Belle Plaine, Iowa

March 19, 2025

The Belle Plaine City Council met on March 19, 2025, 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, Dillion McGrane, and Charmaine Wickwire. Also present were City Attorney Gage Kensler, City Administrator Steve Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of March 5^th with typo correction, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Resident Comments: None

Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing at 6:33 p.m. concerning the sale of the property at 1507 6^th Avenue. With no bids received from any bidders, Mayor Morrow closed the hearing at 6:35 p.m.

Police Chief Kris Hudson reported that Officer Sabanagic started the ILEA academy in Sioux City on March 17^th and is scheduled to graduate on May 15^th. Office Ecker will be attending the Cedar Rapids ILEA academy for 19 weeks starting on June 2^nd. Chief also reported that work will start on nuisance abatements later this month and into early May.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Wickwire to approve the hiring, a contract buyout, starting wage, allowed vacation, and swearing-in of officer Riley Conrad as a certified full-time police officer. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #25-03-03; a resolution on setting a public hearing on delinquent animal licenses for April 16th. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Landuyt to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Area Acquisition Assistance Grant) for Lovepreet Singh of Country Foods at 1206 7^th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McGrane to approve a tax abatement under the new Belle Plaine Revitalization Plan for Andrew & Lori Ehlen at 603 5^th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa (parcel #03010875). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

A discussion was held regarding an FMLA policy for our employee handbook. The city clerk has been directed to approach Lynch Dallas to draft an unpaid leave policy to bring back to the council for their approval as long as the cost remains under $1,000.

The City Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report for February were presented to the council. They also received a sample letter that will be sent out in April to residents affected by Phase I of the new water meter project.

City Administrator Steve Beck reported on the two legislative events he attended in Des Moines recently. He also gave updates on various projects in progress. He commented that our wells are doing fine, and we are currently planning to flush water mains in May.

Mayor Morrow attended the assessor’s recent meeting. He also reminded the council of the Tax Levy Hearing being held at 6:30pm on April 2^nd which will be followed by our Regular Council Meeting expected to start at 6:45pm.

Correspondence: The 2024 Water Quality Report (CCR) was given to the council for their review. It is also posted on our belleplaineiowa.gov website, on iowaccr.org, will be published in the Hometown Current on March 26^th, it is posted at City Hall, and a link to the websites was put on our Facebook page. The report shows no DNR violations.

Old Business: None

Resident Comments: None

Committee of the Whole: None

Motion by Landuyt to enter into closed session per Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation, seconded by Malcolm at 7:33 p.m. On roll call vote, McGrane, Schlesselman, Landuyt, Malcolm, and Wickwire all voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to come out of closed session at 7:51 p.m. On roll call vote, McGrane, Schlesselman, Landuyt, Malcolm, and Wickwire all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to give Officer Garwood three ILEA repayment options. On roll call vote, McGrane, Schlesselman, Landuyt, Malcolm, and Wickwire all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to give their permission to relocate the current city compost pile to a more secure location. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve Resolution #25-03-04; a resolution expressing intent to provide economic development support for the SW Stormwater Project. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:01 p.m.

Lyle Morrow, Mayor

Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.