NW Illinois News

City of Fulton City Council met June 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council meeting was called to order by Mayor Shane Malone at 5:30 p.m.

On roll call, Alderpersons Burggraaf, King, Suehl, VanKampen and Wilkin were present. Alderpersons Boonstra and Mask were absent. City Attorney Huizenga, Business Manager Hamling, Police Chief Hermes, City Administrator Sikkema, Liquor License Commissioner Grant, and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Mayor Malone announced the appointment of Zack Ratcliff as 1st Ward Alderperson. He was sworn in by City Clerk Wade.

There were no presentations or communication from visitors.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from June 9, 2025, meeting and the April 2025 Treasurer’s Report.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Wilkin seconded.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderpersons Boonstra and Mask were absent.)

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone informed the Council the Alderpersons assigned to each standing committee as well as naming the chair for each one.

Those were:

Budget: Alderpersons Mindy Burggraaf (Chair) and Zack RatcliffPublic Works: Alderpersons Kathy Suehl (Chair) and Zack RatcliffEconomic Development: Alderpersons Barb Mask (Chair) and Sue VanKampenPublic Safety: Alderpersons Keith King (Chair) and Terry BoonstraParks and Recreations: Alderpersons Sue VanKampen (Chair) and Jackie WilkinMarina: Alderpersons Jackie Wilkin (Chair) and Keith KingPersonnel: Alderpersons Terry Boonstra (Chair) and Burggraaf

Discussion was held on forming an Ad-Hoc committee for the Strategic/Comprehensive Plan to be determined.

Mayor Malone stated that the standing Tourism committee will now fall under the Economic Development Committee. There will no longer be a Tourism committee.

Alderperson Wilkin asked if this means that the Tourism committee that meets regularly is now this committee?

Mayor Malone said tourism will now be discussed at the Economic Development committee meetings.

Alderperson Wilkin stated that the reason the Tourism Committee was added two years ago was because the Council felt like we needed to have a an Alderperson present at the Tourism committee meetings because the City is giving attractions like Heritage Canyon and the Windmill City funds.

Alderperson Burggraaf stated she thinks it will still be very similar. She commented that the Economic Development committee doesn’t meet very often. It would ultimately be the same group of people that had been meeting before plus adding an economic development piece to it.

Alderperson Wilkin stated that basically Alderperson VanKampen would now be attending the meetings with Alderperson Mask.

CURRENT BUSINESS

Mayor Malone asked for a Motion to Approve and Vote on an Ordinance Establishing a New Section 22 (Prohibition of Kratom, Synthetic Drugs, Synthetic Cannaboids, Psychoactive Drugs, and Tetrahydrocannibinol Products Businesses) of Chapter 91, Title IX of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Fulton, Illinois.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Burggraaf seconded.

City Attorney Huizenga told the Council that this does not allow for grandfathering, what it’s doing is addressing the synthetic products so that’s the delta 9 things that have been made out of delta 9 but other chemicals were added to amp up the effect, so this is going to affect everybody.

Business owners who hold liquor licenses will be monitored to make sure they are not selling these type of products. Fines for violations may start at $100 for the 1st day, $250 2nd day, $350 3rd day, $750 4th day, 5th day revoke their liquor license.

The motion was amended to reflect these changes.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Suehl seconded.

On roll call.

All yes, motion approved. (Alderpersons Boonstra and Mask were absent.)

Motion approved.

Mayor Malone asked for a Motion to Approve and Vote on an Ordinance Amending Section 31.007 Entitled “Compensation” of Chapter 31, Title III, of the Fulton Code of Ordinances.

Alderperson VanKampen made the motion. Alderperson King seconded.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderperson Boonstra and Mask were absent.)

Motion approved.

Mayor Malone asked for a Motion to Approve and Vote on a Resolution Authorizing the Release of Closed Session Minutes “Schedule A”.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson VanKampen seconded.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderperson Boonstra and Mask were absent.)

Motion approved.

Mayor Malone asked for a Motion to Approve and Vote on a Resolution Recommending “Schedule B” of the Closed Session Minutes Remain Closed Because of the Need for Confidentiality Still Exists.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Wilkin seconded.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderperson Boonstra and Mask were absent.)

Motion approved.

Committee of the Whole - Discussion

Liquor Commissioner, Renee Grant, updated the Council on the current liquor licenses now that the new fees have been implemented.

Grant did contact Dan Dolan’s assistant to let her know that the Council had voted not to increase the B1 liquor licenses. The assistant did ask how the Council had voted.

Grant went on to inform the Council that May 1 was when the City’s new year began and new liquor license fees went into effect. She did not receive any negative feedback from business owners. All businesses had their licenses properly displayed. Krumpets did not renew their liquor license. Gatherings (Chuck) is still deciding if he is going to renew.

Grant visited Cheers Corner’s, the new addition is progressing nicely. They will have pizza, Indian food and a full bar. She also visited Eagle River Liquor and their new bar looks great, the State inspector is coming to check on the video gaming.

The Council thanked Renee for all her hard work dealing with the liquor licenses.

The Council discussed the 1% grocery tax. After a lengthy discussion was held on whether or not to keep the grocery tax because of the small amount of revenue this gives the City. Without having a major grocery store in Fulton, we do not receive a large amount of money from this tax. The State of Illinois is giving each municipality the right to keep it or get rid of it. The Council is in favor of eliminating the 1% grocery tax.

Discussion was held on the position of Marketing/Tourism Coordinator for the City. City Administrator, Eric Sikkema told the Council that Alderperson Burggraaf, Mayor Malone and himself met with Grow Clinton and their new tourism director. Grow Clinton is in favor of Fulton having its own tourism director. Someone that would be able to focus just on Fulton. The hotel/motel tax would cover the cost of hiring someone for this position.

The Council discussed an insurance claim from a sewer backup. The City was not negligent and the insurance claim was denied.

City Administrator Sikkema reported that Mayor Malone, Business Manager Hamling, City Clerk Wade and himself visited the city of Oregon, IL and met with their Mayor and city staff. It was an informative visit, learning the similarities and differences in a town the same size as Fulton. Sikkema told the Council the downtown project will start on July 7. There’s a grant request out for 3.1 million for local roads and a grant request out for paving the bike path, we’re waiting to hear back from both of them. The City is still working with the Fulton Kiwanis Club about installing a splash pad. His report contained information on upcoming City projects including the lights at the park, pickle ball court, fitness park, downtown internet service and possibly adding an additional block to the south for the downtown renovations.

Police Chief Hermes discussed his report with the Council. It included the upcoming Splash Day at Drives Park, car parking at private residences, and hiring a part-time officer.

Historical Society Report was reviewed.

Mayor Malone stated, “I will entertain a motion and a second to go into closed session to discuss personnel, litigation or property.” (6:32 p.m.)

A quorum was present.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Wilking seconded.

On roll call, all yes. (Alderpersons Boonstra and Mask were absent.)

Mayor Malone stated, “I will entertain a motion and a second to adjourn this meeting.”

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Burggraaf seconded.

All in favor? Yes.

This meeting was adjourned at 7:03 p.m.

https://cityoffulton.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Council-Minutes-06-23-25.docx