Mayor Van Zuiden called the meeting to order and directed the clerk to call the roll. On roll call, Mayor Howard Van Zuiden, Aldermen Gene Field, Merle Sterenberg, Charlie Letcher, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present. Also present were Randy Balk – City Administrator, Dan Clark – Public Works Director, Heather Bennett – Tourism Director, Clarence Kettler –Zoning Officer, Adam Wherry- Sergeant at Arms and Bill Shirk – City Attorney.

The clerk swore in the following Aldermen beginning 4 year terms: Charles Dykstra – First Ward, Charlie Letcher – Second Ward, Wesley Letcher – Third Ward and Ron Roels- Fourth Ward.

The pledge of allegiance was recited. No invocation was given.

Communication from visitors. Manny Castro of Manny’s, Too updated the council on their plans to expand the downtown business with the addition of a banquet room. They expect that the work will take 6-8 months and their next step is getting a building permit.

Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the public hearing minutes and the regular council meeting minutes of April 16, 2007. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Denny Ottens, owner of Denny O’s asked the council to consider extending the beer garden hours for his tavern from the current closing time of 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM. After some discussion, Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to table the request in order to get information from the Police Department regarding noise complaints/calls to the tavern and a formal written proposal from Denny. Roll call vote/Ald. Roels, W. Letcher, Juist, C. Letcher voted yes/Ald. Loerop, Sterenberg, Field and Dykstra voted no/Mayor Van Zuiden broke the tie by voting yes/motion carried.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to pass Resolution No. 199 to Borrow $161,731.96 from First Trust and Savings Bank of Albany. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. This money was borrowed to purchase the Heritage Canyon Parking lot and per Illinois law a municipality the City must pass a yearly resolution until the loan is paid off.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to separate the unattached unit at the south end of the Riverview Condos from the Association. Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, Sterenberg, C. Letcher, W. Letcher and Roels voted yes/ Ald. Juist voted no/Ald. Loerop abstained/motion carried. The request was made by a potential buyer of that separate unit and approved by the Riverview Condo Association.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to grant the request of the Early American Crafters to construct a kiosk as a memorial to Frank Vavra at the entrance to Heritage Canyon. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The kiosk will be constructed with memorial donations from the family of Frank Vavra with the understanding that no other memorial tributes be attached to the building now or in the future. The kiosk will be built as a project of the Eagle Scouts, supervised by Early American Crafter, Clifton (Bud) Smith.  

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve an intergovernmental agreement between the City of Fulton and the Fulton Fire Protection District, authorize the Mayor and the Clerk to execute the post closing possession agreement and pass Ordinance No. 1344 Authorizing Transfer of Fulton Fire Protection District of Whiteside County, Illinois, Property to the City of Fulton and Ordinance No. 1345 Authorizing Transfer of City Property to the Fulton Fire Protection District. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to pass Ordinance No. 1346 Authorizing the Purchase of a Certain Parcel of Real Property (vacant lot at 208 10th Avenue owned by Edwin and Nancy Kolk) and authorizing the Mayor and the Clerk to sign the Cash Real Estate Contract. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Randy Balk informed the council of a meeting with Matt Van Kampen, owner of Nave, Inc. regarding the growing business. Randy is working with Van Kampen to find a large, more suitable location for his business. 

There will be a planning session at 8:00 AM on Saturday, May 19th which will be an adjourned meeting.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to pass Ordinance No. 1347 Authorizing the Sale of Certain Personal Property Owned by the City of Fulton (2001 Ford Crown Victoria squad car) Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Old Business. Ald. Roels asked if the Zoning Board had discussed establishing a time limit on completion of building permits. Clarence Kettler said he has worked up a proposed change, but was waiting for a meeting of the Zoning Board to be scheduled rather than calling a meeting solely for that purpose. The Marina Project is still on hold waiting for a permit. The Ethanol Plant is also waiting for a permit draft.  

Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the Mayor’s appointments as follows: Bill Loerop – Mayor pro tem, Bill Shirk – City Attorney, Garry Medema – Treasurer, and Stephen Harrison – Health Officer. Roll call vote/all yes/ motion carried.

Ald. Sterenberg 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 6:30 PM. Executive session minutes are recorded elsewhere.

The council returned to regular session at 7:05 PM.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to adjourn to May 19, 2007 at 8:00AM, executive session to discuss the purchase or lease of property and personnel. Voice vote/all yes/ motion carried.  

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis
City Clerk