Sandy will communicate this planned closure to Public Works Supervisor Al Dvorak so he can coordinate barricades.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to approve Resolution #22-07-03; revising a resolution to set the mileage reimbursement rate. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

Motion by Pech, seconded by Landuyt to approve an owner-occupied home rehabilitation grant for property at 1303 10^th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. They determined that although a lead service line and sewer line that needs replaced are not specified in the grant program guidelines that they are health and safety issues and therefore fall within the goals of the grant. Grant guidelines will be updated by the clerks. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to approve a tobacco permit for Ghot RA Inc at 1206 7^th avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa (new application-new owner). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

The City Treasurer’s Report and the City Budget Report for June were given to the Council for their information. A new report for Eagle Point Solar will be presented in August.

The City Administrator, Stephen Beck, addressed some council member inquiries/suggestions regarding the end loader and investing in a trailer for the mower so we don’t drive it across town to mow various properties, helping to keep operation hours down. Steve mentioned that we will be reviewing all our equipment to determine the value of each to the city and possibly selling excess equipment and purchasing more useful items. There was also a brief discussion of CDL’s and who within Public Works had which type of CDL. A review of mowing contracts was given. Then Steve reported on current projects such as the Minnow Creek FEMA project, the 11th Avenue private sewer line, and the South 10^th Avenue water main project. He reported that our wells are holding their own and in slightly better shape than this time last year. He also touched on TIF districts, Jack the filter guy, and landscaping at the Sleep Center. Lastly, he reported that the DNR is in town doing tree inventory in public areas. They will be issuing another tree grant this fall.

Mayor Fish reported on the WRH lawsuit status. No court this week as we were bumped to later in the year. He also reported on upcoming meetings as next week is going to be extremely full with meetings for the Benton County Landfill (Jennifer Zahradnik will attend for Dave due to a conflict), Benton Development Group, Emergency Management, and ECICOG.

We have been notified by the Railroad that they will be closing the 8^th and 9^th Avenue crossings starting Friday, July 22^nd for repairs. The crossing will be closed a day or two. The clerks will send out alerts to the public of these closures.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: None

Resident Comments: None

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to enter into closed session at 7:12 p.m. under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (c) To discuss strategy with council in matter that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where disclosure would be likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the government body in that litigation. On roll call vote Pech, Schlesselman, Morrow, Malcolm, and Landuyt all voted aye. Motion carried.

Motion by Morrow, seconded by Schlesselman to come out of closed session at 7:40 p.m. On roll call vote Pech, Schlesselman, Morrow, Malcolm, and Landuyt all voted aye. Motion carried.

Council will take no action from closed session.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Morrow to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Dave Fish, Mayor

Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval