| City Council Minutes: November 16, 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, Charlie Letcher, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Bill Loerop and Ron Roels answered present. Aldermen Gene Field and Merle Sterenberg were absent. Also in attendance were Randy Balk - City Administrator, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer and Officer Jeremy Leitzen. Attorney Bill Shirk was absent.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. The invocation was given by Pastor Roy Ann Mathews from the Fulton Assembly of God Church.
There was no communication from visitors.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the November 2, 2009 regular council meeting minutes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the bill list as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Loerop asked the council to reconsider the tax levy options. At the budget meeting held on Saturday, November 14, 2009 the council voted for the tax levy Option A which was less than a 5% increase from last year's levied amounts. Ald. Loerop was the only one who voted no because he was in favor of raising the amounts levied for tort insurance due to the rising cost of the insurance premiums. Ald. Juist stated it has already been decided and he would not be in favor of meeting to discuss it again.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to meet on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 5:30pm. Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, C. Letcher, W. Letcher, Loerop and Roels voted yes/Ald. Juist voted no/motion carried.
Ald. W. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the Wendler engineering fees for the IDOT 12th Street and 10th Avenue resurfacing project and the bike path on the dike resurfacing project, including aerial mapping. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The city might have to spend from $5,000 to $10,000 from its MFT fund but it could be paid back by the grant.
The aerial mapping will be advantageous because it will eliminate field surveys which cost about $3,000 for all future projects. The city can also use the aerial mapping program to start a mapping system for storm sewers, manholes and hydrants.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to approve the Christmas Walk street closures of 4th Street between 10th Avenue and 12th Avenue from 4:30pm to 7:30pm on Friday, December 4, 2009 as well as the 2 mile run walk route from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The route for the race has been changed from previous years in order to get the runners across 14th Avenue quicker.
Mayor's Report. Russell said it is a slow time for economic development with everyone watching their spending. Mayor Russell said he would like to have some clarification on the role of the Mayor in the budget process. He and Randy Balk attended a meeting at the Thomson Prison and it was said that Thomson is the leading location in the search for a federal prison.
City Administrator Report. Balk continued by stating that it was a positive visit with legislators and officials at the prison. With the potential for 3000 jobs, a federal prison could have a direct impact on area economic development. The yearly budget for the prison is estimated at 85 million dollars.
Tourism/Chamber Director Report. Heather Bennett reported that the chamber is in the midst of its membership drive, has held 5 ribbon cuttings since July of 2009 and a successful Fall Festival considering the chilly weather. It was decided to move Fall Festival to the first weekend in October, since nearby towns have a fall event the 2nd weekend of October that may draw people away from Fulton. Bennett's report included information on the Summer Community Night Events, Lincoln Highway Buy-Way Sales, Lumberkings Fulton/Morrison night, Senior luncheon, site visits, fall clean up, Christmas Walk, annual planning session and the Reagan family marker project. Tourism related items reported on were, Windmill Cultural Center progress, visitor guides, Lincoln Highway Gazebo, Ronald Reagan Trail, Upper Mississippi Marketing Group, City Tourism committee, Heritage Canyon and Windmill box donations and general promotions of the community.
Bennett ended her report by asking the council to submit any news they would like to share in the newsletter as it will be published at the end of November.
Old Business. Chewton Glen land in the industrial park is getting closer to being available.
New Business. Ald. Roels said he would like the press to write something about the municipal utility tax the council voted on Saturday, November 14, 2009. The council voted to have an ordinance prepared to add a 5% tax to residents' electric bills effective January 1, 2010. Ald. Roels said he would like public feedback before the final vote on the ordinance. This topic will be discussed along with the tax levy at the special council meeting to be held at 5:30pm on November 23, 2009.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to adjourn. Voice vote/all yes/motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:30pm.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis City Clerk
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