CITY OF FULTON
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 7, 2009
5:30 PM

The Mayor called the meeting to order and directed the clerk to call the roll.  On roll call, Mayor Larry Russell, Aldermen Charles Dykstra, Gene Field, Merle Sterenberg, Charlie Letcher, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present.  Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.

The pledge of allegiance was recited.  The invocation was given by Pastor Roy Anne Mathews of the Fulton Assembly of God Church.

Russ Simpson, Senior Vice President of Jo-Carroll Energy and interim executive director of Tri County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA) addressed the council.  TCEDA was formed about 1 year ago and currently has a 47 member board with members from the counties of Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside.  They hope to have a full time executive director on board by February 1, 2010.  Their goals include defining economic development challenges with focus on job retention.  According to Simpson, the federal government purchasing the Thomson Prison from the state of Illinois will present the opportunity of the year.  More businesses will be coming to the area as well as the prison employees and their families who will need housing and will be attending area schools and shopping at area businesses.  It is predicted that the employees will look for places to live within an hour and a half radius of the prison.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2009 budget meeting, the November 16, 2009 regular meeting and the November 23, 2009 special meeting.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Russell Holesinger told the council the final subdivision plat for Hunter's Ridge - Phase II is ready for approval.    The Fulton City council must approve the plat because the subdivision is located within a mile and a half of the Fulton city limits.  Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the signing of the final plat when it is presented to the Mayor.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

The builder, Darwin Olsen has started construction on one home; the roads are in for 33 lots and there are over 100 lots in the plat.  Olsen said he built many homes in Camanche, Iowa which increased school enrollment there and hopes this development will do the same for Fulton.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to pass Ordinance No. 1398 Tax Levy for the fiscal year commencing May 1, 2009 and ending April 30, 2010 in the amount of $403,343.  Roll call vote/Ald. Sterenberg voted no/Ald. Roels, Loerop, W. Letcher, C. Letcher, Juist, Field and Dykstra voted yes/motion carried. 

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to pass Ordinance No. 1399 Abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2009 to pay the principal of and interest on $784,000 general obligation bonds and Ordinance No. 1400 Abating the tax heretofore levied for the year 2009 to pay the principal of and interest on $1,445,000 general obligation waterworks and sewerage refunding bonds.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the appointment by the Mayor of a 3 member abatement review board consisting of Clink Kettler, Dan Clark and Ted James.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  This appointment was necessary per the abatement procedure for damaged buildings in the city's ordinance.  The ordinance states that any building or structure which may be destroyed to the extent of 50% of its value by fire, decay or other cause shall be demolished, torn down and removed.  The city clerk received a notice from the Fire Department Chief about a garage that he believes is more than 50% destroyed.  Once that notice has been received the council must appoint 3 competent persons to determine whether the structure is damaged more than 50% of its value.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to approve the Martin House budget as presented by the Fulton Historical Society.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  This was required to be done as part of the agreement between the city and the historical society.

Old Business.  Shirk reported that two releases have been recorded on the Chewton Glen property with 2 more yet to be signed and recorded.   He is hopeful the last two will be signed in the next 30 days.

The Municipal Utility Tax will be discussed in January.  Ald. Loerop said he thought if a tax is passed it should be effective by the beginning of the next fiscal year which is May 1, 2010.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis

City Clerk