Belle Plaine, Iowa
July 16, 2025
The Belle Plaine City Council met on July 16, 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, Dillion McGrane, and Charmaine Wickwire. Also present were City Attorney Gage Kensler, City Administrator Steve Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton. Mayor Lyle Morrow and Councilperson Mitch Malcolm were absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to approve the Consent Agenda (with Item #25A regarding law enforcement options tabled to a future meeting), Council Minutes of July 2nd, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Resident Comments: None
Tayor Hunn was present to give an update on his nuisance abatement at 1007 6th Avenue. Motion by McGrane, seconded by Wickwire to grant one more extension until August 20, 2025. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Samantha Wheeler was present regarding the revocation of her 2025 chicken permit at 1502 5th Avenue. Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to grant a 2-week extension for her to get a temporary fix in place expanding the outdoor run and a 1-month extension for her to get the permanent structure in line with existing code. This will allow her to retain her 2025 chicken permit. On roll call vote, all voted, aye, motion carried 4-0.
Shawn Lueth and Donovan Wildman, our engineers from Fehr Graham, gave the council a handout and went through a current overview of the various projects they are working on for the city.
Library Director Jackie Toennies gave the annual library report to the council.
Police Chief Kris Hudson gave his monthly report and handed out the June calls for service list. He reported that the hiring of new officers is in progress and July 3rd & 4th went well with few complaints.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #25-5 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to Chapters 165.24 & 165.28 regarding construction permit fees. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0. This ordinance will go into effect once published on July 30th.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #25-6 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to Chapter 57 regarding Dangerous and Vicious Animals. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0. This ordinance will go into effect once published on July 30th.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Wickwire to approve resolution #25-07-04; a resolution approving the Iowa Department of Transportation FY25 Street Finance Report and authorizing the city clerk to sign same. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Interior Grant) for The Butterfly Effect Foundation (Russ & Heather Hemness) at 726 12th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to approve the request from the Ambulance Service to make 11th Street from the corner of 10th Avenue to 13th Avenue one way going east on July 19, 2025, from 3:30 pm to approximately 8:00 pm for the annual Drive Thru or Sit-down Sweet Corn Festival presented by the Belle Plaine Area Ambulance. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Wickwire to approve the appointment of Johnny DeRaad to the Airport Commission per the commission’s request. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0. DeRaad’s term will expire January 2027. The Council would like to invite the entire Airport Commission to attend the next city council meeting.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to table placing revised residence requirements for the Airport Commission on the next ballot since the lawyer told the council that it was not a requirement. This can be altered by an ordinance revision. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to approve a 5-day Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service for the Belle Plaine Fire Department Dance being held September 6th from 7pm – 11pm at Franklin Park and granting permission for them to use and have control over the park for that event. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
The City Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report for June were presented to the council.
City Administrator Steve Beck reported that the wellfield is doing well right now. He also reported on Frontier’s groundbreaking which occurred on July 11th. He and Kate Robertson continue to show the Medical Building to various interested parties. Steve is planning to attend a couple of upcoming workshops and the water conference in Ames.
Mayor ProTem Landuyt told the council he will be covering for Mayor Morrow while the mayor is on vacation for the next couple of weeks.
Correspondence: Copy of a note received from Congresswoman Ashley Hinson was shared with the council.
Old Business: Discussion on revisions to the existing Urban Chicken Ordinance was held. The first reading of the revised ordinance will be brought to the next council meeting. Once changes to the ordinance are finalized, letters will be sent to existing Chicken permit holders letting them know of changes. They will need to meet new requirements before the 2026 permits are issued.
Resident Comments: None
Committee of the Whole: Current City Code Chapter 50, Nuisance Abatement Procedure, was handed out to council for them to consider possible revisions. They would also like to receive an update from Shawn Arey at the next meeting regarding the status of his nuisance abatement.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McGrane to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
Garrett Landuyt, Mayor ProTem
Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
Jim Magdefrau 