Belle Plaine, Iowa

June 18, 2025

The Belle Plaine City Council met on June 18, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor ProTem Garrett Landuyt presiding. Present were Councilpersons Garrett Landuyt, Judy Schlesselman, Mitch Malcolm, Dillion McGrane, and Charmaine Wickwire. Also present were City Administrator Steve Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton. Mayor Lyle Morrow was absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of June 4 (with date correction for upcoming work session), and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Resident Comments: None

Mayor ProTem Landuyt opened the public hearing at 6:34 p.m. to take bids for the property at 715 12^th Street. With no bids received, Landuyt closed the hearing at 6:35 p.m.

Police Chief Hudson presented his monthly report and May calls for service.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the request to close 12^th Street between 7^th and 12^th Avenues from 9:00 to 11:30am for the Fourth of July parade. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Malcolm to approve the third and final 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 5-0. This ordinance will go into effect once published on July 2^nd.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve the third and final 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 5-0. This ordinance will go into effect once published on July 2^nd.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #25-4 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to Chapter 41.14 Fireworks. (Required because of recent state legislation going into effect July 1.) On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0. This ordinance will go into effect once published on July 2^nd.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve the 2025-2026 cigarette licenses for Caseys General Store, Zip Mart, Grieder Oil, Grieder Beverage Depot, Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Country Foods. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

A review of the current Airport Lease was discussed. Whenever the lease is redone, they would like some verbiage updates or spelled out. Steve needs to make sure that copies of insurance are received from Holzwarth and Lowry. He is also to follow up on any prohibited acts. The council would like to discuss the following at the July 2 council meeting: filling the vacant commission seat, reviewing a job description for an airport manager, and determining the airport commission’s role versus the city council’s role regarding the airport.

The City Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report for May were presented to the council. Sandy also reported that system conversion is expected from August 7^th through the 27^th. She also reported that roughly 294 new water meter installations will have been completed by the end of this month.

City Administrator Steve Beck reported that well field levels have dropped slightly but are still holding steady. He also gave updates on Fehr Graham, the medical building, interviewing for water/wastewater operator, airport matching funds, the earmark status, Frontier groundbreaking, and some development agreement progress. Councilperson Malcolm asked him to follow up on the broken windows at the old depot.

Mayor ProTem Landuyt reminded the council of the Work Session scheduled for June 25, 2025, at 6:30pm.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: None

Resident Comments: Jay, Public Works Supervisor, reported that the roads that were getting seal coat work done this year are completed. He also reported that various street signs have been ordered to replace some that are bad or missing. Lastly mowing and other difficulties in dealing with the airport were discussed. Steve is to address the problems and keep the council informed if they need to become more involved with resolution.

Committee of the Whole: Discussion continued regarding building permit fees. Local fees have not changed in roughly 30 years. The council is proposing a $20 minimum building permit fee which increases $1 for every $1,000 of building cost. They are also proposing a fee cap of $1,000. These changes will be drafted into an official resolution and presented at the July 2^nd council meeting for official approval.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

_____________________________
Garrett Landuyt, Mayor ProTem

Attest: ___________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.