| City Council Minutes: July 20, 2009 |
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CITY OF FULTON
The Council recited the pledge of allegiance and Terry Merchant of Trinity Reformed Church gave the invocation.
The Mayor 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 Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer, Clink Kettler - Zoning Officer, and Police Officer Kevin Soenksen.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the July 6, 2009 regular council meeting minutes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Communication from visitors. Betty Wiebenga, representing F.A.C.E. and the Fulton Chamber of Commerce asked the council to commit to a co- sponsorship for the green event to be held on September 26, 2009 from 9:00 to 11:00AM. Last year this event was a day long "green expo" held at the former fire station and included speakers and vendors. This year will be collecting of hazardous household waste, e-waste and newspapers at the same location. Only residents of the city of Fulton and Fulton Township may drop off items. The monetary co-sponsors are F.A.C.E., Fulton Township, Fire Protection District and the City of Fulton at a cost not to exceed $1,250.00 each.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to support the green event to be held on September 26, 2009 at a cost not to exceed $1,250.00. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Roels stating that he is officially on record stating he is concerned about the general fund balance. There was much discussion on the report with input from Garry Medema, who explained possible reasons for the balance decrease. Medema said the expenditures have not increased dramatically since June one year ago, but the revenues have decreased. State income tax and sales tax may be a major factor in the decrease. Ald. Loerop said he would like the budget committee to meet to review the situation. Medema informed the council that he had reorganized his report and went over the changes with them which make the report easier to read.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the bill list as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motioned carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to pass Ordinance No. 1392 Temporarily Amending the Supplemental License - Outdoor Sale of Alcoholic Beverages. Roll call vote/Ald. Field, Juist, C. Letcher, W. Letcher and Roels voted yes/Ald. Dykstra, Loerop and Sterenberg voted no/motion carried. This ordinance will be in effect from July 6, 2009 (was voted on at previous council meeting) to September 6, 2009, a temporary extension of beer garden closing hours from 10:00PM to 12:01AM.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to appoint Randy Balk as contact person and contact information for the GAP (Grassroots Advocacy Program), which is being formed by the Illinois Municipal League (IML) and the Illinois City/County Management Association (ILCMA). Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to authorized Dan Clark to repair or replace the storm water pump located by the tennis courts at a cost not to exceed $20,000, with the cost charged to depreciation. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The current pump is not functioning properly and has to be removed to determine if it can be repaired. At first there was a motion made to table this item until Dan could get cost estimates. Ald. Field said he felt it should not be tabled until the next council meeting as it affects residents in the area. The motion to table was withdrawn.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to form an adhoc committee to discuss ordinance issues at the trailer park consisting of two aldermen, one police officer and Randy Balk. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. Ald. Sterenberg and Ald. Roels volunteered to be on the committee.
Mayor Russell told the council he would like to form an advisory committee for the TIF district. He gave the council his written informational report on the TIF district and said there was no action required at this meeting.
Mayor Russell reported that Karen Abbott and Wendell Davelaar have agreed to co-chair a new Senior Services Action Team. The team is an outcome of the FOCUS 2010 group. They will be recruiting more team members in the near future.
Russell told the council they should review the Revolving Fund results and objectives. He said he believes the Revolving Fund board should consider attracting startup businesses. A July 23rd meeting with Blackhawk Entrepreneurs and Inventors Club has been scheduled.
Ald. Roels asked the Mayor what he meant by the mutual goals for the City and the Complex on his written report. Mayor Russell said he thinks the city should stand ready to assist the Complex in working out another location if the one they are interested in does not work out. He also mentioned the possibility of using Revolving Loan money for the project.
Dan Clark told the council that Layne Western is conducting the pilot test on well #4 to determine if the well can be rehabbed. They should know in about a week.
Clark was asked about the Rt. 136 resurfacing project being done by the Illinois Department of Transportation. He said the project is slightly behind due to rainy weather.
Heather Bennett hit some of the highlights of her quarterly chamber /tourism report. She told the council the chamber is up to 117 members and 5 ribbon cuttings were held during the last 3 months. There is a ribbon cutting this Wednesday for Heartland Hospice which is located in the former IGA building. There is a new format for the e-newsletter, the chamber recently held its annual dinner, bridal walk, business site visit to Visual Imaging, and is co-sponsoring the Lincoln Buy-Way yard sales and the summer nights events (every 2nd and 4th Thursday of June, July and August). The chamber also sponsored a recent bus trip to the Lincoln Museum in Springfield and next business site visit will be to J.T. Cullen on September 16th.
Bennett also informed the council of some of the recent tourism activities; the new visitors guide, the progress on the Windmill Cultural Center, the countertop mats now is 45 different businesses and the continued visits to the City's web site. The City newsletter is due to be printed in August and she asked the council to submit anything they would like to get out to the residents.
Old Business. There is nothing new to report at this time on the Martin House Agreement.
New Business. Bill Shirk told the council two of the five boats for sale by auction were sold on July 17th. The council can prepare an ordinance for the remaining 3 or schedule another auction. He had received four calls from interested buyers and the Mayor has received a couple of inquiries as well. There would be no e would only need to post a notice within the vicinity of the boats 10 days prior to the auction. He would also notify the interested parties of the next auction date. The council thought this would be the best way to proceed.
Dan Clark asked the council to support a city staff/council dinner at a cost not to exceed $500 to be held at Cattail Park on August 6, 2009 following a golf outing at Buck's Barn. He is waiting for confirmation from Buck's on the date.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve a City dinner at Cattail Park at a cost not to exceed $500. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
At 6:33PM, after a unanimous voice vote, the meeting was adjourned.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis City Clerk |