NW Illinois News

City of Fulton City Council met Sept. 9.

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, VanKampen and Wilkin were present. City Attorney Huizenga, Business Manager Garibay, Business Manager-in-Training Hemling, Community Service Officer Wherry, and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Presentations – None

Recognitions – None

Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to approve the Council meeting minutes from August 26, 2024, the Bill List, the Treasurer’s Report and a Bill List addendum.

Alderperson Wilkin made the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded the motion.

Alderperson Mask requested a correction on the minutes from August 26, 2024, stating that Kurt Temple, is spelled Curt Temple and he is not a former Drives employee. He still is employed by Timken Drives.

On Roll Call, all yes, with corrections. Motion carried.

Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to Add and Approve an A Liquor License to accommodate Gurlabh Singh’s request. (He currently has an A-1 Liquor License which he will have to surrender if given the A License.)

Motion to approve made by Alderperson Boonstra. Alderperson Brondyke seconded it.

Discussion was held regarding the change in Ordinance for Liquor Licenses, City Attorney Huizenga will create a revised Ordinance.

This opens up an A-1 License.

Alderperson King stated he would like to hold off on this decision until everyone is on board.

Alderperson Burggraaf asked the Liquor License Committee members if the other Council members could start receiving the minutes of their meeting. The Liquor License Committee said yes, absolutely.

Alderperson Wilkin, a member of the Liquor License Committee, stated that the committee is working very hard and making great strides in updating the City’s liquor license procedures.

Business Manager, Garibay, stated that the Council cannot go by hearsay from other businesses when dealing with liquor licenses. Every business owner will have to comply with the State of Illinois rules.

On Roll Call, Alderpersons Burggraaf, Banker, Brondyke, Wilkin, VanKampen, Mask, and Boonstra say yes. Alderperson King, no.

Motion carried.

Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 72 Entitled Parking Schedules of the Codified Ordinance of the City of Fulton. Prohibited Parking on Specific Streets, namely, the South side of 7th Avenue between the intersections with 12th Street and 13th Street between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday when school is in session and children are present.

Motion made by Alderperson Brondyke. Seconded by Alderperson Mask.

On roll call, all yes. Motion approved.

Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to approve the recommendation from the Parks and Rec Committee to name the newly renovated park on 10th Avenue, “Fulton Friendship Park”.

Motion made by Alderperson King. Seconded by Alderperson Burggraaf.

Alderperson Wilkin explained that the City received 60 entries for the new park name. They then brought it down to five, then to three. The three choices were, “Earth Park”, “Friendship Park”, and “Hilltop Park”.

Alderperson Mask asked that the signs that are presently at the park, giving the history of the School Park, remain in place. Alderperson Wilkin stated that there will be a memorial sign/plaque placed at the park to commemorate the history of the property.

On roll call, Alderpersons Boonstra, Wilkin, Banker, Burggraaf, VanKampen, King, and Brondyke voted yes. Alderperson Mask voted no.

Motion carried.

Committee of the Whole Discussions –

Continue discussion regarding the Drives Building – the discussion was tabled by Alderperson Mask.

Discussion was held on Trick or Treat night to be Thursday, October 31, from 6-8 p.m. (this is the same date and time as Clinton’s Trick or Treat)

On request, all Council members gave a head nod to go with this date and time.

City Clerk, Tori Wade, gave a brief timeline of the City’s upcoming election to be held on April 1, 2025. This is a consolidated election. Papers are now available at City Hall for resident’s wanting to run for a City position. Position up for election are Mayor, City Clerk, 1 seat from each Ward (1, 2, 3, & 4). Papers are due back a City Hall on Nov. 12 through Nov. 18. These election timelines are about a month earlier than in past years.

Continued discussion on the future of the Fulton Marina. It was brought to the Council’s attention that this needs to become an important and major discussion. Decisions need to be made.

Key points to be addressed for the Marina are:

City to keep the boat ramp as City property. The City will maintain it.

Need to look at the possibility of advertising the Marina for sale. The City should check into who may be interested in purchasing the Marina.

Suggestion was made to offer it for sale to the group of interested slip renters that currently have boats there now.

The City needs to look at the costs of operating the Marina. Slip renters are fewer every year. Repairs have been expensive and will continue to be an ongoing burden to the City.

The City has always owned the Marina. It was leased for a few years, but eventually came back to the City.

Discussion was also held on the possibility of Simple Grants helping us to get some sort of grant for Marina upgrades.

Mayor Wendy discussed the need for a volunteer Alderperson to sit on the Windmill Area Steering Committee. Alderperson Boonstra agreed to volunteer for that position.

Discussion was held on the use of the remaining ARPA funds to go towards infrastructure.

If the remaining funds go towards infrastructure, that would allow the City to use it for a variety of purposes, such as heating & cooling.

Alderperson King would like to use the ARPA funds to go towards a new generator and the remainder go towards infrastructure. The purchase of a new generator did not come to fruition when it was discussed in the past.

Alderperson King asked Eric Sikkema to get a new quote for a generator to be able to handle the load required.

According to Business Manager Garibay, this money needs to be earmarked by December 31, 2024, and spent by 2026. Once these funds are earmarked, it can not be changed for something else.

Discussion was held on the purchase of new signage for Fulton Friendship Park. 2 – 2’x3’ signs and 1 – 1’x2’ sign. RK Graphics gave an estimate of approximately $600.00.

Discussion was held on lighting for Fulton Friendship Park. Alderperson Wilkin would like to purchase all of the lighting now. Business Manager Garibay said they are within budget and the lights can be purchased.

Mayor Wendy will contact Simple Grants and ask them to meet with the Council to address questions and concerns.

It was stated that the City will pay for one shirt per person that has the new City logo on it, along with their name and position.

The Council thanked Adam Wherry for his hard work as Community Service Officer.

Mayor Wendy asked for a motion to adjourn meeting. All Yea.

Meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

https://www.cityoffulton.us/government/city-council/city-council-meeting-minutes/city-council-mtg-minutes-sept-9-2024.html