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Plainfield council approves permits and water report, tables records-policy update and discusses tax allocation
Summary
Council approved building permits and a water-quality report, combined two parcels (with an abstention), tabled an updated records-retention resolution for more detail, and discussed potential reallocation of the local option sales and services tax. Departmental reports and code review items were also addressed.
At its April 16, 2025 meeting, the Plainfield City Council approved several routine permits and administrative reports, combined two city parcels (with an abstention by an owning council member), and continued discussions about records-retention policy and the designation of local option sales-and-service-tax revenue.
On separate motions, the council approved a building permit for 833 Main Street to place two commercial storage containers (motion by Jamison Downing, seconded by Joseph Schmall) and approved an amended permit for 403 3rd Street changing a planned wood deck to a poured-concrete patio and adding a concrete driveway (motion by Timothy Neil, seconded by Joseph Schmall). The council also approved combining parcel #01-29-155-002 and #01-29-155-003; Jamison Downing, Timothy Neil and Joseph Schmall voted in favor while Clyde Balvanz abstained because he owns the parcels.
Department reports included a Bremer County Sheriff’s Office call-hours report for March showing deputies logged 56 hours with five calls for service in Plainfield. Superintendent Brice Dietz reviewed the 2024 Water Quality (Consumer Confidence) Report; Council Member Timothy Neil moved and Joseph Schmall seconded approval of the report. The council approved that the report would be posted on the city website, at City Hall and in the library rather than mailed to all residents. The council reviewed a cellular-meter quote from Van Wert and reached a consensus not to pursue cellular meters at this time.
On personnel and administration matters, the council reviewed the City Clerk/Treasurer job description and discussed post-offer physicals and drug testing and upcoming interview scheduling. Fire Chief Evan Wagner and visitor Lee Williamson discussed scheduling firefighter physicals with Med Compass in July; Clerk Lentz said she would contact ICAP to confirm any first-responder physical requirements. The council also reviewed the IAMU insurance walkthrough and agreed to begin implementing suggested safety changes.
Council Member Joseph Schmall moved and Jamison Downing seconded a motion to table Resolution No. 2025-05, an updated records-management and retention policy, and place it on the May 13, 2025 agenda so the City Clerk can add more detail to the retention provisions. The council continued review of proposed amendments to the Code of Ordinances (sanitary sewer, Chapters 95–99, and sidewalk regulations, Chapter 136) with department heads and the mayor.
Council Member Clyde Balvanz volunteered to cut down dead evergreen trees at the cemetery; the minutes note the trees will be disposed of before Memorial Day weekend. The meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
