Fulton council hears update on Dutch Museum progress

By Samantha Pidde

FULTON, Ill. — During the Fulton City Council’s regular meeting Monday, members of the new Dutch Museum committee offered an update to the council concerning the project.

Alderman Bill Loerop of the Fourth Ward, presented part of the update. Loerop said he was speaking not as a member of the council, but as a member of the museum committee. He began the presentation with an approximate time table for the project. The museum building is currently under construction. The windows are already in and bricks are going in. Loerop said the construction should continue into April. He said after the building is completed, a great deal of work will still be necessary before the museum is ready. Planning how to exhibit the windmill collection will take some time, as will the rest of the general “housekeeping” needed for the museum. Loerop said the museum is tentatively expected to open in July or August of this year.

Jane Orman spoke next about the financial pledges and funds raised by the Friends of the Windmill and the Millers. Orman said the groups had been required from the beginning to commit $56,000 to the project. She said within the next few months, that commitment will be fulfilled. She said the group has also been told to raise another $60,000. However, knowing that cost can change, the groups set a goal of $100,000. Orman listed a large amount of donations, some which have been received and some which have been pledged. The total of these donations equal $62,000. Orman said she believes the pledged amounts to be firm commitments which will be received eventually. She also added that these donations and pledges came from people who had not supported the windmill in the past.

“We have not gone yet to those donors that have supported us in the past. We have not gone to most of our businesses at this point,” said Orman.

She said this collection will be something unlike anything else other communities have.

“We have such an opportunity and we have such a gift to us that we’re hoping that the community will come forward,” said Orman.

Loerop next presented a report on the windmill museum’s cash flow. Loerop listed the projects costs as $401,980 for the Beirne construction contract, $8,500 for Van’s Carpet for the flooring, $19,000 for exhibit displays and shelving, $1,000 for Don’s Jewelry for display cases and $20,000 for a sound system, computer and printer. These expenses total to $450,480.

Loerop also listed in his report the revenue to be used for the project. He stated $150,00 has been received from the project’s grant and $140,000 has been received from a loan taken from the Hotel/Motel tax. He listed those funds being held as $31,730 from a Friends of the Windmill and Millers contribution in March or April, $24,270 in contribution from the two organizations in May and $17,500 in donations which have been received. Pledged amounts included $27,000 in donations expected in March or April, $12,500 in donations expected in May to December and $5,000 in donations expected in 2010. This totals $408,000, leaving them $42,480 short.

Loerop advised the council, though, that these totals were not yet final. He said other expenses are expected. He said other costly issues, such as geothermal heating, has also still not been decided yet. Loerop asked the council for suggestions on how to raise the money still needed according to his report. Loerop said he expects the project to end up being $500,000. He also offered a few suggestions of his own.

He said the council could either stop the project after construction and wait until money had been raised, extend the loan from the Hotel/Motel tax, take the money from the general fund or give a fund to the Friends of the Windmill and Millers which they would pay back with interest. He said he understands where the amount needed could seem impossible to raise.

“But I think it can be done. I look at the way the money is coming in now and it really gives people in this city something for the town to really, really give some of their money towards,” said Loerop.

The council discussed the various possibilities on how to raise the needed money. City Administrator, Randy Balk, suggested the council wait until issues, like possible grants for geothermal heating, were resolved. He said the museum committee could present another report in 30 days to show any changes or improvements.

“I think we have plenty of time to roll that into next fiscal year as an intergovernmental loan, if need be. But I’m encouraged by this report and the work that has been accomplished,” said Balk.

Loerop stated, that while he understood caution is important in the current economy, he also believes a city cannot allow itself to become stagnant, but must give itself room to grow.

The council will continue this discussion at a later date.

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