CITY OF FULTON
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 20, 2007

Mayor Van Zuiden called the meeting to order and directed the clerk to call the roll.  On roll call vote, Mayor Howard Van Zuiden, Aldermen Charles Dykstra, Gene Field, Merle Sterenberg, Charlie Letcher, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present.  Also present were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer, Dan Clark - Public Works Director and James Rhoades - Chief of Police.

The pledge of allegiance was recited.  The invocation was given by Pastor Len Meinema from Bethel Christian Reformed Church.

Communication from visitors.  Bill James who lives year round on his boat at the Fulton Marina inquired about the marina project.  Randy Balk told him that the executive committee and he met this week to discuss what the City should do that would best benefit the marina.  Ald. Roels asked Mr. James what the boaters would like to see and Mr. James said fixing up the roadway and dredging would be priorities.  Don Nice, another boater in attendance along with his wife, suggested improvements to the road and parking lot. They have docked at the marina 21 years and believe there are many positive things about the marina but would like to see improvements.   

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald C. Letcher to approve the regular council meeting minutes of August 6, 2007.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the bill list as presented.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve Red Dog Saloon's request to change their Beer Garden Fundraiser for the Fire Department from August, 25, 2007 to September 1, 2007.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to cancel the first council meeting in September.  Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, C. Letcher, W. Letcher, Loerop, Roels and Sterenberg voted yes/Ald. Juist voted no/motion carried.  The first Monday of the month falls on the Labor Day holiday.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to re-purchase property from Redband Coffee for $27,404.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  The funds will come from the economic development fund. 

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to approve the façade grant committee recommendation to award a grant in the amount of $1,755.00 to Marge Bielema for tuck pointing and painting at her business on 4th Street.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

New Business.  Randy Balk informed the council that Moring Disposal will be conducting the yearly bulky waste pick up on Saturday, October 6, 2007.

Dan Clark reported that blacktop resurfacing on 12th Avenue (entire) and 6th Avenue (from 10th to 11th Street) will tentatively begin September 17, 2007.

Old Business.  The partially completed and vacant house belonging to Joe Diechbourg at 226 11Street is still a mess.  There are chunks of concrete and other debris all over the property and the grass and weeds are overgrown.  Public works recently mowed after the owner failed to after receiving notice per City Ordinance. 

Mayor Van Zuiden would like to re-visit the issue of mandatory snow shoveling on City sidewalks.   Bill Shirk will look into the possibility of a sidewalk snow route on 12th Street which is heavily used by children walking to school.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Field to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 6:10 pm.

Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis
City Clerk