East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met Jan. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

OPENING CEREMONIES

Mayor Pro Tem Linda Spicer called the Regular Council Meeting of the City of Flora to order, and City Clerk Kaci O'Dell called roll. Present were Mayor Pro Tem Linda Spicer, Commissioner Jeremy Henderson, Commissioner Phil Wiley and Commissioner Jim Fehrenbacher. Mayor Rick Slaughter was absent.

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. One media representative and several guests were also in attendance.

Mayor Pro Tem Linda Spicer led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Jeremy Henderson offered the Invocation.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Lacey Lewis asked council to approve the use of Charley Brown Park on Saturday, September 6th to host Junktique Market Days. The event would consist of live music and vendors offering a variety of home décor, antiques, food, etc.

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE USE OF CHARLEY BROWN PARK ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2025 FOR JUNKTIQUE MARKET DAYS WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

Brody Burdine, President of the Flora Coon Club addressed council to approve the 2025 Flora Coon Club Hunt Schedule and inquire about tent camping on Charley Brown Park grounds during Coon Club events. The only events on the schedule that require use of the REA Building are: Black and Tan Days, English Days, and UKC. Burdine thanked everyone for working with him for the past year as he entered the role of President of the Coon Club. He stated that he has been working hard to build relationships with the City, Tourism, and the community. Burdine encouraged everyone to come check out any of the events and see what they have going on. Burdine wants to keep events going and help bring revenue to the City. In regards to tent camping, Burdine expressed that the club would like approval of tent camping in the campground area not just the fairgrounds during Coon Club events.

Mayor Pro Tem Spicer informed Burdine the motion tonight would be to approve use of the grounds only for the 2025 schedule. Burdine should continue to work with the Clay County Fair Board for use of their buildings. Council would discuss the request for tent camping and make a decision at a later date.

A MOTION TO APPROVE USE OF CHARLEY BROWN PARK FOR THE 2025 FLORA COON CLUB HUNT SCHEDULE WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE JANUARY 20, 2025, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE CITY OF FLORA WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items were listed under the Consent Agenda:

• ACCEPT POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2024

• ACCEPT BUILDING AND ZONING REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2024

• APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 6, 2025

• APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR JANUARY 1, 2025 THROUGH JANUARY 14, 2025

• APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT FOR DECEMBER 2024

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

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

REGULAR BUSINESS

Commissioner Jeremy Henderson asked for an update on the waste water plant, as several community members have asked if there has been any movement. He noted that Mr. Johnson (engineer with Fehr Graham) had said we might have an answer by now.

City Administrator / Economic Development Director Stanford answered that the EPA requested the City's plan for handling the infiltration. Our numbers were high due to storm water. We submitted our flow plan and smoke study. There were no problems with the new technology, only how we are dealing with infiltration. Now, we are awaiting the notice to proceed with construction from the EPA, most likely in the next few months.

Commissioner Phil Wiley encouraged everyone to keep cabinet doors open, bring pets inside, and be a good neighbor during the extreme cold weather. If you see water pouring out from anywhere, a house or into the street, please call City Hall or the Police Department to let us know. Typically, when it starts to warm up, pipes begin to thaw and may bust.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3401, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORA COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT #35 OF CLAY, WAYNE AND MARION COUNTIES, ILLINOIS WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford had several items to present.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3398, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AND RATIFYING A GRANT UNDER THE FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR WASH-N- RUN, LLC ($6,507.62) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3399, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG) PROCUREMENT POLICY WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

Next, Stanford asked to waive the formal bidding process and approve an amount up to $28,500.00 for the emergency purchase of a vehicle. (Not on the agenda). The request is to replace the 2007 Ford Ranger used by the Meter Reader. The transmission went out and was estimated over $2,000 to replace and has over 100,000 miles.

A MOTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND APPROVE UP TO $28,500.00 FOR A VEHICLE USED BY THE METER READER WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles had one item to present to council.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3400, AN ORDINANCE GRANTING A VARIANCE TO FLORA LODGE NO. 151 OF THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - Slaughter

ADJOURN

At approximately 4:47 p.m. with no further business to discuss, Mayor Pro Tem Spicer requested a motion to adjourn.

COMMISSIONER WILEY MADE A MOTION TO ADJOURN; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER. COUNCIL MEMBERS CONCURRED AND MAYOR PRO TEM SPICER DECLARED SAID MEETING ADJOURNED.

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