Belle Plaine, Iowa
August 16, 2023
The Belle Plaine City Council met on August 16, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall, with Mayor Dave Fish presiding. Present: Mary Pech, Mitch Malcolm, Lyle Morrow, and Judy Schlesselman. Garrett Landuyt was absent. Also present: City Administrator Steve Beck and City Clerk Sandra Walton. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Pech, seconded by Morrow to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of August 2, 2023, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Resident Comments: Ashley Drahn from Belle Plaine Community Development gave an update on current projects such as the bio cells, golf outing, and RAGBRAI.
Brian Lanning of Rose Hill, IA is a general contractor who has been rehabilitating and flipping houses recently in Belle Plaine. He expressed his concerns over recent nuisance abatements received on property he is working on. He sees himself as a partner with the community and would like the council to consider a better method of handling these types of concerns. Council took his suggestions under advisement.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the CDBG-DR grant program contract, general provisions, and acknowledgement of environmental review requirements for the City of Belle Plaine 2020 Derecho CDBG-DR Tree Canopy award no to exceed $40,000 and authorize Mayor and City Administrator to sign the appropriate approval documents. On roll vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Pech, seconded by Morrow to approve resolution #23-08-03; a resolution approving final closeout documents relating to the Airport Rehabilitate Runway 18/36, Taxiway and Apron Project. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Pech to approve resolution #23-08-04; a resolution approving the transfer of funds to close the Sewer Detention Basin Fund. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve resolution #23-08-05; a resolution accepting & approving the annual financial report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2023. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Pech to approve the updated Memorandum of Understanding regarding the State Offset Program. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive collection from 7:30 am to 1:30 pm on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at the corner of Highway 21 and 7th Avenue in Belle Plaine. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
The City Treasurers report for July, budget report for July, and solar report were presented to the City Council for their review.
The City Council will hold a special meeting in closed session next Wednesday, August 23rd at 6:00 pm to discuss a possible land acquisition.
City Administrator Steve Beck reported on the status of several projects including meeting with the USDA, the Well 6 treatment plant, water testing, the Franklin restroom project (old one recently demolished), and Alliant’s next infrastructure project. He is also starting to participate in a peer/personal development program. If it goes well and he likes it, he will budget for this expense next year. Also, LL Pelling is expected to do some sealcoat work on our streets next week.
Mayor Fish had no meeting to report. He did mention progress at the Herring Hotel which will be brought to the Council next month.
Correspondence: A flyer regarding the Benton Development Group luncheon on August 30th was given to Council Members. A typed update from Police Chief Kris Hudson was also presented for their review.
Old Business: Councilperson Schlesselman inquired on the status of the wells. Steve reported that water from Well 6 has not yet been incorporated into the system. Current water restrictions have helped slightly, but not to a significant degree. Without continued measurable rain, water from Well 6 will need to be mixed in soon.
Resident Comments: None
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Morrow to adjourn the meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m.
David R Fish, Mayor
Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
Jim Magdefrau 