BELLE — The Belle Board of Aldermen approved three infrastructure projects tied to a state grant during its April 14 meeting, with bids coming in below expectations.

Engineer Jeff Meadows told the board the city received “some of the best bids that we’ve seen in the last several years.”

Approved projects include $244,006.75 for Alvarado Avenue water line improvements, $158,280 for the Highway 28 and BellAir water project and $62,162.20 for sanitary sewer improvements. Officials said the favorable bids allow the city to complete all planned work within available funding.

The board also approved a contingency plan allowing the Belle Community Betterment Association (BCBA) to relocate its annual swap meet downtown if weather prevents use of the park.

Kevin Guffey warned that canceling the event again could jeopardize its future.

“One year we had 1,800 people go through the deal, bigger than our town,” Guffey said.

During citizen participation, Delmar Branson raised concerns about standing water near Trades Drive, saying drainage issues make it difficult to maintain property.

“It just stands there… I can’t get in there, I can’t get it (grass) cut,” Branson said while asking the city to evaluate the area.

In new business, Aldermen Steve Vogt, Jeanette Struemph and Seth Klein voted 3-0, with Alderman Rebecca Withouse abstaining, to censure Withouse for conduct the board determined violated the city’s code of conduct during a March 10 closed session. The resolution cited a lack of prior communication with the board and interference with administrative functions.

Withouse objected to the process before the vote, saying “I have not been provided any prior notice of charges or any opportunity to review or to respond.”

She added that she would continue to prioritize transparency and communication with residents.

The board also approved Ordinance 670, which establishes guidelines for recording public meetings. The ordinance allows recording but requires it to be conducted from the public seating area in a way that does not disrupt city business. Discussion among board members included concerns about fairness in recordings and ensuring all participants in meetings are represented.

Aldermen voted to raise the starting pay for full-time police officers to $19.25 per hour in an effort to attract applicants.

“We do need to be competitive with surrounding areas,” Marshal Jerry Coborn said during discussion.

The board also discussed increasing relocation incentives but tabled that decision for a future meeting.

The board reviewed an additional $21,875 cost associated with grading work for the Rock Island Trail project, noting the city no longer has the equipment needed to complete the work in-house. Concerns were raised about rising costs and delays in reimbursement, with officials noting a prior reimbursement took more than six months. The matter was tabled to seek additional quotes and explore alternatives.

Additional actions included approval to purchase cold patch asphalt for street repairs and authorization to advertise for two part-time summer employees.

A request from the City of Bland to use Belle’s dog pound was discussed but tabled pending review of legal and insurance considerations.

Officials also discussed a potential demolition grant, noting the application process will require significant preparation work and documentation before submission. Officials agreed to move forward with preliminary work, such as identifying properties and gathering information needed for the application.