City of Flora City Council met March 20.
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/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 three guests were also in attendance.
Mayor Rick Slaughter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Phil Wiley offered the Invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kelli Massie, Flora High School Junior Class Sponsor, addressed Council regarding Promenade. Massie stated that prom will be held at the New Beginnings Church on April 22, 2023, and requested street closures for the Promenade portion of the evening. Mayor Slaughter turned to Chief Durre for his opinion. Durre stated that the road closures for last year's prom worked very well and recommended using the same plan for this year. There were no objections to Durre's recommendation.
A MOTION TO ALLOW APPROVED STREET CLOSURES FOR FLORA HIGH SCHOOL PROMENADE ON APRIL 22, 2023, 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 20, 2023 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF FLORA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
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 FEBRUARY 2023
• ACCEPT BUILDING AND ZONING REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2023
• APPROVE TREASURER'S REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2023
• APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR PERIOD ENDING MARCH 16, 2023
• APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 6, 2023
• APPROVE REQUEST FROM KARI THACKREY (FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH) FOR THE 7TH ANNUAL FLORA'S 6K FOR WATER – MAY 20, 2023
• APPROVE FARMERS' MARKET AT LIBRARY PARK ON SATURDAYS (8:00 A.M.-12:00 NOON) FROM MAY 6, 2023 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 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
Mayor Rick Slaughter presented a couple items for Council consideration, as well as made a few announcements.
A MOTION TO APPOINT AMY ALLEN AND ANNA ROUNDS TO THE TOURISM COMMITTEE (2-YEAR TERM) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION APPOINTING A CITY OF FLORA BUDGET OFFICER (ABIGAIL C. OREL) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GENTHE.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Slaughter stated that the new Dollar General Store plans to start construction very soon and they plan to be finished by July of this year.
Next, Slaughter stated that B & H Recycling out of West Liberty, Illinois, will be at the old Flora Bank & Trust parking lot on March 25, 2023, for a community recycling event.
Lastly, Slaughter mentioned that the City is moving forward with the Pickleball Courts.
Commissioner Mike Genthe requested that Council read the handouts that he distributed regarding Main Street Flora and the Modern Preservation Movement. Genthe noted that he had been approached by some concerned citizens who were disappointed in the size and aesthetics of the new liquor store next to the Depot. Genthe stated that the regulations and requirements for the new liquor store were all met according to City code. Genthe encouraged Council members to read the literature and be prepared to discuss at the next Council Meeting on April 3, 2023.
Commissioner Phil Wiley stated that he appreciates Dollar General investing further in our community.
Commissioner Linda Spicer noted that she appreciates the City Administrator working behind the scenes to facilitate the building of a new Dollar General.
City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford presented a resolution.
A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION COMMITTING FUNDS - UNSEWERED COMMUNITIES IEPA PERMIT APPLICATION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Stanford mentioned that he is working with Jeff Forbes to help him fill the vacancy when Dollar General moves to their new location.
Stanford then introduced Matt Johnson with Fehr Graham & Associates, LLC. Johnson discussed the need for a new Waste Water Treatment Plant, as well as the expected cost and timeline for construction. Johnson fielded several questions from Council members.
Stanford then presented an ordinance regarding an agreement with Fehr Graham.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3250, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FLORA AND FEHR GRAHAM & ASSOCIATES, LLC 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 requested Council approve the purchase of a Police Department vehicle.
A MOTION TO PURCHASE A 2018 CHEVROLET TAHOE FROM THE MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL, IN THE AMOUNT OF $26,000.00, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
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 MARCH 6, 2023 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GENTHE; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart requested Council approval to start advertising for the open position due to the upcoming retirement of David Rudy. Rinehart noted that the internal bidding has been completed, and the open position is for a 3rd shift Operator at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.
A MOTION TO APPROVE ADVERTISING FOR A 3RD SHIFT WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
Vote: Yes Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles presented a variance for Council consideration.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3252, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE TO TROY M. HARLAND AND MORGAN L. HARLAND (151 WILLOW STREET) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
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 5:00 P.M., COMMISSIONER GENTHE MADE A MOTION TO ENTER INTO CLOSED SESSION; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
OPEN SESSION
At approximately 5:03 p.m., Council entered back into open session.
City Administrator Stanford requested COVID payouts for employees and utility discounts for the Fire Department and ESDA members.
A MOTION TO APPROVE A $1,150.00 COVID PAYOUT TO ALL CURRENT FULL-TIME CITY EMPLOYEES, EXCEPT MIKE STANFORD AND THE COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND A $100.00 UTILITY CREDIT FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT AND ESDA MEMBERS WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Genthe, Wiley, Spicer, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Stanford then asked for permission to declare the Old City Hall Building as surplus property. There were no objections from Council, so Attorney Bob Coble will prepare the appropriate documentation to begin the process.
ADJOURN
At approximately 5:06 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/0320.pdf
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