City of Fulton Illinois - City Council Minutes: September 6, 2011

City Council Minutes: September 6, 2011

CITY OF FULTON
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 6, 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, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Howard Van Zuiden and Randy Boonstra answered present. Alderperson Dan Nederhoff was absent. Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Heather Bennett - Tourism/Chamber Director and Jim Rhoades -Chief of Police.

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

Ryan Burchett of Mississippi River Distilling Company in LeClaire, Iowa asked the council for approval to label a seasonal (3500 bottles only) rye whiskey "Windmill" Rye. He and his brother started the micro distillery last December and use only grains grown within 25 miles of the business. They would bring the rye to the windmill for the volunteer millers to grind. The volunteer millers have said they could do this as they are grinding all the time anyway. The brothers geared their business towards tourism and the label would help market their business, as well as the windmill and Fulton.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to allow Mississippi River Distilling Company to use Windmill Rye labels on their seasonal rye whiskey. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Communication from visitors. Robert Wilbur and his son, Ben Wilbur asked the council to waive a water bill, including penalties and the reconnect fee for a rental property they own. They said they spent a lot of money to get the tenant evicted and the water bill is over $350. According to city ordinance, owners are required to pay the bill if the tenant does not. Mayor Russell suggested the request be tabled to the next meeting so that more information can be requested from staff.

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the August 15, 2011 regular council meeting minutes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Bill Blecha spoke on behalf of the Downtown Streetscape Committee. The committee is recommending the removal of the pedestrian signs at 4th Street & 11th Avenue and 4th Street & 12th Avenue and to replace those signs with four-way stops for the following reasons:

An overwhelming majority of downtown businesses find the current pedestrian signs confusing and a safety hazard.
Many business owners have seen the pedestrian signs get hir; or even ignored if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. They are no longer effective.
Four-way stops will increase safety for pedestrians since they signal a car must stop, rather than slow down.
Four-way stops will help reduce traffic speeds along 4th Street.
Four-way stops allow more time and visibility for cars backing out of an angled parking space to be seen from oncoming traffic.
It is nearly impossible to pull out onto 4th Street from 11th Avenue without approaching the middle of the intersection to see oncoming traffic.
The current pedestrian signs are removed during the winter months for snow plowing, four-way stops signs are permanent solution that people will get used to.
The cost to purchase two more stop signs for each intersection is nominal.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to authorize the preparation of an ordinance to make the 4th Street and 11th Avenue intersection and the 4th Street and the 12th Avenue intersection into four-way stop intersections and to remove the pedestrian crossing signs. Roll call vote/Ald. Van Zuiden, Juist, Field, and Boonstra voted no/Ald. Letcher, Dykstra and Crosthwaite voted yes/motion failed.

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to approve the requested Fall Festival street closures for September 29 and 30 and October 1, 2011. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to waive the fee and approve the beer garden application from Johnnie's Tap, Inc for October 1, 2011 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Field to pass Ordinance No. 1435 Amending Section 91.02 Entitled "Plants and Weeds" with the inclusion of a statement that the council may reverse the decision of the committee. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Van Zuiden to approve the Mayor's appointment of Ald. Gene Field to the plants and weeds committee as described in Ordinance No. 1435. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Van Zuiden moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to pass Ordinance No. 1436 Amending Chapter 111 Entitled Alcoholic Beverages Providing for the Registration and Documentation of Retail Sales of Keg Alcoholic Beverages. Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Crosthwaite, Letcher and Van Zuiden voted yes/Ald. Field, Juist and Boonstra voted no/motion carried.

Mayor's Report. There will be a FACE forum on 9-24-11. There will be a 9-11 Memorial Service at 6:00pm at the Fulton Fire Station. Drives LLC was purchased on August 31, 2011 by The Timken Company. TCEDA and CRDC will make appropriate contacts with The Timken Company. The council will be discussing the marina with the operator at the next council meeting and the Mayor would like to work hard towards a win-win situation and suggests there not be any finger pointing.

Police Chief. He will be participating in 9-11 commemorative events in Clinton and Fulton.

Public Works Director Report. Dan reported that the School Park restrooms are almost done, although they probably will not open this year. Public Works is putting in more light poles at the park. Conduits will be put up on the dike as the first step towards replacing the lights which were destroyed by vandals. At the October 17, 2011 council meeting engineers from Willett, Hofmann and Associates will be here to present a large street plan for the council's review.

Tourism/Chamber Director Report. Heather highlighted some of the items that were in her written report included in the packets. The chamber is currently conducting their annual membership drive. She mentioned successful events such as the Summer Nights series, the Bridal Walk, annual dinner, Lincoln Buy-Way Sales, legislative luncheon with Senator Mike Jacobs and the Whiteside County Barn Tour. Upcoming events include Holiday Shop Hop on November 3rd and 4th and November 11th and 12th and Fall Festival on October 1st (downtown and Heritage Canyon) and 2nd (Heritage Canyon only).

Old Business. 22nd Avenue still on the table for potential development. Marina Workshop will be held at the next meeting with Pete Harkness and Don Saiter in attendance.

New Business. None

Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to adjourn. Voice vote/all yes/motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:45pm.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis

City Clerk

< Prev		Next >

Press Room

Upcoming Events

Quick Links

Clinton Herald

TheCity1.com

Blackhawk Waterways CVB (Northwest Illinois)

Clinton, IA CVB

Illinois Lincoln Highway

Ronald Reagan Trail

Great River Trail

Travel Mississippi River