Mayor Ottens called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM and directed the City Clerk to call roll. On roll call Ald. Randy Boonstra, Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, Dan Nederhoff, Sue VanKampen, Barb Mask, Paul Banker and Keith King. Also in attendance Bill Shirk (City Attorney), Tammy Garibay (Deputy Clerk), Amanda Fosdick (City Treasurer), Randy Balk (Interim City Admin), Dan Clark (Public Works) and Donnie Pridemore (Police Officer).
The pledge of allegiance was recited. The invocation was given by Pastor Wayne Wiersema.
Visitors at the meeting included Chuck Dykstra on behalf of the Fulton Township. The Fulton Township is doing a fundraiser for the Fulton Township Cemetery to sell 100 trees for $100 each. Mr. Dykstra highlighted the amount of Township taxes the City of Fulton receives which is an amount of $35,568. Mr. Dykstra is also asking the City of Fulton to install a wireless booster for the wireless connection to reach the township areas, the installation cost is a one-time fee of $2,000 and the a monthly fee of $25 a month ($300 a year).
Sue VanKampen presented a petition and a letter regarding the possible sale of the RFCC. The letter was from Elsie Foster, the cook at the RFCC. Concerns were raised regarding Awesometown as the possible replacement for the RFCC such as the kitchen must be commercially certified, oven mat not fit into Awesometown’s building, lack of air conditioning and lack of handicapped access. Ald. VanKampen requested financial information on the RFCC from the Treasurer to be sent to all of the council members for review.
Mayor Ottens asked if there are any questions on the consent agenda; approve Meeting Minutes, Treasurer’s Report, Bill List and Budget to Actual. Ald. Boonstra clarified the vendor on the police department badges. With no further questions Ald. Crosthwaite motioned, seconded by Ald. Boonstra to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote (8 yes).
Business
Ordinance #1569 to amend the electrical tax rates for MUT approved under the FY Budget 2017/2018. Ald. Boonstra asked Attorney Shirk what the max rate is on electrical and if the additional funds were earmarked for a specific project or expense. Attorney Shirk said the funds were to go in the general fund, no specific project. With no further questions Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. VanKampen to approve Ordinance #1569 amending the electrical tax rate for the MUT. Roll call vote (8 yes).
Ordinance #1570 Amending the Date and Time of Regular Meetings of the City Council to the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:00 PM. Ald. Field expressed his concern once again the City’s meeting time should take priority over other meetings in town. Ald. Field has also been a member of the VFW for many years and the meeting time would interfere if the City changed the meeting time and does not want the council to change the meeting time just for him. Mayor Ottens expressed the concern of not having Attorney Shirk present or leaving early for another City meeting on the 1st Monday of the month and that was the reason for the proposed change. The motioned was tabled.
Ordinance #1571 Amending the Number of Licenses issued under Chapter 111 – Alcoholic Beverages to be limited to 11 at any given time. Ald. Boonstra motioned, seconded by Ald. King to approve Ordinance #1571. Roll call vote (8 yes).
Ordinance #1572 Amending Standing Committees to add an Economic Development Committee and remove the Planning and Records Committee. With no discussion Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. VanKampen to approve Ordinance #1572. Roll call vote (8 yes).
Public Works Dan Clark is recommending Erickson Paving as the contractor for the Bike Trail Seal, Road Patches and Canyon/Andresen Turnaround. They received bids from three different contractors and Erickson was the bid at $36,450. With no discussion Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Boonstra to approve Erickson Paving as the contractor for the Bike Trail Seal, Road Patches and Canyon/Andresen Turnaround with funds to come from the General Fund and Fund 36-MFT. Roll call vote (8 yes).
With no further discussion Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Boonstra to adjourn. With voice agreement the council adjourned the meeting at 6:03 PM.
Lindsey Renkes
Fulton City Clerk