Belle Plaine, Iowa
August 20, 2025
The Belle Plaine City Council met on August 20, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor ProTem Landuyt 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 McGrane to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of August 6th, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Resident Comments: None
Shawn Arey was present to give an update on the nuisance abatement at 1506 Rainbow Drive. He is making progress and needs to focus on cleaning up front yard. He is to give an additional update on September 17.
Mayor ProTem Landuyt opened the public hearing at 6:36 p.m. to consider the plans and specifications, estimate costs and proposed form of contract for bid proposals for the north wetland improvement project. Steve explained the funding plans and Shawn Leuth and Donovan Wildman from Fehr Graham gave a broad explanation of the plans with the project likely to start in October. The final seeding should be completed by May 2026.
Landuyt closed the hearing at 6:50 p.m. Motion by McGrane, seconded by Wickwire to approve resolution #25-08-04; a resolution to approve the north wetland project plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated prices. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to approve resolution #25-08-05; a resolution to award bid and approve construction contract for the north wetland project to Lodge Construction of Shell Rock, Iowa in the amount of $358,064.50. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Police Chief Hudson gave his monthly report. Our final full-time police officer position has been filed. We have also hired an additional reserve officer to cover a few shifts here and there. Officer Ecker is still at the academy and is set to graduate October 2.
We have received the FY26 GTSB grant in the amount of $6,000. Additional warranty repairs will be completed on the Durango.
Discussion on the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll Drive was tabled.
A discussion on plans to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Mayor Morrow was held. Since we are so close to the next city election, it was determined that they would choose to appoint someone to the mayor’s seat until the election. Motion by Landuyt, seconded by Wickwire to proceed with the required Vacancy Notice which will notify the public that the city council intends to fill the seat by appointment at the October 1, 2025, city council meeting. Eligible electors wanting to be considered for the appointment should submit a request in writing to the City Clerk. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Malcolm to approve the second 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 second 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.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Malcolm to approve the first reading of Ordinance 25-9 which would amend the Code of Ordinances of the City of Belle Plaine by amending the provisions pertaining to Chapter 50.02(18) Parking and Storage of Vehicles. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
The City Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report for July were presented to the
council.
City Administrator Steve Beck reported on repairs to the large main break that our Public Works department (led by Jay Hamilton) completed last night. Kinzenbaw Earthmoving and the DOT were also very helpful. Road patching will continue throughout the week. Steve has shown the Medical Clinic several times this week. We need to improve some landscaping at that location. Bethany Grieder starts in the clerk’s office on Thursday. Steve will be attending a conference for several days next week. He is also excited to see the Wetland Project move forward.
Mayor ProTem Landuyt talked about a couple of other meetings that he will try to cover
until a new mayor is elected. He will be attending the Benton Co Landfill meeting tomorrow night and is waiting to hear when the next E911 meeting is being held.
Correspondence: Information regarding the Game Ball Run by the Iowa and Iowa State
ROTC cadets was shared with the council. They will be in Belle Plaine on Friday, September 5th from roughly 10:30-11:00am with photo opportunities at the Hawkeye Mural at the entrance to downtown. All council members were encouraged to attend.
Old Business: Discussion was held on updates on various nuisance properties. Some follow-up letters will be sent. Also, we will add 1202 15th Street to the nuisance list. The
property appears abandoned and has water shut-off problems.
Question was asked whether the reserved parking can be removed due to the closure
of Cornerstone Apothecary. We plan to remove it.
We will review the progress on sidewalk repair letters that were sent out this fall. Also,
Jay also has a plan to improve the city parking lot surface.
Resident Comments: None
Committee of the Whole: Discussion on the future sale of city-owned properties was
held. At this time, we will proceed with trying to sell the 715 12th Street and 902 13th
Street locations.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Schlesselman to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye,
motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

Garrett Landuyt, Mayor ProTem
Attest: _______________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.