CITY OF FULTON
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 4, 2010
5:30PM

Mayor Russell called the meeting to order and directed the clerk to call the roll.  On roll call Mayor Larry Russell, Alderpersons Charles Dykstra, Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, 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, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer and Police Officer Dave Bartels.

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

Ald. W. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the September 20, 2010 regular council meeting minutes.  Roll call vote/Ald. Crosthwaite, Dykstra, Field, Juist, C. Letcher, W. Letcher and Loerop voted yes/Ald. Roels abstained.

Heather Bennett distributed the Windmill Area Steering Committee Report which covers April 23, 2010 through September 30, 2010.  The report included the income/expense report through August 31, 2010.  Total income was $32,734.75, total expense was $8,555.29 and the balance was $24,179.46.  The geothermal heating and cooling system has kept utility bills at an average of about $125.00 per month.  Box donations since the Cultural Center opened have increased.  In order to bring people back, new exhibits and programs are offered. Dutch millers visited, sharing information with the education committee and provided a week long miller apprentice program for local youth.

Plans for 2011 include one program every month.  In January, February and March there will be Wild Winter Wednesdays with the focus on adult education.  April through December will include speakers that coincide with monthly temporary exhibits or compliment the mission statement.

The windmill and the windmill cultural center will have been open 165 days x 7 hours per day or 1,155 hours open from April 23, 2010 through October 31, 2010.  Both are fully staffed by volunteers only.  The cultural center will remain open weekends in November and the first two weekends in December. 

Capital improvement goals include a fence around the freezer, an audio system, a tax house, awnings, a commercial grade refrigerator, more land and an addition to the building.  Major maintenance plans include staining the windmill every 5 to 6 years, replacing the sail cloth every 12 to 15 years, windmill inspection by certified millwright every 3 to 4 years and sealing the windmill brick every 3 to 5 years.

Mike Mudge of Rock River Energy Services, Jim Fox of ComEd and Mark Johnson of Com Ed's corporate legal department were at the meeting to talk about the electric supply referendum which will appear on the November 2, 2010 ballot.   If the referendum passes Fulton residents and small businesses will have the option to receive lower electricity rates, which is something that larger commercial, industrial and governmental entities have already been able to do.  A recent change in the law will enable the city to secure lower cost electricity for the residents.

Jim Fox said that ComEd supports competition and no matter what happens ComEd remains our distribution company.   They will still handle customer calls and outages.

Mike Mudge said Fulton is the first city in Illinois to have the chance to make a choice for residential rates.  The program is modeled after one in Ohio.  If the referendum passes, he will look for the lowest possible rates for the Fulton.  If another supplier has rates lower than ComEd's, the city will have to decide on the length of the contract with that supplier.  Residents will have the opportunity to opt out of the program.    The important thing is that the residents of Fulton will have the opportunity for choice like large customers already have due to deregulation.

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to authorize payment to Northwest Illinois Construction for the roadwork on 10th Avenue, 12th Street and the bike path which has now been completed.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to accept the resignation of Fourth Ward Alderperson Bill Loerop effective at the end of the meeting.  Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, Crosthwaite, C. Letcher, Juist, W. Letcher and Roels voted yes/Ald. Loerop abstained/motion carried.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the Mayor's recommendation to appoint Randy Boonstra to fill the Fourth Ward seat.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

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

The council entered executive session at 7:06pm.  Executive session minutes are recorded elsewhere.  The council returned to regular session at 7:25pm.

Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. Field to adjourn.  Voice vote/all yes/motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis