NW Illinois News

City of Fulton City Council met Aug. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

REGULAR MEETING

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

On roll call, Alderpersons Boonstra, Burggraaf, King, Mask, Ratcliff, Suehl, VanKampen and Wilkin were present. City Attorney Huizenga, Business Manager Hamling, Police Chief Hermes, Assistant Public Works Director Foster, Community Service Officer Wherry and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Presentations –

Barak Wierenga presented to the Council a revised business plan for his property at 2001 9th Street in Fulton. He would operate a full bar, pool tables, dart boards, golf simulators, food such as frozen pizzas, etc. He is requesting an A Liquor License so he can include Illinois gaming at his business.

The General Manager of Gold Leaf Bakery, Tori Arbach, along with Gold Leaf owner, Jaysen Dyal (via speaker phone) presented to the Council their concerns about their business being closed after the City amended ordinances #1763 and #1764. They asked the Council to amend the ordinance to allow them to reopen and give them the flexibility to relocate if needed. A lengthy discussion was held between the Council and the representatives from Gold Leaf. A large number of supporters of Gold Leaf Bakery were in attendance to share their concerns about the bakery closing.

Communication from Visitors –

Jody Borgman, 1012 10th Avenue in Fulton addressed the Council for a 2nd time regarding her concern that her neighborhood is being microwaved with high EMF (electro magnetic field) readings. She thanked Mayor Malone for taking this seriously and visiting her residence to see the readings for himself. Mayor contacted ComEd regarding this matter. ComEd will look into this after school starts.

Brad Balk, speaking on behalf of Eagle River Liquor, addressed the Council concerning the amendments to City Ordinances #1763 and #1764 prohibiting the sale of Delta 9 products in Fulton. He gave the Council some facts and guidance about these products.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve the regular meeting minutes from July 28, 2025, meeting, the Bill List and the June 2025 Treasurer’s Report.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Boonstra seconded.

On roll call, all yes.

Motion carried.

CURRENT BUSINESS

Mayor Malone asked for a Motion to Approve and Vote on the Harold Schaver zoning variance to allow for a fence to extend beyond the front of the principal building.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded.

Zoning Officer Wherry told the Council that the Zoning Board of Appeals Committee had met with Schaver and discussed the need for this variance, safety being his main reason for the request. Committee members all voted to allow this variance with Council approval.

Alderperson Wilkin stated that in the future, it would be helpful to have some sort of drawing explaining the variance request.

On roll call, all yes.

Variance approved.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to vote and approve the payment to Willett Hofmann for the 4th Street – Sidewalk and Street Light Replacement, 10th Avenue to 12th Avenue.

Alderperson Burggraaf made the motion. Alderperson Suehl seconded.

Alderperson Boonstra asked City Administrator Sikkema if he has gotten a cost of adding the additional block to the Sidewalk and Street Light Replacement project. He said he has not gotten one, but he is estimating it to be around $525,000.00

Alderperson Wilkin asked if there was a payment schedule that could be followed. CA Sikkema stated that Willett Hofmann is supposed to get the billing amounts to us at the end of each month so that we can approve it at the 1st meeting.

On roll call, all yes.

Motion carried.

Committee of the Whole –

Mayor Malone stated that Aley Hamling, Business Manager, Tori Wade, City Clerk, and himself had me with a representative of OnMedia. She discussed tourism and what brings people to town. She will have a proposal to Mayor Malone by Friday. He did not receive it until late in the day. It will be on the agenda for the next Council meeting.

Alderperson Wilkin stated that her business is working with OnMedia. She also stated that OnMedia is willing to make adjustments to work with whatever budget we have to offer. Currently, that budget is $8,500.00.

Mayor Malone announced that there are some vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals. There a 2 temporary appointments right now, Brandon Snyder and Brandon Knott. They will probably be permanently appointed at the next meeting.

Alderperson Comments -

Alderperson Mask thanked everyone for attending the meeting. She learned a lot about the products and the business itself.

Alderperson Suehl would like to see Fulton have one specific place that citizens can go to get information regarding what is going on in Fulton. For example, road closures, store and restaurant information. Possibly, weekly updates from the City Administrator.

Alderperson Wilkin asked if anyone has been on the City’s website lately? She stated that if you go to the homepage, it says “news” and there is nothing there. It says “events” and there is nothing there. She told the Council that we put money into this website and we’re in a gray area because we don’t have a position that technically…

Alderperson Burggraaf spoke up to say that the Personnel Committee is working on the tourism position.

Alderperson Wilkin replied that even when that person is hired, information needs to funnel down from City Administrator Sikkema as he will be their boss.

Alderperson Wilkin would like to see weekly updates, if not daily if something pops up.

Alderperson Suehl would like to add our website address to the signs coming into town.

Alderperson Wilkin asked City Clerk, Tori Wade, if the website is user friendly? Tori replied yes, but she is only allowed 5 hours per month to work on the website.

Committee and Department Head Reports -

City Administrator Eric Sikkema’s report gave an update on the main street project. A lot of this depends on the weather. Assuming there’s no rain, all of the light bases are going to be done between 10th and 11th Avenues. Concrete sidewalk on the corner of 10th Avenue coming back to the alley will be torn out, concrete will be poured. Electricians will be working on the lighting.

Sikkema updated the Council on the 7th Avenue and 14th Street project. The contractor’s are aware of the need to progress quickly because of the start of school is August 14.

Chief of Police, Hermes, went over his report. It stated number of calls for service, officer training schedules, community events, bridge and street closures and equipment updates.

The Parks & Recreation committee gave their report. They are working with MSA on the Strategic Plan for Parks. The new signs are up at Friendship Park.

The Marina committee meeting minutes went over the cost and work to be done to get the marina in better working order and draw more people.

A second Marina committee meeting report stated that the committee spoke with potential investors and the possibility of a lease agreement.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to go into closed session to discuss property at 6:59 p.m.

Alderperson Burggraaf made the motion. Alderperson Mask seconded.

On roll call, all yes.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion and a second to exit the closed session and re-enter the open meeting.

Alderperson Mask made the motion. Alderperson King seconded.

A quorum was present.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion and a second to adjourn this meeting.

Alderperson King made the motion. Alderperson VanKampen seconded.

All in favor, all yes.

Meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m.

https://cityoffulton.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Council-Minutes-08-11-25.docx