Belle Plaine, Iowa
April 3, 2024
The Belle Plaine City Council met on April 3, 2024, at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor Lyle Morrow presiding. Present were Councilpersons Garrett Landuyt, Judy Schlesselman, Charmaine Wickwire, and Mitch Malcolm. City Administrator Stephen Beck, City Attorney Gage Kensler, and City Clerk Sandy Walton were also present.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of March 20, receiving & filing of the minutes from the February 27 meeting of the Belle Plaine Community Library Board of Trustees, and bills received. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Resident Comments: None
Thomas Glick was in attendance for the public hearing he requested regarding nuisance notice received for 608 7th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. He has placed the extra tires in his shed and is working on restoration of his truck. He will license the vehicle ASAP. Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Malcolm to granted him an extension to the end of August. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Item #7 was removed from the agenda.
Hunter Mann requested an extension regarding the nuisance notice he received for 1006 9th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to give him a 1-month extension. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve the Hart Building lease agreement with Belle Plaine Community Development with a change to a start date of May 1, 2024. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Discussion was held regarding the FY25 LOST funds for Belle Plaine Community Development. Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Malcolm to reduce the contribution rate for FY25 to $15,000. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the selection of 2 FirstNet phones for use by the police officers. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to set a public hearing for the 2024-2025 budget for April 24, 2024, in the BP Council Chambers at 1207 8th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa @ 6:30 p.m. at a special Belle Plaine City Council Meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve the Franklin Park Restroom construction contract. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #24-04-05; a resolution continuing temporary outdoor water restrictions for all City of Belle Plaine water customers. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #24-04-01 (with the addition of a deadline); a resolution proposing to dispose of real property and publishing a notice of public hearing for the property at 909 9th Avenue. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #24-04-02 (with the addition of a deadline); a resolution proposing to dispose of real property and publishing a notice of public hearing for the property at 1005 9th Avenue. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve Resolution #24-04-03 (with the addition of a deadline); a resolution proposing to dispose of real property and publishing a notice of public hearing for the property at 902 13th Street. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Wickwire to approve Resolution #24-04-04 (with a few stipulations added); a resolution proposing to dispose of real property and publishing a notice of public hearing for the property at 1507 6th Avenue. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Discussion was held regarding setting a desired price point on the possible sale of the city-owned medical building. With input via phone from Kate Robertson, Benton Development Director, council came to a decision. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to set a desired price point of $160,000. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #24-1; an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa by amending provision pertaining to downtown parking. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0. The ordinance will become law upon publication.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Landuyt to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #24-2; an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa by amending provision pertaining to snow emergency-downtown area modification. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0. The ordinance will become law upon publication.
The potential sidewalk repair list of roughly 40 properties was reviewed by the city council with ratings of high, medium, and low priority. Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Wickwire for sidewalk repair letters to all high priority properties and recommendation letters sent to the medium and low priority properties. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
A resignation was received from Adam Papesh who is unable to remain on the city council due to conflicts with his work schedule. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to fill the vacant council seat by appointment. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0. Required notice will be published. Interested Ward 1 residents may express their interest in filling this vacant seat by contact City Hall.
City Administrator Steve Beck gave an update on the 1st draft recently received of the Preliminary Engineering Report which he has reviewed with our engineer. We should get it back soon for the council’s review. This helps up plan for USDA and SRF loans as well as grants that may help minimize the impact to customer rates. He also met with FEMA on the Direct Technical Assistance grant which is a precursor to the BRIC grant. Steve reports that we have Homeland Security’s support. He also met with IDOLS, Brian Bach and Amy Bouska on the Moore Building which is progressing nicely. The City of Belle Plaine has been approved for Tree City USA for 2023. The wells are holding steady, but not yet making any significant gains.
Mayor Morrow reported on the Benton Development Group meeting that was held last week.
Correspondence: Letters from USA Communications regarding their Rate Increase Notices were shared with council members.
Old Business: None.
Resident Comments: None.
Committee of the Whole: Discussion regarding changes to our zoning code involving lot sizes, minimum house dimensions, etc. was tabled to a future meeting.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
Lyle Morrow, Mayor
Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
Jim Magdefrau 