Belle Plaine, Iowa
July 1, 2024

The Belle Plaine City Council met on July 1, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor Lyle Morrow presiding. Present were Councilpersons Garrett Landuyt, Judy Schlesselman, Mitch Malcolm, Charmaine Wickwire, and Dillion McGrane. City Administrator Stephen Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton were also present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of June 19th Meeting, the receiving and filing of the minutes from the May 28th and June 25th meetings of the Belle Plaine Community Library Board of Trustees, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Resident Comments: Emma Peebles, Belle Plaine PTO President came seeking permission for the downtown businesses to be allowed to participate in the painting of the BP Logo on their sidewalks. She answered questions from the council and explained that it can be “refreshed” each year. After much discussion the City Council expressed their support for the project.

Joni Parizek of 1514 2nd Avenue expressed her concerns to the council regarding the burned property next door to her and asked for an update. She says the roof flops and bangs, and stuff blows into her yard. Steve reported that the owners had been in contact with him. They will demo the old garage and get a permit for a new one. The council asked Steve to get with the owner to have the roof secured and to follow-up with Joni.

Wayne Parizek and Dave Hrabak presented a report from the Belle Plaine Community Center covering the center’s background, financial structure, and who uses the center. They also reviewed the status of storm damage repairs, the installation of a water softener with screen filtering capabilities, facility upkeep, and garage usage. They will be making quarterly reports to the council going forward.

The BPCDC Report was removed from the agenda.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McGrane to approve the request to make 11th Street from the corner of 10th Avenue one way going east on July 20, 2024, from 3:30 pm to approximately 8:00 pm for the annual Drive Thru or Sit-Down Sweet Corn Festival presented by the Belle Plaine Area Ambulance. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Wickwire to approve Fire Box on Main to use their outdoor service on their liquor license for the July 3rd Street Dance. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Wickwire to approve the setting of a public hearing for Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at 6:30 pm or shortly thereafter in Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall to consider the rezoning of Parcel #03050875 at the corner of 9th Avenue & 16th Street (former Lincoln Junior High lot) from P-1 to R-2 per Planning & Zoning’s recommendation. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to reappoint Dan Drahos to the Planning and Zoning Board for another 5-year term. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to reappoint Libby Reekers to the Planning and Zoning Board for another 5-year term. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Malcolm to approve resolution #24-07-01; a resolution agreeing to apply for financial assistance with the USDA Rural Development for well financing. (This ECWAG grant is for up to 1 million dollars.) On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #24-07-02; a resolution establishing a Sound Park Fund and a Biocell Fund. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve renewal of a Class E Retail Alcohol License with Sunday Sales for Ghotra, Inc. dba: Country Foods, 1206 7th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

City Administrator Steve Beck reported he is continuing to work on grants. He will be meeting with Amy Bouska of IDALS and our engineer at the wetlands site on 7/2. We plan on completing a little more flushing as water levels permit. The public works guys did a great job fixing the water leak on 5th Avenue, completing the repairs without completely shutting down service. The Gazette has reached out to Steve. He will respond to her this later week.

Mayor Morrow reported on the Benton County Landfill meeting. The landfill is doing very well. They are starting an equipment accrual account in order to monitor and rotate equipment as needed. They are also possibly looking to purchase more land. July 4th is coming up…Be Safe…Have Fun!

Correspondence: None

Old Business: A tentative schedule for departments to report to the city council was presented. Also, the City Clerk presented an update on the GO Bond Amount for the Fire Truck. The city will bond for $543,000. Official proceedings will be at the July 17th meeting.

Wickwire feels there needs to be even more information shared with the public regarding the 7th Avenue conversion. She also wants Steve to reach out to Mosquito Control to see if we can get more notice of spraying in the future.

Resident Comments: None

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

Lyle Morrow, Mayor

Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.