NW Illinois News

City of Fulton City Council met May 28.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro Tem King at 5:30 p.m. On roll call, Alderpersons VanKampen, Mask, Boonstra, and Burggraaf were present. Alderpersons Banker, Brondyke and Wilkin were absent. City Attorney Huizenga, Police Chief Hermes, City Administrator Sikkema, Business Manager Hamling, Liquor License Commissioner Grant, Sargeant Dwayne Hamilton and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

Mayor Pro Tem King advised the Council that he will be a voting member at this meeting.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

City Administrator Eric Sikkema recognized and thanks to the outgoing alderpersons, Paul Banker and Jeff Brondyke, they were not present. He also thanked Mayor Pro Tem King for filling in as Mayor for the past 5 months. He stated that the service that all of them have provided for the community will be felt for a long time and we wish them all the best. Keith King will be returning as 3rd Ward Alderperson.

Mayor Pro Tem King asked Shane Malone to come to the front to be sworn in as City of Fulton Mayor by City Clerk Wade.

Mayor Pro Tem King took his seat as 3rd Ward Alderperson and Mayor Malone took his seat as Mayor of Fulton.

City Clerk Wade went on to swear in newly elected 4th Ward Alderperson Kathleen Suehl. Next, newly re-elected 2nd Ward Alderperson Mindy Burggraaf and 3rd Ward Alderperson Sue VanKampen were also sworn in.

Mayor Malone then swore in newly elected City Clerk Tori Wade. (Wade had been an appointed as City Clerk by a former Mayor to fulfill a City Clerk vacancy.)

Mayor Malone said thank you to everyone who attended and to the newly elected officials. Mayor has seen the town flourish in the past few months.

Presentations –

City Administrator Sikkema introduced via a Zoom meeting, a presentation from Northern Illinois University pertaining to a Comprehensive & Strategic Plan for the City of Fulton. The representatives from NIU gave a very informative and extensive presentation to the Council.

Dan Dolan was going to speak to the Council regarding his business proposal. He was not able to attend. City Administrator Sikkema read to the Council a letter from Dan Dolan explaining his “General Business Proposal for Alanah’s” in Fulton.

Mayor Malone asked if there were any questions or comments. The Council had some discussion regarding the proposed business plan, but would still like to meet with Dolan to give them clarification and to answer their questions.

Mayor Malone asked the City Clerk if there were any communications from visitors, there were not.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from the April 14, 2025, meeting and the Treasurer’s Report dated March 31, 2025.

Alderperson VanKampen made the motion. Alderperson Boonstra seconded.

On Roll Call, all yes. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent).

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion and vote for an Ordinance to Approve the addition of a B-1 Liquor License for the City of Fulton.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded.

Discussion was held by the Council. Alderperson VanKampen stated that Dan (Dolan) came to a previous meeting, he told the Council of his plans for food and a drive-thru. Now, his business plans sounds more like another gambling den.

Alderperson VanKampen also noted that when Dan (Dolan) was at a previous meeting, the Council did give a head nod as to his plans for a drive-thru serving hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, etc. Those items are not listed in the business plan we have been given tonight.

Alderperson VanKampen stated she would like to table this motion because the Council needs more clarification on what his actual plans are. The Council needs him to be at a meeting.

City Administrator Sikkema stated that what we are actually voting on is whether or not we are going to increase the B-1 liquor license. Currently, we only have one, this would increase it to two. With the additional one for Mr. Dolan.

City Attorney, Huizenga, stated that the Council is approving how many licenses there are going to be now. Dan is in first position. So, if you voted one in he would get it because he’s in first position.

Discussion was held on the reasons this motion should be tabled until the Council gets more clarification.

Alderperson King made the motion to table the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded.

On Roll Call, all yes. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent)

Motion tabled.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve and vote on a Real Estate Purchase Agreement with Ryan Eissens.

Alderperson Burggraaf made the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded it.

Alderperson Boonstra asked is Eissens buying the road? City Administrator Sikkema stated that Eissens own the entire property so what this would be is us doing essentially a tax reimbursement for him putting the road in and then we are essentially buying road back from him so the City will own it and maintain it.

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

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve and vote on an Ordinance Authorizing the Purchase of Certain Real Estate (New Roadway in Block 12, Range 4, City of Fulton)

Alderperson VanKampen made the motion. Alderperson King seconded.

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

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve and vote on an Ordinance Amending the Charges for Municipal Water and Sewer Services in Title 5, Entitled Public Works.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded.

City Administrator Sikkema told the Council that every year we do an adjustment of roughly 4%, that comes out to be about 26cents per user spread across the board through Fulton.

On roll call. All yes. (Alderperson Wilkin was absent)

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve and vote on an Ordinance Amending Section 131.05 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Fulton captioned, “Vehicles to be Seized and Impounded”.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Boonstra seconded.

Chief of Police Hermes explained that the state statute allows us to tow vehicles when their license plates are suspended for mandatory insurance violations.

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

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve and vote to publish a Notice of Public Hearing on the Proposed Vacation of a Certain Alley for the City of Fulton, Whiteside County, Illinois. (Brondyke property)

City Attorney Huizenga reminded the Council that they are voting on motion to publish a Notice of Public Hearing for vacating this alley. This allows the public to have comment at the next City Council meeting. We have to do this before we can actually pass an Ordinance to vacate the alley.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded.

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

Motion carried.

Committee of the Whole – Discussion

Business Manager Hamling announced that the Council will need a Resolution to designate new check signers at the May 12 meeting. Historically, it has been the mayor, the City Administrator, Treasurer and 2 Council members. Right now, check signers are Business Manager, Hamling, Treasurer Fosdick, Alderpersons Wilkin, King and VanKampen.

Business Manager Hamling stated City Administrator Sikkema should be added.

Discussion was held on the Cannabis Business Fees. City Administrator Sikkema spoke about the Cannabis Registration Fees. The ideas that we would like to consider are whether it would be a flat fee or if we should go to a percentage fee. This ensures It’s spread across the board equally and we are not playing favorites.

Sikkema ran some numbers as examples to show the Council how these charges would be calculated. The Council has the choice to amend what is being charged now or keep going with what we or make changes so that the Ordinance can be amended.

A discussion was held on the various amounts that could be charged and a possible fee structure.

City Administrator’s report – Sikkema announced that Barb and David Frantz would like to volunteer to plant flowers in the pots downtown before Dutch Days at a cost to the City of $150.00. The Council approved, making sure they knew that the flowers may not survive during the upcoming sidewalk construction.

Public Safety Committee report – parking issues were discussed between 10th and 12th Avenues. Also, a discussion was held on the number of parking places one resident can use. Parking problems were also noted in front of the Catholic Church and long trucks on 4th Street.

The Historical Society report – Alderperson Mask spoke about the funds received from the Martin House Museum and how they are distributed to the Historical Society. Needed repairs were discussed at the museum property.

It was also noted that this year is the 25th anniversary of “de Immigrant” windmill.

Alderperson Burggraaf mentioned that the Finance Committee had met and the minutes will be in the next Council meeting packet.

Alderperson Mask brought everyone’s attention to the historic pictures she will have on display at Dutch Days.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to go into closed session at 7:04 p.m.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Boonstra seconded.

Closed session adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

https://cityoffulton.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Council-Minutes-04-28-25.docx