NW Illinois News

City of Fulton City Council met July. 28.

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 King, VanKampen, Boonstra, Wilkin, Mask, Suehl and Ratcliff were present. Alderperson Burggraaf was absent. City Attorney Huizenga, Business Manager Hamling, Police Chief Hermes, and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

There were no presentations.

Communication from Visitors – Jody Borgman, 1012 10th Avenue in Fulton spoke to the Council regarding the her concern that her neighborhood is being microwaved. She says the presence of high EMF (electro magnetic field) readings in her alley is toxic. She has spoken to Fulton’s police officers, State Representatives Ryan Spain and Toni McCombie, she said they are trying to reach out to ComEd to come here and change it. She stated that the number in the alley by your house, in your backyard should not go over 0.2. She is concerned that this is making her ill and she is also concerned for other families and children on her block that may also be affected by these high readings. The Council and Mayor Malone listened to her concerns and said they would be glad to look into it, possibly contacting ComEd.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from July 14, 2025, meeting and the Bill List.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson VanKampen seconded.

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

Motion carried.

CURRENT BUSINESS

Mayor Malone asked for a Motion to Approve and Vote on the MSA Strategic Park Master Plan.

Alderperson VanKampen made the motion. Alderperson Wilkin seconded.

Discussion was held that the 90+ page presentation from MSA is a preliminary copy, nothing is final. This is a live document that can be changed.

Alderperson Ratcliff said that this presentation does not take into consideration from the residents yet from the surveys that are currently being gathered.

Alderperson Wilkin stated that this being approved, allows the OSLAD grant to get submitted.

On roll call,

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

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to vote and approve the Marketing & Tourism Coordinator position.

Alderperson Mask made the motion to table this until the next meeting, stating the she has been trying to schedule a meeting with Grow Clinton and Blackhawk Waterways. They will be meeting before the next Council meeting and she would like to see if they might have any input or ideas for us regarding this position.

Alderperson King seconded the motion to table.

Alderperson Wilkin stated that the Council has been talking about this position for 8 months, what more is there to discuss?

Alderperson VanKampen said that it’s not that we are not approving it. She would like to hear what that group has to say.

Discussion was held on hiring this position soon with or without the input of these outside groups. It could potentially mean looking at combining the position.

Mayor Malone asked for a vote to table this.

On roll call,

Alderperson King, yesAlderperson Mask, yesAlderperson Ratcliff, noAlderperson Suehl, noAlderperson VanKampen, yesAlderperson Wilkin, no

Alderperson Boonstra, yesAlderperson Burggraaf was absent.

Motion tabled.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to vote and approve a contract with artist Thomas Dambo to commission him to build a troll for the City of Fulton.

Alderperson Wilkin made the motion. Alderperson Ratcliff seconded.

Mayor Malone told the Council he now has a breakdown of the costs and details of this contract. Highlights he mentioned included: the troll itself can cost up to $480,000.00; pieces of this can be built outside of the client area, meaning pieces can be built in Denmark and shipped here at our expense; the artist is not responsible for any delays.

Mayor Malone continued, there are three different phases and the artist has professional staff like gardeners, landscape planners, maintenance crew, carpenters, engineers to help him while he is here.

The client (City of Fulton) provides all the tools and materials needed. (there are 42 different tools listed, some of them would require multiples of the same tool, for example, 8 chainsaws. During the build, two full-time staff members working 37 hours a week provided by the City, plus six volunteers for eight hours a day.

The City would need to provide indoor workshop space with a minimum of 60 square meters with electricity. If requested by the artist, the City must provide two or three rental cars. If there’s wear and tear or damage to the statue, the City can not fix it without his permission. He charges $386.00 per hour if we fix it by phone or we pay to bring him here.

He also brings up to 8 individuals for 60 days for phase 5. That’s about $90,000 in airfare, $57,000 in hotel and food, those are the City’s expenses as well.

He needs to be within 2 miles of the project and requires bicycles and a full kitchen, as well.

This is only a 10-year lease, at that time the City would have to renew the lease. The artist has the ability to move it if he wanted to.

Mayor Malone stated that these are all additional things that were not presented when we were shown the presentation.

Alderperson Wilkin asked if the Mayor got the contract from Clinton. Mayor stated that the contract is not allowed to be shared. He did reach out to some private investors for information.

Mayor Malone stated that there a lot of people who want to help and provide funding, but the dollar amount is really unknown. Mayor Malone said he is not willing to his name on a contract to obligate this body after learning all of these other expenses.

On roll call, all no. (Alderperson Burggraaf was absent.)

Motion denied.

On to the Committee of the Whole –

The Council acknowledged the Illinois Department of Public Health’s award to the Fulton Water Department in recognition of it achieving the highest standard of compliance with the Illinois Fluoridation Act in 2024. The Council gave special recognition to the public works department for keeping Fulton’s water clean.

The Council was provided with a proposal of a new estimate for the cost to dredge the marina. The estimated cost, part of a three-stage plan, is $250,000. The Council discussed possible avenues of funding this project.

The Council has a brief discussion on the possibility of a having a dog park in Fulton. The are property to place this dog park was discussed. The property formerly considered is no longer for sale.

Mayor Malone said he would like to look at if there are other ideas. Alderperson VanKampen said she has all the information when it was previously discussed.

Police Chief Hermes suggested the Council talk to Morrison to find out how often their dog parks are used and what requirements they have in place; spayed/neutered; shots; registered with Animal Control; who is monitoring the park?

Alderperson Wilkin stated that there are plenty of places already here in Fulton to walk your dog. It’s not like we are a big city with nothing but concrete. We have plenty of green space such as Cattail Slough, etc.

Next up was a discussion on the assignment of a Mayor Pro Tem. Mayor Malone will be out of town next week. There is plenty of coverage in case something needs to be signed. Alderperson King is currently Mayor Pro Tem.

Barak and Tami Wierenga provided the Council with a few pictures of the exterior and interior of their property. They will present to the Council their business plan for 2001 9th Street. Possibly asking for a different liquor license classification.

Under Alderperson Comments –

Alderperson VanKampen stated that she has been trying to get ahold of Elkay regarding the drinking fountain at 10th Avenue Park. They donated the fountain, but it is missing a part that is needed for it to work. The part that is needed costs $7,000.00. Alderperson VanKampen has not got any response from Elkay, they don’t return her calls. A lot of people she dealt with initially are no longer with the company. The company said they have sent us that part 2 times, yet we have not received it. Alderperson VanKampen will keep trying to make contact with them.

Following the closure of Gold Leaf Bakery in downtown Fulton on July 27, after a City ordinance was approved banning the sale of Delta-9 products in City limits. The Council entered into a lengthy discussion and debate over the unexpected impact of the ordinance.

Alderperson Ratcliff stated that the City Council did not intend to negatively impact Gold Leaf with ordinance when it was passed.

Some Council members were concerned that Gold Leaf’s closure was a premature move by business owners since a first violation fine would have only been $100.00.

Chief Hermes stated that Gold Leaf was not shut down by the City of Fulton or the Fulton Police Department. Other Council members brought up objections regarding the business as a whole.

Alderperson Boonstra raised the question of Gold Leaf’s sale of gummies and pre-rolls and not just the sale of baked goods.

Owners of the Fulton Ice Cream Shop Jeff and Lisa Witt were in attendance. They informed the Council of how the street project has affected their business.

Alderperson Ratcliff said that the City is working on getting better signage for downtown Fulton.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to adjourn.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Boonstra seconded.

All in favor? All yes.

Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

https://cityoffulton.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Council-Minutes-07-28-25.docx