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Re-elect Tim Lies
Belle Plaine City Council
 
 

As a 24 year resident of Belle Plaine and a current member of the city council, I am proud of our city and its accomplishments. When I began my term on the council over 3 years ago, our city was struggling to respond to the demands of a rapidly increasing population: our public services and infrastructure were strained; our schools over crowded; our finances stretched thin.

 

Today, while Belle Plaine faces the same challenges as all cities do in these tough economic times, the city council, staff and residents can look back with pride at what we have accomplished.  We can also look forward to building the great community we want to live in together.

 

My number one commitment as your city council representative has been and always will be to listen to and advocate for my constituents.  While the reality is that no decision made by the council or any other governing body can please everyone, I promise that my decisions will be made only after carefully reviewing all the facts and listening to you.

 

In the past three years I have reached out imany times to citizens and neighborhood groups concerned about proposed plans or perceived problems. While I cannot claim that everyone got exactly what they wanted, I will say that I came, I sat with my neighbors, I listened and took their concerns not only into consideration, but back to other city council members and city staff.

 

I would be honored to serve a second term as your city council representative.

Infrastructure Improvements

The completion of the TH169 overpass and the subsequent development of the frontage road system hold tremendous opportunity for our community. The work we are doing to secure a new grocery store will help spur that development.

 

The development of Commerce Drive  - to the west providing a safe connection to the new interchange and to the east a walk-and-bike friendly trail and modern roadway to the new Oak Crest Elementary School -  is but one example of the investments made in city infrastructure.

 

In addition to new and improved roads, the city completed the North sewer interceptor - an important link for future development. We also built a new water treatment facility to improve water quality and capacity.

 

Economic Development

The recent of  purchase of the EH Building by Cambria and the re-location Ohnsorg Truck Bodies are the realization of a long-standing goal of the City Council: to bring more living wage jobs to Belle Plaine and build our industrial tax base.  Cambria will ultimately briing about 100 jobs to Belle Plaine.

 

The re-development of the downtown area will provide a jump start for more unique small businesses, while the new Kwik Trip on Main Street will be a true convenience for residents.  I believe it is only a matter of time before we will have a retail environment that meets the needs of the people while preserving and growing our existing local businesses.

 

The city continues to work with the Lutheran Home Association as they build out their campus, most recently celebrating the grand opening of the Kingsway Retirement Living facility and bringing a continuum of senior housing options to Belle Plaine residents.

 

Our city is on sound financial footing and our bond rating was recently upgraded from an "A " rating to "AA-"according to Standard and Poors. This will save many hard-earned taxpayer dollars. 

 

Looking to the Future

Over the next four years my focus will continue to be on making our city livable and sustainable. In particular I would like to focus on the following areas: 

  • Develop transit and other transportation options, including the County Road 3/TH 169 interchange
  • Form an official city board devoted solely to transportation issues
  • Develop and support alternative energy sources (wind and solar projects)
  • Continue to develop the park and trail system
  • Foster a locally based food network, including partnerships with local producers
  • Continue to encourage business development in Belle Plaine.

    Progressive leadership for today . . . and tomorrow

Email tim@votetimlies.org or call (952)-873-6852