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City Council Meeting Minutes December 19, 2016

City of Fulton
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
December 19, 2016

Mayor H. VanZuiden called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM and directed the City Clerk to call the roll. On roll call Mayor H. VanZuiden, Ald. Barbara Mask, Gene Field, Dan Nederhoff, Margaret Crosthwaite, Sue VanKampen, Wes Letcher and Mike VanZuiden answered present. Also in attendance Bill Shirk (City Attorney), James Rhoades (Chief of Police), Amanda Fosdick (City Treasurer), Regina Lehman (Tourism Director), Dale Sikkema (Zoning Director) and Tammy Garibay (Deputy Clerk).

The pledge of allegiance was recited. Pastor Wayne Wiersema gave the invocation.

Visitors present at the meeting included Joe Maresca, Jill Pepin, Barb Suehl-Janis, Mike Ottens, Randy Boonstra, Matt Hansen, Nick Moffit and Paul Figge. Paul Figge was present regarding his last two water bills. Mr. Figge had a pipe break and caused his water bill, which is normally $30 to go up over $100. The city does not normally do an adjustment unless one month’s bill is over $300. The city is going to look into policy for water breaks.

Mayor H. VanZuiden asked to skip to section 9E on the agenda to accept the resignation of 4th Ward Alderman Howard VanZuiden effective December 6, 2016. With no further questions Ald. Crosthwaite motioned, seconded by Ald. M. VanZuiden to accept the resignation of Alderman Howard VanZuiden. Roll call vote (7 yes).

Mayor H. VanZuiden asked if there were any questions regarding the items listed on the consent agenda. Items for consideration Approve Meeting Minutes from December 5, 2016, Approve Treasurer’s Report, and Approve Bill List. Ald. Mask asked about an item on the Bill List, Chief Rhoades said it was for hats and long sleeve shirts for all of the police department. With no further questions Ald. M. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. Letcher to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote (7 yes).

Unfinished Business

2016 Property Tax Levy and Bond Abatement Ordinances is $517,824. The abatement ordinances must be filed with the County Clerk. With no further questions or concerns Ald. Nederhoff motioned, seconded by Ald. M. VanZuiden to approve the 2016 Property Tax Levy and Bond Abatement Ordinances. Roll call vote (7 yes).

Sale of property to Eastern Iowa Propane has been completed. Money has been settled, paying off Steve Bemis and the remaining amount to applied towards loan amount with Central Bank. Still make regular payment plus extra amount from sale of property. With no further questions the council moved to the next item on the agenda.

Appoint Dale Sikkema as Zoning Officer and Committee Selection for organization of zoning ordinances. Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. VanKampen to appoint Dale Sikkema as Zoning Officer. Roll call vote (7 yes). Mr. Sikkema will work with Mayor H. VanZuiden to get a committee together for the organization of zoning ordinances. With no further questions the council moved to the next item on the agenda.

Revised Property Sale Contract for Justin Thoms with Great River Gymnastics. The price of the property was set at $34,865. The buyer must pay $1000 in earnest money by January 16, 2017. Justin asked for 2 years to get building completed due to the time of year. Before a vote to approve the ordinance Randy Boonstra expressed his feelings regarding the Industrial Park with all the semi traffic. In the past the City of Fulton said no to retail shops, repair businesses and job growth. Mike Ottens agrees there is to much semi traffic in the Industrial Park and is concerned there will not be enough parking spaces especially since there is no onside paved parking along 22nd Ave. Randy Boonstra and Mike Ottens asked the city to come up with guidelines for the Industrial Park. With no further questions or concerns Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. Letcher to approve the contract for sale of property to Justin Thoms. Roll call vote (5 yes, 2 no).

CDBG update to the Sanitary Sewer Lining project by Jill Pepin. Jill Pepin from Community Funding and Planning Services wrote a grant to help repair sewer projects. The grant was awarded in February 2016 and must be completed by May 31st, 2018 but aiming for a completion date of July 2017. With no further questions or concerns the council moved to the next item on the agenda.

New Business

Matt Hansen was present from Willett, Hofmann & Associates to give an update on the Sanitary Sewer Lining Project. They received 5 proposals with the lowest bid of $458,724.80 from Hoerr Construction. They also received two alternate bids bringing the total amount of the project to $588,986.20. It is Willett, Hofmann & Associates recommendation to award the bid to Hoerr Construction, Inc. With no further questions or concerns Ald. M. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. Mask to approve the bid of $541,786.20 plus the two alternates to Hoerr Construction. Roll call vote (7 yes).

Attorney Shirk explained how the City of Fulton needs to pass a Travel Entertainment Policy Resolution for all employees and officers of the city. There are two options; a resolution, which is cheaper and in paper form or an ordinance, which you must pay to have updated each time, it would change. The resolution or ordinance must be voted on by the council and mayor. Must meet set rates for mileage, meals and lodging using state numbers or setting own. Travel is usually approved ahead of time, Ald. M. VanZuiden says this needs to be done and a report from the trip once returned. With no further questions or concerns it was asked this item to be put on the next agenda.

The Fulton Marina Committee has requested an increase in slip rentals beginning this upcoming season (March 2017). The marina committee is requesting a 5% increase since they have not increased rates in awhile and still a lot lower in price compared to other local marinas. With no further questions or concerns Ald. M. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. VanKampen to approve a 5% increase on slip rentals beginning March 2017. Roll call vote (7 yes).

Suggestion of revisiting Committee Assignments as some appear to no longer be active and omitted from the list. The council was unsure of the current ordinance on committee assignments. It was mentioned the ordinance might need to be updated. The item was tabled to the next council meeting so it can be reviewed.

Mayor Howard VanZuiden to appoint Ald. Sue VanKampen as mayor pro-tem. With no questions or concerns Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. Letcher to approve the appointment of Mayor Pro-Tem Sue VanKampen. Roll call vote (7 yes).

Move January 2017 Council Meeting to Tuesday January 3, 2017 at 5:30 PM due to offices being closed to celebrate the New Year Holiday. With no further questions or concerns Ald. VanKampen motioned, seconded by Ald. Field to approve moving the meeting to Tuesday January 3, 2017. Roll call vote (7 yes).

Reports

Director Clark included his written report.

Police Chief Rhoades included his written report.

With no further business Ald. Field motioned, seconded by Ald. Mask to adjourn. With voice agreement the council adjourned at 6:46 PM.

Minutes recorded by,

Lindsey Renkes
Fulton City Clerk