Belle Plaine, Iowa

January 7, 2026

The Belle Plaine City Council met on January 7, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor Garrett Landuyt presiding. Present were Councilpersons Judy Schlesselman, Tim Werth, Jacki McDermott, 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 Malcolm, seconded by McDermott to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of December 17^th (with clarification that the potluck that was held was with city employees not the landfill), receiving & filing of the minutes from the November 25th meeting of the Belle Plaine Community Library Board of Trustees, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Public Audience: Emma Peebles from Belle Plaine Community Development was in attendance to invite all city council members to the annual BPCDC meeting being held Thursday, January 22, 2026, at the Belle Plaine Area Museum.

Johnny DeRaad of 404 4^th Street commented on the trees being taken down on Mainstreet and that he hopes there is a plan to replace them. Mayor Landuyt responded that the decision was not taken lightly and that there is a plan in place.

Matt Moore and Johnny DeRaad from the Airport Commission were present to give a report to council. They are working on getting some different equipment to better address the Airport’s needs. They are developing a main hanger renovation project for offices and to gain upstairs access to a meeting room, revamping the fuel farm needs, developing a facilities/airport manager position, and looking into a weather system. They will be placing a piece of equipment for sale on Gov Deals.

Motion by Werth, seconded by Wickwire to purchase a used John Deere tractor from Maresh & Sons Equipment of Caldwell for $21,500. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Mayor Landuyt will follow up with C&L Holzwarth regarding the fuel farm agreement.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by McDermott to approve pay application #1 to Lodge Construction, Inc. for the North Wetland Project in the amount of $8,347.82. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Werth to approve renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License with Sunday Sales for American Legion Jennings Bradshaw Post #39, 1008 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 setting a public hearing for Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 6:30 pm in City Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall for Amendment #1 to the current fiscal year 2026 budget. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Malcolm, to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Interior Grant) with corrected dates for JAB Property Holdings (Jason Beauregard) at 822 12^th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa in the amount of $4,500. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Werth, to approve The Hometown Current as the official newspaper of the City of Belle Plaine for 2026.

City Administrator Steve Beck handed out a written report to council. It provided updates on the wetland project, a meeting with IDALS, ground leveling at the 1^st Avenue site (road will be repaired when the wetland project is completed), and the required soil sampling being completed at the airport for upcoming projects. He will be putting out some information regarding the various flags that are appearing around town and explain the ongoing projects. He was also asked to address the condition of the depot with its owner.

Mayor Landuyt attended the Benton Co Landfill meeting recently. There were no other meetings.

Correspondence: Information from the Benton County Board of Supervisors regarding the Benton County EMS Trust Fund was handed out to all council members.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Garrett Landuyt, Mayor

Attest:
Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.