City of Flora City Council met Oct. 2.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
OPENING CEREMONIES
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 Linda Spicer, Commissioner Jeremy Henderson, Commissioner Phil Wiley and Commissioner Jim Fehrenbacher.
Others in attendance were City Attorney Bob Coble, Assistant Chief of Police Jeremy Ruger, City Clerk Becky Burgess, City Treasurer Abbie Orel and Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles. City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford, Chief of Police Guye Durre and Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart were absent. Two media representatives and several guests, including Lee Beckman with Milano & Grunloh Engineers, were also present.
Mayor Rick Slaughter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Linda Spicer offered the Invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Slaughter opened the floor for Public Comments. Anthony Woolever stepped forward expressing his thoughts regarding the inability to have civil disagreements in all levels of politics. Following the sharing of a story from the Bible, Woolever noted that nobody in this room is without sin. Woolever stated that regardless of what you think of one another, the people of Flora elected this group of leaders and vendettas amongst this Council are preventing them from achieving what he thinks Council is capable of accomplishing. Woolever completed his remarks by noting that he believes it is time for Council to set their differences aside and begin doing what is in the best interest for the people of Flora.
Mayor Rick Slaughter thanked Mr. Woolever for his comments.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE OCTOBER 2, 2023 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF FLORA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No -None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were listed under the Consent Agenda:
APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2023
APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 28, 2023
APPROVE 2024 CITY OF FLORA COUNCIL MEETING DATES
APPROVE 2024 CITY OF FLORA MUNICIPAL COURT DATES
APPROVE 2024 CITY OF FLORA HOLIDAYS
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
REGULAR BUSINESS
Mayor Rick Slaughter presented a resolution regarding real estate tax refunds that the City will be making due to a mistake. Slaughter noted that a plan was worked out that has been recommended to us by the County Clerk, the County Treasurer, the County Assessor and the people who actually prepare the bills. Slaughter stated that the County will provide a spreadsheet to the City that takes into consideration the abatements and enterprise zones and the City will cut refund checks. Slaughter explained that the check will include interest for 6 months at the rate of 4.9%.
Commissioner Jeremy Henderson noted that he would like to have the refunds out before Christmas, due to the burden on residents, and would like to see individuals bring receipts in to City Hall to begin the process. Henderson stated that he is willing to help in order to get the refunds back to the citizens quicker.
Commissioner Phil Wiley stated that he would like to handle per the recommendation of the individuals from the Court House and go by their guidelines.
Slaughter explained that this resolution could be amended if Council so chooses, however, a resolution would need to be passed before the State enforces the default, which would cause each taxpayer to receive a credit on next year's taxes. Slaughter feels that it is the best way to handle this situation to reduce the risk of other mistakes.
Commissioner Spicer thanked those who have granted us patience noting that none of us here are happy about making the mistake and it affects all of us to as property owners as well. Spicer assured everyone that we want to do what is best for the community.
A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION REGARDING A REFUND OF TAXES, DUE TO AN INCORRECT CALCULATION, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - Henderson
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Commissioner Phil Wiley thanked all who participated in the Ford Town USA, the Homecoming Parade and Appleknocker. He said that all events were done very well.
In the absence of City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford, Mayor Rick Slaughter presented three items.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3292, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND RATIFYING A GRANT UNDER THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR JEREMY M. RUGER AND WHITNEY N. RUGER (PIP AND KATE, LLC) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Commissioner Henderson noted that he would like to see the façade grant program increase the loan amount from $5,000.00 to $10,000.00-$12,000.00, as well as seeing some changes in the guidelines.
A MOTION TO BEGIN THE BIDDING PROCESS FOR THE HEAD SERVICEMAN FOR THE STREET DEPARTMENT (DUE TO AN UPCOMING RETIREMENT) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3293, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE BID FOR THE SALE OF 750 W. 3RD STREET (GLEN YOUNG - $830.00) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - No
City Treasurer Abbie Orel requested opening a new checking account, recommended by our auditors, for the OSLAD Grant for the new Pickleball Courts.
A MOTION TO APPROVE OPENING A NEW CHECKING ACCOUNT FOR THE OSLAD GRANT PROGRAM (OPEN SPACE LANDS ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER. > Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - No
Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles presented two resolutions.
A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE ERIC GIBBONS REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (220 W. 2ND STREET) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY. > Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - No
A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE RONALD D. WEST REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (422 E. LINCOLN) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
ADJOURN
Abstain - None; Absent - No
At approximately 4:47 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.
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