Belle Plaine, Iowa

May 20, 2026

The Belle Plaine City Council met on May 20, 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, Jacki McDermott, and Mitch Malcolm; Also present was City Clerk Sandra Walton, Public Works Supervisor Jay Hamilton, and Police Chief Kris Hudson. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Wickwire, seconded by Werth to approve the Consent Agenda, Council Minutes of May 6th, and bills received. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Public Audience: Mary Preston thanked the council for their support and reported that the mural at Preston’s Station is now complete and looks great!

At 6:33pm, Mayor Landuyt opened the public hearing. Alyssa Comer of ECICOG was in attendance to address give a report and answer any questions. THE PURPOSE OF THIS HEARING IS TO CONSIDER THE STATUS OF FUNDED ACTIVITIES FOR THE BELLE PLAINE TREE REPLANTING PROGRAM, AS ASSISTED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM (CONTRACT # 20-DRI-026).

As required for this hearing, it is noted that:

1. For a general description of accomplishments to-date, a CDBG Disaster Recovery Tree Replanting contract in the amount of $40,000 was awarded to the City of Belle Plaine from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the replanting of trees in Beautiful Plaines Prairie Park. A release of funds was issued on April 12th, 2024. A pre-construction meeting was held on March 10th, 2026, and planting began on May 5th, 2026. Watering continues weekly and will end August 30th, 2026.
2. For a summary of funding of the activity and source of funds, and total funds spent thus far by source, as of May 19th, 2026, a total of $3,562.50 has been invoiced for project service delivery and newspaper publications. Remaining funds are to be spent on contractor work and final project service delivery.
3. For a general description of remaining work, Remaining work on the project includes required monitoring and site visits conducted by the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and weekly watering through August 30th, 2026.
4. For a general description of changes made to the project budget, performance targets, activity schedules, project scope, location, objectives or beneficiaries, a contract amendment was made to increase the number of trees planted from the initially anticipated 40, to 85. The project is currently on schedule to be completed before the grant end date of September 30th, 2026.

With no comments, the public hearing closed at 6:36pm.

At 6:37pm, Mayor Landuyt opened the public hearing to amend the current budget (7/1/25-6/30/26). With no questions, the public hearing closed at 6:38pm.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by McDermott to approve Resolution #26-05-03; a resolution approving budget amendment #2 for Fiscal Year 2026. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Discussion on the purchase of Airport hangar doors was tabled awaiting additional bids.

Airport Commission members Lee Weeda and Matt Moore were in attendance to discuss proposed Airport contract revisions. With a few minor change suggestions from the council, the contracts will be forwarded to our attorney for review.

Motion by Malcolm, seconded by Werth to approve the renewal of a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License including Sunday sales, catering privilege, and outdoor service for Fire Box on Main, 813 12^th Street, Belle Plaine, Iowa. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Police Chief Kris Hudson provided a report for the council.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Werth to approve the second reading of Ordinance #26-3; an ordinance amending the code of ordinance of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa by amending provisions pertaining to water rates. Water rates would go from $8.60 per thousand gallons to $9.03 per thousand gallons and out-of-town rates would go from $10.99 to $11.54 per thousand. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Malcolm to approve the second reading of Ordinance #26-4; an ordinance amending the code of ordinance of the City of Belle Plaine, Iowa by amending provisions pertaining to sewer service charges. Sewer rates would go from $13.59 to $14.27 per thousand. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Wickwire to approve a tax abatement under the Belle Plaine Urban Revitalization Plan for Brock Flack at 1005 9th Avenue, Belle Plaine, Iowa (parcel #03050000). On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Revisions to the proposed City Administrator contract were discussed. Further discussion will occur during hiring deliberations on June 5th. Also discussed was the relocation of the City Administrator’s office within City Hall. This will occur in the next couple of weeks.

Motion by McDermott to give all employees a 3% raise for fiscal year 2027. After much discussion, the motion died for lack of a second. No action was taken at this meeting. Discussions will continue at a future meeting.

The City Clerk provided a written update on various projects as well as the April Treasurer’s Report and City Budget Report.

The Public Works Supervisor had nothing to report but was thanked by the council for helping get the new flags and flower baskets put up on main street and also for getting the golf cart up and running.

The mayor had nothing additional to report.

Old Business: Council was reminded that the time capsule will be unearthed on May 29th. Any remaining plants will be dug up at 7pm on May 28th. Sorting will start at the museum at 9am on June 5th.

Motion by Werth, seconded by McDermott to adjourn the meeting. All voted aye, motion carried 5-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

Garrett Landuyt, Mayor

Attest: Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.