City of Fulton City Council met July 24.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Meeting was called to order by Mayor Wendy Ottens at 5:30 p.m. On roll call, Alderpersons King, VanKampen, Boonstra, Burggraaf, Banker, Wilkin, and Brondyke were present. Alderperson Mask was absent. Police Chief Neblung, City Administrator Clark, Public Works Director Sikkema, City Attorney Huizenga and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
New Appointments by Mayor Wendy - None
Recognition of Volunteers – None. Mayor Wendy noted that there are deserving volunteers out there and to keep that in mind for future Recognition of Volunteers at Council meetings.
Communications from Visitors – None.
Presentations – Mayor Wendy said the Alderperson Mask was going to present about the Fulton Historical Society. She was absent, so it will be discussed next month.
Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to approve the Consent Agenda.
Motion to approve the City Council Meeting Minutes from July 10, 2023.
Motion to approve by Alderperson King, seconded by Alderperson Brondyke.
On Roll Call: All yes. Alderperson Mask was absent
Motion passed.
Business
Mayor Wendy said this is a motion to approve an Illinois certified police officer for a sign-on bonus to be given out incrementally at: $1,000.00 upon hire; $1,000.00 at 6 months; $1,000.00 after 1st year; then the final $2,000.00 being paid out at the end of the 2nd year.
Mayor Wendy stated that she would like to hold this until next meeting because this was not mentioned in the prior meeting’s minutes, it didn’t reflect our conversation in the minutes, we came back out of closed session and there was nothing in the minutes that said we had this discussion for a head nod to go forward. Mayor Wendy just wants to make sure to do this correctly so that the public gets the opportunity to hear about it. So, next week we’ll have it on the agenda for a motion.
Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to approve a trial bus route for Clinton’s MTA bus service.
No motion - Discussion was held:
Alderperson Banker asked where the City is at with this. Chief Neblung said that the last he knew was he asked the Clinton MTA Director if he want any of Fulton’s Council members or representatives present at the City of Clinton’s council meeting. He said they look like they’re going to approve this whether we wanted to partake in it or not; we’re going to do the trial either way. Clinton is just looking for our support to see if we had the interest in helping support that portion financially. A cost of $10,000.00 - $12,000.00. This is for a quarter of a year.
Alderperson Banker commented do we know how many stops or what times? Chief Neblung said it will be one stop every 30 minutes at a place to be determined.
Mayor Wendy asked Chief Neblung is this something we need to decide now or can wait until October, for example, and try it for a quarter? Chief Neblung believes the trial runs from mid-August to December and then determine at that time if it will be a feasible thing to continue.
Alderperson Banker said why wouldn’t we let them be the lead and do the trial and then we could jump on if we get a lot of interest, if not, then why pay for it?
City Administrator Clark, asked how are we going to pay for it? (City of Fulton’s part)
Discussion was held on the monetary issues of the whole trial run. Also, how to advertise this new service on our part.
After discussion the Motion was tabled until the next meeting. The Clinton MTA Director will be invited to the next Council meeting to clear up any questions and concerns the City has.
Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to approve Ordinance number 1722, Dan Dolan development agreement, approval of the Ordinance and the Development Agreement all in one motion.
Alderperson King made the 1st motion, Alderperson VanKampen, second.
City Attorney Huizenga added that there has been a correction on the Ordinance in the packet. Correcting the masthead on 2 pages to Fulton Industrial LLC (which is Dan Dolan). Once the closing date is set, Dolan has to give the City the money within 45 days per our contract. The money goes to the bank to pay off the note.
On roll call, all yes, Motion passed.
Committee of the Whole Discussion Items:
A discussion item was for a Code Enforcement Officer, Mayor Wendy is going to assign the Safety Committee to the task of finding out the necessary steps we need to take in our city to be qualified, what it is that is needed for that position.
Chief Neblung stated that currently, the police department is doing the bulk of the enforcement and inspections of general City ordinances. The City does not have anything for rental inspections of anything that addresses certain dilapidated properties based on certain criteria.
Mayor Wendy was informed that the City should be accepting the smallest code that a city can have, right now, we have none. Chief Neblung said that there is the International Property Maintenance and Building codes.
A lengthy discussion was held on the problems with having a person in this position, it could open up a lot of litigation due to the missed part of an inspection and that would fall on the City.
It was decided to pursue the possibility of code enforcement officer.
Alderperson VanKampen came to the Mayor with an idea from Alderperson King that the Council members and the Mayor have shirts to wear to events to be easily identified. Mayor suggested using the services of a local business to provide these shirts.
Committee Meetings:
Finance - Report is in packet. Alderperson Mask will speak more about the Martin House Museum and its finances at the next meeting.
Personnel - Mayor Wendy said the open position for the City Administrator has been well advertised on Indeed, Linked-In, the City’s website, and local papers. We are receiving responses.
Economic Development -No report. Loyals Pizzeria will be taking over the old Springer’s Bar & Grill.
Parks & Rec - It was decided after asking for another bathroom at the Drives Park, it would be more efficient to add on to the existing bathrooms. Public Works Director Sikkema said the sewer and water is already in place and that would save a lot of money.
Mayor Wendy asked if the letters on the signs coming into town have been updated. Leslie Webster will be asked to do this.
Public Safety – No report
Marina - No report.
Tourism - Report in packet.
Zoning - No report.
Mayor Report - Mayor Wendy had a wonderful trip to Washington, D.C. She met with Eric Sorensen, Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin. They all gave her a head nod on the 1.2 million she asked for the City of Fulton. Highway 30, 4-lane was also discussed.
Alderperson Report -No report
CA report - City Administrator Dan Clark said that the litigation with Bartels is in his court now. We haven’t heard anything yet. He also stated that Kalyan’s have paid for and received a building permit for the construction of their new Restaurant and Brewery. They now have 2 years to build.
PD – No
PW - No report. Mayor Wendy asked how is it going with the sidewalks. He said slow, but the new Surf Internet is moving along quickly.
Historical Society - No report.
Adjourn Meeting – Mayor asks if all are in favor of adjourning regular meeting. Roll call vote, all in favor. Aye’s have it – meeting adjourned at 6:14 p.m.
https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/council-meeting-minutes-july-24-2023.html
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