Belle Plaine, Iowa

February 18, 2026

The Belle Plaine City Council met on February 18, 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, Mitch Malcolm, and Charmaine Wickwire. Also present was City Clerk Sandy Walton, Police Chief Kris Hudson, and Public Works Supervisor Jay Hamilton. Councilperson Jacki McDermott and City Administrator Steve Beck were absent. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Werth to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of February 4th, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Public Audience: None

Chief Hudson handed out the January Calls for Service Report and the monthly police report to the council. He pointed out that there is still an opening for a full-time police officer, that he ordered a new handheld radar unit, and that he is working on several grant requests.

Motion by Werth, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #26-02-04; a resolution to set a public hearing for Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 6:30pm in the Belle Plaine Council Chambers for the proposed Property Tax Levy for FY27 of $16.34459. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Werth to approve a roughly $67,000 addition to the Lodge contract for moving the water line and installing new supply piping for Well #3 at the Wetland Project. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0. Shawn Lueth from Fehr Graham was in attendance to answer any questions regarding this change and to confirm that the grants already in place would cover this additional expense.

Discussion was held to start the process of filling the City Administrator position in preparation for Steve Beck’s departure. In addition, there was conversation on handling the current city administrator’s workload in the interim.

The City Clerk presented the January Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report.

Mayor Landuyt will be attending the Benton Co Landfill meeting on Thursday evening, 2/19.

Public Works Manager Jay Hamilton reported on recent activity. He has started installing more new meters. He also reported that the new vac-truck is working out well; helping with the main break last Thursday, the plugged sewer line last Sunday, and even helped Keystone with some emergency jetting on Monday. We are dealing with a busted power pole at the well field. We were one of 10 out of 160 applicants to be awarded the Iowa Small City Work Zone Sign Package. We have also completed 4 interviews for the vacant Utility/Water/Wastewater position and hope to extend an offer soon.

Correspondence: A thank you from Don Drahos for the receipt of a business incentive grant was shared with the council.

Old Business: Malcolm gave an update from the Time Capsule Committee. The entire room was requested to attend the next meeting on Sunday, March 22^nd at 2pm in the Museum. Current plans are to dig up the existing time capsule by June 20^th and display in the Museum with a presentation on July 4^th. A new time capsule will be reburied in the fall.

Motion by Werth, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 7:31 p.m.
Garrett Landuyt, Mayor

Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.