Bellechester City Council Meeting Minutes
July 16 @ 6:00 PM
Call the meeting to order at 6:00. Meeting is recorded, and the recordings belong to the City of Bellechester.
Pledge to the flag
Mayor Jody Gordon opened the regular city council meeting at 6:00.
Roll call was taken: The council in attendance: Mayor Jody Gordon, Council member Mark Gerken Jacob Gilsdorf, Nick Keller and Rich Majerus as well as City Clerk Lisa Redepenning, treasurer Kyle McKeown, City Engineer Matt Mohs as well as Dan Poncelet, Jackie Distad, Joe and Jo Poncelet, Nolan and Michelle Diller were also present.
Minutes of the June 18, 2025 meeting were reviewed and motion was made by Mark Gerken with a second by Nick Keller to approve the minutes with noted changes. Motion carried.
Bills were reviewed with a motion by Rich Majerus with a second by Jake Gilsdorf to approve and pay the bills as presented. Motion carried.
Old Business:
• Sanitary Sewer Improvements – Update – Project is complete with the exception of any change orders. Adding manholes, adding 60’ of lining and patches in sewer lines need to be made. Approx $90,000 left. Change order will be approx. $60,000. ADA changes still need to be done at the Community Center. Discussion with BCCA board on these changes are needed. Final draft was presented for ADA fixes. It will be approximate $40,000-$55,000 for building improvements to be ADA compliant. Close out Visusewer – punch lists have been completed. At next meeting, we can discuss reducing the retainage that we have with Visusewer. Matt will find out from Rural Development on the process of finishing up this project.
• Lead Service Line – Update – received the paperwork from Dept of Health on our application. Waiting for a work order from them on behalf of the city. We are hoping to get on the list for funding to replace the remaining list of identified lines.
New business:
• Building Permit – 610 2nd Street Shed – Owner/residents were present on the shed to present the plans on the building permit for the shed that was recently placed. Motion was made by Rich Majerus with a 2nd by Jake Gilsdorf to approve the building permit as presented. Motion carried.
• Update on letter sent on building improvements and update on progress. An inquiry on putting fill in at old Creamery lot was made.
• Fire Association Update – Rich gave an update on the progress of a new joint powers agreement that was presented. Meeting will be August 11th to present to fire association.
• Preliminary 2026 Budget -
Engineer Report – None
Clerk Report –
Treasurer Report – List was distributed of past dues and a shut day was set.
Water/Wastewater/Facility Report – There are some leaks that are occurring that need to be addressed by homeowners.
Mayor Concerns: None
Council Concerns: Violation procedures was discussed.
Adjourn
Motion was made by Mark Gerken with a second by Nick Keller to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 6:16. Motion carried.
Submitted by Lisa Redepenning – City Clerk
