Fulton Common Council Approves Resolutions To Change Various Fees Within City

FULTON – The Fulton Common Council met last night, February 2, and approved several resolutions changing fees for dog licenses, animal seizures, and various rentals within the city.

During public comment, Frank Castiglia Jr. requested that there be no fee for use of the pavilion at Bullhead Point and while the fee for fishing access at North Bay Campgrounds has been removed, he requested there be no fee for visiting.

“It’s very important because we’re looking to bring people in and we’re looking for things to do,” Castiglia said.

The council then moved on to the agenda. Approved items include:

1. Approve minutes for the January 5, 2021 meeting.
2. Notation: the single audit for the year ending December 31, 2019 was filed with the City Clerk/Chamberlain on December 31, 2020.
3. Notation: Heather McCoy, as doing business as 315 Designs, wishes to provide ongoing design and website updates as ordered by the City of Fulton to maintain their website and keep it current. 
4. The Common Council adopts the suspension of subdivisions 7, 7a, and 8 of section 459c of the Real Property Tax Law and subdivisions 5, 5a, 5b, 5c and 6 of section 467 of the Real Property Tax Law. The City of Fulton Assessor is directed to grant exemptions on the 2021/2022 assessment roll to all property owners who received exemption on the 2020/2021 assessment roll.
5. Amend Section 216-6 of the city code – $29 dog license for unspayed/unneutered dogs; $24 for spayed/neutered dogs. The previous amounts were $22 and $14 respectively. Amend Section 216-17 Redemption Fees to include a fee of $25 for the first seizure of any animal (was $10); For the first 24 hours or part thereof for the second seizure, within one year of the first seizure of any animal: $50 (was $20); For the first 24 hours or part thereof for the third and subsequent seizures, within one year of the first seizure of any animal: $100 (was $30). Amend Section 216-18 Impoundment Fee to include An additional impoundment fee of $25 (was $5) will be charged to the owner of any seized animal for each day or any part thereof following the first 24 hours of the seizure. These amendments will take effect March 1.
6. Amend Section 1700 Subsection A700-1 Enumeration of Fees; Civil Service Examinations. State rated non-uniformed: $15; State rated uniformed: $25; Locally rated exams: $100. This amendment will take effect March 1. 
7. Proposed rate for programs and facility rentals for 2021 – increase or alter rates at the War Memorial/Community Center, Bullhead Point Pavilion, the Municipal Building Community Room and portable stage rental. Breakdown can be seen in the image below. These rates take effect March 1, but all existing contracts will be honored until expiration. Mayor Michaels said these fees are able to be discussed per event.

8. Proposed change to rates at North Bay Campgrounds include both increases, removal of fees and maintaining the current fees. The breakdown can be seen in the image below. Changes will take effect March 1, but all existing contracts will be honored until expiration. The resolution passed with five votes yes and one vote no – First Ward Councilor Tom Kenyon.

9. The City Clerk/Chamberlain is authorized to increase the fee for the issuance of a tax search from $25 to $35, taking effect March 1.

10. Appointed Frank Castiglia Jr. as Commissioner of Deeds in and for the City of Fulton from February 3, 2021 to February 2, 2023. Resolution passed with five votes yes and one vote no.

During public comment before voting on resolutions, with the safety of the city’s children in mind, resident Peter Murphy requested the city put in sidewalks on West 3rd Street South, West 4th Street South and the north side of Curtis Street from West 4th Street South all the way to the Junior High School. 

“It’s generally known that a city is rated by how safe people feel in their community and the schools,” Murphy said. “This part of the city’s not faring well in that rating… This is dangerous and it needs to be fixed before someone gets hurt.”

Mike D. requested help in getting the water turned back on to re-open his family’s restaurant – Josie’s Italian Eatery at 826 Hannibal St. The mayor agreed to talk with him following the meeting.

On behalf of the Fulton Public Library, Mayor Deana Michaels read an update to the public about services it provides, including free access to WiFi, mobile hotspots, extended e-material, creation of online accounts to apply for a library card, browsing appointments for patrons, curb-side pickup for all ages, weekly curbside crafts for all ages, virtual programs, appointments for computer use, curbside faxing, printing and copying, elimination of overdue fees, and a storage place for returned books to remain in quarantine for at least a week.

The mayor then polled the council, gave an update on problem areas in the city, updates with Parks and Rec and closed the meeting. 

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Municipal Building.

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