CITY OF FULTON

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

NOVEMBER 17, 2008

5:30PM

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, Merle Sterenberg, Charlie Letcher, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present.  Ald. Gene Field was absent.  Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.

The pledge of allegiance was recited.

Communication from visitors.  Mr. Gene Poel addressed the council, asking them to consider a total burn ban.  He said people are still burning in burn barrels and they are burning wet leaves which smolder and smoke.  Mr. Poel said the yard waste pick up provided by Moring is excellent and sees no reason for anyone to burn when they have the yard waste service. 

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the November 3, 2008 and November 5, 2008 regular council meeting minutes.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Juist moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the bill list as presented.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the Treasurer's report as presented.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to return the fire station replica currently in the Heritage Canyon General Store building as requested by the owner.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.    A fire department trustee's brother made the replica several years ago and it was on display in the canyon, but not on record as a permanent display.

Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to set a budget of $750 for the FOCUS 2010 committee (formerly the CCI committee).  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Item was for consideration.   Wendler Engineering proposed an aerial photo of the city and the surrounding area.   The photo would be a good tool for prospective economic development, annexation or industrial growth.   Public Works could use it to mark water valves, sewers, storm catch basins and roadways, creating a GIS system to use in years to come.   The cost would be around $20,000.  The council thought it was a good idea, but not possible in this year's budget.  They will consider it during budget planning sessions for the next fiscal year.  In the meantime, Balk will look for grants or other funds to cover the cost.

Balk asked the council if they wanted to consider adding a $.50 administrative fee to the garbage rate charged to each resident.  Because Moring's fees are increasing at this time, the council did not want to add any more cost but would consider it for the next fiscal year.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to waive bids for garbage service providers.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to authorize the Mayor and the clerk to sign a 5 year contract with Moring Disposal to be effective December 1, 2008.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to pass Ordinance No. 1379 increasing the garbage rate to a total of $10.90 per month.  This is $9.30 for garbage and $1.60 for yard waste.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to table the ordinance to purchase property from Fulton Corp until the next meeting.  Roll call vote/Ald. Roels, Loerop, Juist, C. Letcher, Sterenberg and Dykstra voted yes/Ald. W. Letcher voted no/motion carried.

The purchase of this property north of the old fire station was approved by the council at a previous meeting.  Ald. Loerop and Roels said they were not in favor of the purchase and had voted against previously and they are still not in favor of it.  Ald. C. Letcher said that while he also voted against it, the outcome of the vote was in favor of the purchase and we should not back out of it now.

Balk explained the proposed tax levy in the amount of $384,173 for the fiscal year 2010 is a first review and would not require action tonight.  The levy increase is 4.7% and any increase under 5% does not require a public hearing.  Fulton's Equalized Assessed Valuation went up approximately 8%.   Included with the tax levy was a spreadsheet prepared by Garry Medema showing fund balances, fiscal year 09 budgeted expenditures and the number of months on hand for each fund.

Old Business.  Jo-Carroll Energy had not completed the contract.

New Business.  Balk told the council about an opportunity for Fulton to become a part of a new organization.  He has been meeting with a group of representatives from Sterling, Rock Falls, and Prophetstown regarding the need for housing rehabilitation.  The group would hire a consultant to work with the state to look for grant money and other programs available for low to moderate housing project incentives, demolition of old buildings, mortgages and infrastructure.  The cost for the first year would be $4,250 which Balk said would come from the Administration dues line item, which will have some dollars left in it this fiscal year.  The future cost could be $8,700 a year for a 3 year commitment.   Ald. Juist said he would like more information and more time to think about it. 

Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to table the housing rehab organization decision to the next meeting.   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.

Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Juist 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 6:49PM.   Executive session minutes are recorded elsewhere.

The council returned to regular session at 7:07PM.  There followed a brief discussion of the housing rehab group.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve Fulton's participation in the cooperative housing rehab organization with Sterling, Rock Falls and Prophetstown for the first year with a cost of $4,250.   Roll call vote/Ald. W. Letcher, C. Letcher, Sterenberg and Dykstra voted yes/Ald. Roels, Loerop and Juist voted no/motion carried.

Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to adjourn.  The meeting adjourned at 7:12PM.

Minutes recorded by,

Linda Hollis

City Clerk