Belle Plaine, Iowa
December 18, 2024

The Belle Plaine City Council met on December 18, 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 Steve Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton were also present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of December 4^th (with correspondence correction to BP Improvement Corp), and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Resident Comments: None

Public Works Manager, Jay Hamilton, gave an update on various public works activities. With flushing completed for the season, he also suggested that water restrictions be lifted.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Landuyt to approve the intent to purchase a used 2013 Jetter-Vac Truck with Hydro Excavator for $155,000 and to put it in the FY26 budget plan. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve the setting of a public hearing for Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 6:30 pm in Council Chambers at the Belle Plaine City Hall for Amendment #1 to the current FY25 budget. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Exterior Grant) for Hair Hut at 903 13^th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #24-12-02; a Resolution Naming a Floodplain Administrator. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

The City Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report for November were present to the council. They also received various project updates, an updated grant report, and some slides that the City Clerk received from the 2024 Budget Workshop she attended in November.

City Administrator Steve Beck gave updates on various meetings he has attended including Planning & Zoning and the Airport Commission meetings. He also reiterated a suggestion to lift water restrictions.

Mayor Morrow had no meetings to report. The Benton Development Group will restart monthly meetings in January. The landfill meeting is scheduled for 12/19, and Emergency Management Meetings will occur in January, February & March. Mayor Morrow will be absent from the Council Meeting on January 3^rd. Garrett Landuyt, Mayor ProTem, will run that meeting.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: Wickwire asked why we do not yet have cameras in place to either live stream or record and post Council Meetings. It has been one year since we stopped streaming meetings and this needs to be made a priority. Steve was asked to get a quote and bring it to the next council meeting to present to Council.

Malcolm inquired about the status of nuisance property on 13^th Street. Steve will get with Chief Hudson and/or City Attorney Kensler for an update. Regular updates on Nuisance Property status will be given to the council every other month starting in February.

Resident Comments: None

Committee of the Whole: A discussion was held regarding possible sale of the city-owned property at 1507 6^th Avenue. We will start the process at the next meeting with plans to hold the Public Hearing for the sale on February 5^th.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

_____________________________
Lyle Morrow, Mayor

Attest: ___________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.