Belle Plaine, Iowa
April 15, 2026
The Belle Plaine City Council met on April 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor Garrett Landuyt presiding. Present were Councilpersons Charmaine Wickwire, Judy Schlesselman, Tim Werth, and Mitch Malcolm; Councilperson Jacki McDermott was absent. Also present was City Clerk Sandy Walton and City Attorney Gage Kensler.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Werth to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of April 1st Special Council Meeting for Proposed FY27 Property Tax Levy, Council Minutes of April 1st Regular Council Meeting (correcting internal grant to interior grant), and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Public Audience: None
At 6:35pm, Mayor Landuyt opened the public hearing concerning Municipal Infraction of Chapter 56 of the Belle Plaine City Code that deals with delinquent dog/cat licenses that are past due. With no comments, the public hearing closed at 6:36pm.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to turn over the delinquent dog/cat licenses to the BP Police Department for processing. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
At 6:37pm, Mayor Landuyt opened the public hearing for the 2026-2027 Budget of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa. With no comments from the public, the public hearing closed at 6:38pm.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #26-04-01; a resolution to approve the City of Belle Plaine budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
At 6:40pm, Mayor Landuyt opened the public hearing on disposition of city-owned property. With no comments from the public, the public hearing closed at 6:41pm.
Motion by Werth, seconded by Malcolm to approve Resolution #26-04-07; a resolution approving disposition of city-owned property in the Belle Plaine Urban Renewal Area. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
At 6:42pm, Mayor Landuyt opened the public hearing on a proposed development agreement with Frontier Distribution LLC. With no comments from the public, the public hearing closed at 6:43pm.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Werth to approve Resolution #26-04-08; a resolution to approve development agreement with Frontier Distribution LLC, authorize annual appropriation tax increment payments and pledging certain tax increment revenues to the payment of the agreement. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve Resolution #26-04-09; a resolution authorizing internal advance for funding of property acquisition. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Werth, seconded by Wickwire to approve the purchase of Landpride 12 ft rotary mower from P&K Midwest for $15,900. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Malcolm to approve an agreement for engineering services from Fehr Graham for the USDA Federal Appropriation Funding Documentation in an amount not to exceed $234,700. Kerry Dixon and Shawn Lueth from Fehr Graham were present to answer any questions. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Werth to approve an agreement for engineering services from Fehr Graham for the Capital Improvement Plan in an amount not to exceed $36,700. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Schlesselman to approve the Water Quality Initiative Grant Contract with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) for Wellfield Wetland Restoration-Phase II. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve a Business Incentive Grant (Commercial Interior Grant) for Preston’s Station at 1303 4th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa in the amount of $4,500. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Werth, seconded by Schlesselman to approve Resolution #26-04-05; a resolution proposing to dispose of real property at 1010 8th Avenue and publishing a notice of public hearing to be held on May 6th. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Wickwire to approve Resolution #26-04-06; a resolution certifying properties to the Benton Co Treasurer Pursuant to Benton Co Ordinances 68 & 69 and to Iowa Code 446.19A. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Werth to approve setting a public hearing for Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 6:30pm in Council Chambers at the Belle Plaine City Hall for Amendment #2 of the current FY26 Budget. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 4-0.
A discussion on various zoning ordinance changes was held. Clarification on the ability to have mixed use in C1 property was confirmed. Further discussion and any changes were tabled until a new City Administrator is hired.
Jay was unable to attend the meeting due to problems with a lift station. He wanted to share that the safety items and barricades we were awarded through the Iowa Small City Work Zone Sign Grant delivered this week.
The City Clerk provided a written update on various projects as well as the March Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report.
The mayor read the Arbor Day Proclamation declaring April 25, 2026, as Arbor Day in the City of Belle Plaine. He then commented that he has some concerns with one of the chicken permits being requested for renewal. He also asked some questions about the current grant status for the wellfield generator. We may have to refile for this grant at a later date once the electrical upgrades are completed.
Correspondence: The weekly update from Midwest Municipal Consulting was shared with the City Council.
Old Business: None
Motion by Werth, seconded by Malcolm to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 4-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
_____________________________
Garrett Landuyt, Mayor
Attest: ___________________________
Sandra Walton, City Clerk
Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.
Jim Magdefrau 