As they anticipated a busy and exciting next few months with the pending start of the downtown revitalization project, members of the Belle Plaine City Council tackled some routine fiscal matters at their meeting Monday night.

As they were meeting, the councilmen still had not heard formal word that the city would receive a $1.5 million I-Jobs grant. But in his report to the council, City Administrator Bill Daily predicted that “good news is on the horizon.” In fact, the news was released Monday evening that the city would receive the largest of seven I-Jobs grants going to cities in the Main Street program in Eastern Iowa. Daily did tell the council that if and when the grant was made, the city would have to act quickly to secure temporary easements from downtown property owners to begin the façade renovation portion of the project within a 60-day timetable.

During the formal business portion of the meeting, the council approved a partial payment of $9,825.03 to Denver Underground and Grading for the sanitary and storm sewer project. Daily later told the council that the company did a great job on the project.

The council also approved payments of $19,447.53 to Mechanical, Inc. and $35,528 to Ricchio Inc. for the aquatics center.

The item that drew some discussion was a proposal to renew the city’s agreement with Priority One of Cedar Rapids, the economic division of the Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce. The agency helps communities in the area secure new or expanded businesses. The agreement calls for a five-year commitment of $2,500 per year from the city.

Daily told the council that past councils have questioned the value of membership with the group. But he said it is another resource to help draw business to the city. When Benco Manufacturing was seeking help in expanding its business in the city from its original site, Priority One was very helpful in making the new building a reality, he said.

Councilman Garrison Reekers said he contacted the president of Priority One and was not satisfied that the group was very helpful to Belle Plaine. But other councilmen agreed that the group provides another resource to possible growth and the motion to approve the new agreement passed on a 3-1 vote, with Reekers opposing it. Councilman Marv DeRycke was absent.

Dan Dahlgren, a board member of the Belle Plaine Community Development Corporation, reported that the group is working on finding a new director. Resumes are being reviewed and interviews will follow.

Police Chief Kris Hudson reported that written and agility tests were administered to several candidates for the full-time officer’s position. He hopes to have a new officer on board by the end of the week. But none of the finalists are currently certified, meaning that whoever is hired will have to attend the law enforcement academy before assuming full duties.

The council voted to move the next meeting to Tuesday, Sept. 7, due to the Labor Day holiday. It also set the next committee of the whole session for Sept. 20 at 5 p.m.