City of Flora City Council met Dec. 18.
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, 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 present.
Mayor Rick Slaughter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Phil Wiley offered the Invocation.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Stephen Smith, member of the Flora Tourism Committee, addressed Council. Mr. Smith took the time to thank the City employees for helping with the Kriskindlemarket Christmas Festival, as well as thanking the owners of The Outpost and Nostalgia. Smith considered the event a success, noting that it took a community to make it happen.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR DECEMBER 18, 2023 REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF FLORA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
CONSENT AGENDA
The following items were listed under the Consent Agenda:
ACCEPT POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2023
ACCEPT BUILDING AND ZONING REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2023
APPROVE TREASURER'S REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 2023
APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 4, 2023
APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR PERIOD ENDING DECEMBER 14, 2023
December 18, 2023
A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
REGULAR BUSINESS
Mayor Rick Slaughter announced that judging for the 'Best Christmas Lights in Town' contest will take place between December 26th and January 1st. Slaughter explained that utility credits will be given to the first, second and third place winners.
Commissioner Linda Spicer thanked the businesses who cooperated with shutting down the street for the Kriskindlemarket activities. Spicer also mentioned the two shows Nostalgia hosted, noting everyone did an excellent job.
Commissioner Jeremy Henderson wished everyone a Merry Christmas and thanked the local Churches for all they do during this week.
Commissioner Phil Wiley expressed his appreciation for the community coming together for the activities at Kriskindlemarket. Wiley stated that he had talked with most all the vendors and the downtown businesses owners who expressed how well it went. Wiley also announced that the First Christian Church is hosting a free meal on Christmas Eve, and all are welcome.
Commissioner Jim Fehrenbacher stated that he agreed with prior comments and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Before presenting several ordinances for Council consideration, City Administrator and Economic Development Director Mike Stanford mentioned that he had visited with the local merchants after the Kriskindlemarket activities and they spoke positively about the event, noting there was an increase in foot traffic and sales.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3302, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3303, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AMENDMENTS TO THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE IBEW MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Upon presentation of the following ordinance being presented, Commissioner Henderson stated that he would like to see the City obtain quotes for professional services in order to obtain the best possible cost.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3304, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A PROJECT AUTHORIZATION WITH MILANO & GRUNLOH ENGINEERS, LLC WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - Henderson
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3305, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 9, CHAPTER 2, SECTION 3 - "4 WAY STOP INTERSECTION” (BRISCOE DRIVE & COMMERCIAL DRIVE) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3306, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING NO PARKING ON GIVEN DRIVE AND EAST 3RD STREET FROM STANFORD ROAD TO OAK STREET WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3308, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE BID FOR THE SALE OF 549 W. 5TH STREET WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3309, AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A CLASS II TRUCK ROUTE ON BRISCOE DRIVE WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 23-3310, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING NOTICE OF AWARD, CONTRACT AND ENGINEERING AGREEMENT FOR THE PICKLEBALL COURTS WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles presented a variance based upon a recommendation from the Zoning Board. Commissioner Spicer asked for clarification if the neighbors had been notified and if so, were there any complaints, in which Mr. Bayles responded that they were notified, and he received no complaints regarding the variance.
A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO.23-3307, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE TO JOSHUA H. HEIFNER AND RACHAEL N. HEIFNER (28 STONE FORGE PIKE) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - Slaughter
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 SPICER.
➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher
No - None
Abstain - None; Absent - None
OPEN SESSION
At approximately 5:09 p.m., Council entered back into Open Session.
ADJOURN
At approximately 5:10 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 FEHRENBACHER. COUNCIL MEMBERS CONCURRED AND MAYOR SLAUGHTER DECLARED SAID MEETING ADJOURNED.
https://florail.govoffice2.com/vertical/sites/%7B62602091-720B-4C05-8923-FB9F25FCDE7A%7D/uploads/12-18.pdf
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