Belle Plaine, Iowa
September 3, 2025
The Belle Plaine City Council met on September 3, 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 Administrator Steve Beck and City Clerk Sandy Walton. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Wickwire to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of August 20th, receiving & filing of the minutes from the July 22nd 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
Police Chief Kris Hudson introduced our new police officer. Mayor ProTem Landuyt then completed the swearing in of new full-time police officer Felipe Lerma III.
April Kressley gave the semi-annual Parks & Recreation Report to the city council touching on the new Drahn Park baseball dugouts, new pickleball leagues, new security cameras at Franklin and Drahn Parks, summer participation numbers and a wrap-up to the pool season.
Lee Weeda gave his monthly Airport Report. He discussed the Fly-in Breakfast in conjunction with the BP Ambulance happening on October 5th. He also talked about the old fuel system, a tank trailer, maintenance needed to some runway lights and mowing. His board is working on an Airport Manager and/or Maintenance role and some income ideas. Lee recently toured 9 local airports, bringing back potential ideas for improving our airport.
Emma Peebles, BPCDC Director, gave their quarterly report to the city council. The group remains busy having recently finished the July 3rd car show & July 4th celebration. Upcoming events in progress are the Golf Outing and silent auction this week and the Cider Stroll on September 20th with 32 vendors scheduled to attend. Other topics touched on were the Business Improvement Committee, bio cells, and the BPCDC logo.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McGrane to approve closing 12th Street from 7th Avenue to 9th Avenue for the Cider Stroll on September 20th from 7am to 5:30pm to allow for vendor set-up and tear-town (event is from 9am to 4pm). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Malcolm to approve a 5-day Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies at 802 12th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the renewal of a Class E Retail Alcohol License with Sunday Sales for Caseys General Store #3513 at 606 13th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Exterior Grant) in the amount of $396.17 for Drahos Shoe Store at 722 12th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion to approve Resolution #25-09-03; a resolution approving payment application #3 to Nelson Electric Co for the fire department generator project via CDBG-DR Grant #20-DRI-006 in the amount of $47,913.75. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.
Motion by McGrane, seconded by Wickwire to approve the third and final 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. This ordinance will go into effect once published on September 17th.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the third and final 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. This ordinance will be published on September 17th and will go into effect January 1, 2026. A copy of the updated ordinance will be sent to all current chicken permit holders.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve the second reading of Ordinance #25-9 (with minor changes) 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.
Voting on Resolution #25-09-01 proposing to sell property at 715 12th Street was tabled until the next meeting. We will have a discussion with our city attorney on the possibility of setting up a development agreement for this property.
Voting on Resolution #25-09-02 proposing to sell property at 902 13th Street was tabled until the next meeting. A “For Sale” sign will be posted on this property.
The City Clerk gave a update to the City Council regarding the status of our accounting/billing system conversion. Motion by McGrane, seconded by Malcolm to waive September past due penalties due to the delay in issuing the water bills this month. On roll call vote, McGrane, Schlesselman, Landuyt, and Malcolm voted aye, Wickwire voted nay. Motion carried 4-1.
City Administrator Steve Beck gave updates on the Highway 21 intersection project, the showing of the medical clinic building, the new generator at the fire department, and upcoming meetings with Northland Securities and Fehr Graham.
Mayor ProTem Landuyt attended the Benton Co Landfill meeting. He reminded the council of the Game Ball Run photo op on Friday, September 5th. He is also planning to attend the Emergency Management Meeting in October.
Correspondence: A letter from Benton County Emergency Management was received asking for our community to participate in monthly siren tests on the first Wednesday of every month at 8:45 a.m. which would be set off by County. Council agreed to this but also wants to retain our monthly test set off locally on the first Friday of each month at 1:00 p.m.
Old Business: The downtown sidewalk paver discussion was tabled until the next meeting.
Resident Comments: None
Committee of the Whole: None
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McGrane to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.
_____________________________
Garrett Landuyt, Mayor ProTem
Attest: ___________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
Jim Magdefrau 