| City Council Minutes: May 16, 2011 |
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CITY OF FULTON
Mayor Russell called the meeting to order. The clerk swore in 2nd Ward Alderperson, Dan Nederhoff. The Mayor directed the clerk to call the roll. On roll call Mayor Larry Russell, Alderpersons Charles Dykstra, Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, Dan Nederhoff, Warren Juist, Wes Letcher, Howard Van Zuiden and Randy Boonstra answered present. Also in attendance were Bill Shirk - City Attorney, Randy Balk - City Administrator, Dan Clark - Public Works Director, Garry Medema - Treasurer, Clarence Kettler - Zoning Officer and Police Officer Casey Simpson.
The pledge of allegiance was recited. There was no communication from visitors.
Ald. Field moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to approve the April 28, 2011 public hearing minutes and the May 2, 2011 regular council meeting minutes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Juist to approve the bill list. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Juist moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to approve the Treasurer's report. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Juist moved, seconded by Ald. Boonstra to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute a municipal aggregated electric supply agreement between the City and FirstEnergy Solutions on such terms and conditions negotiated by the City Administrator and the ad hoc committee of Howard Van Zuiden, Warren Juist and Charlie Letcher. The committee and the city administrator shall have the power to act to negotiate a final agreement and the Mayor and City Clerk shall have the authority to execute such agreement. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The committee reviewed 6 offers from 6 companies and chose FirstEnergy Solutions. The agreement should be worked out in the next 7-10 days. Residents will be notified of the substantial savings available to them.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Field to pass Ordinance No. 1431 Authorizing a Variance (Kenneth Tiesman, 801 Fowler Road) for a garage. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. The zoning board of appeals recommended the approval of a 204 square foot variance.
Ald. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to pass Ordinance No. 1432 Vacating a Portion of an Alley between Lots 1 and 2 on the West and Lots 9 and 10 on the East, in Block 1, West Fractions (Bill and Pam Blecha, 504 4th Street) Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
The resolution to sell Heritage Park lots was tabled to the next meeting. The council did not have a chance to review the resolution prior to the meeting.
Denny Ottens, owner of Denny O's asked the council to permit him to have a live band in his permanent beer garden on Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 4-8pm. Ald. Letcher moved, seconded by Ald. Field to grant the request. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Field to approve closing 4th Street between 12th Avenue and 10th Avenue on Sunday, June 5, 2011 from noon to 3:00pm for the Annual Blessing of the Bikes. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried. Julie Meiners, who made the request, said they would pick up city barricades for the street closure and would return them when they are finished.
Carol Bower, who owns a house at 2206 6th Street, asked the council to consider adjusting her water bill and permit her to make payments. She does not live in the house because she had a fire several years ago. She defaulted on a previous payment agreement with the city and liens have been filed on the property.
Ald. Dykstra moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to reinstate the payment agreement of $50.00 each month in addition to the current bill and to reduce the total amount owed to $2,000. Roll call vote/Ald. Boonstra, Crosthwaite, Dykstra, Juist, Letcher, Nederhoff and Van Zuiden voted yes/Ald. Field voted no/motion carried. If Bower defaults on this agreement services will be disconnected until the entire bill is paid in full.
Mayor Russell said the city needs to work on an inventory of streets, a tourism plan, economic development and the disaster plan needs to be reactivated. He would like volunteers from the council to serve on the Martin House ad hoc committee, since Ron Roels and Charlie Letcher are no longer on the council.
Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the appointment of Dan Nederhoff and Wes Letcher to the Martin House ad hoc committee. Roll call vote/all yes/motion carried.
Randy Balk said there will be a Citizens Advisory Group public hearing on the 4-laning of Highway 30 on June 15th from 1pm-7pm at the Methodist Church in Morrison. He also reported that downtown planning is progressing.
Dan Clark said he has applied for a 75% reimbursement for city costs incurred during a 48 hour period during the big snowstorm in early February. The city could possibly recover $12,000.
Officer Simpson thanked the council for the use of the Drives building for a 4 hour police training scenario held on April 28th. The vacant building was an ideal location for the training and kept the cost of the training very low.
Ald. Boonstra moved, seconded by Ald. Letcher to adjourn. Voice vote/all yes/motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:37pm.
Minutes recorded by, Linda Hollis City Clerk
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