City of Flora City Council met March 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
OPENING CEREMONIES
At 4:33 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 Phil Wiley, Commissioner Linda Spicer and Commissioner Jim Fehrenbacher. Commissioner Mike Genthe arrived at 4:35 p.m.
Others in attendance were City Attorney Bob Coble, City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford, Chief of Police Guye Durre, City Clerk Becky Burgess, City Treasurer Abbie Orel, Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart and Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles. Two media representatives and four guests were also in attendance.
Mayor Rick Slaughter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Linda Spicer offered the Invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Clay County Extension Program Coordinator Megan Pierson, along with Sierra Payne and Shelly Pierson, addressed Council to request the use of Charley Brown Park for a 4-H Livestock Clinic and a 4-H Cloverbud Camp.
A MOTION TO APPROVE CLAY COUNTY EXTENSION TO USE CHARLEY BROWN PARK ON MAY 13, 2023 (4-H LIVESTOCK CLINIC) AND ON JUNE 13, 2023 (4-H CLOVERBUD CAMP) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE MARCH 6, 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:
APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR PERIOD ENDING MARCH 2, 2023
APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 21, 2023
APPROVE FLORA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TO USE CHARLEY BROWN PARK ON MAY 17, 2023 (ACCELERATED READING CELEBRATION)
A RESOLUTION ABATING TAXES ON SERIES 2022 BONDS (ORDINANCE NO. 22-3190)
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GENTHE.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Mayor Rick Slaughter announced that the City has been awarded the OSLAD (Open Space Land Acquisition and Development Grant) for the construction of Pickleball Courts. Six courts, as well as benches, landscaping and a fountain, are included in the project plans. The courts will be located on the property that was generously donated to the City by Flora Bank & Trust (near Southern Gardens Shopping Center).
The estimated cost of the total project is $599,114.00, in which the grant will cover 50% ($299,557.00) and Maple Flats Solar Energy Center will donate $99,000.00.
Commissioner Mike Genthe apologized for being a few minutes late.
Commissioner Phil Wiley commented that the weather has been nice recently and spring is quickly approaching. He reminded everyone to use caution as children are out and about.
City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford presented several items for Council consideration.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3249, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A LETTER OF INTENT TO PURCHASE WITH CLAY GROUP LIMITED PARTNERSHIP WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
Vote: Yes Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
The following ordinance was listed on the agenda, but was tabled until the next City Council Meeting on March 20, 2023: ORDINANCE NO. 23-3250, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FLORA AND FEHR GRAHAM & ASSOCIATES, LLC.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3251, A SPECIAL ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CEDING OF PRIVATE ACTIVITY BONDING AUTHORITY WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GENTHE; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Stanford stated he had been contacted by Fred Honaker of West Liberty, Illinois. Honaker is the owner of B & H Recycling and he is requesting that the City allow him to set up on City property to collect recycling items from the community. This would be at no cost to the City. Most items are free to drop off and some require a minimal charge. Stanford contacted other communities that have utilized Honaker's services and was told his services were well-received by the communities. Stanford stated that Honaker had submitted proof of insurance and that they would work together to set up a date and location and review its success.
A MOTION TO ALLOW B & H RECYCLING (FRED HONAKER, WEST LIBERTY, IL) TO SET UP ON PUBLIC PROPERTY WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Chief of Police Guye Durre presented a new hire to replace Joanna Thomas.
A MOTION TO HIRE JEFFERY MURPHY AS A TELECOMMUNICATOR, EFFECTIVE MARCH 7, 2023, AT THE RATE OF $18.37 PER HOUR, PER UNION CONTRACT, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GENTHE.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
City Clerk Becky Burgess presented Closed Session Minutes for approval.
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CLOSED SESSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 21, 2023 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Slaughter requested a motion to enter into closed session pursuant to:
5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
AT APPROXIMATELY 4:46 P.M., COMMISSIONER WILEY MADE A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
OPEN SESSION
At approximately 4:49 p.m., Council entered back into open session.
Mayor Slaughter stated that he had met with two gentlemen who were seeking permission for the Flora Legion Riders Post 14 to host an event at Charley Brown Park over Labor Day weekend. The purpose of the event is to bring awareness and raise money to help support veterans in our community as well as surrounding areas. With no objections, Slaughter stated that the request will be placed under the Consent Agenda at a future meeting.
City Administrator Stanford gathered thoughts regarding fireworks for the 4th of July. Stanford solicited Council direction on whether to hold the fireworks in town again or return to Charley Brown Park. After a brief discussion, it was decided to release the fireworks from an in-town location and schedule them on Tuesday, July 4th.
ADJOURN
At approximately 5:00 p.m., with no further business to discuss, Mayor Slaughter requested a motion to adjourn.
COMMISSIONER WILEY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER. COUNCIL MEMBERS CONCURRED AND MAYOR SLAUGHTER DECLARED SAID MEETING ADJOURNED.
https://florail.govoffice2.com/vertical/sites/%7B62602091-720B-4C05-8923-FB9F25FCDE7A%7D/uploads/min_0320.pdf
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