East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met Aug. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

City Clerk Becky Burgess administered the Oath of Office to new Police Officer Luke Durre. Luke's father, Chief of Police Guye Durre and mother, Rhonda Durre, held the Bible as he was sworn in. Several family members and colleagues were in attendance to show their support.

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 Jeremy Henderson, Commissioner Phil Wiley and Commissioner Jim Fehrenbacher. Commissioner Linda Spicer was absent.

Others in attendance were City Attorney Bob Coble, Chief of Police Guye Durre, City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford, City Clerk Becky Burgess, City Treasurer Kim Adair and Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles. Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart was absent.

Two media representatives and several visitors were in attendance. Many family members, friends and colleagues were also in attendance to show support and appreciation for Luke Durre and Darel Hilderbrand.

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

On behalf of the Tourism Committee, Stephen Smith addressed Council regarding the Ford Town Fun Fest, which will be held on September 20 and 21, 2024. Mr. Smith outlined the events and activities that will be taking place and stated that everything is coming together well. He solicited the City and everyone else to put a team together to participate in the Chili Cook-Off. Smith also took the time to thank the Police Department and the City for all they do for the Community.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE AUGUST 5, 2024, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF FLORA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were listed under the Consent Agenda:

. APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 15, 2024

. APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR JULY 10, 2024 THROUGH JULY 30, 2024 . APPROVE REQUEST FROM CLAY COUNTY FARM BUREAU TO USE CHARLEY BROWN PARK ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 (RAIN DATE OF SEPTEMBER 23^^) FARM SAFETY DAY

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

REGULAR BUSINESS

Mayor Rick Slaughter asked City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford to present a summary of the current water line breaks. Stanford stated that the City had two major water line breaks over the weekend, one on North Main Street (10" main under the road that was recently resurfaced) and one on North State (12" main). Stanford continued to state that Matt Hargis, City employee, sustained a significant injury during the process of repairing one of the breaks. The saw that Hargis was using to relieve pressure on the line kicked back and cut him in the chin and neck. Stanford continued noting that upon an Emergency Room visit at Clay County Hospital, Hargis was transferred by ambulance to Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, where they performed surgery. The cut went to the bone, but it was not damaged; however, a nerve was cut and had to be glued back together. Hargis received four layers of stitches before being sent home. Stanford bragged on the City workers for their diligence while working on the water line leaks. He also thanked DiMaggio's, Jonathon Billingsley and Phil Wiley for bringing food and drinks for the workers. Stanford explained that the 500,000 gallon water tower on Worthey Street was extremely low due to leaks. Residents were notified of a boil order, as well as being asked to conserve water. The City remains under a boil order and a small portion of North State remains closed until the damage is evaluated and repairs are made. Residents will be notified once the boil order has been lifted.

Slaughter then presented Darel Hilderbrand with an engraved clock from the City of Flora and acknowledged his appreciation for his 30 years of service with the Flora Police Reserve. Mr. Hilderbrand retired as Police Reserve Chief on July 31, 2024. He was given a round of applause, followed by a standing ovation.

Following the presentation. Slaughter presented several items for Council to consider.

A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RETIREMENT NOTICE OF CITY CLERK REBEKAH BURGESS, EFFECTIVE AUGUST 30, 2024, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

A MOTION TO APPOINT KACI O'DELL AS THE NEW CITY CLERK AT AN ANNUAL SALARY OF $65,015.34 WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2024, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

A MOTION TO PROMOTE SCOTT SCHUMER TO SERGEANT WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2024 AND AT THE RATE OF $36.19 PER HOUR, PER UNION CONTRACT, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

A MOTION TO REAPPOINT JOHN CASOLARI TO THE POLICE PENSION BOARD (TERM TO EXPIRE MAY OF 2026) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON .

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

A MOTION TO APPOINT JESSICA THOMPSON TO THE ZONING BOARD (TERM TO EXPIRE AUGUST OF 2029) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

Commissioner Jeremy Henderson thanked all those involved in making the Clay County Fair a success, noting that it was well-attended.

Commissioner Phil Wiley took the time to thank Mike Stanford and all of those that helped in fixing the line repairs. Wiley noted that the entire community came together to help and he truly appreciates that.

Commissioner Jim Fehrenbacher echoed Wiley's comments.

Chief of Police Guye Durre made a request to hire a new Police Officer.

A MOTION TO HIRE TRENTON HARRELL AS A NEW POLICE OFFICER WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF AUGUST 15, 2024 AND A RATE OF PAY OF $27.57 PER HOUR, PER UNION CONTRACT, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford allowed Lee Beckman to address Council on the various grants that Milano & Grunloh Engineers are completing for the City. Beckman gave a brief update on each of the grants that are currently being pursued.

Morgan Doggett with Drew Lane Consultants | Adeline Development Group updated Council on the Downtown Revitalization Grant. Following her presentation, Stanford presented a couple of items for Council to consider.

A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT OF THE ILLINOIS TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (ITEP) CYCLE 16-2024 GRANT APPLICATION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3363, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT DOCUMENTS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR DOWNTOWN PARKING LOT LUTTRELL BACKHOE, INC. (-$8,272.12) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE QUOTE FROM REINHAUSEN MANUFACTURING, INC. FOR REPAIRS ON THE EAST TRANSFORMER AT STANFORD SUBSTATION, IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,218.24, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

Not listed on the Agenda, but due to an emergency, Stanford requested approval to waive the formal bidding for the road repairs on N. Main Street that was caused by the water line break. The road needs repaired as soon as possible so it can be opened back up to traffic. Stanford noted that an estimated cost, using Kieffer Brothers and Howell Paving, is $40,000.00 to $50,000.00.

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE COST FOR REPAIRS ON N. MAIN STREET WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

The last thing Stanford mentioned was that work on the pickleball and tennis courts is progressing, as well as the two parking lots at Rotary Park.

Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles presented the following items.

A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE RODNEY HARDER AND SHERRY HARDER REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (430 E. STREET) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

Bayles noted that A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE DIEGO ISIDRO VELASCO MARTINEZ AND GENOVA AGUILERA ZARATE REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (231 E. 13"''" STREET) that was listed on the agenda, is being placed on hold. No action was taken.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3360, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT 339 FAIR AVENUE, FLORA, ILLINOIS, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3361, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT 315 E. SCUDAMORE, FLORA, ILLINOIS, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3362, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SALE OF REAL ESTATE AT 729 N. STATE, FLORA, ILLINOIS, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

> Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Spicer

ADJOURN

At approximately 5:09 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.

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