Belle Plaine, Iowa
August 6, 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 Lyle Morrow presiding. Present were Councilpersons Garrett Landuyt, Judy Schlesselman, Dillion McGrane, Mitch Malcolm 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 Wickwire, seconded by Landuyt to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of July 16th, receiving and filing of the minutes from the May 27th meeting of the Belle Plaine Community Library Board of Trustees, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Resident Comments: None
Shawn and Lindsey Arey were present to give an update on the nuisance abatement at 1506 Rainbow Drive. Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to grant an extension and request an update at the August 20 council meeting. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Mayor Morrow swore in Officer Joshua Baker as a certified full-time police officer for the City of Belle Plaine.
Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing at 6:47 p.m. to take bids for the property at 1507 6th Avenue. With one bid of $3,000 and no other bids received, Morrow closed the hearing at 6:47 p.m. Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve resolution #25-08-01; a resolution that authorizes the final disposition of the real estate at 1507 6th Avenue to Travis Kramer for $3,000. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Lee Weeda and several members of the airport commission (Matt Moore, Logan Jensen, Johnny DeRaad) were present at the council meeting. Lee gave a monthly report on progress with the facilities and aerial operations. The commission is also working to develop a list of duties for a part-time manager’s position. There was also discussion on fully decommissioning and removal of the non-functional fuel system to prepare for a new fuel farm. This will continue at the Sept 3rd council meeting.
Mayor Morrow opened the public hearing at 7:20 p.m. on the Status of Funded Activities (SOFA) for CDBG-DR Project #20-DRI-006 (Fire Station Generator). The following remarks were presented:
THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING IS TO CONSIDER THE STATUS OF FUNDED ACTIVITIES FOR THE BELLE PLAINE FIRE STATION GENERATOR PROJECT, AS ASSISTED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM (CONTRACT # 20-DRI-006).
As required for this hearing, it is noted that:
a. For a general description of accomplishments to-date, a CDBG Disaster Recovery Generator Installation contract in the amount of $100,000 was awarded to the City of Belle Plaine from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the installation of a generator at the Fire Station, located at 504 13th St. A release of funds was issued on April 15th, 2024. A pre-construction meeting was held on December 11, 2024 and construction began on April 14th, 2025. Construction is in progress.
- For a summary of funding of the activity and source of funds, and total funds spent thus far by source, the total project cost is estimated at $61,850. Through July 25th, 2025, a total of $2,832.52 has been invoiced for project service delivery and newspaper publications, and $13,963.25 for generator construction and materials.
c. For a general description of remaining work, remaining work on the project includes generator installation, and required monitoring and site visits conducted by the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
d. For a general description of changes made to the project budget, performance targets, activity schedules, project scope, location, objectives or beneficiaries, the project is on schedule to be completed before September 2025.
Mayor Morrow closed the public hearing at 7:25 p.m. with no comments from the public.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to set a public hearing for Wednesday, August 20, 2025, to consider the plans and specifications, estimate of cost and proposed form of contract for bid proposals for the north wetland improvement project. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to approve Resolution #25-08-02; a resolution approving payment of GAX #1 to Iowa Main Street Investments for the mid-point drawdown of Community Catalyst Grant #24-CTBF-02 in the amount of $59,570.89. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to approve Resolution #25-08-03; a resolution approving payment application #2 to Nelson Electric Co for the fire department generator project; CDBG-DR Grant #20-DRI-006 in the amount of $8,700. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Malcolm to approve the first reading of Ordinance #25-7 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to Chapter 58 regarding Urban Chickens. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the first reading of Ordinance #25-8 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to Chapter 27.02 Appointment and Term for Airport Commission Members. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Jay Hamilton gave a report from the Public Works Department. Line painting is progressing. Work is also moving along with the relocation of the compost pile. We still need gates, signage, and a few policy updates before the new location will be ready to open. The wells are doing really good, and the sewer plant was able to keep up during the recent flash flooding. We are expecting the Hwy 21 intersection to be closed in the 2nd or 3rd week of August for 5-7 days to finish road repairs. Tentative availability of the vac truck is first week of September. The post-pounder will also be coming soon to help with installation of the new signs.
City Administrator Steve Beck reported that Frontier development agreement will be finished soon. Some reimbursements will be separate from the agreement. We have hired a new assistant city clerk, Bethany Grieder. Kirkwood have sent a severance letter stating they no longer have any need of space at the Belle Plaine building. Steve has been appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to the State Soil Conservation & Water Quality Commission under the Iowa Department of Ag & Land Stewardship. He has also been invited to attend their next conference & quarterly meeting. We are still looking to fill a vacancy on the Planning & Zoning Board. The mosquito spraying has been effective and going smoothly.
Mayor Morrow submitted his resignation to the council effective at the completion of this meeting.
Correspondence: None
Old Business: Revisions to Chapter 50-02(18), the Nuisance Abatement Procedure relating to parking and storage of vehicles were discussed. Changes will be brought to the next council meeting for the first reading of the amendment. Discussion on updates on nuisance properties has been tabled until the next meeting.
Resident Comments: Jay brought up the topic of the condition of the city parking lot. It is deteriorating and portions are not very safe. We will close the worst portion of it until plans for repairs can be made.
Committee of the Whole: Discussion on the future sale of city-owned properties was tabled until the next meeting.
The City Council Members thanked Lyle Morrow for his service as mayor and wished him good luck in his future endeavors.
Motion by Landuyt, seconded by McGrane to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m.
Lyle Morrow, Mayor
Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
Jim Magdefrau 