| City Council Minutes: March 17, 2008 |
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CITY OF FULTON
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, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present. Also in attendance were Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer, Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Heather Bennett and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.
Communication from visitors. Nancy Kolk surveyed businesses on 4th Street, giving them each a survey to complete. She gave the survey to 21 businesses and received a response from 17. She made copies of the survey questions and responses and gave each council member a copy. In summary she said the major challenges are parking, returning to one-way traffic, intersections, speed, u-turns, 4 way stop signs, enforcement of laws and semi traffic. She said those surveyed are heavily against the increase of the parking fines from $5.00 to $25.00. Some suggestions include signs directing people to public parking lots and signs with the parking restrictions on every street post.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to approve the minutes of the March 3, 2008 regular council meeting. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to approve the Bill List as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Denny Ottens, owner of Denny O's tavern addressed the council regarding tavern patrons standing outside on the streets and sidewalks since the smoking ban went into effect. He said in his opinion it does not look good. He suggests that if he can extend his beer garden hours to 2:00 AM closing the people would be off the streets smoking and be in the beer garden smoking. He would have control over them and there would be less cigarette butts on the sidewalks.
Mayor Van Zuiden said he has heard complaints about noise coming from the tavern and extending the hours would make it worse. Ald. C. Letcher said he too would be concerned about noise, but does agree smoking in the beer garden would be better than out in the streets. Dan Clark, Public Works Director stated there are cigarette butts all over the sidewalks and streets by the bars.
Ald. C. Letcher asked Ottens if he would allow the council to consider his request and vote on it at the next meeting and Ottens said he would. Ald. Loerop wants to notify others that the council is considering Ottens' request and wants the tavern's neighbors to give their feedback. Loerop said something should be in the paper so people know it is being considered. The council tabled the request until the next meeting.
Bill Stoermer of Exelon, addressed the council as a board member of the Fulton Chamber of Commerce. He recently went to Springfield with Charles Dykstra, Randy Balk and Heather Bennett where they met with various state legislators. One of the meetings was about the
Competitive Communities Initiative (CCI) program. The program is free and would help identify the needs of the community and help make plans for the future. Fulton would submit an application to the program, form a steering committee which would meet with local established groups and hold public meetings. The state provides a consistent facilitation catalyst during the entire length of the program, which could be from 8 months to 2 years.
The program's mission is to offer a systematic approach to growth; access to grants and technology and improve the long term business climate of the community. Stoermer asked the council to support co-sponsorship with the Fulton Chamber, approve participation in the program and approve the steering committee.
Ald. Juist moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to have the Mayor write a letter of support to CCI and request to be included in the program. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to approve the following individuals for the CCI Steering Committee; Mike Ottens (co-chair), Larry Russell (co-chair), Wendy Ottens, Lora Fish, Bill Stoermer, Charlie Letcher and 3 more individuals yet to be named. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
City Administrator Balk informed the council that Duralast sent an employee to repair the roof and Duralast will be sent a bill for the replacement of ceiling tiles and carpet cleaning. The ceiling tiles were damaged beyond repair and the carpeting is soiled in several places through out the building after the major roof leak saturated them.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to pass Resolution No. 204 Approving Mutual Aid Agreement for Law Enforcement between the Carroll County Sheriff's Department, Illinois and the City of Fulton, Illinois Police Department. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to direct Randy to include a transfer to the Health insurance fund into the next year's budget. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to enter executive session to discuss personnel and 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 open session at 6:55 PM and immediately adjourned to March 31, 2008 at 5:00 PM.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis City Clerk |