CITY OF FULTON
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 15, 2008

Mayor Howard Van Zuiden called the meeting to order and directed the clerk to call the roll.  On roll call, Mayor Howard Van Zuiden, Aldermen Charles Dykstra, Gene Field, Charlie Letcher, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present.  Alderman Merle Sterenberg was absent.  Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.

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

Communication from visitors.  Fulton resident, Larry Russell announced that he has taken out papers to run for Mayor. 

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the December 1, 2008 regular council meeting minutes.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

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

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

Randy Balk said he would like to address the issue of the tax levy which was passed at the last council meeting. He stated that while the EAV is still an estimate at this point in time, we cannot say that our taxes will increase because the amount levied increased.  When the EAV goes up, it is possible that the City's tax rate could be the same or lower.

Trailer court update.   The court is now named Fulton Mobile Home Park according to John McNerney, one of its owners.  Mr. McNerney told the council that he and his partners are looking into selling some of the open land near the court and wanted to know if the council thought there was a chance he would be able to get it rezoned from residential to commercial.  They believe they would have a better chance of selling it if it was commercially zoned.   They need to sell the land for extra capital to continue improvements to the park.  They are aware they need to go to the zoning board first, but wanted to see if the council recommended it or not.

McNerney told the council they have ripped out five mobile homes; six are fixed on the inside with the outside work such as painting and skirting to be completed in the spring.   He said they have been evicting those people who are not paying rent and those people were the trouble makers.  Chief Rhoades confirmed that the number of calls to the park has decreased. 

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to pass Ordinance No. 1384 An Amendment to An Ordinance Establishing an Enterprise Zone within the Illinois Counties of Whiteside and Carroll.   Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, C. Letcher, Juist, W. Letcher, and Loerop voted yes/Ald. Roels voted no/motion carried.  This ordinance adds property to the Rock Falls Industrial Park #6 and clears up some typographical errors of legal descriptions for properties added to the enterprise zone in prior ordinances.

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to cancel the January 5, 2009 council meeting.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Old Business.  Ald. Roels asked the council if they should consider re-visiting the recyclable program offered by Moring Disposal, with the small yellow bins being replaced by the wheeled toters.  The wheeled toters are much bigger, have lids and would be picked up every other week for an additional charge to residents.  Ald. C. Letcher said he did not want to increase customer charges at this time.

No word from Jo-Carroll energy on the gas franchise agreement.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Field to adjourn.  Voice vote/all yes/meeting adjourned at 6:02PM.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis

City Clerk