Belle Plaine Community Development looks for new director

BELLE PLAINE — Amber Hoover and Mindy Atkinson, of Belle Plaine Community Development, told the Belle Plaine City Council last week that they are reviewing applications and setting interviews for the director’s position.

The organization is also waiting for approval from the Parks and Recreation Board to have July 3 events at Franklin Park.

The biocell committee is making good progress, Hoover and Atkinson reported. The committee has plans for new plants to go into the biocells and are working on a presentation for the city council.

The City Administrator will coordinate with Community Development members to tour the lower level of the city-owned Hart building to see if the space is suitable for Community Development offices.

Nuisance

Jeremy and Kelly Owens discussed with the council the nuisance notice they received for their property at 1512 Second Avenue. Their garage burned down in February of 2023, and they’ve been fighting with insurance to get money to repair or replace it, they said.

The council said it understands the delay and would like another update on progress by the April 17, meeting.

ARPA

The council discussed projects for the balance of American Rescue Plan Act funds. April Kressley, Parks and Recreation director, presented a proposal to replace the pool heater, and other projects were discussed.

Council members decided to put $36,000 toward the new pool heater and the balance of the remaining ARPA funds toward the new water meter project.

Police

The council authorized Police Chief Kris Hudson to purchase Fleet Tracker through AT&T, to hardwire one of the speed feedback signs (the best location is too shady for solar), to put a Hemi engine in the newly ordered police vehicle and arrange for two house inspections.

Hudson reported that officers Bacheller and Chekal are halfway through their Iowa Law Enforcement Academy training and that officer Garwood will attend the academy in Cedar Rapids starting in May.

Hudson also said that the four-way flashing lights at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and 13th Street are not working properly and may need replaced.

City Administrator Steve Beck will discuss the issue with the Iowa Department of Transportation.

Streetlights

The council voted to add streetlights in the middle of the 400 block of 16th Street, in the alley near well No. 6 and in the middle of the 500 block of Fourth Avenue.