Belle Plaine, Iowa
April 2, 2025
The Belle Plaine City Council met for a special council meeting on April 2, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Lyle Morrow presiding. Present: Judy Schlesselman, Garrett Landuyt, Mitch Malcolm, Dillion McGrane and Charmaine Wickwire. Also present: City Administrator Steve Beck, City Attorney Gage Kensler, and City Clerk Sandra Walton.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Consent Agenda. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
At 6:31 p.m. Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing to hear comments for or against the proposed FY26 Property Tax Levy. The City Clerk explained the levy change. Several questions were answered regarding the budget process. No specific comments were received from the public for or against the proposed levy.
At 6:44 p.m. the public hearing was closed.
Motion by Landuyt to adjourn the meeting, seconded by McGrane. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Lyle Morrow, Mayor
Attest:_____________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
April 2, 2025
The Belle Plaine City Council met on April 2, 2025, at 6:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor Lyle Morrow presiding. In attendance were Councilpersons Garrett Landuyt, Judy Schlesselman, Charmaine Wickwire, Dillion McGrane, and Mitch Malcolm. City Administrator Stephen Beck, City Attorney Gage Kensler, and City Clerk Sandra Walton were also present.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Consent Agenda (Items #7 and #10 were removed from this agenda), Council Minutes of March 19, receiving & filing of the minutes from the February 25th meeting of the Belle Plaine Community Library Board of Trustees, and bills received. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Resident Comments: None
At 6:48 p.m., Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing to take bids for the property at 709 13th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. An opening bid of $8,000 was received from Denny Grieder. Upon no further bids, the public hearing was closed at 6:50 p.m.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #25-04-02; a resolution that authorizes the final disposition of the real estate at 709 13th Street to Grieder Oil, Inc. in the amount of $8,000. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Dave Hrabak gave the quarterly community center report, giving updates on various improvements and the hire of a new custodian.
April Kressley, Parks & Recreation Director, reported on the Sound Park restoration, pickleball and tennis court activity, winter participation numbers and the upcoming pool season.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to set a public hearing for the 2025-2026 budget for April 16, 2025, in the BP Council Chambers at 1207 8th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa at 6:30 p.m. at the Belle Plaine City Council Meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Landuyt to approve the appointment of Logan Jensen to the Airport Commission for a 3-year term. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McGrane to approve a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Sunday Sales for Udders Burgers & More, 805 12th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
An update was given on the possibility of the City of Marengo completing mosquito spraying for Belle Plaine this coming season. Steve is working out details with their Public Works Manager and City Administrator. If the two cities agree on the specifics, an agreement will be returned to the council for approval.
City Administrator Steve Beck reported on meetings with the IDOT, his presentation at the Iowa Groundwater Association meeting, and soil suitability samples taken. He reported that other projects are progressing as planned.
Mayor Morrow reported that Planning & Zoning met last week and recommends removing restrictions on small lot sizes allowing houses to be built on smaller lots as long as the new house meets all required setbacks. Our ordinance will need revised to meet this recommendation.
Correspondence: None
Old Business: Motion by McGrane, seconded by Landuyt to change future ILEA officer agreements from a minimum $250/month payback to a minimum $500/month payback. Also to increase the interest rate from 6% to 10%. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
A discussion on various nuisance properties was held. Four properties were given to our attorney to see if dangerous property or other violation letters can be issued. A list of nuisance letters sent out by our police department so far this spring was also given to the council.
Resident Comments: Mary Preston, Lincoln Highway Association President, announced the quarterly meeting being held at the BP Museum on April 12th starting at 9:30am. Also there will be 90-100 people expected to travel through Belle Plaine on August 20th as they travel from Joliet to Cheyenne on the 2025 Lincoln Highway Middle Third Tour. She also stated that Iowa PBS will be featuring Road Trip Iowa segments sometime in June.
Committee of the Whole: None
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
_____________________________
Lyle Morrow, Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
Jim Magdefrau 