East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met May 6.

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, Chief of Police Guye Durre, City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford, City Clerk Becky Burgess, Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles and Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart. Two media representatives and several guests were also in attendance. 

Mayor Rick Slaughter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Jeremy Henderson offered the Invocation. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

On behalf of tourism, Stephen Smith requested permission to host Ford Town Fun Fest. The event will include a car cruise and car show, live music, craft vendors, bounce- houses, a rock climbing wall, zipline, food vendors, a chili cookoff, and a craft brewer garden for a beer and wine tasting event. 

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FLORA TOURISM COMMITTEE TO HOST "FORD TOWN FUN FEST" (INCLUDING THE BLOCKING OFF OF APPROVED STREETS) ON SEPTEMBER 20 AND 21, 2024, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY. 

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

No - None 

Abstain None; Absent - None 

On behalf of the Clay County Fair, Steve Eastin made a request for construction on a building at the Clay County Fairgrounds. Eastin noted that RNC Buildings, out of Mt. Vernon, is donating a building (up to $15,000) which can be joined to another structure at the fairgrounds. Eastin concluded stating that the Clay County Fair will be held on July 19th through July 26th. 

A MOTION TO ALLOW THE CLAY COUNTY FAIR BOARD TO ADD TO AN EXISTING BUILDING AT THE CLAY COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS AT CHARLEY BROWN MEMORIAL PARK, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY 

COMMISSIONER SPICER. 

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

No None 

Abstain - None; Absent - None  

Lisa Erbacher requested the use of the stage at Charley Brown Memorial Park for a July 4th activity. 

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REQUEST FROM LISA ERBACHER TO USE THE STAGE AT CHARLEY BROWN MEMORIAL PARK ON JULY 4, 2024, TO HOST THE ALL-AMERICAN BOY & GIRL CONTEST, 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 THE MAY 6, 2024, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF FLORA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; 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: 

• APPROVE PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES OF APRIL 15, 2024 

• APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 15, 2024 

• APPROVE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 24, 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 noted that the recent coon hunt was a success. 

Commissioner Jeremy Henderson presented bid information for a new tractor. 

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3345, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A KUBOTA COMPACT TRACTOR FROM CARTER TURF & TRACTOR IN THE AMOUNT OF $25,200.00, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER. 

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

No - None 

Abstain - None; Absent - None 

Commissioner Phil Wiley reminded everyone about the Farmer's Market at Library Park from May through September. Wiley noted that the market is open from 8:00 a.m. until noon each Saturday, and location for setting up is on a first-come first-served basis with no permit required. 

Chief of Police Guye Durre announced that he plans to retire on September 25, 2024, noting that date will be his 24th anniversary date. Durre wanted to make Council aware of his retirement so there would be plenty of time to prepare for a smooth transition. 

City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford presented two items for Council to consider. 

A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION APPROPRIATING RBI (REBUILD ILLINOIS) AND MFT (MOTOR FUEL TAX) FUNDS FOR THE MAIN STREET PROJECT, IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $950,000.00, 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 PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3344, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH CHAD A LEWIS, TERESA A. LEWIS AND LEWIS FARMS LTD PARTNERSHIP (SLUDGE AGREEMENT) FOR THE PERIOD OF MAY 1, 2024 THROUGH APRIL 30, 2026, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER. 

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

No - None 

Abstain - None; Absent - None 

Stanford announced that Clay Group Limited Partnership has closed on the property, Lots 5 and 6 at Flora Commerce Plaza. 

Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart presented an invoice for approval. 

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE INVOICE FROM VIPOWER SERVICES FOR NESHAP MONITORING AND REPORTING EQUIPMENT FOR GENERATION SITE A & B IN THE AMOUNT OF $62,779.00, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER. 

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

ADJOURN 

No - None 

Abstain - None; Absent - None 

At approximately 4:50 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. 

https://florail.govoffice2.com/vertical/sites/%7B62602091-720B-4C05-8923-FB9F25FCDE7A%7D/uploads/56min.pdf