CITY OF FULTON
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 1, 2011
5:30PM

Mayor Russell called the meeting to order and directed the clerk to call the roll.  On roll call Mayor Larry Russell, Alderpersons Charles Dykstra, Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, Dan Nederhoff, Wes Letcher, Howard Van Zuiden and Randy Boonstra answered present.  Alderperson Warren Juist was absent.  Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer, Heather Bennett - Tourism/Chamber Director, Dan Clark - Public Works Director and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.

The pledge of allegiance was recited.  There was no invocation. 

Dwayne Hamilton, Police Officer, was sworn in by the city clerk.  Officer Hamilton has 9 years experience as a police officer, formerly employed by the city of Savanna, Illinois.

Communication from visitors.   Don Saiter, of D & K Marine asked for permission to have a live band at the south end of the marina for his 40th birthday party.  The party will begin at 4:00pm with a hog roast and the band would play until 10:00pm.  Marina operator, Pete Harkness has already given his permission.

Ald. Warren Juist arrived at 7:38pm.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Van Zuiden to allow Mr. Saiter to have a live band until 10:00pm on August 13, 2011.  Roll call vote/Ald. Boonstra, Crosthwaite, Dykstra, Field, Letcher, Nederhoff and Van Zuiden voted yes/Ald. Juist abstained/motion carried.

Ald. Van Zuiden moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to approve the July 18, 2011 regular council meeting minutes.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to allow the Family Fun Circus to use the soccer field at Drives Park on September 22, 2011 for performances at 5:00pm and 7:30pm.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  This circus has used this location the past two years and there have been no problems or issues with clean up.  The Unity soccer schedule indicates they have an away game at Riverdale that night. 

Ald. Van Zuiden moved, seconded by Ald. Boonstra to approve the kitchen update design for the River Bend Senior Center.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  The kitchen will be updated with donated funds and there will be no cost to the city.

An ordinance amending Section 91.02 entitled "Plants and Weeds" was presented.  The ordinance would allow a committee comprised of the public works director, chief of police and city administrator to grant an exception for certain areas of the city to the requirements of this section.  There have been complaints from residents about a particular unimproved vacant area.  The Right of Way has been maintained so there is no traffic obstruction.  The complainants state that the owner of said property should have to comply with the existing city ordinance which prohibits grass and weeds more than 8 inches high.

Ald. Juist moved to pass the ordinance amending plants and weeds, but the motion died for lack of a second.

The Mayor suggested that we defer consideration of the proposed amendment until further language is added to 1) add City Council representation on the Committee and 2) establish minimum requirements before an exemption could be granted.

The Mayor suggested that we move ahead with our planned $2.5 to $3 million water improvement project with rate discussions by the Budget Committee and City Council and that we avoid reference in the media to a "slight increase in rates" when referencing a potential 8 to 10% increase in rates.

Per Dan Clark the soccer field will remain at Drives Park for another season as the new field location is still flooded.  Construction of the new baseball field at the current soccer field site will

be postponed until October.   The new restroom building at School Park is being constructed by the public works employees.

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to have a workshop on the marina.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  Marina operator, Pete Harkness would be invited to the workshop.  The council would like to learn more about the agreement between the city and the operator.

WORKSHOP - Potential 22nd Avenue development; industrial vs. mixed use housing.  A panel shared their opinions with the council.

Mike Ottens, owner of Visual Imaging.   Likes the concept of industrial but leans toward mixed use because people still want to build in Fulton and we are out of land.  Would like to see some housing, some light manufacturing and some retail and professional use.

Barb Suehl-Janis of Windmill Realty.  Fulton land is precious and housing would bring more children to the school district.  Low income senior housing is needed.  A housing mixture would be a good plan.

Steve Ames, President of Clinton Regional Development Corporation.  If the prison in Thomson opens, we do not have adequate housing.  Does Fulton want to be a bedroom community or an industrial city?

Bill Brinkman, owner of Brinkman's Building Center.   Costs to bring power and infrastructure to the area for development will be high.    Need to consider the cost to develop for housing vs. the cost to develop for industrial use. 

Steve Howes of Howes and Jefferies Realtors and 2nd Vice-Chair of Clinton Regional Development board.  Multi-family housing would be appropriate for prison employees who may only stay a year or two before moving on.  Need to decide where to locate residential areas and where to locate industrial areas and it is important to have the lots development ready.

Bruce Christensen, Chair of Clinton Regional Development Corporation board.  Decisions need to be made as to what the community wants.  Need to be proactive, not reactive.  If industry is chosen, what kind of industry do we want?  The location has access to transportation by barge, rail and highway.

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to adjourn.  Voice vote/all yes/motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 6:54pm.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis
City Clerk