Belle Plaine, Iowa

September 17, 2025

The Belle Plaine City Council met on September 17, 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 Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of September 3^rd (with correction moving updated chicken ordinance letter for permit holders to correct paragraph), and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Resident Comments: None

Police Chief Kris Hudson gave updates on vehicle repairs, officer Ecker finishing the academy soon, Officer Lerma starting the academy on 9/22, Chief attending a conference next week, and upcoming drive for donations for Holiday with a Cop. He also handed out the August Call-for-Service Report.

Shawn Arey was not present to give an update on nuisance abatement at 1506 Rainbow Drive.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #25-09-04; a resolution deleting property from the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McGrane, seconded by Malcolm to approve the first reading of Ordinance #25-10; an ordinance deleting property from the tax increment financing district for the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McGrane to approve waiving the second reading of Ordinance #25-10; an ordinance deleting property from the tax increment financing district for the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by McGrane to approve waiving the third and final reading of Ordinance #25-10; an ordinance deleting property from the tax increment financing district for the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa, Pursuant to Section 403.19 of the Code of Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0. This ordinance will go into effect once published on October 1st.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve Resolution #25-09-05; a resolution setting the date for a public hearing on designation of the expanded Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area and on the Urban Renewal Plan amendment for October 15^th. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Malcolm to approve the Proposal for Civil Design and Construction Engineering Services Water System Study with Fehr Graham for an amount not to exceed $60,610 (which is covered by a forgivable loan). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Interior Grant) in the amount of $4,500.00 for Kingdom Dental Care at 804 12^th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Wickwire to approve the third and final reading of Ordinance #25-9 with a revision to Section 50.01 Definition of “side yard” which would also 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. This ordinance will go into effect once published on October 1st.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt to approve the Knights of Columbus Tootsie roll Drive collection on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 8am to 12:30pm at the corner of 13^th St & 7^th Ave in Belle Plaine (4-way stop). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

The City Clerk gave an update to the City Council regarding the status of our accounting/billing system conversion and plans to correct sewer user fees. She also reported that both the August and September City Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Reports should be ready for the October 15^th City Council meeting.

City Administrator Steve Beck gave updates on the Highway 21 intersection project, more build-out plans from Alliant and USA Communications, the upcoming pre-construction meeting for the North Wetland Project, repair of 2 water main breaks this past Friday, and a tentative ribbon cutting for Kingdom Dental on October 3^rd at 11:30am.

Mayor ProTem Landuyt wanted to thank and recognize the Public Works crew for the great job they have been doing handling main breaks. He also wanted to remind everyone that election paperwork is due by 5pm on Thursday, September 18^th.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: Jay Hamilton, Public Works Manager, discussed some options for the downtown sidewalk pavers. Concrete stamping is an option, but he would prefer a transition to pavers like those in the crosswalks which are not as easily affected by salt and freezing water. He presented some rough quotes to show potential costs and suggested a plan to replace a portion over the next several years. The council said they trusted his judgment and would support his plan to move forward.

Future topics for committee of the whole: 1) Removing water lines back to the main instead of only to the curb when a house is demo’d. 2) Creating a “Reserved” 15-minute parking space at City Hall during normal business hours.

Resident Comments: None

Committee of the Whole: None

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Landuyt 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.