CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
APRIL 25, 2006
The Council of the City of Fulton, Missouri, met in regular session on Tuesday, April 25, 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 6:31 p.m. Roll call was taken by the City Clerk and members of the council present were Benton; Bill; Chailland; Gohring; Harris; McCall; Moore; and Wilkinson. Also present were Patrick Bonnot, Assistant to the Director of Administration; Les Hudson, Code Enforcement Officer; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Sharon Cleveland, Purchasing Agent; Dean Buffington, Interim Fire Chief; Greg Hayes, City Engineer; Clay Caswell, Parks & Recreation Director; Jane Hubbard, Chief Financial Officer; Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities; David McDaniel; Reverend Raymond Dunlap; Jim Dodson; Cate Dodson; Bobby Washington; Mark Sommerhauser and Colin Suchland, Reporters for THE FULTON SUN; and Jeremy Polston and Justin Dean, Audio/Video.
INVOCATION:
Invocation was given by Reverend Raymond Dunlap, of The First Christian Church.
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.
Jim and Cate Dodson, 830 Court Street, owners of the Romancing the Past Bed and Breakfast, were dressed in period costumes of the time of the novel, "Kings Row". They asked the council and the citizens of Fulton to participate in the various activities planned for the upcoming weekend in reference to the author Henry Bellamann's novel, "Kings Row".
MINUTES:
The council meeting minutes for April 11, 2006 were presented for approval.
Motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilwoman Chailland that council meeting minutes for April 11, 2006, be approved as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
FINANCIALS:
The Financials for the month of March were presented to the council. Jane Hubbard, Chief Financial Officer, was present to answer any questions from the council.
The council asked how the conversion was progressing and an update was given.
After some discussion and review, motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman Benton to accept the Financials for March as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION REPORT FOR MARCH:
The Director of Administration Report for March was presented to the council for review. Bill Johnson said he or any of the department heads at this meeting would answer any questions from the council.
Councilman McCall asked about the lights that are out on the ramp leading to the covered bridge. Clay Caswell, Parks & Recreation Director, said he would take care of that issue.
After review and discussion, motion was offered by Councilman McCall and seconded by Councilman Wilkinson to accept the Director of Administration Report for the month of March as presented. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business to discuss at this meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Update from Councilman Benton, council liaison, on the Utility Board meeting held on April 24th.
Jane Hubbard, Chief Financial Officer, was present at the Utility Board meeting and presented an amended Commercial/Industrial and the Residential Deposit Policy. Upon some review and discussion, the board asked Jane to define more clearly the exception to the payment of deposits. This amendment will be brought back to the board at the May meeting.
Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities, introduced Terry Haarmann, Lead Lineman, to inform the board of their trip to Monroe City to assist with the tornado damage. They rebuilt electric lines, re-strung wire and worked with a crew from Hannibal to re-set poles.
In the board's discussion of natural gas prices, the board is making a recommendation to the administration to go with a rate of $9.25 per unit of natural gas for April with the May 1st billing.
b) Update from Greg Hayes, City Engineer, on the Traffic Commission meeting held on April 18th.
Greg Hayes reported on the progress of the signage for Dollar General. The Traffic Control Supervisor has ordered the materials and is waiting for MoDot to verify the locations for the signs.
Darrell Davis, Athletic Director at Fulton High School has requested no parking on Industrial Drive during school functions. The Traffic Commission is recommending that parking is eliminated from Wood Street West to the North entrance into the school.
The commission also is recommending that parking be allowed only on one-side of St. Francis Street, as the school buses for Bartley go on this street two times daily, and the street is not wide enough to accommodate parking on both sides.
Motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman Benton to authorize the administration to draft ordinances giving permission for no parking per these requests. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
c) Update from Patrick Bonnot, on the Golf Course.
Patrick distributed a hand-out showing the marketing objectives, an update on the golf course, and the general outlook for 2006.
d) Discussion on MIRMA Loss Control by Patrick Bonnot.
The hand-out showed that the city's score was lower this year than last year. Veteran's Park received some dings because the Kiddie Corral equipment is out-of-date. The city is going to have to look at replacing some equipment because of liability issues. Otherwise, in general, the city did average in MIRMA's inspection.
e) Discussion on setting the date for the Annual Council Retreat.
The city clerk stated that, in the past, the council has chosen the first Friday and Saturday in August to hold the retreat. After some discussion, the council agreed on the first Friday and Saturday in August for the retreat. The city clerk will call and make some inquiries and get back with more information for the council.
f) Discussion on the request from the VFW/American Legion to close Hickman Avenue from 4th Street to Seventh Street, to have the Black Daggers Army Parachute Jump Team on Thursday, May 25, 2006 from approximately 12:00 noon to 2:30 p.m.
After some review and discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman Harris to allow this request as stated. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
g) Councilman Moore requested that the fountain at City Hall be named in honor of the late Rev. Raymond McCallister.
After some discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman McCall that the council was supportive of this idea and would have a plaque dedicated to the late Rev. McCallister. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution 2825 was presented and read by Councilman Harris.
Resolution 2825 - A Resolution authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City of Fulton, to execute a contract with Emery Sapp & Sons, Inc., Ashland, Missouri in the amount of $1,244,224.65 for the South Business 54 Highway Improvements (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).
Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore to adopt Resolution 2825 at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
ORDINANCES:
Bill No. 1143 was presented and read for the first time by Councilwoman Chailland.
Bill No. 1143 - An Emergency Ordinance Amending Chapter 22 Business of the Fulton City Code by deleting Sec. 22-136. Levied, and enacting a new Sec. 22-136. Levied, and establishing an effective date (Copy is included in the official Ordinance Book).
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Chailland and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Emergency Bill No. 1143 for second reading at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Emergency Bill No. 1143 was read for the second time by Councilwoman Chailland.
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Chailland and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Emergency Bill No. 1143 for third reading at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Emergency Bill No. 1143 was read for the third time by Councilwoman Chailland.
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Chailland and seconded by Councilman Bill to place Emergency Bill No. 1143 for final passage at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Roll call vote of members of the council were as follows: Bill, yes; Chailland, yes; Gohring, yes; Harris, yes; McCall, yes; Moore, yes; Wilkinson, yes; and Benton, yes. Emergency Bill No. 1143 having received the affirmative vote of all eight members of the council, was declared passed by the President.
Bill No. 1144 was presented and read for the first time by Councilman Benton.
Bill No. 1144 - An Ordinance authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City of Fulton, to sign all necessary documents for the purchase of 804 State Street and adjacent two lots from John W., Sr, and Eliza M. Braxton, and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1144 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Bill No. 1140 was read for the second time by Councilman Wilkinson.
Bill No. 1140 - An Ordinance vacating Amherst Street within the City of Fulton and establishing an effective date (Copy is included in the official Ordinance Book).
Motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilman Moore that Bill No. 1140 be placed for third reading at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Bill No. 1140 was read for the third time by Councilman Wilkinson.
Motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilman McCall that Bill No. 1140 be placed for final passage at this council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Roll call vote of members of the council were as follows: Chailland, yes; Gohring, yes; Harris, yes; McCall, yes; Moore, yes; Wilkinson, yes; Benton, yes; and Bill, yes. Bill No. 1140 having received the affirmative vote of all eight members of the council, was declared passed by the President.
Bill No. 1141 was presented for the second time by Councilman McCall.
Bill No. 1141 - An Ordinance re-classifying under the zoning ordinance certain land in the City of Fulton and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilman McCall and seconded by Councilman Harris to place Bill No. 1141 for third reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
Bill No. 1142 was read for the second time by Councilman Moore.
Bill No. 1142 - An Ordinance authorizing Amendments to the City of Fulton budget for the fiscal year 2005 and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Harris to place Bill No. 1142 for third reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.
APPOINTMENTS:
Mayor Craghead said he had no appointments to be presented at this council meeting.
Mayor Craghead said there is a vacancy on the Traffic Commission as council liaison. Before he appoints anyone, he asked the council if they would like to switch boards or commissions as council liaison, to please contact him.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Mayor reminded citizens that if you are walking your dog, please clean up the mess afterwards.
Councilwoman Chailland said the new sidewalks on Woods Street are great and are being used.
The dedication of the new runway at the Airport will be on Saturday, May 6th and everyone is invited.
The City Employee Picnic is scheduled for Friday, June 2nd at the Whitlow Shelter in Veteran's Park. The council is invited.
Mayor Craghead announced the City of Mexico will be having an Opening of the Churchill Gates at the Green Estates Park on Saturday, May 13th at 10:00 a.m. Any councilmembers wishing to attend, please contact the city clerk.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Mayor Craghead said there was no need for an executive session at tonight's 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 all eight members of the council voting in favor and the meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
Robert W. Craghead, Mayor
Carolyn L. Laswell, CMC/MRCC
City Clerk