Belle Plaine, Iowa
May 21, 2025
The Belle Plaine City Council met on May 21, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor Lyle Morrow presiding. Present were Councilpersons Judy Schlesselman, Dillion McGrane, Garrett Landuyt and Charmaine Wickwire. Also present were City Administrator Steve Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton. Councilperson Mitch Malcolm was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of May 7th (with a few typo corrections), and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Resident Comments: None
Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing at 6:36 p.m. for Amendment #2 to the current FY25 budget. With no comments or questions from the public, Mayor Morrow closed the hearing at 6:38 p.m.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve Resolution #25-05-06; a resolution to amend the current city budget for FY25 ending June 30, 2025. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing at 6:39 p.m. to take bids for the property at 1005 9th Avenue. Bids were received from two bidders. Bidding ended with a high bid of $7,000. Mayor Morrow closed the hearing at 6:42 p.m.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Wickwire to approve resolution #25-05-01; a resolution that authorizes the final disposition of the real estate at 1005 9th Avenue to Brock Allan Flack in the amount of $7,000. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Police Chief Kris Hudson presented the April monthly call report. He also reported that Officer Sabanagic graduated from the academy and returned to work this week. Officer Ecker’s ILEA session starts on June 2nd. Police officer testing for new applicants will be May 31st. He also gave updates on delinquent pet licenses and the awarded GTSB grant.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve the first reading of Ordinance #25-2 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to water rates. (Water rates would go from $7.82 per thousand to $8.60 per thousand and out-of-town rates would go from $9.99 to $10.99 per thousand.) On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to approve the first reading of Ordinance #25-3 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to sewer service charges. (Sewer rates would go from $12.94 per thousand to $13.59 per thousand.) On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Landuyt to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #25-1 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to Chapter 160 – Floodplain Management. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0. This ordinance will go into effect once published on June 4, 2025.
Motion by Landuyt seconded by McGrane to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Interior/Exterior Grant) for L&A Traders LLC (Country Foods) at 1206 7th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #25-05-07; a resolution proposing to dispose of real property at 715 12th Street and publishing a notice of public hearing. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
A discussion was held regarding the future sale of 902 13th Street. A resolution proposing to sell this property will be presented at the next council meeting.
The City Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report for April were presented to the council.
A discussion regarding the building permit fee for Frontier’s expansion was held. It was determined that we will follow our normal building permit fee schedule for this project.
City Administrator Steve Beck reported that the wells are continuing to gain levels. The interview process for the water/wastewater position is continuing. He gave updates on the airport commission, water treatment plant progress, the Frontier project and various permits, as well as wind damage to a power pole at the wellfield and generator problems at the Community Center.
Mayor Morrow had no meetings to report. He will be attending the landfill meeting on May 22.
Correspondence: A letter from the Parks & Recreation Board was presented to the council regarding the proposed FY26 wage increase for the Parks & Recreation Director. Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman, to adjust the Director’s proposed FY26 pay rate with the understanding that this request must be received prior to budget completion in the future. On roll call vote, McGrane, Schlesselman, & Landuyt voted aye, Wickwire voted nay. Motion carried 3-1.
Old Business: More discussion was held regarding the proposed new location of the compost site and its access. Currently we are still proposing to utilize ground near the sewer treatment plant, with truck access off Highway 21 and secondary access off 1st Street. If a better option comes forward, we can revisit this later.
Resident Comments: None
Committee of the Whole: A brief discussion was held regarding recent changes at the state level regarding fireworks which will require changes to our Fireworks Ordinance. We will bring the official ordinance revision to the next council meeting which will bring us into compliance with the new state code.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0. 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.
Jim Magdefrau 