Belle Plaine, Iowa
August 3, 2022
The Belle Plaine City Council met on August 3, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the council chambers with Mayor Dave Fish presiding. Present: Mitch Malcolm, Mary Pech, and Lyle Morrow; Judy Schlesselman attended by phone; Garrett Landuyt was absent. Also present: City Administrator Stephen Beck, Assistant City Attorney Jennifer Zahradnik and City Clerk Sandy Walton. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of July 20, 2022, receiving & filing of the minutes from the July 26, 2022, meeting of the Belle Plaine Community Library Board of Trustees, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Resident Comments: None
Motion by Pech, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Class E Liquor License, Class B Wine Permit, Class C Beer Permit & Sunday Sales for GHOTRA INC (Formerly Country Foods) at 1206 7th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Pech, seconded by Morrow to approve a one-time utility credit of $118.40 at 817 12th Street caused by a toilet that was stuck open. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to approve a one-time utility credit of $876.16 at 616 5th Avenue because of a pipe bursting in the basement. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Pech to approve Resolution #22-08-07; a resolution approving plans, specifications, forms of contract and estimated cost for the construction of the rehabilitate runway 18/36 taxiway and apron pavement improvements for the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Rehabilitate Runway 18/36, Taxiway & Apron Pavements Contract. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Pech, seconded by Morrow to approve Resolution #22-08-10; a resolution executing the grant agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration for construction of the Rehabilitate Runway 18/36 Taxiway and Apron Pavements Project for the Belle Plaine Airport. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to approve Resolution #22-08-01; a resolution proposing to dispose of real property and publishing a notice of a public hearing set for August 17th, 2022 (property at 910 8th Avenue). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to approve Resolution #22-08-02; a resolution proposing to dispose of real property and publishing a notice of a public hearing set for August 17th, 2022 (property at 1606 7th Avenue). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to approve Resolution #22-08-08; a resolution and order regarding a dangerous building at 503 6th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Pech to approve Resolution #22-08-09; a resolution and order regarding a dangerous building at 1303 7th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
The City Administrator, Stephen Beck, reported that the Minnow Creek debris removal is going well. There is a sewer line through the creek to the High School that had a mountain of trees creating a log jam. There are several other areas along the creek like this. We will be removing unsafe, dead trees and hauling to a special designated spot at the compost pile. We will then complete some embankment control (riprap). The pad has been grated and leveled in preparation for the new salt & sand building at the city shop. The building should be going up yet this fall. Steve reported that he had applied for a 300,000 Upper Story Living Grant for The Depot that the city has been awarded; however, it is contingent upon us contributing funds to the project. He will need council approval to continue. The deadline is August 15. A special council meeting is scheduled for August 9 at 6:00 p.m. giving the council members more time to review the grant proposal and determine if we want to accept it and contribute roughly $150,000 in funds.
Mayor Fish reported on the Benton Development Group meeting. There is a conflict between BDG and Iowa Development in respect to the executive director’s responsibilities. If this cannot be resolved, this coalition may dissolve. He also attended the Emergency Management Meeting. Scott Hansen will be retiring in the next year or two, so they are working on succession plans. Also, they have used sirens for sale. It would cost us roughly $8,000 which would cover take down, movement, and converting the radio to our frequency. We would place it on the west side of town. We will put this on the August 17 agenda and put it to a vote to proceed if interested.
Correspondence: A letter regarding the Benton County Emergency Management siren offer was give to the council for review.
Old Business: None
Resident Comments: None
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to enter into closed session at 6:56 p.m. under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (i) 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 close session. On roll call vote Pech, Schlesselman, Morrow, and Malcolm all voted aye; Landuyt was absent. Motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Morrow to come out of closed session at 7:35 p.m. On roll call vote Pech, Schlesselman, Morrow, and Malcolm all voted aye; Landuyt was absent. Motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Morrow to have the City Administrator review the budget and come back with a suggestion to the City Council at the September 7, 2022, council meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Schlesselman to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
Dave Fish, Mayor
Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval
Jim Magdefrau 