Belle Plaine, Iowa

September 18, 2024

The Belle Plaine City Council met on September 18, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor Lyle Morrow presiding. Present were Councilpersons Judy Schlesselman, Charmaine Wickwire, and Dillion McGrane. City Administrator Stephen Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton were also present. Councilpersons Garrett Landuyt and Mitch Malcolm were absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of September 4th, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Resident Comments: None

The Parks and Recreation Report was tabled for a future meeting.

Elise Lohrer attended the meeting to propose a “Halloween Fest” which would be held at the same time as Trunk or Treat. Her group plans to do their own fundraising with any extra funds being donated to the Parks & Rec Department. This year would be a smaller endeavor since there is a short time to plan. Next year will be a larger event with more time to plan. The Council’s direction is for her to get with Steve Beck and BPCDC to set a plan.

Police Chief Kris Hudson gave an update to the council. The Durango is still being upfitted. He has completed a Benton Co Community Foundation Grant application on behalf of public works in the amount of $8,195 for four LED Stop Signs. Jackson Weeda will be doing ride-a-longs until the end of the semester for the school’s MOC program. Officer Garwood is in his 4^th week at ILEA. The department has done three search warrants in the last month; all methamphetamine related. A new officer should be hired by the next council meeting.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the closure of 12^th Street from 8^th Avenue to 9^th Avenue from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Sunday, October 27 for the annual Trunk or Treat Celebration. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to approve October 31^st from 5pm to 8pm for the City’s annual Trick or Treat hours. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0. Chief Hudson also reported that he was setting up an event during those hours in conjunction with the Fire Department. More details on that will follow soon.

The August Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report were given to the Council for their review. Sandy also reported that the City Hall/Library Janitor has submitted her resignation. An ad was placed in today’s newspaper as well as on our website and Facebook page. Several applications have already been received. We also received communication from the Teamsters union that they intend to no longer represent our police force when their contract ends next year.

The City Administrator, Steve Beck, reported on the water repair involving the 13^th Street main break which was hard to isolate due to bad valves. About 95% of the repairs were completed in-house. Steve has been working with Northway Well & Pump on quotes so he can finish the ECWAG grant application. Steve attended the Water Conference in Coralville last week. He did lots of valuable networking with various people and organizations. He will be presenting some paperwork for approval at a future meeting allowing some test wells on our land south of the airport at no cost to the city. He also met with John Friel regarding some IT issues as well as getting plans in place to video future council meetings. Judy reminded him to post an updated water project timeline on Facebook as well as information on pet ownership.

The mayor reminded the council members of the airport tour at 2pm on September 22^nd. He will also be attending the Benton Co Landfill Meeting tomorrow night.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: None

Resident Comments: None

Committee of the Whole: A discussion on Zoning Regulations was tabled until a future meeting when all council members can be present.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

_____________________________
Lyle Morrow, Mayor

Attest: ___________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.