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City Council Meeting Minutes August 27, 2018

City of Fulton
Regular Council Meeting
August 27, 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, Ald. Mike VanZuiden, Gene Field, Dan Nederhoff, Sue VanKampen, Barb Mask, Paul Banker and Keith King. Ald. Margaret Crosthwaite was absent. Also in attendance Dave Bartels, Randy Boonstra, Dan Clark, Tammy Garibay, Amanda Fosdick, Debi Ervin, Dwayne Hamilton, Nick Neblung, Woz (K9), Dale Sikkema and Bill Shirk.


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


Visitors at the meeting included; Jacqueline Covey, Daniel Nardini, Chuck Miller, Jill Nederhoff, Anthony Corelis, Monica Moynihan, David Gibbons, Sue Olsen.


Mayor Ottens asked if there are any questions on the consent agenda; approve meeting minutes from August 13, 2018 and approve treasurer’s report. With no questions or concerns Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. VanZuiden to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Business


Request to allow Mr. & Mrs. Skaaland to add landscaping on city right of way. Neighbor Chuck Miller was present saying he does not want landscaping on city property because he could not use this land to get into his back yard, he would have to take down trees and bushes planted 35 years ago to get behind the house. Mr. Miller said he received a verbal acknowledgement to plant on city property 35 years ago. Ald. King is concerned with sightlines to the fire hydrant, would emergency personnel be able to see it if landscaping is there. Also how would city get to water/sewer access if landscaping is planted. If the landscaping gets ruined who is going to have to pay for it to be fixed? Ald. VanZuiden said Mr. Miller has landscaping on public property and it has been done in the past, if the issue is being able to the fire hydrant then understand. Ald. Field asked if there were differences between the two neighbors instead they should be worried about block across the road from them. Ald. Nederhoff agrees this could be a public safety issue and should keep the area clear. Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. Banker to allow Mr. & Mrs. Skaaland to landscape on city of right of way. Roll call vote (1 yes, 6 no, 1 absent).


Approve ordinance for Zartman’s to build deck on front of property at 219 4th Street allowing 0’ setback. With no questions or concerns Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. VanZuiden to approve ordinance for Zartman’s to build a deck on front of property at 219 4th Street. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Approve variance for Blecha Holdings to allow construction of a garage on a parcel without a house. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Mask to approve the variance for Blecha Holdings to allow construction of a garage on a parcel without a house. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Approve resolution to buyout loans in revolving loan fund. By approving the resolution, it gives city negotiating right with loan holders. If we do not get bought out DECO will take over and charge a higher rate. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Banker to approve resolution to buyout loans in revolving loan fund. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent).


Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Mask to adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent). The council entered the Committee of the Whole at 5:52 PM.


Ald. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. King to enter closed session to discuss personnel, property and pending litigation. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent). The council entered closed session at 6:29 PM.


Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. King to exit closed session. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent). The council exited closed session at 6:50 PM.


With no further discussion Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. VanKampen to adjourn, with voice agreement the council adjourned at 6:50 PM.


Minutes recorded by,
Lindsey Nederhoff
Fulton City Clerk

 

 

City of Fulton
Committee of the Whole
August 27, 2018


1. Public Input & Presentation
a. Recommendations to modify water and sewer hookup fees- information is included in packet on changes in prices, just changing in order to cover city expenses
b. Request from Rich Kummerer to vacate alley adjacent to his property- put on next agenda for approval
c. Request from Fulton/Thomson Food Pantry to alter the requirement for building design- brick will cost $10,000 would like to use fake brick that would cost $2,200 or use metal siding on all 4 sides would cost $400. Ald. Mask & Field prefer fake brick. Ald. King said it doesn’t matter to him.
d. Request to approve funding for construction of a bicycle bridge on 4th Street- This would cost approximately $25,000 and come from Fund 36/Parks. Also it would cost $9,900 to finish bike path from 18th to 19th Ave. Put on next agenda for approval.
e. Interest by downtown business to install 7’ chain link fence- City of Fulton code allows a 6-foot fence to be put up but would need a variance to put in 7-foot fence. There is nothing in the code saying it cannot be chain link. Putting up fence at 12th Ave and 4th Street for outside items for sale, wanting fence to secure items overnight and prevent theft.
f. Multi-Family Zoning- Dale Sikkema has received requests from developers to rezone land in order to put in townhomes. All of the condos in town are zoned single family, don’t know how this happened. Ald. Mask is interested in where the townhomes would be located. Attorney Shirk said they could do spot zoning but could cause unhappy neighbors.


2. Committee Chair Reports
a. Budget Committee- Ald. Nederhoff said committee met last week about revolving loan fund
b. Public property committee- N/A
c. Public Safety- N/A
d. Parks & Recreation- Ald. Mask spoke with prison staff, they were young due to Federal requirements. Thomson prison warden will be coming to speak in October meeting. Ald. Mask talked with 3 people who moved to Fulton and like it.
e. Marina- Silt fence has been installed, catfish tournament went well.
f. Zoning- N/A
g. Economic Development- N/A


3. Mayor’s Report- Going forward if zoning issues are approved by the board of appeals it will go straight to the regular meeting agenda instead of the Committee of the Whole. Most of the time these issues are time sensitive and this will speed up the process for the person.


4. City Administrator’s Report- included in packet


5. Aldermen Reports- N/A


6. Public Works- nothing new to report


7. Police Chief- still busy, appreciate City Administrator’s help


8. Tourism Coordinator- went to Black Hawk Water Ways dinner, learned how tourism impacts Illinois. Ald. Mask has brochures on windmill and cultural center.


9. Adjourn- Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. VanKampen to exit the Committee of the Whole meeting. Roll call vote (7 yes, 1 absent). The council returned to the regular council meeting at 6:27 PM.


Lindsey Nederhoff
Fulton City Clerk