NW Illinois News

City of Fulton City Council met Sept. 22.

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 Administrator Sikkema, City Attorney Huizenga, Business Manager Hamling, Chief of Police Hermes, Community Service Officer Wherry and City Clerk Wade were also in attendance.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Presentations – None

Appointments – None

Communication from Visitors – Kelly Parsons, Assistant Superintendent of Schools for River Bend School District, informally requested permission to use two temporary storage containers on District property for the foreseeable future as the District works towards a permanent solution.

Parsons’ request was based on the code enforcement letter the District received. She informed the Council of the need for the 2 storage containers, that being the unprecedented growth in the wrestling program. They do not have adequate practice space. In order to secure an adequate and safe practice space, equipment must be stored in other locations. This would be a temporary solution. The District’s intent is to construct a permanent addition in the next 2 to 3 years, which will be designed specifically to house a dedicated wrestling and multi-purpose athletic space and additional storage space.

The City ordinance allows storage containers on a property for 30 days, after 30 days it can be extended for 30 days.

Alderperson Burggraaf stated that she has heard complaints for residents in her ward.

Mayor Malone stated that the City will look into this. It will be on the next agenda for discussion.

Consent Agenda –

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve the amended regular meeting minutes from August 25, 2025, meeting, approve the regular meeting minutes from September 8, 2025 meeting and the Bill List.

Alderperson Mask made the motion. Alderperson Burggraaf seconded.

On discussion, Alderperson Ratcliff requested the City Council meeting minutes from August 25, 2025, be once again amended. He stated the minutes are still missing the fact that Alderperson Ratcliff made a request to amend Ordinance 1764. This motion was not seconded, it did not get passed. Alderperson Ratcliff would like it in the record.

Alderperson Mask amended her motion to include this addition. Alderperson Burggraaf seconded.

Mayor Malone stated that the approval for the minutes from August 25, 2025 will be tabled.

On roll call, all yes.

Alderperson Burggraaf asked for some clarification on the $7,500.00 for the annual funding for the windmill. Other committees get $2,000 annually. (Fall Fest, Christmas Walk, etc.)

Alderperson Mask stated that amount pays all the bills for the Windmill, electric and heating bills.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve the September 8, 2025, meeting minutes and to approve the bill list.

Alderperson Mask 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 an Ordinance Amending Chapter 119 of the Fulton Code of Ordinance for the Regulation of Recreational Cannabis and Cannabis Business Establishments.

Alderperson Ratcliff made the motion. Alderperson Boonstra seconded.

Discussion was held. This is for adjusting hours that these businesses can be open. The ordinance would be amended to be 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. to be open Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours are available for an additional registration fee of $2,500.00. Those would also be 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

On roll call, all yes.

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve and vote to replace sidewalks missed on the downtown plans.

Alderperson Burggraaf made the motion. Alderperson Van Kampen seconded.

Discussion was held. Alderperson Boonstra stated that this isn’t to replace, this is to do an epoxy coating, correct?

Alderperson Ratcliff asked, “how far are they going to mill down?” This will be on a business to business basis in order to make sure it’s flush.

Discussion was also held on the differences between business entrances. (concrete, stone, carpeted, etc.) Various cost samples were given. Questions and concerns about sidewalk elevations, ADA compliance, water run-off, etc.

Alderperson VanKampen asked if this includes three businesses, Homemade Hippie, Country Orchids and Rooted Boutique. That is correct.

City Administrator Sikkema said he has spoken to all of the business owners that would be affected.

Alderperson Wilkin addressed some issues that she is concerned about. She concerned about plans changing without Council approval.

Sikkema stated that there are plans for the third block, so the project will continue. Contractors are going to be able to manufacture the needed catch basins on site. This will take days instead of weeks if they have to come from an outside manufacturer.

Alderperson Wilkin asked if there is a chance that the street will not get blacktopped. CA said it will depend on the weather.

Alderperson VanKampen asked how did the plans get mixed up? CA stated he did not have a good answer for that.

Alderperson King stated that if anyone has questions about the project, they should be talking to Eric, not people working out on the street.

Alderperson King asked to table this motion until we get more information.

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

On roll call, Alderperson King, VanKampen, Boonstra, Burggraaf, Suehl, Mask and Ratcliff voted yes. Alderperson Wilkin abstained.

Motion tabled.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion to approve and vote on the new Christmas lights for downtown.

Alderperson Wilkin made the motion. Alderperson Suehl seconded.

City Administrator, Sikkema to the Council the total cost of the lights is $12,160.00. ($760.00 each x 16) Mayor Malone stated that the Fulton Kiwanis Club has donated $6,000.00 towards the new lights. Police Chief Hermes said that the PD will donate funds to purchase one of the new lights from Admin Tow fees.

After some discussion, it was decided to choose the “pole mount gold snowflake, Chelsy WW 4 ft.”

Alderperson Ratcliff asked for a vote to approve purchasing the Chelsy WW4 snowflakes. Alderperson Suehl seconded.

On roll call, Alderperson VanKampen, Boonstra, Burggraaf, Wilkin, Suehl, Mask and Ratcliff voted yes. Alderperson King voted no.

Motion carried.

Next on the agenda for discussion is purchasing a dredger for the marina. CA Sikkema stated that he had heard Clinton was going to be dredging in the next year, but that is not 100% true. They are projected to do that as part of their capital improvement plan in 2027. That bars the council (Clinton’s) voting to put that money towards something else. Sikkema stated that leaves us back to square one on finding somebody ourselves to dredge.

Alderperson Ratcliff asked of Clinton is looking into purchasing the dredger that’s previously been shared or having it dredged professionally?

Sikkema stated that Clinton was going hire it out so they did not have to own any piece of equipment to do this. Sikkema continued to say that Clinton is looking into doing what is called hydraulic dredging. It shoots water in to bust up the mud and then it sucks it up and shoots it out somewhere else. It can last up to 20 years because they can go really deep.

Alderperson Burggraaf asked if the service provider that’s doing that for Clinton, is that anything we could look into?

Sikkema said he had reached out to Clinton to see if the City could possibly piggyback off of them, but without having an actual contract with a contractor. Clinton does not know who they go with yet. Eric is waiting to hear back from them. He thinks it’s a good thing to keep a discussion going with Clinton at this point.

Alderperson Ratcliff raised concerns about the capability of this dredger being able to handle the initial dredging that needs to be done.

Alderperson Wilkin shared his concerns in light of the shape the marina is in at this time. The dredging should be done professionally first, then possibly the City can purchase a dredger for maintenance.

The City will look into possible grants for the Marina.

Alderperson Ratcliff asked Eric Sikkema if he has gotten the cost estimate, the official estimate for the third block downtown. Sikkema said, not yet, he is hoping to see it in the next few days.

Mayor Malone mentioned he got a call from someone in Ward Three regarding if there were any complaints from the cultivation center, such as a bad smell. Sometimes the smell is stronger on some days than others.

Mayor Malone said he will not be able to be at the next meeting. Alderperson King will be Mayor Pro Tem for this meeting.

Lengthy discussions continued on the issuance of liquor licenses and video gaming licenses.

Alderperson Burggraaf went over the Finance Committee meeting minutes.

Chief of Police, Hermes, gave the Council his report. The department had 406 calls for service in the month of August. Their “Cops and Rodders” program was a success with 50 cars participating. The Chief acknowledged some lack of communication with the Windmill and the Windmill Cultural Center not knowing the road would be closed for this event. He stated that it was posted on social media. In the future, representatives for both of these attractions will be directly informed when they will be affected by an event.

Chief commented that October is breast cancer awareness month. The department will be doing fundraising by selling a PD patch that is in pink. They will also have and on-line store selling breast cancer awareness apparel. Those funds will be raised for Pink Heels. The shirts will also be available for purchase at Fall Fest.

The Homecoming parade will be starting on 5th St. and turning down towards the Windmill.

Hermes stated that the North bridge opening is slated for December 1.

Hermes thanked the Council for the two new Tahoe vehicles, they are up and running. They have upgraded to the Taser 7, which is a game changer in keeping officers safe.

Trick or Treat will be Friday, October 31, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. This will coincide with Clinton.

Alderperson Mask informed the Council that the Historical Society has two programs lined up. One in October will be the history of the six bridges. A program will also be presented on the building itself and the architecture of that building.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion and second to go into closed session.

Alderperson Mask made the motion. Alderperson Wilkin seconded.

On roll call, all yes.

Motion carried.

Mayor Malone asked for a motion and a second to exit the closed session and re-enter the open meeting at 7:50 p.m.

Alderperson VanKampen made the motion. Alderperson Suehl seconded.

A quorum was present.

On roll call:

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 7:52 p.m.

https://cityoffulton.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Council-Minutes-09-22-25.docx