CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

JANUARY 10, 2006

The Council of the City of Fulton, Missouri, met in regular session and held two (2) Public Hearings on Tuesday, January 10, 2006, in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 18 E. 4th Street.  Present and presiding were Robert W. Craghead, 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 Craghead at 7:30 p.m.  Roll call was taken by the City Clerk and members of the council present were Benton; Chailland; Harris; McCall; Moore; Sands; and Wilkinson.  Absent was Councilman Bill. Also present were Patrick Bonnot, Assistant to the Director of Administration; Les Hudson, Code Enforcement Officer; Jane Hubbard, Chief Financial Officer; Greg Hayes, City Engineer; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Bill Smith, Fire Chief; Sherri Redmon, Human Resources Director; Sharon Cleveland, Purchasing Agent; Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities; Clay Caswell, Parks & Recreation Director; Allison Gohring; Marie Bares; Reva Fleming; Nadine Crum; Ollie Shaon; Barbara Shaon; Joe Wickell; Wanda Wickell; Cathy McGeorge; Jim Dodson; Randy Blasa; Tina Blasa; Nancy Lewis; Martha Doyle; Mark Sommerhauser, reporter for THE FULTON SUN; Jeremy Polston and Justin Dean, audio/video.

INVOCATION:

Invocation was given by Mayor Craghead.

COMMENTS FROM VISITORS:

Mayor Craghead 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.

Cathy McGeorge and Jim Dodson were present to address the council on a Billboard Proposal from the Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee.

A hand-out was distributed to the council and Cathy McGeorge stated that tourism generates revenue for the city. Their proposal for the city is to fund two (2) billboards, one on the South side of I-70 heading East, near the Millersburg exit, and one on the North side  of I-70 heading west near Route Z.  The cost would be $12,000 for a one year contract with Lamar.  The Tourism Committee would like to install the billboards before March 1st to coincide with the re-opening of the Winston Churchill Memorial.

Jim Dodson distributed a color photo of two proposed billboards for the council to review. He asked if they could have a decision by the January 24th council meeting.

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

a)Public Hearing #1 was declared open at 7:43 p.m.

A Public Hearing was held to consider the proposed annexation into the city limits of Fulton.  This is for additional land northwest of Fulton as well as a portion of 54 North of town.

There were three calls issued for anyone wishing to speak in opposition of the matter being considered.

For the first call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of the proposed annexation? There were none.

Second call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of the proposed annexation?  There were none.

Third and final call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of the proposed annexation? There were none.

Then there will be three calls issued for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the matter being considered.

For the first call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of the proposed annexation? There were none.

Second call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of the proposed annexation? There were none.

Third and final call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of the proposed annexation?  There were none.

The Public Hearing was declared closed by the Mayor at 7:44 p.m.

b)   Public Hearing #2 was declared open at 7:45 p.m.

A Public Hearing was held to consider the proposed re-zoning of a tract of land known as 930 Business 54 South, from R-3 Residential to C-2 Commercial.

There were three calls issued for anyone wishing to speak in opposition of the matter being considered.

For the first call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of the proposed re-zoning?

Marie Bates, 210 Blackburn, stated she was in opposition as she considered this issue would cause a loss of property value for her.

Second call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of the proposed re-zoning?

Ollie D. Shaon, 211 Blackburn, said he was in opposition as it would cause safety problems.

Martha Doyle, 906 Cleveland, stated she was in opposition as there are many children on this street and there would be too much traffic.

Third and final call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of the proposed re-zoning?

Wanda Wickell, 207 Blackburn, said this is a dead end street and there are lots of small children which this proposal would create hazards.

Now there will be three calls issued for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the matter being considered.

For the first call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of the proposed re-zoning?

Randy Blasa, 802 Washington, is the owner of the property and who wishes to re-zone in order to build an ice cream store.

He said that he was trying to do a good thing in this community and he was surprised to have Planning & Zoning unanimously vote against him.  However, Mr. Blasa said he sees the citizens point of view but feels that their fears are unwarranted. There is enough room and opening up the street would benefit these citizens in the long run.

Second call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of the proposed re-zoning? There were none.

Third and final call, is there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of the proposed re-zoning?  There were none.

This Public Hearing was declared closed by the Mayor at 7:55 p.m.

Mayor Craghead said there was a need to amend the agenda by adding a 6. c) Natural Gas Rates.

Motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilman Harris to amend the agenda by adding a 6. c) Natural Gas Rates.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

SUBJECTS OF DISCUSSION:

a)Discussion of the Financial Statements for November, 2005 that was previously distributed at the special council meeting on December 27th.

Jane Hubbard, Chief Financial Officer, was present to review and answer any questions from the council.

Jane referred to the latest set of Financials that was distributed to the council at tonight's meeting.  She said that she felt these financials were 95% accurate.

After much discussion, Bill Johnson said these financials for November would be in the next council packet and on the agenda for acceptance.

b)Review and discussion on a proposal by the Historic Preservation Commission, to amend the Historic District Designation Ordinance to enlarge the Robertson District by extending West 7th Street, on both sides, from the present boundaries on Westminster Avenue to Jefferson Street TO Westminster Avenue to Nichols Street.

The city clerk explained that by changing the boundary line from Jefferson Street to Nichols Street in the Robertson District, the Downtown Historic District and the Court Street District would be changed by that one block.

Upon review of the maps of Robertson Historic District and discussion following, motion was offered by Councilman McCall and seconded by Councilman Moore to have the administration draft a proposed ordinance changing the boundaries as discussed on Robertson Historic District, thereby changing the boundaries of the Downtown District and Court Street District. Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

c)Natural Gas Rates.

Bill Johnson discussed the current market and rates charged for natural gas.  After much discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilman Sands to authorize the city to charge $12.25 per unit for the February '06 billing period.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution 2809 was presented and read by Councilman McCall.

Resolution No. 2809 - A Resolution authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City of Fulton, to sign Amendment No. 5 to the Aviation Project Design Consultant Agreement with Burns & McDonnell Engineering, Kansas City, MO., and the Elton Hensley Memorial Airport (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).

Motion was offered by Councilman McCall and seconded by Councilman Harris to adopt Resolution 2809 at this council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

ORDINANCES:

Bill No. 1129 was presented and read for the first time by Councilwoman Chailland.

Bill No. 1129 - An Ordinance to Opt Out of State Imposed Sales Tax Holiday on a permanent basis or until a new ordinance is drafted and approved stating otherwise.

Motion was offered by Councilwoman Chailland and seconded by Councilman Sands to place Bill No. 1129 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

Bill No. 1130 was presented and read for the first time by Councilman Benton.

Bill No. 1130 - An Ordinance Repealing Chapter 92. Signs and enacting a new Chapter 92. Signs of the Code of the City of Fulton and establishing an effective date.

Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Wilkinson to place Bill No. 1130 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

Bill No. 1131 was presented and read for the first time by Councilman Wilkinson.

Bill No. 1131 - An Ordinance incorporating certain territory into the corporate limits of the City of Fulton, establishing an initial zoning and an effective date.

Motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilman Harris to place Bill No. 1131 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

Bill No. 1132 was presented and read for the first time by Councilman Moore.

Bill No. 1132 - An Ordinance incorporating certain territory into the corporate limits of the City of Fulton, establishing an initial zoning and an effective date.

Motion was offered by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman McCall to place Bill No. 1132 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

Bill No. 1133 was presented and read for the first time by Councilman Sands.

The council asked for more information and maps for clarification.  Mayor Craghead asked the council to drive out and check  this specified area before the next council meeting.

Bill No. 1133 - An Ordinance re-classifying under the Zoning Ordinance certain land in the City of Fulton, known as 930 Business 54 South, from R-3 Residential to C-2 Commercial, and establishing an effective date.

Motion was offered by Councilman Sands and seconded by Councilman McCall to place Bill No. 1133 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Bill) absent.

Bill No. 1128 was read for the second time by Councilman Harris.

Bill No. 1128 - An Ordinance calling a Special Election in the City of Fulton, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified voters of said city the question of whether to impose a Sales Tax of one-half of one percent (1/2 of 1%) for Storm Water Control and Local Parks (Copy is included in the official Ordinance Book).

Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman McCall to place Bill No. 1128 for third reading at this council meeting.   Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor, one member (Wilkinson) voting against, and one member (Bill)absent.

Clay Caswell, Parks & Recreation Director, said they have reduced the cost of the proposed Aquatic Center to four million dollars and they would be meeting with the architects again to further negotiate.  He will update the council at the next meeting on January 24th.

Bill No. 1128 was read for the third time by Councilman Harris.

Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1128 for final passage at this council meeting. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor, one member (Wilkinson) voting against, and one member (Bill) absent.

Roll call vote of members of the council was as follows: Harris, yes; McCall, yes; Moore, yes; Sands, yes; Wilkinson, no; Benton, yes; and Chailland, yes. Bill No. 1128 having received the affirmative vote of six members of the council, one member (Wilkinson) voting against, and one member (Bill) absent, was declared passed by the President.

APPOINTMENTS:

There were no appointments to be presented at this council meeting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Steve Moore addressed the letters from Charter Communications, raising various rates on Cable TV.  He voiced his opposition accordingly.

The city clerk said the last day for candidate filing for the April 4, 2006 Missouri General Election is Tuesday, January 17, 2006, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the City Clerk's Office in City Hall.

She asked the council to bring in their Code Books for insertion of new supplements and to sign their Financial Disclosure Statements tonight before they left.

EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Mayor Craghead said 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 McCall and seconded by Councilwoman Chailland to adjourn this meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor, one member (Bill) absent, and the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.

                              Robert W. Craghead, Mayor

Carolyn L. Laswell, CMC/MRCC

City Clerk