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City of Fulton Special Council Meeting Minutes, April 23, 2020

 

City of Fulton Special Council Meeting

April 23, 2020

 

 

Regular Meeting

Mayor Ottens called the meeting to order at 5:30 PM and directed the Deputy Clerk, Tammy Garibay to call the roll. On roll call, Aldermen – Keith King, Paul Banker, Barb Mask, Sue VanKampen, Dan Nederhoff, Margaret Crosthwaite, Gene Field, and Mike VanZuiden were present. Also in attendance were Staff Members - Randy Boonstra, and David Bartels. Media representative was John Rohlf. Fulton citizen, Zach Ratcliff was also in attendance.

Covid 19 preventatives were enforced, with social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet, and limited number of people in attendance.

The Pledge of allegiance was recited.

Mayor Ottens stated that a lot of things are up in the air at the present time due to the Covid 19 pandemic. At this time and in the future, revenue streams are an unknown. He reminded the council whatever budget is being passed that it will most likely be revised at some point. Unnecessary spending has to be at a halt.

Mr. Ratcliff asked to speak on the subject of the Video Gaming Fund and reminded the council that this fund was intended to support the upkeep of the park systems within the city. He asked that the funds for the fishing pier and new lights at the ballpark be put on hold; not knowing what the city's finances will be within the next year, due to the states' stay at home order or the temporary closure of state-wide businesses. These two expenditures were not a necessity. He also asked for clarification of the time frame on the 4% W/S rate increases and the effective dates, along with the refuse increase time frame.

Business

City Administrator Boonstra presented the new budget that reflects a 5% cut from departments and balancing without using any additional fund monies. (Garbage Fund) The new budget was the results of PW Director Clark and the Police Department coming together and slashing day to day operational line items within their departments.

Mr. Boonstra gave examples from the IML that it is possible that 25% of sales tax will be lost due to the pandemic. It is possible by December of 2020 that we could be facing a $100,000 deficit.

Alderman VanZuiden gave proactive options, stating "We cannot burn through the reserves", which at this period in time are down from last year. Alderman Mask asked that once a month a Budget to Actual to be available to all council members and visited more thoroughly by the Finance Committee. Once reviewed by the Finance Committee, Alderman Mask requests that all financial information on the “State of the City” be relayed to the entire Council, and opened up for discussion.

At this point the budget was gone through line item by line item. Clarification was given on the Recreational Cannabis licenses and possible revenues. We are not going to rely on any of these monies until we see the revenues come in, per Administrator Boonstra.

Cuts were discussed within every department.

The new bond was discussed. Street repairs that are scheduled are 1st Ave, Park Drive, 8th Street, and some other smaller sections on 5th and 6th Streets. Progress Drive is not included in the budget, and would need council approval for this.

The next meeting scheduled will be Monday, April 27, 2020. The meeting will open with a scheduled "Public Hearing," for input on the proposed budget for the Fiscal Year beginning May 1, 2020 through April 30, 2021.

With no further questions or discussion the meeting was adjourned with roll call vote - 8 yes, motion carried. Meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Tammy L Garibay

Deputy Clerk – City of Fulton