| City Council Minutes: October 19, 2009 |
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CITY OF FULTON
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, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Garry Medema - Treasurer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The invocation was given by Pastor Roy Ann Mathews of the Fulton Assembly of God Church.
There was no communication from visitors.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the September 21, 2009 regular council meeting minutes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to approve the Bill List as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Loerop told the council that the budget committee has met a few times and discussed the projected shortfall in state income tax at the fiscal year end. It appears that the city will be receiving approximately 15% less than last year. The fixed asset sales in the budget may not be realized before the end of the fiscal year. CD rates are down and Loerop is concerned about the economic recovery which may take the next several years. The committee is looking at ways to handle the total revenue shortfall before it becomes a problem. Staff has come up with some ideas on how to save money in this year's and next year's budgets. The committee would like to meet with the aldermen one at a time and then hold a budget workshop in November.
Ald. Roels told the council the committee has finalized the Martin House Articles of Agreement and the document is ready for council approval. The agreement is now a term of five years, the proceeds of the investment are to be used specifically for the maintenance of the house, the principal is not to be touched and the city must give the Fulton Historical Society 180 days notice if the house is to be sold.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to accept the Articles of Agreement between the City and the Fulton Historical Society as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher asked the council to consider investing $250,000 of the Martin House Funds with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend through F.A.C.E., leaving approximately $28,000 in local funds. On January 1, 2010, the city would give the Fulton Historical Society $10,000 for the 2010 operating year, letting the F.A.C.E. investment grow for the next 12 months. If invested in F.A.C.E. the funds would earn a higher rate of interest than currently being earned in CDs at the local banks. Ald. Roels said he has some concerns about investing in F.A.C.E because the investment is not insured whereas the CDs are FDIC insured.
Ald. Juist said he was not comfortable with investing $250,000 at once. Ald. Sterenberg said he would rather invest a lesser amount to see how F.A.C.E. works out before investing all of the $250,000. Ald. C. Letcher said the two members of the Fulton Historical Society, Neal Luker and Harold Smith who served on the committee with Ald. Roels and himself were on board with the plan to invest $250,000 with F.A.C.E. Neal Luker and Harold Smith thanked the council for the friendly and agreeable meetings in working out the agreement.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve investing $250,000 of the Martin House Funds and entering into an agreement with the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, Juist, C. Letcher, W. Letcher, Loerop and Roels voted yes/Ald. Sterenberg voted no/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to give Randy Balk the power to act in contracting with an electrical supplier. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The City's two year contract is coming to a close and Randy will be receiving quotes soon.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Field to approve the north end of Robert Fulton Commons as a temporary location for the Fulton Food Pantry. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Mayor Russell informed the council that the Whiteside County Transit bus will be parking temporarily in the Robert Fulton Commons. The Mayor said the Fulton Emergency Operations Plan notebooks are ready to be distributed. There are some city employees who need to take the NIMS course to get certified.
Randy Balk told the council he has received word from Mike Boland that $550,000 in state funds has been awarded to the city for the resurfacing of 10th Avenue and 12th Street and the section of the bike trail up on the dike. Bid letting will take place in the spring and the work done next summer.
Chief Rhoades reported that the department's public safety day went well and many people attended their event on October 11th in conjunction with Fall Festival.
Old Business. Balk told the council a resident had requested the council to consider a total burn ban. Ald. Loerop said we just changed the burning ordinance last year so we should not make changes again this year. Ald. Roels said he thinks the Moring yard waste pick up program has been great but not for leaves.
New Business. None.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to adjourn. Voice vote/all yes/motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis City Clerk |