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City of Fulton Council Meeting Minutes November 22, 2021

City of Fulton

City Council Meeting

November 22, 2021

 

Mayor Wendy Ottens called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM and directed the Clerk to call the roll.

On roll call, Alderperson King, Banker, Mask, VanKampen, Brondyke, and Hunt were present. Alderpersons Nederhoff and VanZuiden were absent. Also in attendance was Attorney Shirk, City Administrator Clark, Chief Neblung, Zoning Officer Sikkema, and Deputy Clerk Garibay.

Visitors were also present.

PRESENTATIONS

SURF Director of Operations gave a presentation to the Council and public on the future of i-fiber internet in the area. They’re purpose, of an agreement between SURF and the City of Fulton will be in the development of broadband infrastructure and other related communications services for the benefit of the City of Fulton and its residents.

An agreement of terms will be in future discussions between City Administrator Clark, Attorney Shirk and SURF directly, with Council approval.

BUSINESS

Approve the October 25, 2021, Council minutes. Alderman King motioned, seconded by Alderman VanKampen. No discussion to follow. Roll call vote, 6 yes, 0 no, minutes approved.

Approve the November 2021 Bill List. Alderman King motioned, seconded by Alderman Hunt. No discussion to follow. Roll call vote, 6 yes, 0 no. Bill list approved.

CURRENT BUSINESS – Items for Consideration (Discussion) or (Action)      

  • Approve to give City Administrator Clark the authority to act on negotiations from SURF and Jo-Carroll Energy for I-fiber installation with the City of Fulton. Alderman King motioned, seconded by Alderman Hunt. No discussion to follow. Roll call vote, 6 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
  • Ordinance Levying Taxes for all Corporate Purposes for the City of Fulton for the year - May 1, 2021, and ending on April 30, 2022. Alderman Mask motioned, seconded by Alderman Brondyke. Short discussion to follow, City Administrator Clark stating that the city will be levying in the amount of $628,302.61. This does not include any levying for the city’s bonds. With no further discussion. Roll call vote, 6 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
  • Approve an Ordinance Abating the Tax Levied for the year 2021 for the 2012A and 2012B Bonds. ($193,838.00) Alderman King motioned, seconded by Alderman VanKampen. No discussion to follow. Roll call vote, 6 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
  • Approve an Ordinance Abating the Tax Levied for the 2019 Bonds. ($122,312.50) Alderman King motioned, seconded by Alderman VanKampen. No discussion to follow. Roll call vote, 6 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
  • Approve an Ordinance Abating the Tax Levied for the year 2020 Bonds. Alderman King motioned, seconded by Alderman Hunt. No discussion to follow. Roll call vote, 6 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
  • Approve Employee Christmas Bonus in the amount of $200 per full-time employee and $100 per part-time employee. Alderman Mask motioned, seconded by Alderman VanKampen. Discussion to follow. Alderman Hunt would like to see the bonus amount be increased to $500 per full-time employee and at least $200 for part-time employees. Alderman King agrees. They would like to ask for a supplement motion for the increase. Alderman Mask says that she believes that the 200/100 is adequate. Alderman VanKampen says the increase is not in the budget. Alderman Brondyke agrees with the increase not being in the budget and should be discussed at the budget meetings for possible increases next year. Alderman Banker agrees with Brondyke. Mayor Wendy states that bonuses should not be increased and frankly most companies do not award a Christmas bonus anymore, and this should be discussed at future budget meetings. With no further discussion, bonuses will remain at 200/100. Roll call vote. 6 yes, 0 no. Motion approved. There was an additional motion to increase the bonuses but failed with a 4 No votes (Ald. Mask, Brondyke, VanKampen and Banker) and 2 yes votes (Ald. King and Hunt). Motion failed.
  • Approve to cancel the December 2021 Regular Meeting and schedule a Budget Workshop on January 8, 2022 (8 am), and change the regularly scheduled January 24, 2022, meeting to January 31, 2022, at 5:30 pm. Alderman VanKampen motioned, seconded by Alderman King. Discussion to follow. Alderman Mask does not agree in cancelling the meeting stating that we as representatives of each ward, owe it to the public to be here to approve bills and upcoming business. Alderman Brondyke and Hunt agree. With no further discussion, roll call vote 3 yes, 3 no. Mayor Wendy breaks the tie with a yes vote to cancel the December meeting and arrange for the two meetings in January. Motion approved.
  • Video Gaming – Machines and Fees. Discussion Only. City Administrator Clark states that the State of Illinois has passed a legislation that a non-home rule community can charge per gaming terminals from $25 up to $250 per year, per machine. Attorney Shirk attached a model ordinance proposed by the IML. This can be voted on at any time. The council will discuss this further at the scheduled budget workshops.
  • Garbage Bins and Blighted Residential Areas. Discussion Only. Chief Neblung discussed that there was an ordinance sweep done in the past 2 weeks and believed that it did have some impact. Continued efforts to resolve the problem areas will be implemented.
  • Lincoln Highway Sign. Discussion Only. Alderman Mask presented that the sign is going to be touched up by local artist, Regina Dixon and would like to see it erected at the site of the old bridge approach to Iowa. Alderman Mask will keep the Council up to date on the project as it moves forward.
  • Downtown Revitalization. City Administrator Clark states that letters have been personally delivered to all businesses in the downtown area and have asked Aldermen to plea with residents in their Wards to send in letters of support for the project in hopes that the City will be able to receive some grant funds for the revitalization. The project consists of new downtown streets, sidewalks, decorative streetlights, watermains and sound system. The preliminary project cost estimate is $6,300,000. We will keep the Council and public updated as soon as information comes in.
  • Aldermen Wages. Discussion. Moving forward all Aldermen will be paid $106.25 for the one meeting per month. Extra Meetings will be paid at the rate of $31.25 and if you request payment for a committee meeting, you will be paid at the rate of $31.25 when minutes are promptly submitted for publication. (Committee meetings must be approved by the City Administrator and Mayor before the meeting is posted.)

REPORTS

Finance – N/A

Economic Development – Would like to see the “FOR SALE” sign updated at the Fulton Industrial Center.

Parks and Recs – Alderman VanKampen and Alderman Brondyke announced that there is interest from several parties in erecting a Pavilion at the School Park on the SW corner. They are asking that the building permit fees be waived, and the city help with architect fees. More discussion to follow in upcoming meetings. They are also going to bring back building sponsorship at Heritage Canyon and ask that a separate fund be established for the revenue and expenses as money comes in. Will set up for the new fiscal year.

Public Safety – Emergency Plan Committee is still working on a plan. Meetings will be held soon.

Marina – Dredging is planned for the end of the month in the amount of $20,000. Revenues are down due to low water and not be able to lift and store boats this fall. Wi-Fi is to be updated. The building has been rented for $1000 per month to a tree cutting service. Lease agreements will be drawn up.

Zoning – N/A

MAYOR’S REPORT

ALDERMAN REPORTS

CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – Included

CHIEF OF POLICE REPORT – Included. Chief Neblung states that Ethan Jones and Ben Eshelman will be sworn in next week.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – Included

TOURISM REPORT - Included

ADJOURN MEETING TO JANUARY 8, 2022

Alderman King motioned, seconded by Alderman Hunt. Roll call vote to adjourn to January 8, 2022, continuation meeting. 6 yes, 0 no. Motion approved. Meeting ended at 7:09 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Tammy L Garibay

City Clerk