| Council Minutes: October 18, 2010 |
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CITY OF FULTON
Mayor Russell called the meeting to order. Randy Boonstra was sworn in as 4th ward alderperson. On roll call, Mayor Larry Russell, Alderpersons Charles Dykstra, Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Randy Boonstra and Ron Roels answered present. Alderperson Charlie Letcher was absent. Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer and Jim Rhoades - Chief of Police.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. There was no invocation.
Deb Wehmhoefer, Administrative Assistant from the Whiteside County Senior Center (WCSC) in Sterling, Illinois spoke to the council about the proposed Senior Center at the Robert Fulton Commons in Fulton. A location in Fulton would better serve people in Fulton and the surrounding townships. Deb explained that she and Roxanne Bauer, the WCSC Executive Director attended the kick-off event for the senior transit followed by a meal at the Robert Fulton Commons. At that time they got excited about what the Fulton Senior Services Team had going.
Deb gave a power point presentation explaining some of the reasons a WCSC in Fulton would be a benefit to local seniors. WCSC could provide daily transportation and outreach services monthly to link seniors to financial resources and services available. The downtown location with local community resource access and a large public interest group are additional reasons to open a center in Fulton.
The WCSC in Sterling is too far away for many local seniors and they see the need to expand their services and their mission is to provide volunteer opportunities, a newsletter, programs and activities with emphasis on health and wellness. They would start with meals three days per week and work up to daily meals. At the WCSC in Sterling they serve 40-80 people daily at a cost of $4 per meal.
The agreement between WCSC and the city is being drafted and may be available by the next council meeting for the council's approval. The WCSC has agreed to pay for the Fulton center's part time staff, including Karen Abbott, local Fulton resident as director. The city will probably pay the utilities and maintain the building until the local center can fundraise. Fulton would operate under the WCSC's 501(c) (3) financial and fiscal reporting system, but all monies raised in Fulton will stay in Fulton. There are grants available through the Department on Aging and there are many other ways to generate funds. Memberships are available at reasonable rates, although no one will ever be denied services by the inability to become a member.
Ald. W. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the October 4, 2010 regular council meeting minutes. Mayor Russell thought the wording on the top of the second page should be changed from "the option to look for" to "the option to receive" pertaining to lower electricity rates. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Juist moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to approve the Bill List as presented. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve the Treasurer's Report. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Roels to grant River Bend School District's request to put an antenna on the City's water tower at no cost to the District. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. This will give their transportation crew better radio coverage and it will not interfere with any other equipment already on the tower.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Field to adopt a preliminary capital/infrastructure plan for the use of sales tax if the referendum passes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The plan includes evaluating the conditions of and planning for the future needs of: streets, alleys, curb and gutter, water system, hydrants, valves, booster stations and water mains, sewer system, lift stations, sewer mains and manholes.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the following appointments; Mayor pro-tem #1 - Ron Roels, Mayor pro-tem #2 - Charlie Letcher, Budget committee - Larry Russell and Randy Boonstra, WCC steering committee - Charles Dykstra, Insurance committee - Ron Roels. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried
Mayor Russell said he will be on KROS radio with Dave Vickers on Thursday at 10:00am to talk about the sales tax referendum and the electric supply referendum. Ald. Roels said he would go with the mayor to the interview.
Mayor Russell said the informal discussion at Corner Treasures and Treats on downtown safety revolved around issues such as speeding, pedestrian safety, parking and visibility.
Chief Rhoades said the department received an ILEAS (Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System) grant for mobile data equipment which will enable the officers to access the state database from their squad car. GAPA (Gateway Area Police Administrators) is looking into web cams for the bridges to assist with accidents or suicidal subjects.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to approve putting articles in the newspapers expressing the council's support for the sales tax referendum and the electric supply referendums. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. W. Letcher to enter executive session to discuss the purchase or lease of real property. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The council entered executive session at 6:58pm. Executive session minutes are recorded elsewhere.
The council returned to regular session at 7:50pm. Ald. Roels moved, seconded by Ald. Field to adjourn. Voice vote/all yes/motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:50pm.
Minutes recorded by,
Linda Hollis City Clerk
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