City of Flora City Council met Jan. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
OPENING CEREMONIES
At 4:30 p.m., Mayor Rick Slaughter called the Regular Council Meeting of the City of Flora to order and City Clerk Becky Burgess called roll. Present were Mayor Rick Slaughter, Commissioner Mike Genthe, Commissioner Phil Wiley, Commissioner Linda Spicer and Commissioner Jim Fehrenbacher.
Others in attendance were City Attorney Bob Coble, City Administrator Mike Stanford, Chief of Police Guye Durre, City Clerk Becky Burgess, City Treasurer Abbie Orel, Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart, Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles. Two media representatives and several guests were in attendance.
Mayor Rick Slaughter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Chief of Police Guye Durre offered the Invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
ESDA Update
Steve Lewis, ESDA Coordinator, addressed City Council to report statistics of activities and services rendered by ESDA in 2022. He noted that this was one of the busiest years ever. ESDA Members Becky Wiley and Collin Moseley provided additional information and stated that there is a desperate need for more ESDA members, and they encouraged others to join their team.
Council Members acknowledged and thanked ESDA members for all they do for the City of Flora, as well as for Clay County.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE JANUARY 16, 2023 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF FLORA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
• Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were listed under the Consent Agenda:
• ACCEPT POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2022
• ACCEPT BUILDING AND ZONING REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2022
• APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 3, 2023
• APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR PERIOD ENDING JANUARY 12, 2023
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GENTHE; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
• Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Commissioner Linda Spicer read a text message she had received from someone who praised the Public Works' employees that had been called out, which resulted in working late into the night. The resident was grateful for the City crew and Spicer noted it is good to hear accolades from others, noting that the City of Flora has dedicated employees who work hard for the citizens of Flora.
City Attorney Bob Coble presented an ordinance to vacate an alleyway, which was addressed today in a Public Hearing prior to Council.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3242, AN ORDINANCE VACATING AN ALLEYWAY LOCATED IN THE CITY OF FLORA, ILLINOIS, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
• Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
City Administrator Mike Stanford presented several items for Council consideration.
A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF A STATE OF ILLINOIS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
• Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FLORA, ILLINOIS IN SUPPORT OF TAX INCREMENT FINANCING WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
• Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3243, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A GENERAL CONTRACT FOR SERVICES WITH DREW LANE CONSULTANTS, LLC WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GENTHE.
• Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3244, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AGREEMENTS WITH MAGUIRE IRON, INC. (MULTI YEAR WATER TOWER MAINTENANCE) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
• Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Stanford then announced some good news. He stated that Moody's has upgraded the City of Flora bond rating by two notches. The City previously had a Ba1 rating, which is a non-investment grade. Hard work and conservative spending has paid off and the rating has been increased to a Baa2 rating, which is a Prime 2 investment grade. He also stated that S & P has the City rated at an A-.
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Slaughter requested a motion to enter into closed session pursuant to:
5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.
AT APPROXIMATELY 4:52 P.M., COMMISSIONER WILEY MADE A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
• Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
OPEN SESSION
At approximately 5:01 p.m., Council entered back into open session.
City Council members discussed the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) that the United States Department of Agriculture offers. The advantages and disadvantages were discussed in detail. With the City bond rating being recently upgraded and the North American Lighting IEP building still on the books, it was the consensus of Council not to assume additional debt by sponsoring REDLG at this time.
ADJOURN
At approximately 5:15 p.m., with no further business to discuss, Mayor Slaughter requested a motion to adjourn.
COMMISSIONER SPICER MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY. COUNCIL MEMBERS CONCURRED AND MAYOR SLAUGHTER DECLARED SAID MEETING ADJOURNED.
https://florail.govoffice2.com/vertical/sites/%7B62602091-720B-4C05-8923-FB9F25FCDE7A%7D/uploads/0116reg.pdf
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