City of Fulton City Council met October 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
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, Sue VanKampen, Barb Mask, Paul Banker and Keith King. Also in attendance Randy Boonstra, Tammy Garibay, Dave Bartels, Dan Clark, Debi Ervin, Dale Sikkema, and Bill Shirk.
Pledge of allegiance was recited; invocation was given by Wayne Wiersema.
Visitors at the meeting included; Harold & Helen Smith, Roy & Mary Jo Nelson, Clink Kettler, Richard & Bea Farwell, Jill Nederhoff, Chuck Dykstra, Tabitha Larson, Marge Bielema, Lindsay Barnhart, Charles Arey, Irma Bland, Jan Olsen, Jon Daly, Daniel Nardini, John Rohlf, Jane Luker, Keith Holesinger.
Mayor Ottens asked if there are any questions on the consent agenda, approve meeting minutes from September 24, 2018 and approve the bill list. Ald. Mask had a question on the bill list, there are many items listed for Frontier and Verizon. This includes the last bill for Frontier and the set up fees for Verizon, will only be Verizon going forward. Also Ald. Mask pointed out a correction to the September 24, 2018 meeting minutes, paragraph 6 the roll call vote should read (7 yes, 1 absent). With no further questions Ald. VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Ald. King to approve the consent agenda. Roll call vote (8 yes).
Business
Approve amendment to the Fulton Code to address the rules and regulations for part time Police Officers. Chief Bartels said there is not a current section for part time police officers, this will amend Section 32.21 of the code. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Mask to approve amendment to Fulton Code section 32.21to add rules and regulations for part time police officers. Roll call vote (8 yes).
Approve demolishment of the Drives Building before end of 2018. Richard Farwell opposes the motion to demolish the Drives Building. He opposes the motion because this option will cost the taxpayers but the current situation and renovation would not. Mayor Ottens was in favor of demolishing before he became mayor and then was able to pick 3 seats and only had to sway one vote and could break the tie. Cannot believe how Mayor Ottens bullied Ald. VanKampen. Asking council to think twice before voting. Bea Farwell agrees with her husband and asked how many people have actually been in the building? The people raising their hands want to take it down, how about the article about the building in the paper. The Drives Building used to have a ballroom that was gorgeous but not as it sits now. If taken down there will be a huge hole to fill and the taxpayers are going to have to pay for it, just let it sit there longer and think about it. Jill Nederhoff believes this will be a huge bill to the taxpayer while keeping the building would mean discounts on utility bills, pledges, letter of future pledges, etc. Asking two council members who were on the council when accepting the building what the plans were? Ald. Crosthwaite responded saying this was her 2nd meeting and at the time Randy Balk had great ideas for the building but did not work out. The building is huge potential by renovating but there needs to be a business plan no matter what is decided. We know it is going to cost money now to tear down but don’t know if it will cost taxpayers anything if group renovates. Jane Luker presented handout on costs of Drives Building. Also talked about Black Hawk Waterways meeting; approximately 1.14 M people visited Illinois in 2017 and every $1 spent in a community is used 7 times over. The Luker’s are committed to making things happen here in Fulton. Ald. Mask wanted to thank the Drives Historical Committee for time spent to help preserve the building. Ald. VanKampen would also like to thank committee for all of their hard work. Do not want to see taxpayers forced to use money to tear building down while others are donating money to renovate. Other towns and mayors would love to have building like ours to renovate, would never think of tearing down. Ald. Nederhoff has a few things he wants everyone to think about 1) by tearing down the building it will be costing the city $4,500-5,000 a year if calculating time value of money, 2) city loses $180,000-$200,000 to tear down building but could let Drives Historical group renovate building and if it doesn’t work could tear down later on down the road, 3) wanting to know why it was in the best interest of the city to take building for $1 but pay almost $200,000 to remove building, what was city thinking? 4) people at the meeting are here for keeping the building but no one is ever present against building, why is this? Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Banker to approve demolishment of the Drives Building before the end of 2018. Roll call vote (5 yes, 3 no).
Approve advertisement for bids for asbestos abatement and to demolish and remove materials from the Drives Building. Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. VanZuiden to approve to advertise for bids to abate and demolish and remove materials from the Drives Building. Roll call vote (5 yes, 3 no).
Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. VanZuiden to adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. Roll call vote (8 yes). The council entered the Committee of the Whole at 6:02 pm.
With no further discussion Ald. King motioned, seconded by Ald. Crosthwaite to adjourn. With voice agreement the council adjourned at 6:39 pm.
https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/city-council-minutes-october-8-2018.html
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