East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met Oct. 21.

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 Kaci O'Dell 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 Jeremy Ruger, City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford, City Clerk Kaci O'Dell, City Treasurer Kim Adair, Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles and Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart. Two media representatives were present.

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Anna Rounds with Flora Chamber of Commerce addressed the Council for approval to use Gaslight Square for Moonlight Madness. This space will be used for a variety of vendors and non-profit organizations to sell food.

A MOTION TO APPROVE FLORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE USE OF GASLIGHT SQUARE FOR MOONLIGHT MADNESS ON NOVEMBER 8, 2024, 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 OCTOBER 21, 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:

• ACCEPT POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2024

• ACCEPT BUILDING AND ZONING REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 2024

• APPROVE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 24, 2024

• APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 7, 2024

• APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR OCTOBER 2, 2024 THROUGH OCTOBER 15, 2024

• APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER 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 thanked Mike Stanford for his persistence with Congressman Mike Bost. The City has been awarded funding of $1.2 million for a resurfacing project. The resurfacing will start at Ed Lewis East (1051 W. North Ave.) and on to Old Highway 50 and go to the State maintenance line on Highway 45 near Camelia Rd.

Commissioner Phil Wiley reminded the community to be safe while enjoying the Halloween Parade this weekend and Trick-or-Treat activities next week.

City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford introduced Morgan Doggett from Adeline Development Group to give an update of the Downtown Revitalization Grant. Miss Doggett explained the revised budget has been submitted to the State. Once reviewed the State will issue a grant award letter before December 31, 2024. Then receipts will be able to be submitted for reimbursement. $1,273,268.00 will be reimbursed among the 13 participating entities. Details will be outlined in the grant award letter. Miss Doggett stated her contract with the City is ending December 31, 2024, but would be happy to stay on free of charge to make sure everything is completed correctly.

Next, Mr. Stanford presented several items for approval.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3381, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND RATIFYING A GRANT UNDER THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR RODNEY HAWKINS AND GLORIA HAWKINS (Not to exceed $5,000.00) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3382, AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE IMLRMA MINIMUM/MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT ($284,533.73 if paid by November 15, 2024, a 1% discount will apply) 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. 24-3383, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FLORA, CLAY COUNTY, ILLINOIS CONCERNING THE RECDS INTERMEDIARY RELENDING PROGRAM AND A LOAN THEREUNDER TO BE MADE TO WASH-N-RUN, LLC AND BRANDON L. BURKETT AUTHORIZING SUCH LOAN AND THE RELATED LOAN DOCUMENTS MATTERS ($125,000.00) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Mr. Stanford then announced there will be a Special Council Meeting on Thursday, October 24th to adopt the Audit for Fiscal Year 2024. Also, the City is aware of an issue with the lights at the Pickleball Courts. He assured residents that corrections are being made.

ADJOURN

At approximately 4:48 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.

https://florail.govoffice2.com/vertical/sites/%7B62602091-720B-4C05-8923-FB9F25FCDE7A%7D/uploads/oct_21_minutes.pdf