Belle Plaine, Iowa
May 17, 2023
The Belle Plaine City Council met on May 17, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall, with Mayor Fish presiding. Present: Mary Pech, Mitch Malcolm, Judy Schlesselman, Lyle Morrow, Garrett Landuyt. Also present: City Administrator Steve Beck, Assistance City Clerk Ashly Parizek, Assistant City Attorney Gage Kensler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Judy Schlesselman, seconded by Pech to approve the Consent Agenda, the Council Minutes of May 3rd, 2023, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Resident Comments: Tom Sievers, property owner of 605 8th Street, Belle Plaine commented on the letter he received in the mail regarding said property and possible nuisance. Police Chief Kris Hudson spoke to the current condition of said property and its vacancy for many years. Mayor Fish explained that this letter was a precursor to possible nuisance violations if no progress is made in the next 12 months on said property. Mr. Sievers explained the plans for the property and appreciated the council’s guidance moving forward.
Mayor Fish opened the public hearing at 6:40 p.m. concerning the amendment to the current budget. The council reviewed provided documents regarding budget amendment.
Mayor Fish closed the public hearing at 6:45 p.m. concerning the amendment to the current budget.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Morrow to approve resolution #23-05-03; a resolution to approve the budget amendment for FY23. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Mayor Fish opened the public hearing at 6:46 p.m. concerning the rezoning of Lots 8 & 9, Blossom’s third Addition from M-2 to M-1 per Planning and Zonings recommendation. Danny Viall was present and provided the council with documents and information regarding zoning change. Danny noted that he met with Zoning Administrator Mark Drahn, and this zoning change doesn’t address parts of the building proposal. Mark suggests Danny present to Variance Board for set back lines. Steve Beck is going to facilitate this meeting and will make arrangements with Danny and Variance Board. Landuyt proposed for council to approve the current zoning change request and Danny Viall proceed with Steve Beck and Variance Board. Viall also noted to council that he is in the process of purchasing 406 9th Street and plans to demolish that property.
Mayor Fish closed the public hearing at 6:51 p.m. concerning the rezoning of Lots 8 & 9, Blossom’s third Addition from M-2 to M-1 per Planning and Zoning recommendations.
Motion by Pech, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the first reading of Ordinance #23-5, an ordinance that amends Section 165.05 of the Belle Plaine Municipal Code to change the zoning of the property located on the southeast corner of 11th Street and 1St Avenue in Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Brian Baumgartner presented the BPCDC report and provided the council with documents to review. They have had several businesses that have adopted a bio cell, with some that still need to be adopted. BPCDC is consulting with Main Street Iowa & the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on proceeding forward with bio cells. July 3rd celebration and events are still in the planning stages. BPCDC is requesting road closures for this event, Mayor Fish notes that these will be on the June 7th Council Meeting Agenda for approval. RAGBRAI preparation continues, and planning continues, if anyone is interested in helping reach out to Ashley Drahn. Main street sound system is not currently working. BPDCD is making adjustments to speaker heights, moving the mobile device, and getting software updates.
Police Report given by Police Chief Kris Hudson. Documents provided to council regarding police department call log for April 2023. Hudson reports that the Tahoe has been at Thys in Blairstown this week, and now is needing the catalytic converter replaced. Hudson is looking into possibly leasing the police department vehicles instead of purchasing them. He has spoken with another town that does this and will be getting more information. Hudson and Steve Beck interviewed a potential candidate for the police department opening. Hudson is requesting that we construct a shooting range for the police department. This would be only for law enforcement use. The range would be on the sewer plant land that the city currently owns but it is not in the city limits. The city is looking into annexing this land so that the city can do whatever they want, rather than go through a land use change measure with the County. Steve Beck is to prioritize working with the city attorney to proceed with annexation. It was noted that we would have to address the city ordinance regarding discharging firearms within city limits, with annexation. Hudson opens discussion about changing the minimum ILEA payback from $250/month to $500/month for officers that leave prior to contract fulfillment. Discussion on this change making it more of a deterrent for officers to leave.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Landuyt to approve changing the minimum ILEA payback from $250/month to $500/month for officers that leave prior to contact fulfillment. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Review of final inspection report on 1411 10th Avenue, referencing inspectors’ final letter. This property passed final inspection by the city inspector.
Discussion for possible passage for the first reading of Ordinance #23-3 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to water rate charges. CPI report on the range for the last 12 months was reviewed. (CPI ranges from 9.5 to 4.9% over the last 12 months.) The Mayor recommends a 5.9% increase for water rates, which is much lower than the 7.3% CPI average for the last 12 months. He also noted that depending on what water plant package the council approves to solve our water shortages that water cost will also increase at that time just as they did with the changes made to the sewer plant. (It was noted that the ordinance number on printed agenda incorrect.)
Motion by Pech, seconded by Malcolm to approve 1st reading of Ordinance #23-3 to amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to water rate charges approving a water rate increase of 5.9%. Water rates would go from $7.38 per thousand to $7.82 per thousand and out of town rates would for from $9.43 per thousand to $9.99 per thousand. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Discussion for possible passage for the first reading of Ordinance #23-4 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to sewer rate charges. CPI report on the range for the last 12 months reviewed. Mayor recommends a 5.9% increase for sewer rates. (It was noted that the ordinance number printed on agenda is incorrect.)
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Schlesselman to approve 1st reading of Ordinance #23-4 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to sewer rate charges approving a sewer rate increase of 5.9%. Sewer rates would for from $11.84 per thousand to $12.54 per thousand. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Discussion for approval of closing Main Street (12th Avenue) every Friday from 9th Avenue to 10th Avenue from June 2nd to September 29th (4:30pm to 6:30pm) for the Belle Plaine Farmers Market. Discussion on Al Dvorak continuing to assist with setting up and taking down of barricades and tents. Mitch Malcolm noted that the vendors are to stay in the street and not on the sidewalk in front of the museum.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve closing Main Street every Friday from 9th Avenue to 10th Avenue from June 2nd to September 23rd (4:30pm to 6:30pm) for the Belle Plaine Farmers Market. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Discussion for possible approval to grant a utility credit of $177.60 at 1003 13th Avenue, Belle Plaine, created by a leaking toilet that has since been fixed.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve a utility credit of $177.60 at 1003 13th Avenue, Belle Plaine created by a leaking toilet. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
City Treasurers report for April, budget report for April, and solar report were reviewed.
Committee of the Whole discussed river rock for the bio cells. After much conversation it was decided to table on decision of providing river rock for bio cells until BPCDC gets direction from Main Street Iowa and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardships. Schlesselman noted that the adopt a bio cell program is for maintaining the bio cell, not adding plants or taking plants away. It is just to keep clean and weeded.
Committee of the Whole discussion on Catholic Church requesting additional handicap parking. Discussion about church putting something in the bulletin regarding leaving the closest available spots available for the elderly and/or handicap. Discussion if the City will post signs or the church will be able to have roll out, temporary signage. Assistant City Attorney Gage Kensler was able to research during the meeting that the City can pass a resolution to have temporary handicap parking for religious services/events.
City Administrator Steve Beck gave his report. Discussion on reverse osmosis and other water treatment types. Steve went through his provided tentative outline for the Well #6 treatment facility construction. He has networked with other City Administrators regarding the process of creating and Request for Qualification and provided a rough draft to hire a city engineering firm. The council will review and bring back any recommended changes at the next meeting. Steve, Mayor, Nick, and Jay will be touring the Newhall water treatment plant, and then will work with the council coordinating their schedules with Steve to tour as well. Steve met with the director of HUD and did a small tour of town and is looking forward to partnership with them in the future. Steve is working with Jennifer F. from ECICOG on tree and generator grants. He is buttoning up the homeland security grant and was sent additional RFI’s to complete and send back. Steve has applied for additional insurance to cover city employees demolishing buildings, specifically the Herring Hotel. Regulations continue to dictate the timeline for that demo.
Mayor Fish reports that he has a Landfill meeting tomorrow, May 18th. He reports to the council that Don Ward met with him regarding his 14th Street property and the letter he received. Mr. Ward’s plan is to demolish this property and Dave advised him to apply for a demolition permit. Mayor Fish read a written report from AL Dvorak regarding letters received for possible nuisance properties. Mr. Dvorak reports that 802 6th Avenue will get painted and sided and roof replacement. 806 6th Avenue will be demolished. 1307 3rd Avenue will get painted and sided and foundation repairs made. Mr. Dvorak reports that his goal is to have these all completed by the end of this summer.
Correspondence: None
Old Business: Judy Schlesselman asked about the property at 909 9th Avenue regarding the fact that it is missing doors and windows. She is wondering if the City can make some adjustments to make this property more secure, such as covering openings. Assistant City Attorney Gage Kensler reports that the City is two signatures away from owning this property, and once we do, we can do whatever we need to. Gage reports that they have filed for 657A for both Oake Gregory properties.
Resident Comments: None
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Dave Fish, Mayor
Attest: Ashly Parizek, Assistant City Clerk
Transcribed by the Assistant City Clerk subject to Council approval
Jim Magdefrau 