City Council - Regular Meeting

We will have open the floor now for comments from visitors. You have three minutes from the time you start and please state your name and your address.

Good evening, Council. My name is Alan Lawson, 403 Carver Drive. The owner of Boss League Radio, and we started a new organization called Boss League Radio Against Violent Crimes. I've been doing a festival here in Fulton for 30 years annually. We generally do it in Carver Park, but we've done it in the city park. the veterans park a couple of times. And last year we got it over as well. We're planning on doing it again this year. I usually align myself with the chief police. I don't see him here today, but and I usually come and present it to the council for you to just be on the same page as far as moving forward with the festival. Thank you.

Thank you very much, sir.

Mr. Lawson, if you could, if you'll get with our city clerk, She'll have a form for you to fill out. It's the same form you fill out every single year, and then we'll take it before the council and get everything approved for you. All right.

All right? Thank you. Good evening.

We'll now move to the approval of the consent agenda. Consent agenda is over the City Council meeting minutes of April 28th, 2026. Special events request Fulton Street Fair, June 12th and 13th. And special events request College for Kids Flash Mob, July 8th. And also a special events request for the Calway Plant Association Employee Picnic, August 16th. Do I hit it? Motion has been made and seconded. Do we have any discussion? All in favor, please signify by saying aye. All opposed, nay. Consent agenda has been approved. Okay, at this point, Madam DOA, would you please present your report?

Yes, sir. I would also like to say thank you to Councilman Hinchy for filling in this evening. Deputy Mayor West is out and obviously Mayor Myers is out as well. So thank you for stepping it and I appreciate that. So during the month of April, we had a busy month and I was really excited and a lot of our team members were excited to be part of the inaugural Celia Day event and to be able to speak in front of a group of people over at the county courthouse and recognize the hard work of the Celia Foundation members. As well as card be was really meaningful so really happy and proud to be part of that The other thing I wanted to highlight was we've made some significant strides with the carver park project. So if you've driven by there, which I hope you have, you'll see the inclusive playground is in. And then we also have a lot of significant improvements with the basketball courts, the fencing is now complete. And I know that the park staff is working on finishing out the last few pieces before we do a open house essentially for you guys mid June. So we're putting together those plans now and we will let the council know when that official date as well as the newspaper, when that will be. And then some things I can't necessarily talk about just yet, but we have some exciting things coming up from an economic development standpoint as well that we made really significant strides in the month of April as well. So with that, the staff are here, and if you all have any questions, we're happy to answer those for you.

I would just like to thank all of the people who are here today.

I had a question pertaining to the fencing. I see that we have openings on the north and the south end. Are we gonna close that up and just have a general opening?

charlene mccarter parks and rec superintendent um what the fencing is currently is how it's going to be we wanted it to kind of be more opening and inviting um what we're going to place on the open north and south end are player benches they're 15 foot player benches there's going to be two on both the north and two on both the south ends

The only concern I have on that is when you have them open like that. I can understand they have partial closers and maybe an opening, but when it's open like that, you're gonna have an opportunity, there's gonna be times when the ball's gonna roll, somebody's gonna make a bad pass and it's gonna roll from one end to the other, and then you gotta go retrieve it and it may go into the road. going to the road and in the past, I don't think you had a problem with the fences. I don't think you had a problem with the fences being up. So I can't understand the reason why we're not closing or a partial closing on that as well.

Bob we can look into that but it's just kind of feedback that we got to kind of make it more opening and inviting whereas before the fences were rather tall and enclosed and it kind of felt like a kind of enclosed tight space yeah we can look I would also know I know you took that before the park board and they gave you final recommendation on that so there was a lot of discussion with the park board members on what that fencing was looking for

And my concern with just being a park board, I'd like to know what members that were on the park board that will know the ins and outs about a lot of the activities that goes in there. And if, like you said, a lot of players play and things do happen, you have to retrieve the ball. So I'm just saying, I can't understand why both ends are open and not a partial closure or something like that. But I'll check into that. Thank you.

I agree with him to a certain extent. I think we need to watch this close. Keep an eye on it and watch it close to see what happens. Just kind of, you know, there's a possibility. I do understand what you're saying, you know, and let's just kind of watch it and see if we have any things like we may need to add a bit more fancy, but I'd appreciate it if we keep an eye out on it.

we definitely can and i would like to point out veterans park doesn't have any fencing i'm aware of that i watched that i saw that i went by and i recognized that when i when i saw that uh carver didn't i went by together and i saw that it was open like that but you also you have uh The ball's not going to go very far in the grass, not going up into the road and things like that. But I'll check into that and check with some people in that uses the park and to see, you know, if this is all okay, if it's good, I'm good with it. Yeah, thank you. I'll check on that for you.

Thank you.

Do we have a motion then to approve the DOA report?

I'll second it.

We have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Okay, the DOA report has been approved. Okay, Madam CFO, would you please present the April finance statement?

Andy Johnson, CFO. The City of Fulton reported three months of sales tax in 2026. Collections are up 2.56% from last year. Use tax is down 8% from fiscal year 2025. April included two payroll cycles, and overall year-to-date financial performance remains consistent with budget expectations. We will continue to evaluate financial activity throughout the fiscal year. You guys have had a chance to look at the statement. Does anybody have any questions?

I'd just like to state that it just looks very excellent, very professional. Thank you.

Candy, are you projecting more expenses through the inflation in the last couple months, or has that had time to cycle through the payment and billing process at this point?

I think it's, I mean, you can see a little bit of it, but I don't see anything crazy.

Okay. Oh, I did have one question.

On the airport.

So it looks like we're creeping up on our on our capital outlay and total expenditures early this year. Is that capping or is that going to continue?

That should be, me and Daryl were talking about that a while ago, that should be their main project for the year. So we've encumbered the whole project. So that's what you're seeing here, that airport infrastructure project.

Right, so that's capping.

What's that?

It's stopping.

That's the hope, yes.

Okay.

Yeah, as long as nothing comes up.

Okay, that's the only thing I saw, thank you. All right, thank you. We have a financial statement presented to us. Do we have a motion? So moved. Okay, and a second?

I'll second it.

Okay, we have a motion and a second to approve the financial statement. Any discussion? All in favor, please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All opposed, nay. financial statement has been approved. We have no unfinished business that I can see at this time. We have new business. I will go ahead and read the new business. Review and approve the proposed 2026 council meeting date changes. September, consider canceling the September 22 meeting due to MML elected official conference. November, consider canceling the November 24th meeting to Thanksgiving holiday. And December, consider moving the December meeting to Tuesday, December 15th and canceling the second December meeting.

So Council, we review this every single year. It's always the same three meetings. Previously, we were only looking at September and December, but last year, if you remember, the City Council wanted to also consider the November holiday because it falls right before Thanksgiving. So with these modifications, again, we build these into our budget time and into our calendar. I don't anticipate any issues from the staffing perspective of us being able to meet that budget deadline. So no concerns from the staff with making these annual modifications.

Could you remind me the dates of the September Lake Ozark?

Yes, I can. Not off the top of my head, but I will double check that. Kathy might know. Okay. We will confirm that and send it out to everybody as well. Thank you. And to clarify, while the MML conference is the week before is what it's sounding like, staff would not be here to put together the packet and prepare everything, so that's the differential.

I hear a motion to approve these dates.

I'll make a motion.

Okay, we have a motion to approve the dates and a second. Any discussion? All in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Okay, the new business dates have been approved. All right, we'll move now into council concerns. Councilman Cowart.

I just wanted to mention the groundbreaking for the utilities on June 10th, I believe it is. You know, it's been a long time coming for this community to have the vision and being led to have the vision that's securing utilities in the future i think many of you on the utility committee know i have a kid kid in texas and their electricity just kind of goes on and off the whim nobody can quite figure it out and you know i think that's one of our important functions to get our utilities piece and then just on a lighter lighter note since i've been in town i've been become a fan of the one read program at the high at the library and their book this time is uh What is it? Remarkably Bright Creatures. I have no idea what it's about. What I know is that I've read those books every year, and they've been kind of interesting. But I probably wouldn't buy this book if it wasn't on the list. So it'll be an interesting experience to see what it is.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Dr. Howard. Councilwoman Hanson. Oh wait, she's not here today. Sorry about that. And then I have next one and that will be, we've not had a Public Safety Commission meeting yet since last meeting. And I would, from reading the Director of Administration's reports and all the other reports, I have to say I'm really proud of our staff, our police force, our fire department, all our staff, all the people in recreation and everything. Our city, we have very many people in the right seats doing the right things, and we're just pulling together and doing a lot of stuff. And also for the groundbreaking for the

We're going to call.

It has many names, but I like to call it the Fulton Generation Project. I know that Daryl, even though I can't see his face right now, he's disagreeing with me calling it that. That's what we're calling it. The Fulton Energy Center. I would like to...

Have everybody that can make it come to that whole that thing that this is something that is going to set us up with a foundation to have Power in the future and and strength in the future when a lot of people are going to fall flat on their face I feel kind of like we're the ants, and there's a lot of other people who are the grasshoppers. And that was a book, too, you know. So we're the ants, and we're establishing a really strong future for ourselves with this project. And I would like to thank Daryl for that and all the people involved in this project. And that's all I have. Councilman Railtip, would you please?

I will. I don't have a concern, but I have an extended thank you to my fellow councilmen and the administrators who reached out to me in the last 24 hours to educate me more deeply on an issue that is going to come before the city. It seems I had been laboring under a misconception. And I appreciate, as a new council member, your guidance and your support. And I enjoy working with this team. So thank you all.

Thank you, Councilwoman Railton. Councilwoman Reclu.

First, good evening everybody. I have one thing to say. It's not anything bad, but it's kind of whatever. Anyhow, the other night, the other morning I get up and my lights are off, okay? No electricity. I thought, uh-oh, I got a squirrel or something that got in the wire or something. So I waited and waited and waited and I didn't go out and check anything. I just was in the house. So finally I did call and realized that what was going on was there was a new meter being put on in my Yeah, the young man out there that was preparing or putting the new meter in was fairly new, I believe. He seemed to be a little bit nervous. So, of course, I called Darryl. He got out there and took care of it. But I just wasn't notified. I know I'm just the one house. They were replacing that. But I think maybe we need to consider letting people know if it's going to affect our utilities if something's being done. And thank you again, Darrell, for your help.

We have struggled with that over the years. There's a lot of people that work second and third shifts, and if we knock on their door and say, hey, we're changing the meter out, they get upset because they were asleep. So it's kind of, it cuts both ways. But we will look and see if we can maybe do something. I do know that I think over the last couple of years, Courtney can correct me, but I believe we have collected quite a bit of customer information as far as phone numbers and texting, so we might be able to re-look at that. But before everybody got so smart, it was definitely a double-edged sword then, so we'll look at it again, okay? So you scary? Is that what you're saying?

As you were saying, you can text and things like that. Is it as it's a possibility 24 if we know ahead of time and you guys know ahead of time, which meters you're going to is you're going to change the thing. If you had a 24-hour notice or sent out a text or a call so that person would look at his phone and say, oh, maybe it's going to change next time. I like that idea of what you're saying.

We can go look at that again. Usually if we're doing whole neighborhoods instead of just individuals.

Yes.

we had some signs that we would put out that kind of looked like a realtor sign that says meters will be changed out next week on this section. So people would see that and they drove home, they would see the sign. But we can look at the individual stuff again.

I like that, yeah. Okay.

Okay.

Didn't yell at him, did you, Mary? You get a little out of hand sometimes. Just kidding.

Can you speak? I'm sorry. I thought my voice was loud enough. Anyhow, I just want to thank you. Yeah, okay. Thank you.

Thank you, Councilwoman Reclu. Councilman Washington.

Thank you, yes, just a couple of things. I noticed that the road from William Woods to Westminster, some of the potholes has been filled, and I appreciate that, but I think a little more attention to our, on that road, I heard that there's probably in the plans in the summertime to try to improve some of those things. Just an update on the, uh on crestwood about uh our future uh some future change about sidewalks and stuff so uh just people just want to know and i eventually told them it's probably sometime maybe in the fall or something that might we might be looking at that too so some more information on that so i can pass it on appreciate that

Thank you, Councilman Washington. And last but not least, Councilman Collins.

Yes, I have no concerns tonight. The Planning and Zoning Commission did meet, and we do have one ordinance coming before us later tonight. And then there will be another recommendation coming, a future council meeting about that.

accessory buildings so we get to talk about those again all right that's it thank you councilman combs we'll be moving on to resolutions now councilman washington would you please read resolution 3509 please

Yes, I will. Resolution 3509, NGDISM grant application. A resolution authorizing the mayor on the behalf of the city of Fulton, Missouri to sign all necessary documents relating to the natural gas distribution, infrastructure, safety, and modernization. The NGDISM grant for the National, excuse me, natural gas system safety and infrastructure improvement within the city of Fulton and establish an effective date. I make a motion that resolutions 3509 be passed at tonight's council meeting. Second.

We have a second or a motion and a second for resolution 3509. Is there any discussion? All in favor please signify by saying aye.

Aye.

All approved nay. Resolution 3509 has been approved. The ordinances. Councilman Coward, could I ask you to read that one please?

Bill 1784, Code Amend Marijuana Facilities. An ordinance amending Chapter 22 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fulton, Missouri by repealing Article 8 and enacting a new Article 8 marijuana facilities to regulate marijuana facilities consistent with Article whatever Missouri Constitution and established an effective date. And I make a motion that it be approved.

For the next meeting. Yes. And do we have a second?

Second.

All in favor? Or do we have any discussion on that?

So I would just clarify your motion. Councilman Cowherd is second reading at the next meeting. Is that correct? Is that what I heard? Correct. Okay, wonderful. I just want to provide a couple quick clarifications. So the city code already currently addresses medical marijuana. This code amendment was written by City Councilor Tom Riley to address recreational marijuana as well. So this does conform with that state statute. which stemmed from the most recent constitutional amendment, and I believe late 2022 or early 2023. So again, if there are any questions, we're happy to answer those, but this is the state of Missouri's language to bring us into compliance.

Thank you, Madam DOE. Any other comments or concerns? All in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Okay. Five ayes and one nay. So the bill has passed. I'm sorry. Passed on to the next meeting.

Okay.

Madam Clerk, would you please start off by reading the Emergency Ordinance Bill 1785, please?

Yes, Mr. Mayor. Boundary Adjustment Plat Approval Club Car Wash. An emergency ordinance approving a boundary adjustment plat for property located at 208 and 216 St. Louis Avenue in the City of Fulton, Missouri, related to the Club Car Wash development, approving adjustments to property boundaries and establishing an effective date. Now, therefore, be it ordained by the Council of the City of Fulton, Missouri, as follows. Section 1. that the boundary adjustment plan for property located at 208 and 216 St. Louis Avenue attached here to as Exhibit A is hereby approved subject to all applicable city requirements and regulations. A copy of the boundary adjustment plan identified as Exhibit A is on file in the Office of the City Clerk and incorporated herein by reference. Section 2, that this ordinance is an emergency ordinance with a meeting of Article 3, Section 3.10F of the Fulton City Charter due to legal matters and clarification associated with the subject property and the need to allow for timely action related to the development and use of the property. To ensure timely action on this matter, all three readings of this ordinance must be completed at one meeting. Section three, that all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed. And section four, that this ordinance shall be in full force in effect after its passage by the council and approval by the mayor.

Thank you, Madam Clerk. And do we have a second for that?

Yeah, I'll make the motion to place bill number 1785 for second reading by title only at this meeting.

And do we have a second? Okay, we have a motion and a second for bill number 1785 emergency ordinance. We'll go into discussion now. Mr. Dunlap, would you please explain the changes on that? They're very minor.

Okay, we got the drawings up here.

I have a question. Does that plot or lot go all the way back to the street behind it? Because I can't see it very well. Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Mm-hmm.

The only other thing I would point out is typically the city doesn't have any involvement. So say you own your property and you buy one next door to you and you decide you want to merge those together. You can actually do that through the county courthouse right now because of the nature of this one and because they're trying to build something that exists, will exist on two different properties per their current map. That's why you guys are getting this tonight.

Planning and zoning also reviewed it and they made the recommendation that council put it forward.

All right, thank you, Mr. Dunlap. Any other comments or concerns? Okay, all in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Okay, the first passage has been put through. Councilman Combs, would you please read Bill 1785 Emergency Ordinance for a second time, please. By title only.

So that's Bill 1785, Emergency Ordinance, Boundary Adjustment Plat, Club Car Wash. An emergency ordinance approving the boundary adjustment plat for property located at 208 and 216 St. Louis Avenue in the city of Fulton, Missouri, related to the Club Car Wash development, approving adjustments to property boundaries and establishing an effective date. I make a motion to move Bill number 1785 to third reading by title only at this council meeting.

We have a motion and a second to approve Bill 1785 Emergency Ordinance to move it to the third reading of this meeting. Is there any discussion? All in favor, please signify by saying aye. Aye. All opposed, nay. Okay, that has passed to the third reading.

Councilman Combs, would you read that for the third time, please? Yes. Bill 1785, Emergency Ordinance, Boundary Adjustment Plat, Club Car Wash. An emergency ordinance approving a boundary adjustment plat for property located at 208 and 216 St. Louis Avenue in the city of Fulton, Missouri, related to the club car wash development, approving adjustments to property boundaries, and establishing an effective date. I make a motion to place bill number 1785 for final passage at this meeting.

Okay, we have a motion and a second. Please signify by saying that you approve, by saying aye.

Aye.

I'll oppose nay. Okay, Madam Clerk, would you please do a roll on that, please?

Mr. Hinchey?

Yes.

Oh, I'm so sorry. We'll go with Mr. Cowherd first. I'm so sorry.

Yes.

Ms. Hanson? Mr. Hinchey?

Yes.

Ms. Railton? Yes. Ms. Reclu? Yes. Mr. Washington? Yes. Mr. West? Mr. Collins?

Yes.

Six council members affirmative.

Okay, that bill has passed. We'll now move on to the announcements. Next city council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9th at 630 p.m. City Hall Legends Request and Solid Waste Department will close Friday, June 19th for Juneteenth holiday.

I do have a couple other quick things. We have some dates. Thank you to ADOA Schultz back there coming in clutch with the MML conference dates. That is September 13th through the 16th for all of our council members who are wishing to attend and Kathy, I believe they have to give final reservations by next week. End of this week. Okay. So if you have not gotten with Marissa deputy city clerk, uh, please do so before the end of this week and let her know if you plan on attending. And then the other thing I wanted to point out was last week was public safety. I'm sorry, public. uh works week it's always public safety week in what we do uh but i just want to give a quick shout out to all of our members of our public works departments that's utilities engineering everybody everybody that keeps this place moving and shaking so without these individuals our city would not only not succeed but we would be a hot mess so just a quick shout out to everybody that keeps everything moving forward we're always really proud of the work that you do and very thankful for you um so All right. We do not have an executive session tonight.

All right. So do I have a motion to close this meeting? And a second. And a second. We have a motion and a second to close this meeting. All in favor, please signify by saying aye. All opposed, nay. The meeting is closed.