| City Council Minutes: May 4, 2009 |
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CITY OF FULTON
Mayor Van Zuiden called the public hearing to order. Nicki Morgan of the USDA was at the meeting. She said there is a very good possibility that the City will be awarded $23,800 in grant funds to use toward a geo thermal system at the Windmill Cultural Center. There was no comment from the public and the hearing was closed.
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, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.
Mayor Van Zuiden swore in Linda Hollis for a four year term as City Clerk. The clerk swore in Larry Russell for a four year term as Mayor.
Mayor Russell called the meeting to order and directed the clerk to call the roll. On roll call, Mayor Larry Russell, Aldermen Charles Dykstra, Gene Field, Merle Sterenberg, Charlie Letcher, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present.
The clerk swore in First Ward Alderman Gene Field, Second Ward Alderman Merle Sterenberg, Third Ward Alderman Warren Juist and Fourth Ward Alderman Bill Loerop each to four year terms.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. There was no invocation.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the April 20, 2009 budget public hearing and regular council meeting minutes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to set a public hearing date of May 18, 2009 at 5:30PM for a Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant application. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to move forward with the USDA grant process for a geo thermal system at the Windmill Cultural Center. Roll call vote/Ald. Sterenberg, Roels, Loerop, W. Letcher, C. Letcher, Field and Dykstra voted yes/Ald. Juist voted no/motion carried. The potential grant amounts are $23,800 from the USDA, $1,000 from F.A.C.E. and $15,000 from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation. Any remaining cost for the system would be covered by fundraising efforts.
The council was asked by Larry Leonard, owner of Large 1's Pub and Paddlewheel Pizza on 4th Street at a previous meeting to reconsider the 4th Street location for the upcoming Blessing of the Bikes event. Julie Meiners, local resident, ABATE member and organizer of the event asked the council to approve the 4th Street location for several reasons. This event was originated in 19 years ago in Fulton and she would like it to remain here. Her father, who administers the blessing, would be able to bless more bikes in a shorter amount of time if they are on 4th Street, there will be more shade for him as well as the other attendees and the backdrop of the main shopping block would be nicer than the 3rd Street location. The restroom facilities at local businesses would be in closer proximity as well. They could put something on the flyer to ask visitors to the event to support local businesses.
Wendy Ottens and her business partner, Deb Riggen, who own Sweet Woodruff on 4th Street, said they are in favor of the event being on 4th Street. They are not usually open on Sunday but plan to be open that Sunday and every Sunday from now on. Ottens said she was upset that Ald. Dykstra approached her about this particular street closure in her shop and that he did not have anything in writing indicating that he was instructed by the council to take a poll. She further requested that Ald. Dykstra abstain from voting since he also owns a business on 4th Street.
Susan May, owner of Susan's Calico Creations, Ole Tyme Christmas Shop and Attic Woods on 4th Street voiced her opposition to the closure of 4th Street. Her business is open every Sunday and she said her regular customers will not be able to park close enough to get into her store.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the closing of 4th Street on Sunday, June 7, 2009 from noon to 3:00PM for the Blessing of the Bikes event. Roll call vote/Ald. Field, Juist, W. Letcher, Loerop and Roels voted yes/Ald. Dykstra, Sterenberg and C. Letcher voted no/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the following Mayoral appointments: Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Garry Medema - City Treasurer, Dr. Steve Harrison - Medical Director, Bill Loerop - Mayor Pro Tem and Linda Hollis - City Collector. Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, Juist, C. Letcher, W. Letcher, Roels and Sterenberg vote yes/Ald. Loerop abstained/motion carried.
Mayor Russell told the council he has resigned from the zoning board of appeals and the Focus 2010 committee as its co-chair. He informed the council that he has been asked by Jo-Carroll Energy to help write the bylaws for the newly formed Tri County Economic Development Alliance. He asked for the council's endorsement of his travel to the Jo-Carroll headquarters as may be required.
Mayor Russell has a meeting scheduled with Chief Rhoades later in the week to discuss the City's Emergency Services and Disaster Plan. He hopes to have an ESDA coordinator appointed at the May 18th council meeting.
Old Business. The millers will be selling the old bricks from the J.T. Cullen building.
Ald. Roels and Ald. W. Letcher met with the Fulton Historical Society at their last meeting. They said the city has a key to the house which was given to Howard Van Zuiden. They recommend that the city goes back to the original agreement with FHS, letting FHS take care of the expenditures for the Martin Museum, using CD interest. The society is adamant about remaining in their present location, although the size of the programs offered is limited by interior space and by parking. Ald. Loerop reminded everyone that one reason the original agreement was terminated was FHS's lack of programming but since the agreement was terminated they have had more programs. The new agreement should state that Dan Clark, Public Works Director should have access to the house at any time.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to have Attorney Shirk draw up a new agreement with the Fulton Historical Society for council approval at the next council meeting. Roll call vote/Ald. Roels, Loerop, W. Letcher, Juist, Field and Dykstra voted yes/Ald. C. Letcher and Sterenberg voted no/motion carried.
New Business. Ald. Loerop asked the council to consider moving forward with the proposed plan for the streetscape at the Windmill Cultural Center. This will include sidewalks, curbing and landscaping. Ald. Loerop stated there is $15,000 in the parks infrastructure line item to be used for this project, which could cost about $19,700 to complete. Loerop would like to get this moving forward since now is the ideal weather for pouring concrete. Ald. Roels said his main concern is money and would rather talk to Dan Clark before he votes on committing the $15,000 from the parks' budget.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to move forward with $15,000 from the parks line item committed to the streetscape project at the Windmill Cultural Center. Ald. Sterenberg, Loerop, W. Letcher, C. Letcher, Field and Dykstra voted yes/Ald. Roels and Juist voted no/motion carried.
The meeting adjourned at 6:45PM.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis City Clerk |