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City Council Meeting Minutes June 25, 2018

City of Fulton
Regular Council Meeting Minutes
June 25, 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, Mike VanZuiden, Gene Field, Margaret Crosthwaite, Dan Nederhoff, Sue VanKampen, Barb Mask, Paul Banker and Keith King. Also in attendance Dave Bartels, Randy Boonstra, Tammy Garibay, Dale Sikkema, Amanda Fosdick and Debi Ervin.


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


Visitors at the meeting included; Richard & Bea Farwell, Jessie Pawa, Harold & Helen Smith, Elsie Foster, Barb Suehl, Clink Kettler, Charlene Johnson, Marge Bielema, Tammy Becker, Ray & Mary Nelson, Patricia Pessman, Linda Dykstra, Trudy Feldt, Lorraine Temple, Chuck Dykstra, David Murphy, Carol Janvrin, Irma Geerts, Eunice Swanson, Larry Russell, Irma Bland, Neil & Jane Luker, Matt Mitchell, John Mitchell, Quinn Hill, Travis Hill, Jacqueline Covey, Daniel Nardini, Arlene Considine, Jill Nederhoff, Kathy Rynders and Judy Holesinger. Quinn Hill was present to address the council about a police officer who will not leave him or his son alone. Mr. Hill wants the issue addresses since no one wants to listen to him. Mayor Ottens asked for his name and number to address the issue immediately. With no further discussion the council moved to the next item on the agenda.


Mayor Ottens asked if there are any questions on the consent agenda; approve council meeting minutes June 11, 2018 and approve treasurer’s report. Ald. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. Mask to approve items listed on the consent agenda. Roll call vote (8 yes).


Business


Approve ordinance to allow loan for Public Works equipment. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Field to approve ordinance for new back hoe and skid steer. Roll call vote (8 yes).


Approve ordinance to allow loan for K9 vehicle. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve loan for K9 vehicle. Ald. VanKampen confirmed the money was in the budget for the new vehicle. Admin Boonstra confirmed yes it was and waiting on a grant to help pay for this vehicle. Roll call vote (8 yes).


Approve street closures for 1st Reformed Church Car Show on 5th St from 15th to 16th Ave. Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to approve the street closure for the car show. Roll call vote (8 yes).


Approve motion to support senior meals program at KT Fitness. According to the sales agreement the Senior Meals and American Legion have use of the facility for 2 years. Ald. Mask motioned, seconded by Ald. VanZuiden to approve support for the senior meals program at KT Fitness with no financial support from the City of Fulton. Roll call vote (8 yes).


Approve motion City of Fulton will not partner in any way with the DHB Committee or any other public/private partnership for the renovation, maintenance or operation of the Fidelity/Drives Building. Ald. VanKampen motioned, seconded by Ald. Mask to table the vote until the next meeting. Ald. VanKampen is requesting to table due to the review of paperwork from the Attorney General of the State of Illinois. Ald. Mask requests to table because the motion is negative and could have been worded differently. If someone come in to make a large donation to the project would the City of Fulton refuse it. Also if this vote is for the demolition of the building then be transparent about it. Roll call vote (3 yes, 5 no).

Jill Nederhoff said we need space but not green space. The City of Fulton can pay the money to repair the roof after the group has raised $250,000. She thinks renovation is in the taxpayer’s best interest. Neil Luker is not picking sides and believes the City needs to do what’s best to make Fulton a great place to live. Larry Russell believes any other city of Fulton’s size would not be renovating the building but looks for a developer to buy the building. He believes there is someone out there that would want it. Ald. VanKampen has reached out to someone about the past meeting minutes and is waiting on an answer, she believes we are a historical community. If this should not go through she would love to see money spent on the ballparks. Ald. Nederhoff asked other council men/women about discussion back when repairing the roof and our word needs to be our word. There are 2 people still on the council who voted for building for $1, now losing a lot financially. He does not believe the city should spend $200,000 to tear down, step back and think if we are making a good decision and get all of our facts straight. Richard Farwell has lived in the community for 18 years, has helped City of Clinton build new football fields and parks with volunteer money and donations. We need to think about young people and their future, let’s get everyone involved. Jane Luker believes we need collaboration and a need for a building. The City of Fulton needs space for American Queen Visitors, accommodations for large lunch group 50-75 people, building for future economic growth, solid structure multi use community center to serve and promote our community. Ald. Field how a good, structurally sound building turned bad so quick. Ald. Mask believes it is a game changer if there is a donor to fix the roof, really need to think about this. Ald. Banker needs a blueprint of the project and a final cost on the project. Ald. Mask said they paid $22,000 to get what they already have, not wanting to spend any more with no hope to move forward on the project. Ald. Crosthwaite would like to know what the projected expenses will be for 5 years, need to know what the final cost will be to the city every year. Ald. Mask says the group will sign a contract for 1,2,5 years or whatever the rest will agree to, building will be left in better condition than what it is currently in and it will have VALUE. Ald. VanZuiden believes a 19,000 sq. ft. building is a lot for a group to undertake and is too much for volunteers, it will be a full time job. If this isn’t a team effort, it isn’t going to work. Barb Suehl says there are many volunteers in this town from the windmill, cultural center, thrift store and the list goes on, these people and many others are happy to volunteer. Ald. Mask clarified the grant money from Timken Drives must be used for specific item which is the building. Ald. VanKampen appealed the decision/vote, feels Mayor should not have voted because his vote was not impartial. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. VanZuiden for the City of Fulton to not partner in any way with the DHB Committee or any other public, private partnership for the renovations, maintenance or operation of the Fidelity/Drives Building.

Roll call vote (5 yes, 4 no). The vote was a tie with Ald. King, Banker, Field, VanZuiden and Mayor Ottens saying yes and Ald. Mask, VanKampen, Nederhoff and Crosthwaite saying no. With no further discussion the council moved to the next item on the agenda.


Ald. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. King to adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. Roll call vote (8 yes).


With no further discussion Ald. Field motioned, seconded by Ald. VanZuiden to adjourn. With voice agreement the council adjourned at 7:09 PM.


Minutes recorded by,
Lindsey Nederhoff
Fulton City Clerk

City of Fulton
Committee of the Whole
June 25, 2018


1. Public Input & Presentations
a. Request to vacate alley- must get an appraisal then move to the next step
b. Request for no parking signs- residential owner put up signs but people do not pay attention request for city no parking signs
c. Geronimo Energy- wanting to purchase an additional 15 acres of land, current property taxes are $363 per acre and they would go up to $700 an acre. Ald. VanZuiden asked, “What if we have someone who will come buy land and create jobs?” Admin Boonstra said this would still leave the city with enough land for a potential business to come with approximately 30-40 acres. Put this item on next agenda for a vote.
d. Dedication of pavilion at marina- The Rod Boelkins memorial pavilion will be dedicated at a future time and date. Will let everyone know once the date & time has been set.
e. Volunteer appreciation cookout- This picnic is set up by staff to recognize the volunteers of Fulton, asking volunteer group leaders to send Randy a list to make sure everyone gets an invite.
f. Approval to purchase Godwin pump for Public Works- this item is in the budget for $25,000. This would be used when we get to much water in a short amount of time and when digging around town to prevent too much water seeping in. Have used Albany’s pump quite a few times, it’s time for our own.
g. Approval to purchase replacement automatic metering system for water and sewer- the current device is hand held, going to replace with new. This new device will be able to detect leaks.


2. Committee Chair Reports
a. Budget Committee- N/A
b. Public Property Committee- N/A
c. Public Safety- N/A
d. Parks & Recreation- Andrew Meyers has been the contact for the REC Board, they have not met in 6 weeks due to business schedules. In order for them to move forward with moving the baseball fields the board will have to do some fundraising.
e. Marina- N/A
f. Zoning- Dean Brackemyer resigned, now down to 5 people on Zoning Board.
g. Economic Development- N/A


3. Mayor’s Report- There has been more drainage issues from 3rd Ave onto 4th St. The silt fence failed again due to large rain now put up double fence. Also looking at bonding capacity to see if we can get more roads fixed.


4. City Administrator- There was a sewer collapse on 5th St between 14th and 15th Ave. Working with sewer lining company to see if they can help get it fixed. Also confirmed donation from JoCarroll for K9 dog.


5. Alderman Reports- N/A


6. Public Works- Dan not present


7. Police Chief- K9 dog will be in full force 9/1/18


8. Tourism Coordinator- busy time of the year, will be having motor coaches including the American Queen stopping soon. Suggestions on meeting location in town, currently meeting out of town and have to pay.


9. Adjourn- Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to adjourn the committee of the whole back to the regular council meeting. Roll call vote (8 yes). The committee of the whole adjourned at 7:07 PM.

Lindsey Nederhoff
Fulton City Clerk