CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

JULY 25, 2006

The Council of the City of Fulton, Missouri, met in regular session and held a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 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 6:32 p.m.  Roll call was taken by the City Clerk and members of the council present were Benton; Bill; Gohring; Harris; McCall; Moore; and Wilkinson.  Absent was councilmember Chailland. Also present were Les Hudson, Code Enforcement Officer; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Dean Buffington, Fire Chief; Jane Hubbard, Chief Financial Officer; Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities; Sherri Redmon, Human Resource Director; Greg Hayes, City Engineer; Sharon Cleveland, Purchasing Agent; Doris Klosterman; Bonnie Maddox; Elton Maddox; Wilma Hobbs; Betty Fischer; Robert E. Fischer; Brian Hoselton; Norman St. Romaine; June St. Romaine; Ron Baldwin; Patricia Beyer; 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.

Robert E. Fischer, 103 W. Reed Street, stated he would like to see the chiropractor locate on Business 54 South but not have the area zoned C-2.

PUBLIC HEARING:

There was one (1) Public Hearing to be held at this meeting.

The purpose of this hearing is to certify the rate of levy for property taxes for the 2006 tax year and to consider a proposed ordinance for first reading, setting the tax rate at $.4854 per $100 of assessed valuation.

This hearing was declared open at 6:35 p.m.

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

     First call, was there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of this proposed tax levy?  There were none.

     Second call, was there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of this proposed tax levy?  There were none.

     Third and final call, was there anyone present who wishes to speak in opposition of this proposed tax levy?  There were none.

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

     First call, was there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of this proposed tax levy?  There were none.

     Second call, was there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of this proposed tax levy?  There were none.

     Third and final call, was there anyone present who wishes to speak in favor of this proposed tax levy?  There were none.

This Public Hearing was declared closed at 6:37 p.m.

Mayor Craghead said there was a need to amend this agenda by adding Resolution 2835 as (d) to No. 11. Resolutions.

Motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman McCall to amend this evening's agenda by adding Resolution 2836. and under New Business - add b) Discussion on widening the shoulders of Highway Bus. 54.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Chailland) absent.

MINUTES:

The council meeting minutes for June 27, 2006 were presented for approval.

Motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilman Benton that council meeting minutes for June 27, 2006, be approved as presented.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one councilmember (Chailland) absent.

The council meeting minutes for July 11, 2006 were presented for approval.

Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Wilkinson that council meeting minutes for July 11, 2006 be approved as presented.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one councilmember (Chailland) absent.

FINANCIALS:

The Financials for the month of June were presented to the council.  Jane Hubbard, Chief Financial Officer, was present to answer any questions from the council.

Councilman Harris asked for an update on Springbrook.  Jane replied that it is moving ahead slowly but she has not had the time to spend on it as she has been busy working with the auditors.

After some review, motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore to accept the Financials for June as presented.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one councilmember (Chailland) absent.

DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION REPORT FOR JUNE:

The Director of Administration Report for June 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.

Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Benton to accept the Director of Administration Report for the month of June as presented.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one councilmember (Chailland) absent.

OLD BUSINESS:

a)   Update on the Fountain Committee meeting.

Jeremy Polston reported the committee had met and set the dedication of the fountains to the late Rev. Raymond McCallister for Tuesday, September 12th.  The plaque has been ordered and ceremony arrangements will be announced shortly.

b)   Update on Seaman Field.

Mayor Craghead said he has spoken with the State Hospital and a plaque is to be dedicated for Seaman Field.

He will write a letter to Mrs. Erwin explaining the field has already been named after someone, however, perhaps something at Seaman Field, i.e. dugouts, benches, or a tree planted, could be done in memorial to her husband.

c)   Update on upcoming Council Retreat.

The city clerk said the plans for the retreat to be held on Friday and Saturday, August 4th and 5th, 2006 at Port Arrowhead, Lake Ozark, have been finalized.  An agenda will be given to the council members prior to the retreat.

NEW BUSINESS:

a)   Announcement of the newly appointed Fire Chief.

Bill Johnson announced the appointment of Dean Buffington, Deputy Fire Chief, as the new Fire Chief, replacing Bill Smith who retired in January.

b)   Discussion on the proposed widening of the shoulder on Highway Business 54.

Greg Hayes, City Engineer, said MoDot has plans to re-surface the north end of Business 54 from curb to curb.  He is proposing the City widen the shoulders at the same time and asked the city council's permission for the 2007 budget.  The council okayed this request unanimously of those present, with one member (Chailland) absent.

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution 2836 was presented and read by Councilman McCall

Resolution 2836 - A Resolution authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the City of Fulton, to enter into an Amendment to a State Block Grant Agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to include land acquisition for the Elton Hensley Memorial Airport (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).

Motion was offered by Councilman McCall and seconded by Councilman Moore to adopt Resolution 2836 at this council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Chailland) absent.

ORDINANCES:

Bill No. 1150 was presented and read for the first time by Councilman Benton.

Bill 1150 - An Ordinance fixing the Tax Rate and Levying Taxes for the calendar year 2005 on all taxable property in the city and establishing an effective date.

Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman McCall to place Bill No. 1150 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with five members of the council voting in favor, two members (Harris and Moore) voting against, and one member (Chailland) absent.

Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Bill to use this tax increase for employee raise in salaries.  Motion failed with five members of the council voting against and two members (Benton and Bill) voting in favor.

Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore to take Bill No. 1149 off the table at tonight's council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Chailland) absent.

Bill No. 1149 - An Ordinance changing the zoning of a tract of land known as 710 Business 54 South from its present zoning classification of R-1 Residential to C-2 Commercial.

Les Hudson, Code Enforcement, said he checked with some surrounding cities and a chiropractor's office must be in a C-2 (Commercial zoning).

After much discussion, a motion of renewal was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore to lay Bill No. 1149 on the table for the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Chailland) absent.

APPOINTMENTS:

Mayor Craghead said he had some appointments to various boards and commissions to be presented at this council meeting.  He asked for a motion to accept the nominations of John Jacobs to the Parks & Recreation Board and of Jim Clark to the Planning & Zoning Commission.  Motion was offered by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Wilkinson to accept the appointments as proposed by Mayor Craghead.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Chailland) absent.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The city clerk reminded the council of the Annual Council Retreat at Port Arrowhead at the Lake on Friday, August 4th and 5th.  An agenda will be given to councilmembers and department heads prior to the retreat.  The news media was invited to attend if so desired.

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 Councilwoman Gohring and seconded by Councilman Bill to adjourn this meeting.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor, one member (Chailland) absent, and the meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

                                  Robert W. Craghead, Mayor

Carolyn L. Laswell, CMC/MRCC

City Clerk