Belle Plaine, Iowa

November 15, 2023

The Belle Plaine City Council met on November 15, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall, with Mayor Pro Tem Mary Pech opening the meeting. Present were Councilpersons Mary Pech, Mitch Malcolm, Judy Schlesselman, Lyle Morrow, 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.

Mayor Pro Tem noted that Agenda Item #18 regarding a business incentive grant is not ready for discussion and will be on a future meeting’s agenda.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Morrow to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of November 1, 2023, and bills received. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Resident Comments: None

At 6:33 pm, Mayor Pro Tem Pech opened the public hearing on the Proposed Amendment to the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area. With no public comments, the hearing was closed at 6:35 pm.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #23-11-01; A Resolution to Declare Necessity and Establish an Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.4 of the Code of Iowa and Approve the Urban Renewal Plan Amendment for the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area. On roll call vote, Morrow, Schlesselman, Pech, Malcolm, & Landuyt voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Morrow, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the first reading of Ordinance #23-10; an Ordinance Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2023 Addition to the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. On roll call vote, Morrow, Schlesselman, Pech, Malcolm, & Landuyt voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Morrow to waive the second reading of Ordinance #23-10; an Ordinance Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2023 Addition to the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. On roll call vote, Morrow, Schlesselman, Pech, Malcolm, & Landuyt voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #23-10; an Ordinance Providing for the Division of Taxes Levied on Taxable Property in the 2023 Addition to the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. On roll call vote, Morrow, Schlesselman, Pech, Malcolm, & Landuyt voted aye. Motion carried 5-0. The ordinance will become law upon publication.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Morrow to approve Resolution #23-11-02; a Resolution Authorizing Internal Advance for Funding of Urban Renewal Project. On roll call vote, all voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

City Clerk Sandra Walton swore in Lyle Morrow as Mayor of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa upon yesterday’s completion of the canvas of votes by County Supervisors making the election results official. He will take on the rights and responsibilities of the Mayor immediately instead of waiting until January 1^st due to the passing of Mayor David Fish. Many congratulations were shared with Mayor Morrow from City Council and Staff. Mayor Morrow presided over the balance of this meeting.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve the following requests from BPCDC for Holiday Homecoming on Saturday, November 25, 2023:

1. Road closure: 12^th Street from 9^th Avenue east to KSZ Law offices (10^th Avenue) from after the parade until 6:30 pm.
2. Block off 3-4 parking spots in front of BP Chiropractic for popcorn vendor.
3. Block off 4-5 parking spots in front of former Double Take Design for the horse-drawn rides loading and unloading.

NOTE: City will provide 8 orange cones and BPCDC will take care of blocking off parking spaces needed. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Police Chief Hudson gave council the October Activity Report. He also reported that the new Tahoe will be ready Thursday or Friday of this week. The old Tahoe will then be cleaned up and probably put on Gov Deals for sale. The clothing drive that the BPPD is holding with Foundation 2 is going well. We have received a lot of coats for adults, but could still use donations for children. Chief has a job shadow with a college student scheduled for this week.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Pech to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #23-7; An Ordinance for Set-off Program Provisions. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried. The ordinance will become law upon publication.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve the first reading of Ordinance #23-8; an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa, by Repealing Section 69.06 Pertaining to No Parking During Certain Hours. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

Motion by Pech, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the first reading of Ordinance #23-9; an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa, by Amending Provisions Pertaining to Snow Emergency; Downtown Area Modification. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.

A letter will be sent to all downtown businesses sharing with them the motivation for these changes and the fact that the police department is in favor of the changes, as well as allowing them an opportunity for feedback and to share any concerns they may have. Both ordinances will have two additional readings in December.

With the swearing in of Mayor Morrow, city council discussed plans to fill the city council vacancy in Ward 1. Plans are for them to appoint a candidate at the January 3^rd city council meeting. Appropriate public notice will be placed in the paper as required by law. Any residents of Ward 1 that are interested in being on the city council should contact City Hall.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve a one-time utility credit ($551.76) at 903 5^th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa due to a hole in a leading water heater. All voted aye, motion carried.

The City Treasurer’s report and Budget report for October were presented to the City Council for their review. The solar report is not yet available and will be distributed at the next meeting.

City Administrator Report: Steve has been working on writing several grants such as the DNR Planning Grant and the IDALS Water Quality Initiative grant. He has also been working with Nate at Fehr Graham on mapping the NW side of town to add some data to grants. Steve has been hauling and delivering water. We are expecting another shipment of water from Fareway on Thursday which will be stored in the police garage with overflow at the bus barn. We have been featured in the Wall Street Journal due to our water struggles and steps we are taking to remedy. Steve is looking into the downtown dumpster situation for next weekend. He is looking at the Norgaard building to help with a potential option for it. He stated the wellfields are holding steady. Lastly he extended his congratulations to all newly elected officials.

Jay Hamilton, Public Works Manager, gave a status report on several projects. The demolition at 909 9^th Avenue is complete. Testing at 1005 9^th Avenue is done and demolition of this building will start soon. He is hoping to get trees cut at 1507 6^th Avenue this year and will see that the building is secured for the winter. Thursday the fencing will go up for the Herring Hotel demolition which is expected to start Monday. Road closures on 13^th Street and 8^th Avenue near the Herring Hotel will be communicated late this week. Trees on Main Street need trimmed up. This Friday the City Christmas tree will be put up on the Museum corner and downtown decorations will go up this weekend. A lot of water services have been fixed this week.

Mayor’s Report: Lyle said he is blessed to be in the mayor’s seat. He has big shoes to fill and Dave will be missed by many. Lyle will attend the Landfill Meeting on Thursday evening.

Correspondence: None.

Old Business: Malcolm brought up the topic of interim mayor’s pay for Mary Pech who has been filling in for Mayor Fish the last while. City Code provides for this and he felt it was the right thing to do. The City Clerk will determine the appropriate timeframe this should cover based on records that Pro Tem Pech performed Mayoral duties.

Resident Comments: None

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Lyle Morrow, Mayor

Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.