August 21, 2024

The Belle Plaine City Council met on August 21, 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 Attorney Gage Kensler, City Administrator Stephen Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton were also present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to approve the Consent Agenda (closed session removed), Council Minutes of August 7th meeting (changing cat discussion to September 4), and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Resident Comments: None

Derek Neegaard and Bart Jensen of Serious Sanitation were at the meeting to introduce themselves to new councilpersons. They are in the second year of their contract with the city and reported on how well they feel things are going.

Police Chief Kris Hudson handed out the July call count report commenting that it was a typical month with 286 calls for service. Karl Chevrolet has picked up the Durango for upfitting. Discussion was held on whether to retain or sell the Silverado. Officer Garwood will attend the academy from August 26 through December 13. Chief tested 2 new officer candidates on 8/21 and will test 3 more on 8/24. Chief continues to look at grants to help with getting needed equipment. A brief discussion was held regarding several ongoing nuisances.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve passage of the third and final 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 5-0. The ordinance will become law upon publication.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #24-08-05, a resolution approving the transfer of funds. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Patrick Wille was in attendance to ask the City to allow the DNR to issue deer archery permits for the BP Nursery. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve Resolution #24-08-06, a resolution approving deer archery hunting at the Belle Plaine Nursery with DNR permit. On roll call vote, McGrane, Malcolm, Wickwire, and Schlesselman voted aye; Landuyt voted nay; motion carried 4-1.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #24-08-07, a resolution approving the Iowa Department of Transportation FY24 Street Finance Report and authorizing the City Clerk to sign the report. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve pay application #2 to Garling Construction, Inc. for the Franklin Park Restroom Project in the amount of $81,407.26. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to approve pay application #3 to Garling Construction, Inc. for the Franklin Park Restroom Project in the amount of $5,436.71. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive collection on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the corner of Highway 21 and 7^th Avenue in Belle Plaine (4-way stop). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

The July Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report were given to the Council for their review. An updated Grant Status Report was also distributed.

City Administrator Steve Beck reported that the numerous leaks found and fixed by the Public Works employees has dropped our average consumption from 350,000 gallons a day in 2019 to roughly 150,000 gallons a day. This is a fabulous improvement! We are still on water restrictions so that we can build our reserves in preparation of flushing hydrants again this fall.

The HAWK system is underway. The foundation is going in this week with boring under the highway. The system is scheduled to be completed in October.

Steve has been working with Alliant trying to get a quote on 3-phase to the wellfield. That will allow us to upgrade motors and become more efficient.

He is working on several grants and will be dedicating much of his time for the next couple of weeks to those efforts.

Installation of water at Sound Park went well and is complete. He will be working on the Viability assessment with Nick later this week.

Nate of Fehr Graham is planning to attend the September 4 Council Meeting.

The work on Well #4 is not yet complete but is progressing.

The mayor will be attending the Landfill meeting on Thursday evening.

He extended kudos to the Public Works employees for finding and fixing water leaks.

• Correspondence: None
• Old Business: None
• Resident Comments: None
• Committee of the Whole: None

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Lyle Morrow, Mayor

Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.