| City Council Minutes: February 1, 2010 |
|
CITY OF FULTON
Mayor Russell called the meeting to order at The Complex, 1011 22nd Avenue 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 and Bill Loerop answered present. Ald. Ron Roels was absent. Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Heather Bennett - Tourism Director and Police Officer Kevin Soenksen.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. Pastor Tom Merchant of Trinity Reformed Church gave the invocation.
The Mayor introduced Randy Prasse, the new Executive Director of the Tri County Economic Development Alliance (TCEDA). He is responsible for the program, fundraising and budget. Prasse has experience in strategic planning and business and tourism growth.
Colleen Wilkin, campaign manager for The Complex welcomed the council and updated them on their progress. The office area has been cleaned and painted by volunteers who have given over 300 hours of their time to date. They have a goal of $750,000 to meet by March 31, 2010 to secure the building. Their long term goal is to raise a total of $3,000,000. The Complex will be a huge incentive for people considering a move to Fulton. Wilkin urged everyone who could to help financially or by volunteering.
Some of The Complex board members in attendance introduced themselves; Randy Boonstra, Neal Luker, Jean Wilkin, Barb Suehl-Janis and Bill Brinkman. A tour of the facility will be conducted at the end of the meeting. It is hoped that they can open the recreation center by later summer or early fall with a 10,000 square foot community center addition to follow later.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the January 18, 2010 regular council meeting minutes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Sterenberg moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to pass Ordinance No. 1403 Adding Territory to the Whiteside/Carroll County Enterprise Zone. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The property being added is the old Wal-Mart location in Sterling.
Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Sterenberg to pass Ordinance No. 1404 Setting Forth Provisions for Compliance with the Illinois Freedom of Information Act. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. This ordinance was required by recent changes to the Illinois law.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Loerop to allow the Fulton Community Fund to hold meetings in the city council chambers subject to availability. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. It was mentioned that they would be welcome to meet at The Complex also.
Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to place a Lincoln Highway mural on the south side of the Robert Fulton Commons building at the cost of approximately $100 for brackets to hold the mural. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. Heather Bennett explained to the council that the mural cost ($10,000) is covered by a grant from the Federal Scenic Byways Program. The mural will be 10 feet by 20 feet and painted with an early 20th century period style look. The mural must be placed on the former Lincoln Highway (10th Avenue), affixed to a building and no more than 8 feet from the ground. The city will assist the Illinois Lincoln Highway Coalition with historical information to create a story and image for the mural. The city is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the mural.
Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve sponsoring a volunteer appreciation event on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Manny's banquet room with a budget not to exceed $1000 from the council special projects line item. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Loerop moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to authorize the preparation of a resolution in support of The Complex. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The resolution will be prepared for the next meeting.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 6:25pm. The council and visitors then toured The Complex building.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis City Clerk
|