--- ## author: Renee Eyrich date: D:20260819132814-05'00' --- ## BELLE PLAINE CITY COUNCIL ## WORK SESSION ## AUGUST 3, 2026 ## 1. CALL TO ORDER. 1.1. ROLL CALL. A Work Session of the Belle Plaine City Council met on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 6:19 PM in the council chambers of City Hall, 218 North Meridian Street, Belle Plaine, MN. Present were Mayor James Evans and Councilmembers Brady Hartmann, Rex Stacey, Luke Otto and Shane Theas. Also present were City Administrator Meyer, Community Development Director Smith Strack Public Works Superintendent Otto, Police Sergeant Vycital, City Engineer Duncan and City Attorney Bob Vose. ## 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA. MOTION by Councilmember Hartmann, second by Councilmember Otto, to approve the Agenda as presented. ALL VOTED AYE. MOTION CARRIED. EDA President Duklet called the EDA Meeting to order at 6:20 PM with Commissioners Krant, Fahey and Buck present. Planning and Zoning President Romness called the Planning and Zoning Meeting to order at 6:20 PM with Commissioners Crosby, Walsh, Duklet, Schmitz and Eggers present. ## 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS. 3.1. School District Concept Plans with City Council, EDA & Planning and Zoning. Community Development Director Smith Strack introduced the subject and those in attendance. Rich Rodich of Bray Architects and Jeremy Anderson of Design Tree Engineering presented the concept plans for the upgrades at the school district facilities. The Council, EDA and Planning Commissions had a lengthy conversation and asked questions of District staff representatives. School District Superintendent Laager agreed to do a safety study on the concept. Mayor Evans called for a 5-minute recess at 7:30 PM. Mayor Evans reconvened at 7:36 PM. 3.2. Discussion: streamlining the Development Review Process with City Council, EDA & Planning and Zoning. Community Development Director Smith Strack reviewed the current process for Development Review with a brief slideshow and highlighted areas that could be streamlined. The Council, EDA and Planning Commissions held a lengthy conversation. The Council directed staff to work on ordinance changes for the most common occurrences including moving to one public hearing, minor variances, lot combo/splits. MOTION by Commissioner Krant, second by Commissioner Fahey, to adjourn the EDA meeting at 8:35 ## PM. MOTION by Commissioner Eggers, second by Commissioner Crosby, to adjourn the Planning and Zoning meeting at 8:35 PM. Mayor Evans called for a 5-minute recess at 8:36 PM. ## Council Work Session August 3, 2026 APPROVED Page 2 of 2 Mayor Evans reconvened at 8:39 PM. 3.3. Discussion: Prairie Park Shelter Repairs. City Administrator Meyer provided a brief overview. Councilmember Stacy brought forward concerns over local business owner offering to donate Prairie Park Shelter Repairs. The Council and staff held a lengthy discussion. Councilmember Hartmann and Otto requested that, for future offers, staff collect the offeror’s contact information and provide it to the Council. 3.4. Discussion: Public Works Lawn Mower Replacement. Public Works Superintendent Otto reviewed the request for a replacement lawn mower. The Council held a lengthy discussion. It was the consensus of the majority of the Council to move the replacement Lawn Mower purchase to the council meeting. ## 4. ADJOURN. MOTION by Councilmember Otto, second by Councilmember Theas, to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 PM. ## ALL VOTED AYE. MOTION CARRIED. ## Respectfully Submitted, ## Renee Eyrich ## Recording Secretary