CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

NOVEMBER 13, 2007

The Council of the City of Fulton, Missouri, met in regular session on Tuesday, November 13th, 2007, in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 18 E. 4th Street.  Present and presiding were Charles 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 7:30 p.m.  Roll call was taken by the City Clerk and members of the council present were Benton; Bill; Chailland; Digh; Gohring; Harris; and Moore. Absent was councilmember Pautz. Also present were Matt Harline, Assistant to the Director of Administration; Clay Caswell, Parks & Recreation Director; Les Hudson, Code Enforcement Officer; Dean Buffington, Fire Chief; Kathy Holschlag; Chief Financial Officer; J. C. Miller, Solid Waste Manager; Darrell Dunlap, Superintendent of Utilities; Greg Hayes, City Engineer; Sherri Redmon, Human Resources Director; Randall Daro, Kevin Cunningham; Doc Kritzer; Linda Logan Kritzer; Lee Fritz; Jim Dodson; Bruce Hackmann; Jill Flakne; 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.

RECYCLING FASHION SHOW:

Councilman Harris introduced Jill Flakne and a group of Fulton High School students, known as the Peace Jam Curbside.  They presented a short fashion show dealing with recycling and promoting Fulton's efforts to recycle.

PUBLIC HEARING:

     The purpose of this hearing is to obtain any citizen input on the adoption of the Proposed City of Fulton 2008 Budget from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 and the Proposed Three Year Capital Improvement Program.

This hearing was declared open at 7:42 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 wished to speak in opposition of this proposed budget?  There were none.

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

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

There were three calls issued for anyone wishing to speak in favor of the matter being considered.  There were none.

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

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

     Third and final call, is there anyone present who wished to speak in favor of this proposed rezoning?  There were none.

This Public Hearing was declared closed at 7:44 p.m.

SUBJECTS OF DISCUSSION:

a)   Discussion of E.O.C. with Callaway County Commissioners, Lee Fritz and Doc Kritzer.

The city recently had a meeting with the commissioners and they indicated that they would like an additional $30,000 to cover some of the expenses of E.O.C. as all equipment needs to be replaced.  The city increased their payment to $100,000 earlier this year with an additional one time payment of $20,000.

Doc Kritzer distributed a hand-out to the council showing the breakdown of different entity contracts along with the 2008 proposed requested monies.  This was listed as Callaway County Five Year Workable Plan to get E.O.C. to Phase II Compliance.

Mayor Latham said E.O.C provides many services to the city and he felt the city should support it's share in paying for these services.

After much discussion, motion was offered by Councilwoman Chailland and seconded by Councilman Bill to proceed with the additional funding of $30,000 to E.O.C. 2008 for a total of $130,000 in 2008.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Pautz) absent.

b)   Discussion and approval needed on the request to close streets for the 2007 Downtown Christmas Celebration on Saturday, December 1st, with Jim Dodson present at this council meeting.

Jim Dodson, representing the downtown merchants, said the Winter Wonderland celebration will be held on Saturday, December 1st  There will be a parade, Christmas tree lighting, Victorian Christmas Tour and many other festivities.  They would like to have 5th Street between Market and Court and between Court and Nichols Street closed from noon to 6:00 p.m.

Motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilwoman Gohring to give permission for this street closing request as presented.  Motion carried with seven members of the council voting in favor and one member (Pautz) absent.

Councilman Pautz arrived at 8:35 p.m.

c)   Discussion and approval needed on the request from the Fulton Jaycees to hold the Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 1st.

Motion was offered Councilman Moore and seconded by Councilman Bill to grant permission for the Annual Christmas Parade as proposed.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

d)   Discussion and approval of the request from William Woods University Greek Council for approval for a Fundraising Run on Saturday, December 1st.

Steve Myers, Police Chief, suggested changing the route because it would put a hardship on the police force as the Christmas Parade is on the same day.  The city tried contacting William Woods University but received no response.

After some discussion, Bill Johnson asked if satisfactory confirmation was received from William Woods University, would the council approve this request?

Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore to approve this request if satisfactory confirmation was received from William Woods University.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

Mayor Latham noted that the Fulton Sun was not present at this council meeting.

Bruce Hackmann, CEO of the Fulton Area Development Corporation, thanked the council for all their support.

RESOLUTIONS:

Resolution 2991 was presented and read by Councilwoman Chailland.

Resolution 2991 - A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor & City Clerk, on behalf of the C.O.F., to Execute an Agreement with the Kingdom of Callaway Chamber of Commerce for Services to be Rendered in 2008, & establishing an effective date (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).

Motion was offered by Councilwoman Chailland and seconded by Councilman Moore to adopt Resolution 2991 at tonight's council meeting.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

Resolution 2992 was presented and read by Councilwoman Digh.

Resolution 2992 - A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor & City Clerk, on behalf of the C.O.F., to Execute an Agreement with the Fulton Area Development Corporation for Services to be Rendered in 2008, & establishing an effective date (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).

Motion was offered by Councilwoman Digh and seconded by Councilman Pautz to adopt Resolution 2992 at tonight's council meeting.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

Resolution 2993 was presented and read by Councilman Benton.

Resolution 2993 - A Resolution Authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the C.O.F., to Enter into An Amendment to the Power Sales Contract with Sikeston, Missouri (Copy is included in the official Resolution Book).

Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilwoman Chailland to adopt Resolution 2993 at tonight's council meeting.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

ORDINANCES:

Bill No. 1226 was presented and read for the first time by Councilman Bill.

Bill No. 1226 - An Ordinance Authorizing the Mayor, on behalf of the C.O.F., to Execute all Necessary Documents to Enter into an Agreement with the MO Highways & Transportation Commission for the Second Street Bridge Replacement Project.

Motion was offered by Councilman Bill and seconded by Councilman Moore that Bill No. 1226 be placed for second reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

The council discussed the budget and the police needs for stun- guns.  Chief Myers said that six or seven of them are needed.

Mayor Latham recommended to the council to designate funds from the 2007 budget for the cost of seven stun-guns for the police department.

After more discussion, motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilman Moore authorizing the city to purchase stun-guns from the council's discretionary fund in the 2007 budget.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

The council discussed the proposed 4 1/2% raise for city employees that was proposed at the last council meeting by Councilman Moore. 

Motion was offered by Councilman Benton and seconded by Councilwoman Digh to authorize a 4 1/2% raise to city employees out of the 2008 budget.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

The city clerk, on behalf of all employees of the city, thanked the council for this raise in salaries.

Bill No. 1225 As Amended was read for the second time by Councilman Harris.

Bill No. 1225 AS AMENDED - An Ordinance adopting an official Budget & Capital Improvement Program & Appropriating the funds of the City for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008 & ending December 31, 2008.

Motion was offered by Councilman Harris and seconded by Councilman Moore that Bill No. 1225 As Amended be placed for third reading at the next regularly scheduled council meeting.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

Councilman Moore asked Grey Hayes, City Engineer, about the narrow width for large trucks to travel on the newly constructed Nichols Street Parking Lot.

Greg Hayes explained that the upper loading and unloading zone is fifteen feet wide and the average traffic lane is twelve feet wide.

Greg Hayes also defined the differences between a chip and seal vs. asphalt.

APPOINTMENTS:

Mayor Latham presented for approval the appointment of LaWanda Jackson Kemp to the Human Rights Commission, filling the vacancy of Dorothy Daniels.

Motion was offered by Councilman Pautz and seconded by Councilman Bill the appointment of LaWanda Jackson Kemp to the Human Rights Commission.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The city clerk announced that the Annual Mayor's Holiday Social will be held on Friday, December 7th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Atrium and Council Chambers located on the upper level of City Hall.

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 Pautz and seconded by Councilwoman Digh to adjourn this meeting.  Motion carried with all eight members of the council voting in favor and the meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

                              Charles M. Latham, Mayor

Carolyn L. Laswell, CMC/MRCC

City Clerk