City Council Minutes: August 16, 2010

CITY OF FULTONREGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTESAUGUST 16, 20102:00PM Mayor Russell called the meeting to order and directed the clerk to call the roll.  On roll call, Mayor Larry Russell, Alderpersons Charles Dykstra, Charlie Letcher, Wes Letcher and Ron Roels answered present.  Alderpersons Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, Warren Juist and Bill Loerop were absent.  (Gene Field arrived at 2:35pm).  Also in attendance were Randy Balk – City Administrator, Heather Bennett – Tourism Director, Clink Kettler – Zoning Officer, Dan Clark – Public Works Director and Jim Rhoades – Chief of Police.   The pledge of allegiance was recited and the invocation was given Pastor Roy Anne Mathews of Fulton Assembly of God Church.  Ald. W. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to approve the August 2 and August 9, 2010 council meeting minutes.  Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, C. Letcher and W. Letcher voted yes/Ald. Roels abstained/motion carried.   Ald. W. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the bill list.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. Ald. C. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. Mike Mudge, energy consultant from Rock River Energy Services explained that he helps municipalities find savings on the purchase of electricity.  A law recently passed that would allow municipalities to purchase power for the residents and small businesses.  The law requires that the voters decide if the city should be authorized to purchase electricity for them.  ComEd would still handle the delivery and billing as well as the maintenance of the lines, but it could be possible to find power supplier at lower cost.  The power supplier portion is usually about 70% of the total electricity bill.   Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to pass Ordinance No. 1415 Submission to the Electors Whether the City Should Have the Authority to Arrange for the Supply of Electricity for Residential and Small Commercial Retail Customers.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to extend the city’s contract with Moring Disposal for another 2 years, with all charges and services to remain the same.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to pass Ordinance No. 1416 Amending Chapter 72, Schedule V (stop signs on bike trail added to ordinance).   Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.  This will enable the law enforcement to issue citations for violations of the signage if necessary. Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. C. Letcher to deny the Apostolos’ variance request for a 4 foot sold fence on their east side property line, which was the  Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation.  Roll call vote/Ald. C. Letcher, Field and Dykstra vote yes/Ald. Roels and W. Letcher voted no/motion carried.  Pastor Roy Anne Mathews, who lives across the street from the Apostolos’s asked the council to consider allowing the solid wood fence on the property line because it would look nicer than a chain link fence.  She said no one is trying to offend the zoning board, but thinks the city should be more flexible.  Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Field to pass Ordinance No. 1417 Granting a Variance for Certain Property (Jerry Ammons, 1412 7th Street for a south side yard setback relief of 3 feet - 3 inches, which was the Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation).  Roll call vote/Ald. Dykstra, Field, C. Letcher and Roels voted yes/Ald. W. Letcher voted no/motion carried.   Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Dykstra to move the first council meeting in September to Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 5:30PM, due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday.  Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. There will be a planning meeting after the regular council meeting on September 20, 2010. Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Field to adjourn.  Voice vote/all yes/motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 3:05pm. Minutes recorded by, Linda HollisCity Clerk