Commission prepares for Halloween, hears report of concerning activity at city park

The Fulton City Commission met Monday evening with Fulton Mayor David Prater, City Manager Mike Gunn, Vice Mayor Jeff Vaughn, Commissioners Kevin Kelley, Elaine Forrester, and Darcy Linn, City Clerk Laura Byrd, City Attorney Allison Whitledge, Police Chief Allen Poole, Fire Chief Steven Lang, Public Works Director Steven Wiser, and Code Enforcement Officer Nathan Lamb present. Visitors Barry and Shirley Sharp also attended the meeting.
The board approved the minutes of three previous meetings — a regular meeting held Aug. 11, a public hearing held the same date, and another regular meeting held later in August.
Fulton residents Barry and Shirley Sharp addressed the commission regarding the city’s recent water rate increase, expressing frustration over communication issues.
“I’m basically here for the same reason — with regard to understanding the water hike,” Barry Sharp said. “Every other question I’ve got here, I haven’t got answered right.”
Sharp also questioned why he had been told that commissioners were asked not to communicate with him.
City Attorney Whitledge clarified that no such directive had been issued, but that the commission had chosen to route communications through her office.
“I have not told you that the commission was asked not to talk to you,” Whitledge said. “Communication between myself and the client is privileged, and the commission can decide how they want to handle communication.”
Whitledge added, “If communication with you has risen to a level of concern, they can direct that to me — which is what they’ve done.”
Sharp noted that some of his emails to the attorney went unanswered. Whitledge replied, “I have answered the email to Mr. Sharp. He has asked me the same question repeatedly, and I don’t have any additional information to provide.”
Commissioners turned their attention to preparations for the annual 3rd Street Halloween event, agreeing to enhance safety measures by closing additional streets and improving lighting.
The board voted to close 3rd Street to all north–south traffic between Eddings Street and North College Street. Second Street will be closed from Eddings Street to Carr Street, and Eddings Street will be closed from Second Street to Third Street — a new precaution for 2025.
“Residents have raised safety concerns about that dark stretch of Eddings,” Gunn said. “We think closing that section and adding lighting will make a big difference.”
Portable lighting units will be placed near the intersection of Green and Eddings streets. “We’re going to bring out the light tower because that area is dark,” Lang noted.
Poole reminded residents that the city does not set official trick-or-treat hours. “The kids and families on Third Street control when it starts,” Poole said. “Usually around 4:30 or 5:00, they’re already out there.”
He said roads would be blocked off beginning at 4:30 p.m., with trick-or-treating expected to start around 5 p.m.
Code Enforcement Officer Nathan Lamb reported progress in nuisance property enforcement. The city recently received payment for a $3,300 lien on a property on Walnut Street, and eviction proceedings are underway for another problematic location.
“I think within about 20 days, we’ll have that resolved,” Gunn said.
Public Works Director Wiser shared data from the city’s prepaid and free dump day programs, noting mixed participation.
“We’ve done two of the prepaid dump days and only had one person show up at each,” Wiser said. “But for the free dump day this past Saturday, they came in droves.”
He said staff would continue evaluating participation before making any changes. “If the prepaid days don’t see a bigger draw, there’s no reason to pay a city employee to man the dump all day,” he said.
City officials are working to streamline Fulton’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) process. “It was a complicated process going through both the city and the state,” Poole said. “We’re looking at ways to simplify that.”
He added that the city also lacks a formal agreement with vendors setting up at the  Entertainment Destination Center (EDC).  An EDC allows patrons to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating businesses and consume them in designated public areas within the EDC boundaries.  This initiative aims to enhance local businesses and attract visitors to downtown areas.
“We’re working with the ABC to get sample contracts and ensure we’re covered,” Poole explained. Officials will also review the city’s licensing fees to ensure they are “competitive with surrounding cities.”
This was the first year ABC operations were handled through the Fulton Police Department rather than City Hall. “We want to take a fresh look at the whole process,” Poole said. Chief Poole reported that this year’s Banana Festival went smoothly. “I don’t think we had a single alcohol-related incident,” he said.
Fire Chief Lang reported that the department is awaiting its new Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating results. “The inspector said the ratings should be really good,” Lang said.
He noted that all grant processes are currently on hold due to the federal government shutdown but confirmed that new junior firefighter helmets have been ordered.
The department’s new fire truck is currently being painted and will soon be delivered. “We’ll do final inspection soon, and then it’ll be on its way here,” Lang said.
Kelley asked for an update on getting fire hydrants repaired which was reported as an "ongoing" process. Kelley said he would like to see all of the hydrants in good working order.
Commissioners addressed reports of individuals using hydrants at the city park to wash their cars.
“If we lock them, then people using the pavilions lose access,” Gunn said. “But we can’t have people pulling up to hydrants and washing vehicles.”
Kelley noted that “sometimes a few people ruin things for everyone else.” Poole added that he would advise officers to monitor the situation, but enforcement requires catching individuals in the act."
Officials also discussed lighting timers at the park ballfields, which have reportedly remained on for extended periods.
Linn said she noticed one set of lights had been left on for a week. “I didn’t know how to turn them off, but someone finally did,” she said.
Gunn said the city has contacted the electric company to address the issue. “We’ll make sure they’re turning off properly when fields aren’t in use,” he said.
As the meeting concluded, Prater extended well wishes to the community. “I just want to wish everyone a Happy Halloween,” he said.
The next regular meeting of the Fulton City Commission will be held at 6 p.m. Mon. Nov. 10, at Fulton City Hall.