Belle Plaine, Iowa

July 19, 2023

The Belle Plaine City Council met on July 19, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall, with Mayor Pro Tem Mary Pech presiding. Present: Mary Pech, Mitch Malcolm, Lyle Morrow, Judy Schlesselman, and Garrett Landuyt. Also present: City Administrator Steve Beck and City Clerk Sandra Walton. Mayor Dave Fish attended by phone. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of July 5, 2023, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

Resident Comments: None

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Morrow to approve the request from BPCDC for the City to cover the cost of doing the soil tests for the bio cells on main street at an estimated total cost of $460.25. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

Motion by Morrow, seconded by Malcolm to approve the purchase of a pre-owned 2015 Ram 5500 Tradesman 4WD for $50,997 from Thys Automotive Group for Public Works. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve the selection of Fehr Graham for their engineering services to the Public Works Department based on the RFQ for a term of no more than 3 years. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. Nate from Fehr Graham will send a proposed agreement to the City Administrator so that our attorney can review it prior to signing.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Morrow approval of the Subaward Agreement #HMGP-DR-4642-IA-0008, scope of work & pre-award risk assessment for the City of Belle Plaine Wellfield Generator project of $100,923 with the federal share of 90% and state share of 10% and also to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement for the City of Belle Plaine. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

The City Treasurer’s report for June, budget report for June, and solar report were reviewed. The City Clerk also reported that the city has slightly over $350,000 in damages from the hailstorm that occurred in May.

City Administrator Steve Beck reported that the wellfield which had been holding steady is now depleting. The recent rains have not made a huge impact. Water restrictions are recommended. Well 6 is ready to go if we need it in a couple of weeks.

Well #3 has a motor that is being worked on. We have a temporary submersible pump that we are currently utilizing which works by hand. Hopefully we will have our own motor repaired and back in the next couple of weeks.

In addition to the wellfield generator grant that we recently received, we learned today that we have been awarded a grant for a fire department generator. Also, the Watershed Management Authority submitted documentation to the Secretary of State. They will be meeting with Steve in August.

Steve has been having conversations with two local businesses regarding the recently imposed franchise fees. He will have follow-up meetings with them also.

Landuyt pointed out that Belle Plaine is not the only one on water restrictions. Poweshiek Water implemented water restrictions several weeks ago. Citizens will be given prior notice using facebook, text-em-all, and web-site communications.

Steve then introduced Nate Kass from Fehr Graham who was in attendance. He offered to stay after the meeting to meet with anyone who may have questions about his firm.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: The Landfill Attendance Resolution was reviewed. Mayor Pro Tem Mary Pech will be attending this week’s meeting. The Water Restrictions Resolution was then reviewed by the council. They acknowledged that restrictions will need to be implemented due to the lack of rain and low well levels. This will be communicated to the public using our normal communication channels.

Resident Comments: None

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Morrow to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.

Mary Pech, Mayor Pro Tem

Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.