De Immigrant Windmill

City Council Meeting Minutes - January 28, 2019

City of Fulton
Regular Council Meeting
January 28, 2019

 

At 5:30 PM, Mayor Ottens called the Regular City Council Meeting to Order and directed Amanda Fosdick, who was filling in for the City Clerk, to call roll. On roll call Mayor Ottens, Ald. Dan Nederhoff, Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, Sue VanKampen, Barb Mask, and Keith King. Ald. Mike VanZuiden and Paul Banker were absent. Also in attendance was Randy Boonstra, Dwayne Hamilton, Dan Clark, and Bill Shirk.


The pledge of allegiance was recited; Invocation was given.


Visitors at the meeting included: Jeanene Tufty, Clink Kettler, Roy & Mary Ann Nelson, Don Wilson, Dave & Paula Ensinger, Chuck Smith, Marilyn Tichler, Evelyn Medenblek, Jan Olson, John Byher, Larry Johnson and Bob Anderson


Mayor Ottens opened the meeting by recognizing Dale Green for his 34 years of service with the Public Works Department and congratulated him on his retirement.


Mayor Ottens asked if there were any questions on the consent agenda. Ald. Mask commented that she really enjoys the addition of the colored graphs in the Treasurer’s Report. Ald. Field motioned, seconded by Ald. King to approve the consent agenda. Roll Call vote (6 yes).


Business


Approve ordinance to change the number of liquor licenses. Public comment from Don Wilson and Paula Ensinger. Mr. Wilson spoke that while not a resident, he has deep ties to the city of Fulton. Mrs. Ensinger spoke against the change siting that it would take revenue away from existing businesses and spoke against gaming dens. Officer Hamilton expressed that certain illegal activities are more prevalent at gaming dens. Individuals who partake in those activities tend to gravitate toward gaming dens. Ald. Mask recommended to raise the number by 1 Class A license and monitor it during the next year and then determine if they wanted to raise it again. Ald. Mask stated that the money is being spent at gaming dens and wants a bigger piece of it. Ald. Mask made the motion, Ald. VanKampen seconded. Voting was 4-2 with the 2 No votes coming from Ald. King and Ald. Crosthwaite. Mayor Ottens expressed that he will be utilizing his right to veto as the mayor to cancel this action. He stated that illegal drug activities are high enough in Fulton and we have used funds to employ a canine officer and send our police officers to drug enforcement training. He said public safety is more important than the increase in revenue.


Approve training for Officer Hamilton. With the request to have Officer Hamilton report back on his learning, Ald. Field motioned, seconded by Ald. King to approve. Roll Call vote (6 yes).


Approve request from the Administrator to Update/Revise the “Smoking Prohibited” in City Government Buildings to the “Use of Tobacco Products”. This change is in line with other governmental and private businesses. With no questions or concerns, Ald. Crosthwaite motioned, seconded by Ald. VanKampen to approve. Roll Call vote (7 yes).


Approve annual meeting schedule. Ald. Mask requested that no second meeting in December occur and City Administrator Boonstra said we would try to work that out. With no further questions or concerns, Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve. Roll Call vote (7 yes).


Approve the request from the Administrator for the proposed new “Policy for Press Release Review and Approval. Previously no policy existed. With no questions or concerns, Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. King to approve. Roll Call vote (7 yes).


Approve the release of closed meeting minutes that are no longer needed to be sealed. City Administrator Boonstra stated that the closed meeting minutes will be reviewed every 6 months. Ald. King motioned a vote, seconded by Ald. VanKampen. Roll call vote. (6 yes)


Vote to adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. Roll call vote (6 yes).


Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. The council adjourned the regular meeting at 6:13. Roll call vote (7 yes).


Ald. Field motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to adjourn. With voice agreement the council adjoured at 8:03 PM.

Minutes recorded by,
Amanda Fosdick
City Treasurer