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, Margaret Crosthwaite, Dan Nederhoff, Barb Mask, Paul Banker, Keith King and Sue VanKampen. Also in attendance Randy Boonstra and Bill Shirk.
Pledge of allegiance was recited; invocation was given by Wayne Wiersema.
Visitors at the meeting included; Charlene Johnson, Ron Coplan, Bill & Brenda Council, Evelyn Medenblik, Jan Olson, Clink and Marion Kettler, Carol Kolk, Connie Koehn, Phil & Wendy Ottens, Arlene Considine, David & Barb Frantz, Judy Holesinger, Chuck Dykstra, Linda Dykstra, John Prins, Daniel Nardini, Tom Steffen, Jill Nederhoff & Dwayne Hamilton
. Chuck Dykstra has helped raise money for the Drives Building, thought it was a wonderful gift but now the city wants to tear it down. I vote to sell it for $2 to the Historical Society. Connie Koehn would like to see the city sell the property to the Historical Society, this would not involve the city in a partnership. This would be a win, win. Bill Council has a hard time understanding why the city wants to spend $143,850 to tear down the building when someone is willing to buy it. What is going to happen to the land? Green space? Ald. VanZuiden responded saying, “it will be green space for the time being.”
Approve meeting minutes from December 10, 2018. Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve meeting minutes from December 10, 2018. Roll call vote (8 yes)
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Opening of bids for sale of Drives Building. Fulton Historical Society bid $10,500 and Lohman Construction bid $5,000 with the option of the City of Fulton to buy back the land. Ald. Nederhoff motioned to accept the bid from the Historical Society for $10,500, Ald. VanKampen seconded. Roll call vote (5 yes, 4 no). Ald. Banker, Mask, VanKampen, Nederhoff and VanZuiden for the sale of the property. Ald. King, Crosthwaite, Field and Mayor Ottens voted not to accept the bid from the Historical Society. Motion FAILED.
Ald. Crosthwaite motioned to award contract for abatement and demolition of Drives building to Lohman Construction for $143,850 to include labor and prevailing wage, Ald. King seconded the motion. Roll call vote (5 yes, 4 no). Ald. King, Banker, Crosthwaite, Field and Mayor Ottens voted yes to award the contract. Ald. Mask, VanKampen, Nederhoff and VanZuiden voted not to award the contract. Motion PASSED.
Ald. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. King to allow Administrator Boonstra to sign a contract with Azavar Consulting to provide services to audit out sales tax receipts in an effort to find unpaid or underpaid taxes. Azavar services will be at no charge. If additional revenue is found Azavar retains 45% of the found revenue and the city retains 55%. Azavar would receive 45% over a three-year period. Attorney Shirk said the contract should stipulate that the city should not prepay for any collections and give power to City Administrator to negotiate the contract. Also need to clarify section 3.4 to make sure any amount collected goes to both parties and not Azavar for their 45% then the City last for the remaining 55%. Roll call vote (8 yes). Motion PASSED.
Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. Roll call vote (8 yes). The council entered the Committee of the Whole at 5:55 PM.
Ald. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. King to enter closed session to discuss litigation. Roll call vote (8 yes). The council entered closed session at 6:32 PM.
Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to exit closed session. Roll call vote (8 yes). The council exited closed session at 6:45 PM.
With no further discussion Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Nederhoff to adjourn. With voice agreement the council adjourned at 6:45 PM.
Minutes recorded by,
Lindsey Nederhoff
Fulton City Clerk
City of Fulton
Committee of the Whole
December 21, 2018
1. Public Input & Presentations
a. Request from Kathy Kingery for liquor licenses in order to open a gambling parlor- Admin Boonstra was approached by Kathy Kingery about a liquor license to open her own place in one of Dan Dolan’s places next to the dispensary. They would like to see a vote by the council on this request, own it to both Kathy and Dan. In the first year Julie’s was open it brought $25,000 to the city. Ald. Nederhoff asked the difference between a bar and gaming den. Bar is mainly serving alcohol while a den is for gaming. Ald. Mask visited the difference facilities in a study and they have a different atmosphere and clientele, less drinking and more gaming. Mayor Ottens would like to see the City of Fulton not allow any more gaming dens. Only allow if new restaurant comes to town and majority of sales is from food and drinks. If we are going to allow one, then just let them all have a license. Fulton could be the gaming den capital, all or none. If we owe anyone it is Mr. Wilson, pulled license so he should be the first one in line (pecking order). Ald. VanZuiden viewed the last liquor license request as a way to help a restaurant continue to grow, allow gaming and keep the business in Fulton. Not sure if there is negative cost involved in the decision. Put on the next agenda for a vote.
2. Committee Chair Reports
a. Budget/Finance- N/A
b. Public Property- N/A
c. Public Safety- N/A
d. Parks & Recreations- N/A
e. Marina- N/A
f. Zoning- N/A
g. Economic Development- N/A
3. Mayor’s Report- N/A
4. City Administrator- Asking the council to waive the fee for water/sewer hookup for the food pantry. Has been waived in the past for non-profit organizations. Leah Richter still requests a Class B liquor license to be able to sell wine to guests (off premise). She will not have any video gaming. The fee for the license is $400. Put both items on the next agenda for approval.
5. Alderman Reports- N/A
6. Public Works- N/A
7. Police Chief- N/A
8. Tourism Coordinator- N/A
9. Adjourn- Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. VanKampen to adjourn back to the regular council meeting. Roll call vote (8 yes). The council returned to the regular council meeting at 6:32 PM.
Lindsey Nederhoff
Fulton City Clerk