East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met Dec. 2.

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 (electronically), Commissioner Phil Wiley and Commissioner Jim Fehrenbacher.

Mayor Slaughter stated that Commissioner Henderson is requesting to attend the meeting electronically. He then asked Commissioner Henderson to state the reason that he cannot attend physically. Commissioner Henderson said he had a work obligation. This reason falls under employment purposes and meets the prerequisites to attend electronically. There were no objections by any council members.

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, and Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles. Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart was absent. Two media representatives and two guests were also in attendance.

Mayor Rick Slaughter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Linda Spicer offered the Invocation.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Don Fry addressed the council to speak about the 4th Annual Masonic Lodge Auction for Shriners Hospitals for Children. This will be the 4th year organizing by himself. Mr. Fry would like to use the REA Building on Saturday, May 31st. He has set at goal to raise $15,000. He would like to see more involvement and support through additional donated items and more bidders. Mr. Fry also wanted to thank the Police Department for their assistance while the Masonic Lodge had their roof replaced recently.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE DECEMBER 2, 2024, 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:

• APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 18, 2024

• APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR NOVEMBER 13, 2024 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2024

• APPROVE USE OF REA BUILDING - MAY 31, 2025 (MASONIC LODGE AUCTION FOR SHRINER'S HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN)

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

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

REGULAR BUSINESS

Mayor Rick Slaughter had a few items to present.

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE "BEST LIGHTS IN TOWN" CONTEST 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 A RESOLUTION APPOINTING TOBY RINEHART AS A DELEGATE TO THE IRWA CAUCUS 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 APPROVE FULL-TIME NON-UNION WAGE INCREASES OF 3.5%, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - Henderson

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Commissioner Henderson apologized for not being at the meeting and offered thankfulness for allowing him to participate electronically.

Commissioner Phil Wiley thanked everyone that was involved with the work that has been completed at Library Park. He encouraged the community to drive around to see the decorated homes. Then, Wiley announced the upcoming Tourism event, Kriskindle Market, which will be December 13th-15th. This year it will be located at and around Library Park so W. North Ave. will not need to be blocked off and disrupt parking at the downtown businesses. Kriskindle Market will include: Craft Market, Food Vendors, Ice Skating, Breakfast with Santa, Santa and his Reindeer and the Grinch.

City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford stated that the City is working on playing music throughout Library Park and downtown very soon. Stanford then presented two items for approval.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3388, AN ORDINANCE LEVYING TAXES FOR CORPORATE PURPOSES FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, COMMENCING ON THE 1ST DAY OF MAY, 2024 AND ENDING ON THE 30TH DAY OF APRIL, 2025 FOR THE CITY OF FLORA, ILLINOIS WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None 3

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3389, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE LEVY & ASSESSMENT OF TAXES FOR THE FLORA POLICE PENSION FUND FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING MAY 1, 2025 AND ENDING APRIL 30, 2026 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles presented two items for approval.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 24-3387, AN ORDINANCE REGULATING DEVELOPMENT IN FLOODPLAIN AREAS 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. 24-3390, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 2 CEMETERY WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

ADJOURN

At approximately 4:44 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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