CITY OF FULTON

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

JULY 2, 2007

5:30 PM

Mayor 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.  Ald. Merle Sterenberg was absent.  Also present were Randy Balk - City Administrator, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer, Bill Shirk - City Attorney and Officer Jeremy Leitzen - Sergeant at Arms.

The pledge of allegiance was recited and the invocation was given by Pastor Merchant of Trinity Reformed Church.

Communication from visitors.  Larry Russell, who resides at 200 N. 12th Street in Fulton, addressed the council regarding the sewer back up at Lottie Schipper's, which had been discussed at the previous council meeting.  Mr. Russell, who lives across the street from Mrs. Schipper, said there are technical solutions to the lift station problems and repeated flooding of a basement is not acceptable.

Mrs. Schipper then asked if there was any solution yet.  She was informed that further down on the council agenda was an alarm system quote for the lift station.  Mrs. Schipper submitted a claim to ComEd, but has not heard back from them.

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the regular council meeting minutes of June 18, 2007.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

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

Dave Damhoff, representing the Fulton Fire Protection District Trustees explained to the Council the reason they have not signed the exchange agreement which was approved and signed by city officials in May.  The district has some concerns about extra expenses and possibly delays relative to construction of the new fire station.  He asked if the City would extend the deadline for the Fire District to vacate the existing building to October 1, 2008, which was 6 months later than the original agreed upon date.   He said they made not need the extra time.

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to change the deadline date on the agreement to October 1, 2008.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.   The change was made by Attorney Bill Shirk and Damhoff signed the agreement at once.

Ald. C. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to pass Resolution No. 202 Authorizing the Request for a Permit from the Department of Transportation of the State of Illinois for the Purpose of Installing Steel Casing for a Sewer Main under Route 84. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to pass Ordinance No. 1350 Amending the Text of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Fulton Relating to  Building Permits.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  The amendment requires that not less than 24 hours written notice of commencement be given to the enforcing officer prior to the start of work. The amendment also provides for a permit expiration date of 365 days following issuance, with up to two 90 day extensions which must be approved by the enforcing officer.  Furthermore, if construction ceases for more than 90 consecutive calendar days, the project shall be deemed abandoned, and the permit shall immediately expire and the building permit shall be revoked.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the façade grant review committee's recommendation for a grant of $1,345.00 to Peterson Plumbing for replacement windows.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to approve the purchase of a Multimedia Alarm Management System and Remote Site Wireless Lift Station Analyzer for the 12th Street lift station in the amount of $3,300, plus any activation fees and monthly fees from Electric Pump.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Dan Clark will notify the council of the time frame for installation of the system as soon as he contacts Electric Pump.  The system will give the Public Works Department notice of any failures at the lift station, allowing them time to respond, identify and correct the problem without any back up into residents' homes.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to authorize Bill Shirk, City Attorney to file a lawsuit in order to get back the City's property in the Industrial Park.  Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra abstained/Ald. Field, C. Letcher, Juist, W. Letcher, Loerop and Roels voted yes/motion carried.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Field to enter into executive session to discuss the purchase or lease of property and personnel.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

The council entered executive session at 6:40PM.  Executive session minutes are recorded elsewhere. 

The council returned to regular session at 7:25PM and immediately adjourned.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis

City Clerk