| City Council Minutes: July 7, 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 Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer and Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer. The Mayor welcomed Alderman Bill Loerop back. All in attendance were glad to see him back after an absence of several meetings.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. The invocation was given by Pastor Mathews from the Fulton Assembly of God Church.
Bill Stoermer from Exelon presented a defibrillator to Police Chief Rhoades. The police department had submitted a grant request to FACE (Fulton Association for Community Enrichment) for a defibrillator. Evan Davis, a FACE board member who happens to work at Exelon, suggested that Exelon gift the defibrillator to the Police Department. The Fulton police will now be better equipped to handle life threatening emergency situations.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the June 16, 2008 regular council meeting minutes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to approve the May Treasurer's Report as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
The first item on the agenda was the trailer court request to vacate streets. Bill Shirk stated that he disagreed with Attorney Tom Potter's opinion as stated in a letter dated June 16, 2008 that the streets are not city property. Art Sikkema's deed does not show that he owns those streets in the trailer court and he never paid any taxes on the street property.
The potential buyer, Dave Reynolds addressed the council, telling them he has been in the business of purchasing trailer parks for about 12 years and that his specialty is cleaning up parks. He stated that it would take from 6 months to 1 year to turn the park around. He intends to fix up the park and sell trailers instead of renting trailers, as an owner will take better care of a trailer. He would like to make another unit or possibly a community center in the Laundromat building. Mr. Reynolds said he would not put up with drugs and if there are police calls repeatedly, they will evict tenant, following Illinois law.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to vacate the streets in the trailer park for $23,200, 80% of the appraised value, with no reserve for public utilities. Roll call vote/Ald. Roels, W. Letcher, C. Letcher and Juist voted yes/Ald. Sterenberg, Loerop, Field and Dykstra voted no/motion failed. Six yes votes were needed for motion to carry.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Field to pass Resolution No. 208, Amending the MFT Expenditures for 2007. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The amendment was necessary due to the increased cost of electricity for street lighting.
Randy Balk said there have been some recent issues regarding accessory buildings and temporary structures. The zoning officer has been asked about metal carports, which do not meet zoning criteria. The city ordinance definition of an accessory building states that all accessory buildings shall be constructed of materials that are the same or similar to the main building. The council agreed that they would like the zoning board of appeals to clarify the definition of temporary structures such as metal framed fabric covered structures for future reference.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the use of the old fire station for a Jr. Football league fundraising car wash on August 9, 2008. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the $2,500 façade grant requested by Bill and Pam Blecha for their building at 1000 4th Street as recommended by the Façade Grant Review Committee. The Blechas will be installing new windows with an historic appearance for a total cost $11,400.00. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to grant amnesty for residents who have a higher than usual water bill at the time of new meter installation due to the outside reader number differing from the inside meter reading. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Chief Rhoades introduced Officer Dave Bartels who began full time employment on July 1, 2008 after working part time since June of 2007. Bartels brings many years of law enforcement experience to the force.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to enter executive session to discuss the purchase or lease of property, personnel and litigation. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
The council entered executive session at 6:55PM. Executive session minutes are recorded elsewhere.
The council returned to regular session at 7:20PM. Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Field to adjourn. Voice vote/all yes/motion carried. Meeting adjourned immediately with no further action.
Minutes recorded by, Linda Hollis City Clerk |