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City of Fulton City Council Met Nov. 9

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Alderman and Pro Tem Mayor VanZuiden called the meeting to order at 5:30PM and directed the Clerk David Gibbons to call the roll. Mayor Ottens was not present. On roll call, Aldermen –Sue VanKampen, Dan Nederhoff, Barbara Mask, Mike VanZuiden, Paul Banker, Margaret Crosthwaite and Gene Field were present. Not present – Keith King.

Public Works Director and Acting City Administrator Dan Clark in attendance.

Alderman VanZuiden noted that he would be voting as an alderman during the meeting, while standing in for Mayor Otten’s procedural responsibilities.

The IPDH’s guidelines requiring masks during this council meeting.

Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Communications from Visitors

N/A

Consent Agenda

Approve Consent Agenda; Approve City Council & Committee of the Whole minutes from October 26, 2020; Approve Bill List. Alderman Banker so moved, seconded by Alderman Mask. Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 not present. Motion approved.

Discussion: Alderman Field posed questions for clarification. IML membership for $108,000, which was clarified by Dan Clark to include city insurance. Mr. Clark also provided some information on equipment rentals for storm clean-up, and noted that the bill for Midwest Collision was miss recorded and should have read Mid-West Truckers for CDL drug testing. Leisure Bills first notice from Litho-specialists was clarified to be for sending out bills from City Hall. Alderman Nederhoff inquired about a $40,604 expense, it was clarified that this was for a re-built sewage lift station that was an ongoing project.

Business

Receipt of Insurance Monies for Storm Damage. Motion was made by Alderman Mask and Seconded by Alderman VanKampen. On Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 not present. Motion Approved.

                Discussion: Dan Clark presented. $46,000 had been received from Insurance. It is requested that the monies would be returned to the accounts from which the expenses came. Some items billed to Parks, Marina, General fund would be deposited back into those respective accounts.

Chief Bartels Resignation – Effective December 28, 2020. Motion was made by Alderman Mask and Seconded by Alderman Banker. On Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 not present. Motion Approved.

                Discussion: N/A

City Clerk David Gibbons Resignation. Motion was made by Alderman Mask and Seconded by Alderman VanKampen. On Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 not present. Motion Approved.

                Discussion: N/A

Motion to Adjourn to the Committee of the Whole. On Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 not present. Motion Approved. Council session entered Committee of the Whole at 5:40 PM.

Motion to Exit Committee of the Whole was made by Alderman Mask and Seconded by Alderman Crosthwaite. On Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 not present. Motion Approved. Council exited Committee of the Whole at 6:18 PM.

Motion to enter Closed Session to discuss personnel was made by Alderman Crosthwaite, and Seconded by Alderman Mask. On Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 not present. Motion Approved. The Council entered Closed Session at 6:18 PM.

Motion to Exit closed session was made by Alderman Mask and Seconded by Alderman Field. On Roll Call Vote: 7 yes, 0 no, 1 not present. Motion Approved. The Council exited Closed Session at 7:03 PM.

Motion to Adjourn meeting was made by Alderman Field. With voice agreement, the meeting was adjourned at 7:04 PM.

Committee of the Whole

• Public Input & Presentations
• Police Department Canine Program.

Discussion: Item moved to the closed session.

• Comp-Time.

Discussion: Barb Mask presented. This item will be added to the next agenda for a vote. It is recommended by the personnel committee to strike Section E under 6.6 from Article VI – SALARY ADMINISTRATION from the employee policy. This would impact the City Administrator, the Public Works Director, and the Police Chief only and would remove Comp Time from their compensation package starting January 1, 2021.

• Video Gaming – Added Regulations to license requirements.

Discussion: Dan Clark Presented. Follow up to previous meeting. Barb Mask forwarded this item to some local business owner. This item moved to the next meeting’s Committee of the Whole, to allow City Attorney Bill Shirk the opportunity to summarize the changes.

• Unauthorized parking on City Property.

Discussion: Dan Clark presented. City Administrator was looking for guidance. None at this time. This item tabled for future action. Barb Mask noted that the area to the south of the Windmill is a development opportunity that should be examined by the council. Other public parking for large trucks was reviewed. Police Chief Bartels noted that there are over-night parking options to offer to truckers, as long as they are not parked on the streets.

• CURES Program.

Discussion: Dan Clark presented. Administrators are putting together the salary information to pursue CURES Act reimbursements. It was noted that the reimbursements are on the table for salaries and a dollar amount will be presented at the next meeting.

• Heritage Canyon Christmas Walk

Discussion: After general discussion it was noted that with appropriate COVID safety practices the Canyon may continue to plan for the Christmas Walk.

• Grants and Donations – Approval First

Discussion: Dan Clark presented. It was noted that solicitations for grants sometimes do not align with City priorities, and overlap with other efforts. Dan Clark suggested that this item would then fall under the new City Administrators responsibility umbrella. It will be added to the next agenda.

• Cancellation of 2nd Council Meeting in December

Discussion: The 12/28/2020 meeting would be cancelled due to Holidays and to allow for travel. This will be added to the next agenda.

• City Clerk Appointment

Discussion: Dan Clark presented. It was noted that referrals are welcome and the Clerk Responsibilities would be taken over by Tammy Garibay for the time being.

• Sexual Harassment Class Certifications

Discussion: Dan Clark noted that the certification is required by the end of the year.

• Tax Levy

Discussion: Dana Nelson provided numbers and will have more information at the next meeting.

• Employee Christmas Bonus

Discussion: This is budgeted for $200 for full-time and $100 for part time employees. For a total estimated cost of $5,000. Will be moved to the next agenda.

• Moring Disposal – Extra Refuse Pickup for the Christmas Holidays.

Discussion: Dan Clark suggested adding a pick up for Christmas run-over refuse. Mr. Clark will be working with Moring to establish a pick up.

• Committee Chair Reports
• Finance Committee – Alderman VanZuiden noted that the next meeting is 11/19/20 at 5pm.
• Public Property- N/A
• Public Safety- Alderman Crosthwaite presented. It was noted the Whiteside County Safety tax was defeated. It was also noted that the new radio expenses can be distributed over 5 years, currently estimated at $16,000/year. Crosthwaite noted that the SRO Dodge Durango repair expenses came in much lower than expected. It was noted that north of Schaeffer road there are no radio communications with Whiteside County with the current radio system. The budget is setting at 49% usage. The committee also suggests allowing the department heads to use the city vehicles to drive to their residences.
• Parks & Recreation- Barb Mask presented, Community Neighborhood Park in the 3rd Ward has seen some tree damage and requests a review the tree situation at the parks for possible new trees to plant.
• Marina- N/A
• Zoning- N/A
• Economic Development- N/A
• Mayor’s Report – N/A
• City Administrators Report, Dan Clark – N/A
• Aldermen Reports – N/A
• Public Works Director, Dan Clark – N/A
• Police Chief, Dave Bartels – It was noted that a speed analysis was completed on North 4th Street and it was established that people generally follow the speed limits on that road and cars are not speeding there. Police Chief noted that the it would not be advised to lower the speed limit. That street has no curb and gutter, and the width of the roadway gives the sense that cars are travelling quickly. The speed tracker was borrowed from the Morrison Police Department.
• Tourism, Aaron Fullan – N/A
• Historical Society – N/A

5. Adjourn

https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/city-of-fulton-council-meeting-minutes-november-9-2020.html