City of Fulton City Council met May 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Ottens called the meeting to order at 5:55 PM and directed the Deputy Clerk 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. Media representative was Daniel Nardini. David Gibbons, Fulton resident was also in attendance.
City Attorney Shirk, Public Works Director Clark, Sgt. Neblung, Tourism Coordinator Fullan, John Rohlf (Clinton Herald) and others attended the meeting via “Microsoft Teams” virtual meetings.
All social distancing rules were abided - limiting the number of 10 individuals in the Council Chamber area; other City Hall offices were used for virtual meetings.
Pledge of allegiance was recited.
Mayor Ottens introduced David Gibbons to the City Council. Mayor Ottens will appoint David as the new City Clerk at the first formal meeting in June. David has been in the area for a couple of years and is employed by John Deere Company in the Quad Cities. He brings a long list of qualifications for the position and will be a asset for the City Council.
Consent Agenda
Approve consent agenda; approve council meeting minutes from April 23 and April 27, 2020 and the February and March 2020 Treasurer’s Reports. Alderman Crosthwaite motioned, seconded by Alderman Field. No Discussion. Roll call vote: 8 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
Business
Approve the Resolution to adopt rules for virtual meetings. Alderman Mask motioned, seconded by Alderman VanKampen. Alderman Crosthwaite asked what the normal protocol would be in the future if the public wanted an invite to a virtual meeting.
In the future we will ask that anyone who wants to attend a virtual meeting, email Aaron Fullan, Randy Boonstra or Tammy Garibay at least one hour prior to the meeting, when received, an invite would be set up for them. Administration will be working on a better plan for upcoming virtual meetings to include a call in number if the public has questions on a particular subject during the meeting. With no further discussion, Roll call vote. 8 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
Approve the Ordinance to increase the water and sewer fees by 4%, which will take effect on the July 1, 2020 billing. Alderman VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Alderman Banker. No Discussion. Roll call vote, 8 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
Approve the Ordinance amending rates for solid waste pickup. Alderman VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Alderman Mask. Discussion to follow. Alderman Field said he had several phone calls about the service being provided by Moring. Most complaints were about the confusing map that was sent out when the new garbage totes were delivered. City Administrator Boonstra said City Hall was getting bombarded with calls also. He commended the staff for handling the situation with customers, stating once everything was explained to them, majority of the citizens were satisfied with the answers. As with any new change, things will get better. With no further discussion – Roll call vote. 8 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
Approve Motion to add 17th Street repairs to the 2020 Street Improvement Plan. Mayor Ottens asked for a motion. None given. Motion denied.
Approve the contracts for the 1st Avenue and Park Drive Projects to Civil Engineering. Alderman Banker motioned, seconded by Alderman King. Discussion followed. City Administrator Boonstra explained this was protocol to approve contracts with the awarded company. Funds for this project were from the new 2019 Street Improvement Bond that was voted and approved, August 2019. With no further discussion. Roll call vote, 7 yes, 1 no. Motion approved.
Approve 2% salary increase for Dan Clark and Dave Bartels. Alderman Field motioned, seconded by Alderman Mask. Discussion followed. Alderman King asked if the salary increases were in the new fiscal year budget. Alderman Nederhoff answered yes. With no further discussion. Roll call vote, 8 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
Approve transfer of funds from Video Gaming Fund 36 to Bond Fund 2019 to support payments for 2020. Alderman VanZuiden motioned, seconded by Alderman Nederhoff. Discussion followed. Question aroused about $45000 taken from Video Gaming Fund to pay the obligated bonds. City Administrator Boonstra, along with agreement from Alderman VanZuiden and Alderman Nederhoff, that only 50% up to $45000 would be taken from that fund for bond payment. The remaining balance would be taken from the street depreciation fund or another fund upon council approval. With no further discussion. Roll call vote, 8 yes, 0 no. Motion approved.
Alderman VanKampen motioned, seconded by Alderman Mask to adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. Roll call vote, 8 yes, 0 no. The council entered the Committee of the Whole at 6:36 PM.
The Council adjourned from the Committee of the Whole at 7:40 p.m. Motioned by Alderman Mask, seconded by Alderman King. Roll Call Vote, 8 yes, 0 no.
Alderman Mask motioned, seconded by Alderman VanKampen to enter closed session to discuss personnel. Roll call vote, 8 yes, 0 no. The council entered closed session at 7:47 PM.
Alderman Mask motioned, seconded by Alderman King to exit closed session. Roll call vote, 8 yes, 0 no. Motion approved. The council exited closed session at 9:14 PM.
With no further discussion Alderman Mask motioned, Alderman King seconded. With voice agreement the council adjourned at 9:17 PM.
Committee of the Whole
1. Public Input & Presentations
Request to proceed with plans to pave Progress Drive. City Administrator Boonstra explained that the low bid for the paving came from Erickson Paving at $105.000 and that funds from TIF could be used for that project. The TIF Fund currently has $222,000 in it and those funds are designated by the State to be use only for infrastructure. The road is the entrance to our Industrial Center and currently serves one of the largest sales tax and use tax businesses in Fulton. Discussion followed. Alderman Mask is concerned about the already discounts that we have given 3D Sales, which included a discount on the sale of the property and the installation of the new gravel road, which Public Works Director Clark said the gravel road installation cost the City approximately $70,000. Alderman Mask said she was not opposed to the new blacktop, but needed more numbers, and asked that this be tabled until the council received more information. Alderman VanKampen did not recall the City promising 3D Sales a blacktopped road and wondered where that information was coming from. Alderman VanZuiden stated that Funds from TIF should not be used at this time. He stated that possibly in the future the state might let these funds be used for something else, instead of only infrastructure. We should be saving up as much as we can do rebuild our reserves. Will be discussed at another meeting.
Request from Jude Holesinger to allow signage to be installed at flower plots on South 4th Alderman Mask is highly in favor of this project, stating that Ms. Holesinger is a dedicated volunteer and the City should help out with the labor. We will reach out to Jude for more information on what she needs to proceed with the project.
Mayor Committee Appointments for 2020/2021. This will be discussed more in closed session and at the next meeting.
Council/Mayor Proclamation endorsing the IML’s 11 Region “Rebuild Illinois”. Will be further looked at. Basically the IML would like the different regions classified separately from the Chicago area and other COVID-19 hot spots. The City will discuss it’s own plan for the future, at the next meeting.
Police Department Monthly Report
Adjourn
https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/city-of-fulton-council-meeting-minutes-may-18-2020.html
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