Belle Plaine, Iowa
November 1, 2023
The Belle Plaine City Council met on November 1, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall, with Mayor Pro Tem Mary Pech presiding. Present were Councilpersons Mary Pech, Mitch Malcolm, Lyle Morrow, Judy Schlesselman, and Garrett Landuyt. Also present: City Administrator Stephen Beck, City Clerk Sandy Walton, and Assistant City Attorney Gage Kensler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Morrow to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of October 18, 2023, receiving & filing of the minutes from the September 26, 2023, meeting of the Belle Plaine Community Library Board of Trustees and bills received. All voted aye, motion carried.
Resident Comments: None
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Landuyt to approve the contract with Midwest Demolition Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $179,950 for the Herring Hotel Demolition Project and authorize Mayor Pro Tem Pech to sign same. All voted aye, motion carried. Funding for this project is coming from Derecho money received as well as some ARPA funds.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Interior Grant) for Valhalla Hatchets at 805 12th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa (estimated amount = $4,333.33; not to exceed $4,500). All voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Interior & Area Acquisition Assistance Grants) for Kathy & Bruce Weisbein for the building at 710 12th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa (estimated amounts = $243.75 for acquisition and interior grant amount not to exceed $4,500.00). All voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the first reading of Ordinance #23-7; An Ordinance for Set-off Program Provisions. All voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Morrow, seconded by Landuyt to waive the second reading of Ordinance #23-7; an Ordinance for Set-off Program Provisions. All voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve the renewal of a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Sunday Sales for the Lincoln Cafe at 1214 8th Ave., Belle Plaine, Iowa. All voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Morrow to approve the renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License with Sunday Sales for O’Leary’s Office Tap, LLC, at 825 12th St., Belle Plaine, Iowa. All voted aye, motion carried.
Committee of the Whole: A discussion was held regarding overnight parking in the downtown area. The City Clerk has been instructed to make appropriate modifications to the current Ordinance reflecting discussed changes and present them for the first reading at the next council meeting. It was also suggested that a letter be sent to downtown business owners explaining the changes before all three readings take place.
City Administrator Report: Steve Beck reported that data received from recent wellfield tests help pinpoint some possible well sites that could be tested as early as December. Steve has been working on several grant applications which are due soon. He has also had communications regarding a possible BRIC grant (through FEMA). Our Homeland Security contact for the Wellfield Generator project is ready to help us proceed with procurement. The 10th Avenue Culvert project is mostly complete and the road is back open. Homeland Security has also developed a task force to help us deal with our water quality issues. Out of that initial meeting, Fareway is donating bottled water for the city to distribute to our citizens. We have received shipments of 4 pallets, 5 pallets, and 18 pallets so far.
Renovations to the Annex had a slow start as we just received the plans from US Cellular. The project is now moving forward. The Eastern Iowa Sleep Center has moved out of the city medical building. They will remove the signage in the next few weeks. We have a potential tenant for a portion of the building that would like to move in soon. A contract is being reviewed by our lawyer.
Mayor Pro Tem Report: Mary Pech reported on the Downtown Walkaround where state economic development personnel came to help evaluate various communities in Benton County. We should be receiving a written report in roughly a month. She also attended the Landfill meeting. Things are going good financially and there was a report on the new cell construction status.
Correspondence: None.
Old Business: None.
Resident Comments: None
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Morrow to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:27 p.m.
Mary Pech, Mayor Pro Tem
Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
Jim Magdefrau 