CITY OF FULTON
REGULAR
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER
19, 2011
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, Dan Nederhoff,
Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Howard Van Zuiden and Randy Boonstra answered
present.  Also in attendance were Bill
Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Garry Medema -
Treasurer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.

The pledge of allegiance was recited and the invocation was given by Pastor Edie Lenz of First Reformed Church.

There was no communication from visitors.

Ald. Van Zuiden moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the September 6, 2011 regular council meeting minutes with the correction that Jim Rhoades was in attendance.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Van Zuiden to approve the bill list.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to approve the Treasurer's Report.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion
carried.

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to proceed with Speer Financial on the refinancing of Series 2004 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) plus $500,000 new money added to the principal balance.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  This came as a recommendation from the budget committee.  $185,000 of the $500,000 will be used for a bar screen at the Wastewater treatment plant and $315,000 will be used towards water and sewer infrastructure in the 22nd Avenue Development.  The payments will remain the same, with the loan term extended by 6 years.

Ald. Van Zuiden moved, seconded by Ald. Boonstra to proceed with Speer Financial on the refinancing of Series 2005 General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) and the bond status change from taxable to tax exempt.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. This also came as a recommendation from the budget committee and supported by the
opinion of the Bond Counsel. 

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the fund line items for the Capital Project Fund.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  This fund will track the revenue from the sales tax increase of 3/4% and the capital expenses.

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to set Fulton Trick or Treat hours from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Saturday, October 29, 2011.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Van Zuiden moved, seconded by Ald. Nederhoff to deny Robert Wilbur's request to waive a water bill for 822 ½ 11th Avenue.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Mayor's Report.  The Mayor attended CRDC and TCEDA meetings and participated in 9-11 memorial services. 

Old Business.  Four way stop intersections revisited.  Ald. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to authorize the preparation of an ordinance for the addition of 2 stop signs at the intersection of 4th Street and 12th Avenue and 2 stop signs at the intersection of 4th Street and 11th Avenue, making both four way stop intersections; and to remove the pedestrian crosswalk signs from both intersections.  Roll call vote/Ald. Boonstra, Field, Juist and Van Zuiden voted no/Ald. Crosthwaite, Dykstra, Letcher and Nederhoff voted yes/Mayor Russell vote yes/motion carried.

Marina workshop. The marina operator, Pete Harkness, was at the meeting along with his manager, Liz.  Harkness has been the operator since November of 2008.  The owner of D & K Marine, Don Saiter and a few slip renters were also in
attendance. Harkness said when he first started looking at the marina; there was a grant on the table, which did not materialize.  Mike Ottens, a marina ramp user, said he has seen very little progress in the past 3 years and there is not a lot space for ramp users to park.  Mayor Russell said the marina is not attractive on the outside.

Ald. Crosthwaite said outside of the marina does not appear to be a safe zone and she would not be in favor of closing a ball field and moving more boats into that space.  The bike path entry is also a concern.  Ald. Juist said he was on the
council years ago when there were issues with former operators and he thinks Harkness is doing a good job and the marina appearance has improved.  

Revenue to operate the marina comes from slip and storage rental; the ramp users do not pay to use the marina boat ramp.  Another concern is the cost of dredging needed due to silting in the harbor.  If the water level is not maintained boats cannot get in or out of the harbor.  Should the slip renters or the city and tax payers be responsible for the cost?  Slip renter Pat Pollard said if the city does not get involved and put some money into the marina it will fall apart.  

The boats on the outside of the marina are not all abandoned.  Some are in storage and some are there for
service work at D & K Marine.  There is not enough room for them to be inside the marina.  Saiter is moving some of them away from the dike as required by FEMA regulations, which puts them closer to the street.  Saiter said the appearance of the marina is similar to other marinas he has seen. Mayor Russell suggested an ad hoc committee be formed to work on the concerns and issues.

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Van Zuiden to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 6:55pm

Minutes
recorded by,