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City of Fulton City Council met June 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Wendy Ottens at 5:30 p.m. On roll call, Alderpersons Banker, Boonstra, Brondyke, Burggraaf, King, Mask, and VanKampen were present. Alderperson Wilkin was absent. Community Service Officer Wherry, Public Works Director Sikkema, City Attorney Huizenga, Business Manager Garibay, Business Manager-in-Training Hemling and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

The Council was presented a check in the amount of $300.00 by Dale Thayer of the Fulton City Masonic Lodge #189. This donation is to go towards the renovation of the School Park on 10th Avenue.

Appointments – None

Recognition of Volunteers - None

Communication from Visitors – Resident, Zack Ratcliff, spoke to the Council stating that the newly renovated School Park on 10th Avenue looks great and was full of kids and parents. He thanked the Council for putting the money into the park.

Ratcliff also addressed the Council stating that the City’s energy contract with Dynegy is up in September. He asked if the City was in the process of renewing that contract. Business Manager Garibay explained that the City of Fulton is in a group with 17 other surrounding towns and they all go together and Rock River Energy has always given us the best deal.

She also stated that sometimes there are solicitors that go around town knocking on doors and telling residents to sign up with there energy company because they can get you a better deal than the City for one year. This always seems to cost twice, if not three times more after that first year than what the City rate is. We highly recommend that residents go with what the City can get for a rate. She stated that we will not know what the rate is right away because they go out for bids. It will probably be another 45 days before we get the bids. Garibay will then bring those bids to the Council. Sometimes Mike Mudge, CEO, from Rock River Energy will come to a Council meeting. If the Council would like to have him at a meeting, Garibay will reach out to him. He has also directed Aley and Korri in the front office to direct all questions directly to him. Garibay hopes that the City does take his recommendation. He has done a great job for the City in the past.

The Mayor said that it is confusing to residents when solicitors come to their door and say that they can give you a better electric rate. Any person who is going door-to-door in Fulton needs to stop at City Hall and ask permission. Garibay said yes, they have to come to City Hall and fill out a Solicitor’s Permit, we ask for a driver’s license or valid ID. A background check is run on them and they pay a fee. She also said that the City has asked several of them to leave town in the past. They are told if we get one complaint, they will asked to leave.

Alderperson Burggraaf asked if the City sent any information on this to residents? Mayor Wendy thinks it’s good idea to include an explanation about this in her newsletter.

Alderperson Boonstra asked if any of the electric cooperatives offer any incentives such as rebates. Garibay said no, some of them offer Visa gift cards.

Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to approve the Council meeting minutes from the May 13, 2024, meeting, the bill list and an addendum to the bill list.

Motion to approve Alderperson Burggraaf. Seconded by Alderperson King.

Alderperson Mask had a question on the minutes (page 7) regarding the Marina. The sentence read: “Alderperson Wilkin wants to keep in mind that it should be considered because of the 5-year plan for the Riverfront and the marina.”

There is no 5-year plan in place. The wording needs to be corrected to read: “if there is a 5-year plan”.

Correction will be made.

Business Manager Garibay asked the Council to look at page 21 of the Treasurer’s Report. It is the end of the fiscal year. She said the number to look at is in the General Fund. We have almost 2.4 million in the General Fund. She noted that this number has really increased in the past 3 years. We’ve done a good job. There is $400,000.00 in ARPA funds sitting there. The City Park renovations come out of video gaming. City Hall renovations will probably come out of the 2.4 million.

Alderperson Mask asked what was the estimated cost of the City Hall renovation. Public Works Director Sikkema said he have to look at the numbers again, but it’s going to be right in the neighborhood of $225,000.00 to $250,000.00. He said the next big ticket item will be for the Audio/Video estimated at $45,000.00.

Garibay said that does leave a healthy amount for other projects, but be careful with spending. She said that the Council should be very pleased with what they have accomplished in saving this money. Mayor Wendy asked what is one year that we should keep the dollar amount at. Garibay said according to our auditors, that amount should never be less than $900,000.00.

On roll call, all yes, with corrections. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent.)

Motion approved.

Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 150 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Fulton Captioned “Building Regulations” to adopt the International Property Maintenance Code, effective January 1, 2025.

Motion to approve Alderperson King. Alderperson Boonstra seconded.

Mayor Wendy wanted to clarify that the Code Officer will begin in July, but no fines will be given out until January 1, 2025, in order to have time to make people aware of this new ordinance.

Alderperson Mask voiced her concern over older businesses/buildings being fined over things that they can’t control, such as the age of the building, not having a sprinkler system, etc. Alderperson Boonstra said that is not the case. Existing businesses would be grandfathered in on a lot of the codes. It mostly will be enforced with new buildings.

A discussion was held on the role of a Code Officer in Fulton.

Alderperson Burggraaf noted a correction she would like to have made on page 30 (Section 107.4, 3rd line down) It reads “shall file to comply”. It should read “shall fail to comply”. City Attorney will make the correction.

On roll call, all yes, with corrections. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent.)

Motion approved.

Mayor Wendy asked for a Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 32 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Fulton Captioned “Departments and Boards” to Create the Position of Community Service Officer.

Alderperson VanKampen made the motion. Alderperson Brondyke seconded.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent.)

Motion approved.

Mayor Wendy asked for a Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending 155.06 of Chapter 155 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Fulton regarding the Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Brondyke seconded.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent.)

Motion approved.

Mayor Wendy asked for a Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 110 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Fulton to add a Business Registration Requirement, effective January 1, 2025.

Alderperson Mask made the motion. Alderperson King seconded.

Mayor Wendy had communication from Alderperson Wilkin (absent) stating that she doesn’t think the business registration should be a yearly fee.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent.)

Motion approved.

Mayor Wendy asked for a Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 112 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Fulton Captioned “Amusements” for the Purpose of Regulation and Permitting of Special Events.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Brondyke seconded the motion.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent.)

Mayor Wendy asked for a Motion to Approve an Ordinance Amending 30.21 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Fulton regarding the Schedule of Meetings.

Alderperson Brondyke made the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded.

Discussion was held. Mayor Wendy reminded everyone that the Council meetings would be moved to 6:30 p.m. (instead of 5:30 p.m.) in hopes of getting a more consistent attendance.

Alderperson Banker would like to take into consideration the input from the staff about changing the time. He said staff members would have to go home and come back for the later time. This is already after spending a 10-hour day at City Hall.

Alderperson Mask asked the decision be tabled in order to give everyone a chance to voice their opinion.

Everyone agreed.

Committee of the Whole – Discussion:

Public Works Director Eric Sikkema reported on the progress of the new City Hall building. He stated that the painting should be done this week. Electrical will be in this week as well. Boonstra’s was wrapping up their work. Audio/Visual is out about a month yet, but that’s not a huge set back. Carpet will be here and installed next week. He was asked what is the target date to begin using the facility? He replied he would like to see us using it the first meeting in July. The only thing that may hold that up is the countertop for the Council desk.

Continue discussion on the bathrooms at Drives Park. Eric Sikkema said he decided to table that discussion for now because he wants to discuss it more with at the Parks & Rec meeting. Kiwanis is talking about installing a splash pad, so he doesn’t want to jump into anything to quickly. They want to take another look at their 5-year plan again.

Eric was asked what still needed to be done at the 10th Avenue Park. He said the basketball court will be taken out and replaced yet this summer. That project will start yet this month. There is still some sidewalk to pour by the gazebo and one going to the parking lot on the East side as well as a handicap parking spot put up on the West side of the park by the pavilion. Some new lighting will be installed yet this summer, as well.

A water spigot will be installed in the ground. A new water fountain is being donated by Elkay and that will also be installed.

Sikkema stated that hopefully everything will be completed in August in anticipation of the Grand Opening in September.

Parks & Rec Committee Report – Alderperson VanKampen brought up the subject of renaming the park. She said she did not bring that to the Council so she was wondering how the Council feels about putting a new name on that park. She gave some history on how it was named the School Park. Should it remain the School Park or should it be renamed?

Mayor Wendy asked that each Council member give their opinion individually on this question. Starting with Alderperson King, he could go either way; Alderperson Burggraaf, would like to look into the history of the name, “School Park” before she decides; Alderperson Banker could go either way; Alderperson Mask wants to keep the “School Park” for historical reasons; Alderperson Brondyke realizes there is historical value to the name, but he is not opposed to changing it.

Mayor Wendy said she thinks it’s good to put it to the community. She thinks kids and parents will get excited about it.

Business Manager Garibay said that even if the park is given a different name, the historical signs regarding the history of the park would not have to be taken down.

A brief discussion was held on the possibility of put a pickle ball court in the park in the future. If that did happen, it would have to be out of next year’s budget. Alderperson Boonstra is against having a pickle ball court in the park because that area is where kids play football all the time.

Tourism – Alderperson Mask said there is so much going on right now. She said the tourism committee would really appreciate an Alderperson to come to a meeting sometime. As well as the Mayor and the other Department heads.

Alderperson Boonstra asked about the community-wide yard sales, is it correct that the City is taking that over this year? Mayor Wendy said yes that is correct. It is just easier for us to do it, Tori has all the signs, maps, etc. at City Hall. Mayor Wendy said she has had requests for spring yard sales as well.

Mayor Wendy said she is working on the summer newsletter. She went on to explain the 911 brochure. She said there was conversations that we might be charged $103,000.00 per year, for dispatching services. The brochure explained the answers to the City not having to pay that is explained in the brochure. Jake Kilburg is willing to come to a council meeting to explain this in more detail with a Power Point presentation.

A further discussion was held on this by Business Manager Garibay and Mayor Wendy. Mayor Wendy is going to invite Jake Kilburg to a council meeting, she feels the Council needs to understand this better so we can communicate correct information to residents.

Historical Report – Alderperson Mask thanked Eric and Public Works for removing the tree stumps at the Martin House Museum. A new tree has been planted.

Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to adjourn.

All in favor, all yes.

Adjourned 6:19 p.m.

https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/city-council-meeting-minutes-june-10-2024.html