CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 8, 2008
The Council of the City of Fulton, Missouri, met in regular session on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 18 E. 4th Street. Present and presiding were Charles M. Latham, Mayor; William Johnson, Director of Administration; Carolyn L. Laswell, City Clerk; and Steve Myers, Chief of Police. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Latham at 7:33 p.m. Roll call was taken by the City Clerk and members of the council present were Benton; Chailland; Digh; Gohring; Harris; and Moore. Absent were councilmembers Bill and Pautz. Also present were Matt Harline, Assistant to the Director of Administration; Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities; Les Hudson, Code Enforcement Officer; Dean Buffington, Fire Chief; Kathy Holschlag, Chief Financial Officer; Greg Hayes, City Engineer; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Sherri Redmon, Human Resource Director; Sharon Cleveland, Purchasing Agent; Clay Caswell, Parks & Recreation Director; Mary Fandry; Rachelle Custer; Ben Mayne; James McCall; Katherine Cummins, reporter for The Fulton Sun; Jeremy Polston and Justin Dean, Audio/Video.
INVOCATION:
Invocation was given by Mayor Latham.
COMMENTS FROM VISITORS:
Mayor Latham asked if there was anyone present who wished to address the council that was not listed on tonight's agenda to please come to the podium and state their name, address and area of concern. There were none.
SUBJECTS OF DISCUSSION:
a) Further Discussion of the proposed City of Fulton Food Code.
Les Hudson, Code Enforcement, Cindy Miller, Health Inspector and Mary Fandry and Rachelle Custer, representatives from the State Health Department, were present to continue this discussion from the work session.
The pros and cons for the city to adopt the State Food Code were further discussed. The main reason to adopt the state code would be consistency throughout and would eliminate a lot of controversy within the community. The state is very supportive of the city considering the adoption of the state health code.
They discussed critical and non-critical rating system. Critical would be where compliance dates are set - two to three days. Non-critical thirty to sixty to ninety days compliance dates are set. At follow-up inspections, only violations would be reinspected at that time.
After some questions by the council, the state representatives said they would give a copy of the state policies to the city for review and further discussion.
b) Update on the Ice Storm.
Greg Hayes, City Engineer, said the city has three crews picking up limbs in neighborhoods throughout the community. No completion date has been determined at this time.
Councilwoman Chailland thanked the crews on behalf of the citizens in her ward.
Councilman Harris also thanked all the employees as he has not heard any negative remarks in the community about the storm damage clean-up. Great job!
Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities, said the city employees are dedicated, hard working and never asked to go home because they were tired.
Bill Johnson, Director of Administration, said when the power went out, all city departments were working with the electric crews and proud to say they were all working together to accomplish their goals.
Councilman Moore thanked the church that was used for a shelter and all the food and care given.
ORDINANCES:
Bill No. 1228 was presented and read for the second time by Councilman Moore.
Bill No. 1228 - An Ordinance Amending Appendix A-Zoning of the Fulton City Code by adding (5) Screening between Commercial & Residential Zoning to Section 2. General Provisions, and establishing an effective date.
Mayor Latham recognized James McCall, 1415 Kingswood, who spoke against this proposed ordinance. He said it would cause undue burden of cost, approximately $12.00 per square foot, to erect a wooden fence and more if a vinyl fence. Also this ordinance does not address industrial sites and no exemption clause has been provided. Dr. McCall said there were hazards involved when fencing on both sides of a residence with driveways,etc.
Discussion followed by the council. Councilman Harris suggested the city check with other cities in Missouri and bring back to the council for further review and discussion.
Motion was offered by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Harris to place Bill No. 1228 for third reading at this council meeting. Motion failed with six members of the council voting against and two members (Bill and Pautz) absent. Therefore, Bill No. 1128 died for lack of approval.
Bill No. 1229 was presented and read for the second time by Councilman Benton.
Bill No. 1229 - An Ordinance Amending Appendix A-Zoning of the Fulton City Code by adding (E) Parking Lot Lighting to Sec. 8. Off-Street Parking & Loading Regulations, and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1229 for third reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two members (Bill and Pautz) absent.
Bill No. 1230 was presented and read for the second time by Councilwoman Digh.
Bill No. 1230 - An Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the C.O.F., to Adopt the 1999 Missouri Food Code As Amended from the Missouri Department of Health & Sanitary Services and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Digh and seconded by Councilwoman Gohring to table Bill No. 1230 based upon the discussion held earlier in this meeting and in the work session. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two members (Bill and Pautz) absent.
Bill No. 1231 was presented and read for the second time by Councilwoman Gohring.
Bill No. 1231 - An Ordinance Approving a Settlement Agreement with AT&T and Authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the C.O.F., to execute all necessary documents (Copy is included in the official Ordinance Book).
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Gohring and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1231 for third reading at this council meeting. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two members (Bill and Pautz) absent.
Bill No. 1231 was read for the third time by Councilwoman Gohring. Motion was offered by Councilwoman Gohring and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1231 for final passage at this council meeting. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two members (Bill and Pautz) absent.
Roll call vote of members of the council was as follows: Digh, yes; Gohring, yes; Harris, yes; Moore, yes; Benton, yes; and Chailland, yes. Bill No. 1231 having received the affirmative vote of six members of the council and two members (Bill and Pautz) absent, was declared passed by the President of the council.
Mayor Latham introduced Ben Mayne, Boy Scout Troop 53, who is working on his Communications and Citizenship Badge and attending the city council meeting.
APPOINTMENTS:
Mayor Latham presented the name of Kathy Wright to serve on the Tourism Board to the council for approval.
Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the proposed appointment of Kathy Wright to the Tourism Board. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two members (Bill and Pautz) absent.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The City Clerk reminded the public that petitions for the office of City Council for Wards One, Two, Three and Four may be picked up from the City Clerk's Office on Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
There was no need for an executive session at this council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business to come before the council, motion
was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilwoman Gohring to adjourn this meeting. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor, two members (Bill and Pautz) absent, and the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
Charles M. Latham, Mayor
Carolyn L. Laswell, CMC/MRCC - City Clerk