Belle Plaine, Iowa

February 4, 2026

The Belle Plaine City Council met on February 4, 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, Jacki McDermott, and Charmaine Wickwire. Also present were City Attorney Gage Kensler, City Administrator Steve Beck, City Clerk Sandy Walton, Public Works Supervisor Jay Hamilton, and Police Chief Kris Hudson. Councilpersons Mitch Malcolm and Tim Werth were absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of January 21st, Council Minutes of January 28th, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Public Audience: None

Mayor Landuyt opened the public hearing at 6:32 p.m. to amend the current budget (7/1/25 – 6/30/26). With no questions or comments from the public, the public hearing was closed at 6:34 p.m.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Wickwire to approve Resolution #26-02-01; a resolution approving budget amendment #1 for FY26. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Jeremy and Ryan from Sector Technology were in attendance to present a proposal on in-car video, body cameras, and laptops for the Police Department. Information was left for all council members for further review.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McDermott to approve pay application #2 to Lodge Construction, Inc. for the North Wetland Project in the amount of $92,584.08. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #26-02-02; a resolution approving payment of GAX #2 to Iowa Main Street Investments for the final drawdown of Community Catalyst Grant #24-CTBF-02 in the amount of $40,429.11. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Wickwire to approve the appointment of Dillion McGrane to the Planning & Zoning Variance Board of Adjustment with his term to expire January 2031. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McDermott to approve the renewal of a Class C Retail Alcohol License (LC) with Outdoor and Sunday Sales for Belle Plaine Country Club 1911 13^th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

The City Clerk presented an update to the proposed levy rate as a follow-up to some changes requested by the council during the Budget Workshop. The FY27 levy rate is expected to decrease by approximately 55 cents per $1,000 of valuation over the current FY26 rate.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McDermott to approve Resolution #26-02-03; a resolution approving the transfer of funds from the Windstorm Fund to the Road Use Fund. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

City Administrator Steve Beck handed out a written report to council. It provided updates on the wetland project, the treatment plant/stockpile site, Frontier Co-op, and the airport.

Mayor Landuyt attended the EMA budget workshop via computer.

Old Business: Wickwire inquired about the status of paying off the old fuel system agreement. Mayor Landuyt said Holzwarth will be removing the existing fuel and has offered to attend a council meeting to discuss fuel systems and needs.

Motion by Wickwire to enter into closed session per Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (c) to discuss strategy with counsel in matters that are presently in litigation or where litigation is imminent where its disclosure would likely to prejudice or disadvantage the position of the governmental body in that litigation, seconded by Schlesselman at 7:29 p.m. On roll call vote, Schlesselman, Wickwire, and McDermott all voted aye. Motion carried 3-0.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Schlesselman to come out of closed session at 7:52 p.m. On roll call vote, Schlesselman, Wickwire, and McDermott all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by McDermott to instruct our attorney to reach out to the plaintiff and deny the request. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 3-0.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by McDermott to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 3-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

_____________________________
Garrett Landuyt, Mayor

Attest: ___________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.