City of Fulton City Council met June 12.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Meeting called to order by Mayor Wendy at 5:30 p.m. On roll call, Alderpersons King, Mask, Wilkin, Boonstra and Brondyke were present. Alderpersons Banker and VanKampen were absent. City Administrator Clark, Police Sergeant Hamilton, Public Works Director, Sikkema and City Clerk, Wade were also in attendance.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited
Recognition of Volunteers – None.
Communication from Visitors (Any communication that is NOT on the agenda for consideration) - Jane Orman-Luker spoke as representative of the second Ward asked the Council what is the possibility of opening the candidates in our Ward who are interested to apply and have the Council interview them and then making a decision based on those interviews?
Mayor Wendy replied that this request would be totally out of our procedures, she stated that is not what we do, also if we did this for one, we would have to do this for everyone. Mayor Wendy also stated that this is not what we’ve done in the past and we need to go forward.
Jane Orman-Luker stated that this is what has been done at the school board and that is why she thinks that procedure would work. It’s a good way to stay transparent.
Mayor Wendy said that this does not work like the school board and the Council should be very happy with the person we have to fill this position.
Presentations – Alderperson VanKampen, representing the Parks and Rec Committee, was going to present FHS Shop teacher, Jason Snyder, with a check for $500.00 in appreciation for the work he and his students did on the Santa house. They were both absent. Mayor Wendy said she will make sure it gets the check. Mr. Snyder will be invited to the next Council meeting.
Consent Agenda - (All items in the consent agenda will be enacted by a single motion and roll call vote. Any item may be removed upon request by the Mayor or any Alderperson and considered individually after all other items of business on the consent agenda.)
Motion to approve: Alderperson King 1st, Alderperson Brondyke, second.
Alderperson Mask had a couple of questions regarding the vendors on the bill list that she did not recognize. Public Works Director, Sikkema, explained what these vendors provide the City.
On Roll Call: Alderperson Mask, Boonstra, Brondyke, King, Wilkin, yes
Motion Approved.
Approve Council Meeting Minutes from May 22, 2023
Approve the Bill List
Next, Mayor Wendy asked that the Council go into Closed Session.
Motion to go into Closed Session: Alderperson Mask, first; Alderperson Brondyke, second.
On Roll Call: Mayor Wendy, Alderpersons King, Mask, Wilkin, Boonstra, Brondyke. All Yes.
Resume Regular Meeting
Mayor Wendy asked for a Motion to reconvene the regular meeting.
Motion to approve: Alderperson King, Second Alderperson Mask.
On Roll Call: Mayor Wendy, King, Mask, Wilkin, Boonstra, Brondyke. All Yes
Business
Motion to approve the Ordinance Changing the Police Chief position to a hired position.
Motion to approve Alderperson King 1st, Second Alderperson Mask
Motion Passed
Roll Call: Brondyke, Wilkin, Mask, Boonstra, King, Yes
Motion Approved.
Approve the Ordinance to Approve the Standing Committees to add a Tourism Committee.
Tourism Committee as it stands is chaired by Alderperson Mask and Wilkin.
Motion to approve: Alderperson Wilkin, 1st, Second Alderperson Brondyke
Roll Call: Alderpersons King, Mask, Boonstra, Wilkin, and Brondyke: YES
Motion Carried.
Mayor Wendy asked for a Motion to approve giving back Fulton Oil’s A1 license to the new owner.
Alderperson King asked to table the motion. Mayor Wendy stated it will be tabled until the next meeting.
Reimbursement for Mayor Wendy’s purchase of plants and flowers for the downtown area. She stated she has turned in her receipts. City Administrator Clark was asked for the total amount of the receipts. He stated $967.46.
Motion to approve Alderperson King, Second Alderperson King
Roll Call: Wilkin, Mask, Boonstra, King, Brondyke.
Committee of the Whole - Discussion
Ordinance for the Food and Vendor Truck for discussion. The Ordinance was just a draft, based on other communities have done. Alderperson Wilkin commented she liked the idea of a certain place for these trucks to be parked in town. Discussion was held on the pros and cons of the placement of food and vendor trucks within the City. Public Works Director, Sikkema commented that the parking lot by the Marina would be the best spot for these trucks. It is better to have trucks parked on a public space rather than on private property where it is more difficult to enforce rules and regulations set by the City.
Mayor Wendy stated that we should keep working on the best policies and place for Food and Vendor Trucks in Fulton. This discussion will be held for future input.
Republic Services, Fulton’s new garbage and recycling service. There is a lot of dissatisfaction within the City about Republic’s service. Alderperson Brondyke stated his concerns with the new service. He noted that citizens are very upset. Mostly, the lack of correct communication to residents as to the change in the pick up schedule and residents waiting more than a week for their recycling to be picked up. He stated that we should not pay Republic for services they did not provide and citizens should get some sort of refund. City Administrator, Clark, stated that he is in communication with Republic Services.
Update and discussion was held regarding the Tourism Director position as it stands now. City Administrator, Clark is looking for direction from the Council as to this position. Alderperson Mask stated that our present Tourism Director is doing a good job. Mayor Wendy gave her opinion of the job that our current Tourism Director is lacking a focus on Fulton. Alderperson Wilkin added that there is a need for a full time Tourism Director in Fulton to work with the Tourism Committee and discussed the pros of having a person in such a position.
Alderperson Mask agreed that a full time Tourism Director in Fulton is needed.
Mayor Wendy said the Tourism Committee should come up with suggestions and bring it back to the Council in the future. City Administrator Clark stated that this is a hired position and would have to accept applications for this position.
The City Administrator position was discussed. Mayor Wendy said that she has handed out the draft of the advertisement for this position to the Council members. She is open to discussion on this draft. The Committee has decided it needs to be advertised on many levels of media. Mayor Wendy is looking for suggestions from the Council for the next Council meeting.
Discussion of ARPA funds. Mayor Wendy asked what do we want to do with these funds. City Administrator Clark stated that the City has until the end of 2024 to have these funds designated for an expenditure. Once designated, the City has until 2025 to actually spend the funds.
Discussion was held on what the City has already spent of these funds and what is still left to spend. Alderperson Mask asked that some of these funds be used for the Drives building. A detailed discussion was held on the finances and funds for the Drives building and the future of the building.
Discussion was held regarding the extension of Kalyan’s time frame for his building permit. City Administrator Clark said Manreet Kalyan did come to him and ask for an extension of his building permit to July of 2024. It would have to be built by 2026. City Administrator Clark said the Council has the option to choose the buy back option for around $3,000.00. The City sold Kalyan’s the property at a reasonable price with the understanding that they would build the brewery in an appropriate time frame.The Council discussed the issue at length. Mayor Wendy will put this on the next Council meeting as a vote.
Street improvement regarding streets that are in disrepair. City sidewalks are in need of repair, especially in the school safety zones.
Committee Reports
Finance - None
Personnel – Draft of Ad for City Administrator
Economic Development – In packet.
Parks & Rec - None
Public Safety – None
Marina – In packet.
Zoning - None
Mayor’s Report - Asked that everyone to finish their Certification. Mayor Wendy gave an update on Dan Dolan. Mayor recognized the passing away of Howard VanZuiden, a former Fulton mayor.
Aldermen Report - None
City Administrator’s Report – In packet.
Chief of Police Report - None
Public Works Director Report - None
Fulton Tourism - None
Historical Society – In packet.
Motion to Adjourn
Alderperson King 1st, Second Alderperson Brondyke
All in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/city-council-meeting-minutes-june-12-2023.html
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