CITY OF FULTON

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

AUGUST 6, 2007

5:30 PM

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, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Clarence Kettler - Zoning Officer and James Rhoades - Chief of Police.

The pledge of allegiance was recited and the invocation was given by Pastor Wayne Wiersema of the Gateway Faith Fellowship Church.

There was no communication from visitors. 

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the regular council meeting minutes of July 16, 2007.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to sell the remaining shares of G.E. stock when the strike price reaches $44.00 per share.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to pass Ordinance No. 1353 Authorizing a Variance of Certain Property (William Blecha - 5 foot side yard setback).  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.   The zoning board of appeals recommended approval of this variance.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to pass Ordinance No. 1354 Authorizing a Variance of Certain Property (William Blecha - 2 foot height relief on a garage).  Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, C. Letcher, W. Letcher, Loerop and Roels voted yes/Ald. Sterenberg and Juist voted no/motion carried.  This required a majority vote to pass because the zoning board of appeals recommended that the variance be denied.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the façade grant committee recommendation to award a grant in the amount of $2,500 to Neal and Jane Luker for windows at their business on 4th Street.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the request from Red Dog Saloon (Gene Walerius) for a temporary beer garden, with the fee waived, to hold a fundraiser for the Fulton Fire Department on August 25, 2007.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to approve an amendment to the budget for the Police Department Vehicle Replacement Fund.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  Whiteside County is now issuing $20 to the City for each arrest which results in court supervision.   Per Public Act 094-1007, the money received can be used only for the replacement or maintenance of police vehicles.  The budgeted revenue for this fiscal year is $3,000 and the expense (maintenance) will be $3,000. 

Ald. Dykstra will attend an Economic Development Workshop with Randy Balk in Rock Falls on August 14, 2007.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the formation of an ad hoc committee to study the downtown streetscape with Dan Clark and Jim Rhoades as co-chairs.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  Wendy Ottens and Dave Huizenga, both downtown business owners have agreed to serve on the committee.  Ald. Field and Ald. Juist offered to join the committee.

Randy Balk asked the executive committee consisting of Ald. Roels and Ald. C. Letcher to meet with him on Monday, August 13, 2007 to review the marina project.

Old Business.  The Fulton Historical Society had asked at previous meetings for the formation of committee consisting of 2 aldermen and 2 Historical Society members to create a new agreement with regard to the Martin House.   It was agreed that the Tourism Committee, already in existence with 2 aldermen and a Historical Society representative as members, will work on the agreement.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to enter executive session to discuss collective bargaining.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

The council entered executive session at 6:05PM.   Executive session minutes are recorded elsewhere.

The council returned to open session at 6:50PM.  Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Field to approve a new department structure for the Police Department and to increase ReNee Borgman's hours from 32 to 40 hours per week.  Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, Sterenberg, C. Letcher, W. Letcher and Loerop voted yes/Ald. Juist and Roels voted no/motion carried.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 6:55PM.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis

City Clerk