East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met March 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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, 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 Jeremy Henderson offered the Invocation.

Jim Woods was recognized for his recent retirement. Jim started with the City of Flora on September 2, 1997. His last day of employment was January 24, 2024. Mayor Slaughter presented Jim with an engraved clock, as well as a gift card. Jim received a standing ovation and many thanks for his years of service to the City.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

On behalf of the Flora Rotary Club, Jessica Muskopf sought permission for the use of Elmwood Cemetery for their 10th annual cemetery tours. Muskopf was thanked for all that Rotary does for the community.

A MOTION TO ALLOW FLORA ROTARY CLUB TO USE ELMWOOD CEMETERY ON SEPTEMBER 13 AND 14, 2024 (ELMWOOD CEMETERY TOURS) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR FEBRUARY 5, 2024 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

February 5, 2024

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were listed under the Consent Agenda:

A RESOLUTION ABATING TAXES ON SERIES 2012 BONDS (ORDINANCE NO. 12-2536)

A RESOLUTION ABATING TAXES ON SERIES 2015A BONDS (ORDINANCE NO. 15-2672)

A RESOLUTION ABATING TAXES ON SERIES 2017 BONDS (ORDINANCE NO. 17-2942)

A RESOLUTION ABATING TAXES ON SERIES 2020 BONDS (ORDINANCE NO. 20-3102)

A RESOLUTION ABATING TAXES ON SERIES 2022 BONDS (ORDINANCE NO. 22-3190)

APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 15, 2024

APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR PERIOD ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 2024

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 several items for consideration.

A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF CITY TREASURER ABIGAIL OREL, EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 2, 2024, 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 APPOINT BRITTINE DENONCOUR AS DEPUTY CITY CLERK, EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 5, 2024, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

A MOTION TO APPOINT KAREN ANDERSON TO THE TOURISM BOARD (2-YEAR TERM) 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 HIRE BECKY WILEY, TEMPORARY HELP, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 30, 2024 ($30.00/HOUR) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

A MOTION TO APPOINT RICH HERRING TO THE ZONING BOARD (5-YEAR TERM) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Commissioner Jeremy Henderson presented an ordinance for approval.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3319, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 5 FEES IN CHARLEY BROWN MEMORIAL PARK WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Commissioner Phil Wiley noted that he is thankful to the members of Oil Belt Christian Service Camp for all their service and all that they do for our community.

City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford allowed Mitch Hardiek to address Council on the various grants that Milano & Grunloh Engineers are completing for the City. Hardiek substituted for Lee Beckman and gave a brief update on each of the grants that are currently being pursued. Following Hardiek's presentation, Stanford presented an IRP Loan.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3320, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FLORA, CLAY COUNTY, ILLINOIS CONCERNING THE RECDS INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM AND A LOAN THEREUNDER TO BE MADE TO OUTPOST BAR & GRILL, LLC, SANDY L. GOODMAN AND DOUGLAS K. GOODMAN, AUTHORIZING SUCH LOAN AND THE RELATED LOAN DOCUMENTS AND RELATED MATTERS ($174,015.22) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Stanford mentioned that B & H Recycling plans to be back in town on April 27, 2024 at Greenlaw Boulevard near the Southern Garden Shopping Center.

City Clerk Becky Burgess requested closed session minutes be approved.

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPROVE CLOSED SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 15, 2024 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart presented a personnel change.

A MOTION TO APPROVE A JOB CHANGE FOR AARON WILLIAMS, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 25, 2024, FROM STREET OPERATOR ($31.60/HOUR) TO STREET HEAD SERVICEMAN ($35.63/HOUR) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

➤ Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

ADJOURN

Abstain - None; Absent - None

At approximately 4:43 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.

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