Belle Plaine, Iowa

August 7, 2024

The Belle Plaine City Council met on August 7, 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, and Dillion McGrane. Councilperson Charmaine Wickwire was absent. City Administrator Stephen Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton were also present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McGrane to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of July 17^th meeting, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Resident Comments: Amy Hurst of 925 13^th Street was in attendance requesting an extension until Sunday on the grey school bus parked in front of her residence. The council told her to coordinate efforts to move the bus with City Administrator Steve Beck.

Richard Daily of 805 15^th Street was at the meeting to express his concerns on all the cats running loose in town. There is a serious cat problem that needs to be resolved. The issue will be placed on the August 21^st Council Agenda to review the existing ordinance, penalties, and develop a plan.

Evan and Allen Lueckenotto, new owners of 801 12^th Street came and talked about their proposed plans to rehabilitate the building. Plans for 3 upstairs apartments, golf simulators and a bar with food and drink items were shared. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to approve a Business Incentive Grant (an Area Acquisition Assistance Grant of $371 & a Commercial Interior Grant of $4,500) for Southern Benton County Storage at 801 12^th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

A report was given by Jay Hamilton regarding several Public Works projects. He gave an update on the current 4-to-3 lane conversion status and mentioned that it gave us the opportunity to repair 14 manholes. He also gave an update on the water usage at the pool which is considerably better following the leak repair he was able to complete this spring. Public Works has been working on patching using cold patch on 8^th and 9^th Avenues and has more he would like to complete once our supply of cold patch is replenished.

Nick Viall gave a report on the status of the city’s required lead & copper inventory which is due to the DNR by October 16. He showed the program to the City Council as well as a google maps program that he has been developing that details all locations of hydrants, manholes, curb stops, service lines, etc. This then rolled into a discussion of our future water treatment facility. The council suggested having our engineer return to a future meeting and for Steve to get out a project status update after meeting with Nick and the engineer.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Malcolm to approve passage of the second reading or Ordinance #24-6 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by granting ITC an electric transmission franchise (no additional fees to residents). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #24-08-01, a resolution approving the transfer of funds. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve Resolution #24-08-02, a resolution establishing a Donated Mansfield Franklin Park Fund. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #24-08-03, a resolution accepting & approving the annual financial report for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #24-08-04, a resolution to approve a development agreement with Iowa Main Street Investments, LLC for use with the awarded Community Catalyst Remediation Grant. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by McGrane to approve the following public measure to be placed on the November ballot per the Library Board’s request:

Shall the following public measure be adopted? The total number of Belle Plaine Community Library Board members shall be 7 members, with no more than 3 being non-residents.

On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McGrane to approve a 5-day Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service for the Belle Plaine Fire Department Dance being held September 13^th from 8pm to Midnight and granting permission for them to use and have control over the park for that event. On roll call vote, McGrane, Schlesselman, and Malcolm voted aye; Landuyt chose to abstain due to being a member of the fire department. Motion carried.

City Administrator Steve Beck reported that no parking 2-5am signs have been placed on the West end of 12^th Street. The arrows that will also be placed on the signs have been ordered and should arrive by August 28^th. Steve has solicited several vendors for quotes on council cameras. He will continue to narrow down choices. Eagle Point was here and found an inverter problem on the wellfield solar panels. Parts should be here in 2 weeks. The well levels are holding steady and well #4 is still being rehabilitated.

Steve was granted council permission to attend the Iowa Water Conference September 9-11. He has been participating in interviews for a new full-time police officer. He has also received a request from the Hometown Current for a comprehensive interview of what’s going on in Belle Plaine.

A discussion of ongoing water restrictions was held. Although well levels have improved since the water restrictions were originally put in place, they need to continue at this time. We want to be able to flush hydrants again this fall and want to make sure we can maintain well levels through that process.

The mayor recently toured Brian Bock’s building and the King Theater. Both have exciting renovation plans. He has been working with Kate Robertson to schedule a BDG meeting soon.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: A spreadsheet showing the impact on the Water Fund due to not implementing a rate increase this year was shared with the council. The fund will be monitored closely as the year progresses.

Judy reminded the council that Jen Lewis Photography of 702 12^th Street is having their open house on August 16^th starting at 5pm.

Resident Comments: None

Committee of the Whole: None

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

_____________________________
Lyle Morrow, Mayor

Attest: ___________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.