CITY OF FULTON
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
May 19, 2008
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, Merle Sterenberg, Charlie Letcher, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, and Ron Roels answered present. Ald. Bill Loerop was absent.  Also in attendance were Randy Balk - City Administrator, Heather Bennett, Tourism Director, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.

The pledge of allegiance was recited.  

The owner (Art Sikkema) and manager (Judy Koenes) of Sikkema Trailer Park were in attendance with real estate agent Len Janis and attorney, Tom Senneff.   They distributed an aerial map along with a letter from H.B. Wilkinson Title Company to the council showing that mobile homes are currently located on city streets.   This was discussed briefly at a previous meeting and Randy Balk had some preliminary talks with Judy about this situation, however it is not on tonight's agenda. 

Dave Reynolds and partners, from out of state, who own many mobile home parks, are interested in buying the Sikkema Park.  The sale would be contingent upon the city vacating those streets that are in the park.  The prospective buyer would want to refurbish the park, removing bad trailers and bring in better ones in order to get increased rental fees.  It was stated that Art Sikkema would not have a problem paying the city the appraised value for the streets in question.  The council decided to vote on getting an appraisal at the meeting tonight, but take no further action at this meeting.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Field to approve the minutes of the May 5, 2008 council meeting.  Ald. Roels noted an error on page two of the minutes regarding a motion and a second being made by the same alderman.  The clerk will correct the error before the minutes are published.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

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

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to have the streets in the Sikkema Trailer Park appraised.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to pass Ordinance No. 1371 Amending Parking Regulations Regarding Persons with Disabilities Parking.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.   One parallel parking stall will be located on 12th Avenue in front of the residence at 616 12th Avenue and one parallel parking stall will be located on 13th Avenue in the 500 block on the south side of 13th Avenue (Trinity Reformed Church).

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the Façade Grant Review Committee's recommendation to award a grant to the Fulton Retail Development Group in the amount of $2,500.00.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.   The total cost for the Retail Development Group's project to restore the façade of the building to its original theatre appearance is $13,008.00.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to pass Ordinance No. 1372 To Borrow Funds by the City of Fulton.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  This ordinance is required so that the city can borrow money for an economic development note from Central Bank with a fixed interest rate of 3.6% for a term of five years, a Heritage Canyon/Museum note from Community State Bank with an interest rate of 3.37% for a term of eight years with an interest rate fixed for a term

of five years, and a water meter program note at Community State Bank with an interest rate of 3.37% fixed for a term of four years. 

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the agreement with the City of Quincy as a local sponsor of the design, manufacture and installation of the Great River Road kiosks.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  The Illinois Department of Transportation requires an agreement be signed between the City of Quincy and each community responsible for the kiosk location site.  The agreement basically states that each community or agency involved will own and maintain the kiosk after the installation is complete. 

Heather Bennett touched on some of the topics presented in her quarterly Tourism and Chamber of Commerce report which was included in the council packet.    Items mentioned were number of ribbon cuttings held (4), 2nd annual bridal walk (June 26th), green expo (September 13th), chamber annual dinner (June 19th), Fall Fest theme of "Marking the Fall Season", Lincoln Highway garage sales (August 8th & 9th) and a Boetje mustard exhibit at the windmill this summer.  She also stated that the next city newsletter to be sent in July has proved to be an excellent way, along with the city's website, to get information to city residents.  Heritage Canyon building sponsorships totaled $3,800.00 this year, Red Cross has been holding blood drives each Tuesday at the old fire department building and no word has been received on the TAP grant (for windmill area development) which was submitted last July.

It was noted that the Fulton water department was awarded a certificate of commendation from the Illinois Department of Public Health for achieving the highest standard of compliance for at least ten consecutive years in accordance with the Illinois Fluoridation Act.

Randy Balk thanked the council for the ideas and comments received from the city council for the CCI (Competitive Communities Initiative) program.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to enter executive session to discuss personnel.  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 regular session at 6:15PM.   There was a brief discussion on the trailer park with some of the council expressing concern over the prospective sale and some of the aldermen expressing support if the buyer could improve the park.   

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to adjourn.  Voice vote/all yes/motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 6:25PM.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis

City Clerk