CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 24, 2006
The Council of the City of Fulton, Missouri, met in regular session on Tuesday, October 24, 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; Gohring; McCall; Moore; and Wilkinson, Absent were councilmembers Chailland and Harris. Also present were Patrick Bonnot, Asst. to the Director of Administration; Les Hudson, Code Enforcement Officer; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Dean Buffington, Fire Chief; Kathy Holschlag, Interim Chief Financial Officer; Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities; Clay Caswell, Parks & Recreation Director; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Sherri Redmon, Human Resource Director; Greg Hayes, City Engineer; Sharon Cleveland, Purchasing Agent; John Pautz; Guy W. Creuers; Angie Vaughn; Jacob Mosley; Craig Edlund; Royce Anderson; Susan Anderson; Brandon Harp; Tom Terril; Gerard Hill; John Harrison; Ned Digh; Karen Digh; Arlene Jackson; Mitch Fletcher; Doug Harris; Dr. Fessler; Dick Tuttle; Mark Sommerhauser, Reporter for THE FULTON SUN; Jeremy Polston and Justin Dean, Audio/Video.
INVOCATION:
Invocation was given by Councilman Benton.
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.
Arlene Jackson, 211 E. 14th Street, said she appreciated the meeting with Walgreens developers before the council meeting, but she still protested the proposed re-zoning of North Bluff.
Karen Digh, #6 Ivy Lane, distributed another petition from citizens throughout the community saying they are against the proposed re-zoning of North Bluff Street in order to build a Walgreens store. The city clerk now has possession of this document.
MINUTES:
The council meeting minutes for September 26, 2006 were presented for approval.
Motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman Wilkinson that council meeting minutes for September 26, 2006, be approved as presented. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two councilmembers (Chailland and Harris) absent.
The council meeting minutes for October 10, 2006 were presented for approval.
Motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilman Benton that council meeting minutes for October 10, 2006, be approved as presented. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two councilmembers (Chailland and Harris) absent.
A tourism video was shown to the council at this time.
FINANCIALS:
The Financials for the month of September were presented to the council. Kathy Holschlag, Interim Chief Financial Officer, was present to answer any questions from the council.
After some review, motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Wilkinson to accept the Financials for September as presented. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two councilmembers (Chailland and Harris) absent.
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER:
The Director of Administration Report for September 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 McCall and seconded by Councilman Benton to accept the Director of Administration Report for the month of September as presented. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two councilmembers (Chailland and Harris) absent.
OLD BUSINESS:
a) Further Discussion on the proposed Nichols Street Parking Lot Improvements.
Greg Hayes, City Engineer, has met with the Chamber several times. They discussed such issues as poles, curbing, grease pits, dumpsters viewed as eyesores, and the amount of rain running from the buildings as downspouts run on the parking lot.
Mr. Hayes said to replace transformers, relocate utilities with Charter and telephone, etc., and place utilities underground, the estimated cost would be $83,000 to $84,000.
After much discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Bill to proceed with the utility relocates for the Nichols Street Parking Lot. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two members (Chailland and Harris) absent.
b) Further Discussion on the Alliance Water Resources Contract.
Councilman Benton reported the Utility Board has made a recommendation to the city council that the Alliance Water Resources Wastewater Contract not be renewed.
After some discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilwoman Gohring that the city council accept the Utility Board's recommendation on the Alliance Water Resources Wastewater Contract and that it not be renewed by the City of Fulton. Motion carried with four members of the council voting in favor, two members (McCall and Wilkinson) voting against, and two members (Chailland and Harris) absent. This vote was the majority of the council members present.
NEW BUSINESS:
a) Discussion and motion needed to approve the Preliminary C-3 Site Plans from Country Meadows Development for a commercial development at the southwest corner of Route F and By-pass 54 Intersection.
After some review, motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Moore to approve the Preliminary C-3 Site Plans from Country Meadows Development as presented. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two members (Chailland and Harris) absent.
b) Discussion of the RFP received from Meyer Electric for the Accessible Pedestrian Push Button Station for the corner of 10th and Bluff Streets.
Bill Johnson said the city only received one bid from Meyer Electric for $12,000, which was earlier estimated at $5,500, but that appears to not have included labor. The administration is asking the council for advisement on this issue.
After some discussion, motion was offered by Councilman McCall and seconded by Councilman Wilkinson that the city proceed with this bid and find some funding accordingly. Motion carried with six members of the council voting in favor and two members (Chailland and Harris) absent.
c) Report from Steve Moore, council liaison, on the Traffic Commission meeting held on Tuesday, October 17th.
Greg Moore, City Engineer, gave the highlights of the meeting with no definite requests submitted to the council for action at tonight's meeting.
They discussed safety improvements on US Highway 54 Bypass North interchange; Pedestrian actuation devices at 10th and Bluff Streets; Handicapped parking on the 400 block of Court Street; Stop signs on Second Street at the intersection of Nichols Street; Traffic study requests for Business 54 North and Route C; Sight obstructions at the intersections of 5th and 6th Streets at Westminster Avenue; and Increased pedestrian traffic at 12th and Ewing Streets.
d) Report on the Historic Preservation meeting held on Tuesday, October 17th.
Les Hudson, Planning and Protection, reported the commission will have John Hensley, Curator of the Churchill Memorial, present at the November meeting. They will discuss possibility of applying for some grants and working with the Memorial on various aspects of promoting tourism in Fulton.
Councilwoman Chailland arrived at 7:45 p.m.
e) Report on the Utility Board meeting held on Monday, October 23rd.
Councilman Benton reported that Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities, distributed a map showing which water lines within the city have had the water pressure increased and what areas have yet to be done.
He also reported that natural gas prices are going down but that electric rates are rising steadily.
Bill Johnson distributed electric cost estimates to the board for review and discussion. He said the city is losing more money every day on these electric costs.
The board made a recommendation to the city council that upon reviewing the proposed electric rates, they support the city in authorizing a rate study of different classifications and to make adjustments accordingly.
The board also made a recommendation to the city council to approve the proposed license agreement with Sho-Me Technologies, to run fiber optics on city poles on approximately twenty-two poles along Interstate I-70.
The board also discussed the proposed 2007 Utility Budget. A list of all capital budget items will be presented to the board at the next meeting. This will include an increase in electric rates and a $2.00 per month increase in solid waste fees.
RESOLUTIONS:
Resolution 2845 was presented and read by Councilwoman Gohring.
Resolution 2845 - A Resolution of the C.O.F. City Council approving that certain Amended & Restated Preliminary Official Statement for use in connection with the Offering of Tax Increment Revenue Bonds (Fulton Commons Redevelopment Project) Series 2006 (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Gohring and seconded by Councilman McCall to adopt Resolution 2845 at this council meeting. Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Harris) absent.
Resolution 2846 was presented and read by Councilman Benton.
Resolution 2846 - A Resolution authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the C.O.F., to enter into a License Agreement with Sho-Me Technologies to install fiber optics on twenty two poles along Interstate I-70 (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).
Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Moore to adopt Resolution 2846 at this council meeting. Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Harris) absent.
ORDINANCES:
Bill No. 1166 was presented and read for the first time by Councilwoman Chailland.
Bill No. 1166 - An Ordinance of the City Council of Fulton, MO approving the issuance of Tax Increment Revenue Bonds (Fulton Commons Redevelopment Project) Series 2006, authorizing the execution of certain documents and authorizing further actions related to such bonds, and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Chailland and seconded by Councilman Wilkinson to place Bill 1166 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with seven members voting in favor and one member (Harris) absent.
Bill 1167 was presented and read for the first time by Councilwoman Gohring.
Bill No. 1167 - An Ordinance adopting an official Budget and Capital Improvement Program and appropriating the funds of the City for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2007 and ending December 31, 2007.
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Gohring and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1167 for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Harris) absent.
Bill No. 1161 was presented for second reading by Councilman Wilkinson.
Bill No.1161 - An Ordinance re-classifying under the Zoning Ordinance certain land in the City of Fulton, MO known as 1404 North Bluff, and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilman Wilkinson and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1161 for third reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with five members of the council voting in favor, two members (Chailland and Wilkinson) voting against, and one member (Harris) absent.
Bill No. 1162 was presented for second reading by Councilman Bill.
Bill No.1162 - An Ordinance re-classifying under the Zoning Ordinance certain land in the City of Fulton, MO known as 1406 North Bluff, and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman McCall to place Bill No. 1162 for third reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with five members of the council voting in favor, two members (Chailland and Wilkinson) voting against, and one member (Harris) absent.
Bill No. 1163 was presented for second reading by Councilman Moore.
Bill No.1163 - An Ordinance re-classifying under the Zoning Ordinance certain land in the City of Fulton, MO known as 1408 North Bluff, and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Bill to place Bill No. 1163 for third reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with five members of the council voting in favor, two members (Chailland and Wilkinson) voting against, and one member (Harris) absent.
Bill No. 1164 was presented for second reading by Councilwoman Chailland.
Bill No.1164 - An Ordinance re-classifying under the Zoning Ordinance certain land in the City of Fulton, Missouri, known as 1410 North Bluff, and establishing an effective date.
Motion was offered by Councilwoman Chailland and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1164 for third reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting. Motion carried with five members of the council voting in favor, two members (Chailland and Wilkinson) voting against, and one member (Harris) absent.
Karen Digh said she wanted her objections noted in the minutes as the ordinances had to be passed by a 3/4 vote as a petition of objection had been filed. She was told that a 3/4 vote only applied when an ordinance was being voted on for final passage.
Bill No. 1165 was presented for second reading by Councilman Benton.
Bill No. 1165 - An Ordinance Amending Chapter 22 Business of the Fulton City Code by deleting Sec. 22-136. Levied, created by Ordinance 1136-06, and enacting a new Section 22-136. Levied, and establishing an effective date (Copy is included int he official Ordinance Book).
Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1165 for third reading at this council meeting. Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Harris) absent.
Bill No. 1165 was read for the third time by Councilman Benton.
Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Moore to place Bill No. 1165 for final passage at this council meeting. Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Harris) absent.
Roll call vote of members of the council was as follows: Bill, yes; Gohring, yes; McCall, yes; Moore, yes; Wilkinson, yes; Benton, yes; and Chailland, yes. Bill No. 1165 having received the affirmative vote of seven members of the council and one member (Harris) absent, was declared passed by the President.
APPOINTMENTS:
There were no appointments to be made at this council meeting. However, Mayor Craghead asked for names of Fulton residents who would be interested in serving on the Airport Board as there is a vacancy.
Councilwoman Gohring offered the name of Derrick Collier.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
There were no announcements to be made at this council meeting.
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 seven members of the council voting in favor, one member (Harris) absent, and the meeting adjourned at 8:12 p.m.
Robert W. Craghead, Mayor
Carolyn L. Laswell, CMC/MRCC
City Clerk