| City Council Minutes: April 20, 2009 |
|
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, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present. Ald. Charlie Letcher was absent. Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. The invocation was given by Pastor Mathews of the Fulton Assembly of God Church.
The public hearing was called to order. There was no comment from the public regarding the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2009/2010. The hearing was closed.
Communication from visitors. Len Janis, representing the Kiwanis Club asked the council to approve a "bucket brigade" to be held on Friday, April 25th from 11:00am to 5:00pm and on Saturday, April 26th from 8:00am to noon at the intersection of Highways 84 and 136. They will be collection donations for the Fire Department's smoke house and the local chapter of the Salvation Army. Illinois Department of Transportation has been contacted and said they approve as long as the city agrees.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to approve the Kiwanis Club request for the bucket brigade on the dates and times stated above. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Connie Koehn, F.A.C.E. board member, presented the council with $500 from the D.S. Flikkema Foundation to be used to maintain a building at Heritage Canyon. A desire to assist in the development of his home town led the late Dr. Flikkema to create his foundation.
Jane Orman Luker updated the council on the Friends of the Windmill fundraising progress. All donations for the Windmill Cultural Center are being collected as promised. $36,500 of the $63,500 donations pledged has been received and paid to the City.
Ted James, part of a recently organized group that was an offshoot of the FOCUS 2010 community center committee spoke to the council about "The Complex - a place for body, mind and spirit". The group has formed a 12 member board, secured an attorney, an accountant and 501-3C status. Their goal is to open a complex in the 50,000 square foot building on 22nd Avenue which formerly housed Wildwood Farms. The complex will provide recreational, educational and health related social and leisure activities to enhance the quality of life for all ages. Membership will include people of all ages within a 25 mile radius. Colleen Wilkin, their campaign manager attended the meeting as well.
Larry Leonard, owner of Paddlewheel Pizza and Large 1's Pub on 4th Street asked the council to reconsider the location designated for the Blessing of the Bikes on June 9, 2009. The council approved road closures on 3rd Street from 12th Avenue to 11th Avenue for the event. Leonard said he wants the event to be on 4th Street.
Chief Rhoades said he checked with the River Terminal after the road closure was approved by the council to make sure it would not interfere with their business and was told they would be closed that day. Chief Rhoades said he also had talked to Susan May and May Mooc, two business owners on 4th Street and neither one was in favor of closing 4th Street for the event. Randy Balk pointed out that the council had decided on 3rd Street as a safer location with more room for bikes. Ald. Loerop said he received a call from Wendy Ottens, another business owner on 4th Street who wants to be open for business on the day of the event which is a Sunday and her store is usually closed. The council agreed to consider the Leonard's request at the next council meeting.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the April 6, 2009 regular council meeting minutes and the budget workshop committee meeting minutes of March 14, 2009 and April 4, 2009. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the bill list as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the Treasurer's Report. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to amend the 2009/2010 budget with the addition of $5,000.00 to the line item 63-00-929 for the insurance side fund. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to pass Ordinance No. 1388 adopting the annual budget for the fiscal year 2009/2010. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to amend the 2008/2009 budget as detailed in their packet. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Peoples Economic Development Corporation met with a group of business owners, 2 aldermen and the mayor-elect recently and the group whole heartedly wanted to move forward with Peoples' proposal to establish a National Register of Historic Places Commercial District within the downtown of Fulton. The city will be required to fund $10,000 of the $60,000 project with $50,000 being funded by a grant.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to go forward with the Peoples Economic Development Corporation plan. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the Mayoral Proclamation declaring the week of April 19 - 25, 2009 Volunteer Week in the city of Fulton. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to approve the street closures and use of the old fire station as requested by the Dutch Days committee. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
There are two possible grants available to help fund a geo-thermal system at the Windmill Cultural Center. One is $23,000 from the USDA Rural Development Office and the other is $15,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation. Heather Bennett will begin work on the grant applications. It will be necessary to hold a public hearing May 4, 2009 at 5:30pm to meet grant requirements.
Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve a geo-thermal bore test at a cost of $2,000 at the Windmill Cultural Center. Roll call vote/Ald. Sterenberg, Roels, Loerop, W. Letcher, Field and Dykstra voted yes/Ald. Juist voted no/motion carried.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Field to pass Ordinance No. 1389 Amending Section 155.201 entitled permit application (zoning). Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The change will require the owner's signature on a zoning permit application in the event that the application is submitted by someone other than the owner, such as a contractor or tenant.
Public Works Director Dan Clark presented Mayor Van Zuiden with a certificate of commendation awarded by the Illinois Department of Public Health to the Fulton Water Department. This award is in recognition of achieving the highest standard of compliance for at least 15 consecutive years in accordance with the Illinois Fluoridation Act.
Chief Rhoades thanked Mayor Van Zuiden and stated it was a privilege to work with him and he wished him all the best as he leaves office.
Dan Clark stated the new water meters are almost all installed. Public Works employees John Blunt and Dale Green will be traveling to Springfield tomorrow for an awards program; the City has been nominated for the best operated water treatment plant.
Clark reported that they are evaluating the condition of the School Park restroom building. He will have some cost estimates for repairs within the next month to 6 weeks.
Clark has talked with Chief Miller, Ron Venema. The millers are currently working out a plan to sell the surplus bricks located at the Public Works garage.
Mayor Van Zuiden thanked the council and other he has worked with over the last 8 years as Mayor and said it has been pleasure working with everyone.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to adjourn. Voice vote/all yes/motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis City Clerk |