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City Council Meeting Minutes August 13, 2018

City of Fulton
Regular Council Meeting
August 13, 2018

 

Mayor Ottens called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM and directed the City Clerk to call roll. On roll call Mayor Ottens, Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, Dan Nederhoff, Sue VanKampen, Barb Mask, Paul Banker and Keith King. Ald. Mike VanZuiden were absent. Also in attendance Dave Bartels, Randy Boonstra, Dan Clark, Tammy Garibay, Jeremy Leitzen, Debi Ervin, Dale Sikkema and Bill Shirk.


The pledge of allegiance was recited; invocation was given by Wayne Wiersema.


Visitors at the meeting included; Harold & Helen Smith, Travis Hughes, Richard Farwell, Bea Farwell, Jessica Barr, Daniel Nardini, Greg & Debbie Zartmann, Tracie McQuistion, Jill Nederhoff, Jacqueline Covey, Chuck Dykstra, William & Pamela Blecha, Arlene Considine and Barb Suehl-Janis.


Mayor Ottens asked if there are any questions on the consent agenda; approve meeting minutes from July 23, 2018 and approve the bill list. With no questions or concerns Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Business


Eagle Scout Funding request, Tracie McQuistion was present to make some clarifications on how the projects are funded. Eagle Scout projects can use fundraiser money or their own money. We do not expect the city to pay for the project. Travis has done fundraising but a retaining wall is not appealing for people to generously donate. The Early American Crafters came to the scouts and said they would donate $250 if the City of Fulton would match the contribution. Travis said the majority of the project has been paid for out of pocket which is approximately $1,000 so far the Early American Crafters are will to donate $250 and Home Depot has donated $25 for materials. Ald. Mask said she is supportive of matching $250 like the early American Crafters. Ald. Field said in order to help and because the project benefits the city lets donate $500. Ald. Field motioned, seconded by Ald. King to donate $500 to Travis Hughes Eagle Scout Project for the retaining wall. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Ordinance authorizing the sale of municipally owned real estate to Geronimo Energy, purchasing an additional 13.6 acres in the Industrial Park for $15,000 an acre. Ald. Nederhoff asked if the ordinance will be the same as the previous one. Attorney Shirk said it is the same with three years to pay off land. It is still contingent on the getting approved. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Field to approve the sale of municipally owned real estate to Geronimo Energy, purchasing an additional 13.6 acres in the Industrial Park for $15,000 an acre. Roll call vote (8 yes, 1 absent).


Request to vacate east end of alley from Jeff Brondyke. This request must be approved by an ordinance. In order to write up the ordinance must submit the request and be approved by the council. Once approved move to the next step of writing up the ordinance. Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to request to vacate east end of alley on property of Jeff Brondyke. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Student Resource Officer for River Bend High School compensation agreement between City of Fulton, City of Albany and River Bend School District. This will be a 3-year contract (365 termination) Fulton paying $13,944.27, Albany paying $3,486.07 and River Bend School District paying $52,291.02. This will be a city employee contracted out the River Bend School District for the school year. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the Student Resource Officer compensation for River Bend Schools. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Zoning Board of appeals appointment of Dave Murphy. Ald. Crosthwaite motioned, seconded by Ald. King to appoint Dave Murphy to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Zoning Board of appeals chairman appointment of Rich Kummerer. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Banker to appoint Rich Kummerer as the chairman for the Zoning Board of Appeals. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent). The council entered the Committee of the Whole at 5:50 PM

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Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. King to enter closed session to discuss personnel and property. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent). The council entered closed session at 7:08 PM.


Ald. Nederhoff motioned, seconded by Ald. King to exit closed session. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent) The council exited closed session at 7:21 PM.


With no further discussion Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to adjourn, with voice agreement the council adjourned at 7:21 PM.


Minutes recorded by,
Lindsey Nederhoff
Fulton City Clerk

 

City of Fulton
Committee of the Whole
August 13, 2018


1. Public Input & Presentations
a. Possible Bond Issue- Administrator Boonstra met with Spear Financial about bonding, both current bonds and new bonds. Ald. Mask would like the finance committee to look at these options in depth before making a decision.
b. Request from Owners- Landscaping on city right of way- The Skaaland’s would like to do landscaping on city property. They would like to landscape along their driveway which is on city property like everyone else’s. There is approval needed - but their neighbors, the Miller’s, don’t want them to put in the landscaping because that would prevent him from driving a certain path into his backyard. Fourth ward Ald. Banker and VanZuiden went and looked at the property and do not see an issue with the Skaaland’s doing the landscaping as the Millers could still drive from their front yard to the back. Put on the next agenda for a vote.
c. Zoning- Zartmann variance- The Zartmann’s are wanting to put a new deck up. The front yard setback is 20 feet but the deck would be 0 feet off their property line. The zoning board voted unanimously to allow them to build the deck as it does not obstruct any views. Put on next agenda to approve ordinance.
d. Zoning- Blecha Holdings variance- The Blecha’s are wanting to put up a shed on the current shuffle board court property for gardening. The building will look very similar to the current properties they own across the road. The adjacent property has garage and no house just like the Blecha’s plan on doing. It was a unanimous vote to allow the garage to be built. Put on next agenda for approval as long as all contingencies are met.
e. Resolution/Revolving Loan Fund buyouts- Current loans are with Fulton Lodging for $210,000 and Danielson Properties for $12,000. Currently $200,000 is available but must buyout current loans by 9/15/18 or by end of year DCEO will take over the loans. It is in the city’s best interest to buyout the loans, take a discount to get them paid off. Attorney Shirk said the discount is key. Ald. Nederhoff asked what happens if they cannot get a loan? DCEO would service the loan starting January 1, 2019. The last payment made by Fulton Lodging was September 2017. Have the finance committee sit down with Fulton Lodging to discuss options. Need to make a resolution by 9/15/18, put on next agenda for approval.


2. Committee Chair Reports
a. Budget Committee- will meet next week
b. Public Property Committee- N/A
c. Public Safety- N/A
d. Parks & Recreation- Ald. VanKampen is looking to meet with Parks & Rec Board
e. Marina- N/A
f. Zoning- N/A
g. Economic Development- N/A


3. Mayor’s Report- planning a meeting with Chief Bartels and bar owners in town.


4. City Administrator’s Report- included


5. Aldermen Reports- Ald. Mask will be speaking to prison employees about the area, talk about what Fulton has to offer as well as the surrounding area. Ald. VanKampen agrees with Ald. VanZuiden there is a black cloud hanging over the council. Sue believes the Mayor is not holding his oath, filed FOIA on 17 applications for City Administrator and point system used to score resumes. Was told the council would be able to interview the top three candidates but did not happen. Mayor Ottens said Ald. VanKampen did her job when voting and he did his job. It is too bad you don’t like my decision; you can run for mayor in 3 years. Need to put some things behind us and move on. Also agrees the council needs to do some goal setting.


6. Public Works- Working on a 5-year plan for roads. Starting a side walk plan next year. At the marina the new silt fence is being installed.


7. Police Chief- it has been busy with the K9 dog and handler, gone at training for a week then home for good. Now accepting applications for police officer until Friday.


8. Tourism Coordinator- Still staying busy as a home school group is coming to town next week. Looking to get brochures at Lock & Dam 113 and updating the Great River Bike Path brochures.


9. Fulton Historical Society- included


10. Adjourn- Ald. Crosthwaite motioned, seconded by Ald. Nederhoff to exit the committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent). The council returned to the regular council meeting at 7:04 PM.


Lindsey Nederhoff
Fulton City Clerk