Belle Plaine, Iowa

June 5, 2026

The Belle Plaine City Council met in special session on June 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at Belle Plaine City Hall with Mayor Garrett Landuyt presiding. Present: Judy Schlesselman, Tim Werth, Charmaine Wickwire, Jacki McDermott, and Mitch Malcolm. Also present: City Clerk Sandra Walton. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Schlesselman to enter into closed session at 9:33 a.m. for the interview of City Administrator Candidate Micah Hobart under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a close session. On roll call vote, Werth, Schlesselman, Wickwire, Malcolm, and McDermott all voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

On a motion by Wickwire with a second from Werth the council came out of closed session at 11:11 a.m. On roll call vote, Werth, Schlesselman, Wickwire, Malcolm, and McDermott all voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Schlesselman, seconded by Werth to enter into closed session at 11:19 a.m. for the interview of City Administrator Candidate Zach Simonson under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a close session. On roll call vote, Werth, Schlesselman, Wickwire, Malcolm, and McDermott all voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

On a motion by Wickwire with a second from Malcolm the council came out of closed session at 12:37 p.m. On roll call vote, Werth, Schlesselman, Wickwire, Malcolm, and McDermott all voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Malcolm to enter into closed session at 1:26 p.m. for deliberations on selection of a City Administrator, terms of an agreement, and whether to extend an offer to a candidate under Iowa Code 21.5 (1) (i) to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual’s reputation and that individual requests a close session. Our Hiring Consultant Elizabeth Hansen was invited to participate in this closed session. On roll call vote, Werth, Schlesselman, Wickwire, Malcolm, and McDermott all voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

On a motion by Schlesselman with a second from Malcolm the council came out of closed session at 3:08 p.m. On roll call vote, Werth, Schlesselman, Wickwire, Malcolm, and McDermott all voted aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Motion by McDermott, seconded by Schlesselman for our consultant, Elizabeth Hansen, to negotiate an offer of employment for the City Administrator position to the candidate as directed with the terms discussed. On roll call vote, all voted aye, motion carried 5-0.

Motion by Werth to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Malcolm. On roll call vote, all voted Aye. Motion carried 5-0. The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

Garrett Landuyt, Mayor

Attest: _____________________________

Sandra Walton, City Clerk

Transcribed by the City Clerk subject to Council approval.