| City Council Minutes: June 15, 2009 |
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CITY OF FULTON
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. Also in attendance were Randy Balk - City Administrator, Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Garry Medema - Treasurer, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. There was no invocation.
Mike Ottens, representing The Complex board of directors, updated the council on their progress. They are working on their marketing kit and will begin their capital fund drive in a couple of weeks. The project will be privately funded. They are in negotiations with Central Bank for the purchase of the former Wildwood Farms building on 22nd Avenue. He stated that The Complex board unanimously supports the Riverfront Corridor Action Team (RCAT), one of the groups formed from the FOCUS 2010 group, in their choice of a downtown anchor and community event center.
Wendy Ottens, representing RCAT addressed the council next stating that their group has no intention of duplicating any features of The Complex. It is their group's recommendation to look into the possibility of converting the old fire station at the corner of 4th Street and 10th Avenue into a place for meetings, events, conferences and festivals. They are asking for the council to approve the name they have chosen for the building, Robert Fulton Commons so they have a name for the project. They are not asking for anything other than that because this is just a starting point for the project. The group recently went to visit New Glarus, a Wisconsin town with Swiss heritage and a population of about 2800. New Glarus holds as many as 9 festivals a year, which they believe has supported the improvements and vibrancy of their downtown. Nancy Kolk was on the excursion to New Glarus and put her observations down on paper. A copy of her report was distributed to the council. It was mentioned by Randy Balk that the north side of the old fire station building is being considered for use by the police department with a sally port and garage area for squad cars.
Jim Rhoades, who was also along on the trip, was interested in how New Glarus handles traffic and parking especially during events. He believes Fulton needs to take a look at its downtown area to see where improvements can be made for the safety of motorists and pedestrians, while enhancing the area for residents and visitors. He said we need to look at the crosswalks, parking, and line of sight issues and possibly consider an ordinance to prohibit skateboards and bicycles on downtown sidewalks.
The next speaker was Cory Jobe of the Peoples Economic Development Corporation (PEDC). We should know in about 2-4 weeks if DCEO will award a $50,000 grant to the city although he is pretty confident it will be awarded. PEDC will then assist the city in establishing a historic downtown district register. It could take up to a year to get the district established, but once it is, we can embark on streetscapes, landscapes and facades. The PEDC will seek any additional grants available for the city.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the Robert Fulton Commons name for the old fire station building. Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field,
Sterenberg, C. Letcher, Juist, W. Letcher and Bill Loerop voted yes/Ald. Roels voted no/motion carried.
The request to open the alley between 8th and 9th Avenues between 6th and 7th Streets was moved up on the agenda. Gene Poel, who resides at 603 9th Avenue made this request in writing prior to the meeting and was in attendance. He submitted a request to open the alley all the way to 7th Street. At this time the alley is open from 6th Street to the eastside of the garage at 605 9th Avenue. Mr. Poel also offered to pay for the gravel needed to open the alley the rest of the way. There is a 3 foot retaining wall that was built across the alley by a previous owner at 605 9th Avenue which would have to be removed if the alley was opened.
After some discussion during which it was noted that if the alley was opened, a garbage truck would still not be able to use it due to the fact that the west entrance is very steep and then takes a sharp turn. The retaining wall would need to be removed by the current resident, the alley would need to be cut down to grade and there is a gas main running down the alley. The approximately cost to survey the alley would be $750.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to table the alley issue until they could take a closer look at the alley. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the June 1, 2009 regular council meeting minutes. 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. Garry Medema had furnished the council with an extra page this month showing the number of months of cash the city has on hand.
Ald. Juist moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the bill list as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to pass Ordinance No. 1391 Prevailing Wage, which is passed each year using the Whiteside County prevailing wages for any contract jobs. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the budget amendment of $64,464 to be assigned to line item number 51-52-850. This is the money that was set aside in the budget but not assigned to a line item during budget workshops for a new well or filters. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to authorize Layne Western to do a pilot test at well #4 in the amount of $17,800 and to hire Willett, Hofmann and Associates to do the preliminary engineering for this at a cost not to exceed $10,000. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to pass Resolution No. 216 Adoption of the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. This is a nationwide system of preparing for and responding to disaster incidents.
Mayor's Report. Mayor Russell informed the council that he gave the welcome at the Blessing of the Bikes, went on the business tour of Visual Imaging sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, had a meeting the CRDC staff who will assist with marketing in the TIF district, attended the AgriKing annual meeting and met with Whiteside County Emergency Management.
City Administrator Report. Randy found out late Friday that the city's Brownfields grant was extended to June 2010. This is 100% funded and no cost to the city if there is a need for a brownfields clean up.
Old Business. Bill Shirk told the council they could determine street closure requests on a case by case basis or they could establish a policy. No action was taken at this time. Shirk will check policies and ordinances from other larger communities.
The Martin House agreement will be tabled for another month. Randy has arranged a meeting with Ron Roels, Charlie Letcher, a Fulton Historical Society representative and a F.A.C.E. representative to discuss possible options.
The abandoned boats are down to 6 from 14, and the marina is slowly getting cleaned up. The slips are all full. Thanks to Officer Dave Bartels and Officer Jeremy Leitzen for tracking down ownership of the abandoned boats. There is a tentative auction date of July 17th to sell the remaining unclaimed boats. Randy will be working with marina operator Pete Harkness in the fall on a grant for transient slips on the north side of the marina.
New Business. Request from Regina Dixon to have a neighborhood block party on June 27, 2009 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm with live music. The request also includes a street closure from 9th Avenue to the alley on 11th Street.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the request for the street closure and the live band on June 27, 2009 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:10pm.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis
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