East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met March 3.

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 and several guests were also in attendance.

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

First, Jessica Muskopf had two requests to obtain approval for on behalf of Flora Rotary Club.

A MOTION TO APPROVE FLORA ROTARY CLUB USE OF ELMWOOD CEMETERY ON SEPTEMBER 12 AND 13, 2025 (ELMWOOD CEMETERY TOURS) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent – None

A MOTION TO APPROVE FLORA ROTARY CLUB USE OF CHARLEY BROWN PARK ON MAY 26, 2025 (ANNUAL DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Next, Anna Rounds, Flora Chamber of Commerce presented several requests for upcoming 2025 events.

A MOTION TO APPROVE FLORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE USE OF FLORA PICKLEBALL COURTS ON MAY 17, 2025 (1ST ANNUAL FLORA CHAMBER PADDLE BATTLE) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

A MOTION TO APPROVE FLORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE USE OF CHARLEY BROWN PARK ON JULY 4 AND 5, 2025 (4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION) 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 APPROVE FLORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE USE OF CHARLEY BROWN PARK ON OCTOBER 11, 2025 (7TH ANNUAL CHAMBER AMATEUR DOUBLES DISC GOLF TOURNAMENT) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent – None

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE FLORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO HOLD THE HALLOWEEN PARADE ON OCTOBER 25, 2025 WITH APPROVED ROAD CLOSURES, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent – None.

Next, Mayor Slaughter introduced Morgan Doggett (Adeline Development Group) to give an update on the Downtown Revitalization Grant. Miss Doggett advised that all final reviews are finished and have been submitted to the State. We will now enter into a 90-day review period. With recent political changes, Miss Doggett wanted to inform the Council that because of the allocation and timing of the funding, we have been assured the funding is secured.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE MARCH 3, 2025, 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 FEBRUARY 18, 2025

• APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR FEBRUARY 12, 2025 THROUGH FEBRUARY 25, 2025

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA 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 presented a few items.

A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION APPOINTING TOBY RINEHART TO THE GATEWAY REGIONAL WATER CO., INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS (3-YEAR TERM - EXPIRING FEBRUARY 1, 2028) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE RESIGNATION OF CITY TREASURER KIM ADAIR, EFFECTIVE MARCH 26, 2025, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent – None

Commissioner Jeremy Henderson had one item to present for approval.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3410, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE 7, CHAPTER 3, SECTION 7 "FEES FOR COLLECTION OF GARBAGE, REFUSE AND TRASH" (3% INCREASE EACH YEAR) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Commissioner Phil Wiley presented one item for approval.

A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION APPROVING A SALES AGREEMENT CONFIRMATION WITH CONSTELLATION WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY

COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent – None

City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford introduced Lee Beckman, (Milano & Grunloh Engineers) who gave a brief update on the following projects: Unsewered Planning Study, Lead Service Line Inventory Grant, ITEP Application, DCEO Grant and Safe Routes to School.

Next, Stanford presented two items for approval.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3409, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN AWARD OF BID AND CONTRACT TO KIEFFER BROS. CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. FOR TACKITT DRIVE 8" SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION ($55,294.38) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3412, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ACCEPTANCE OF AN EASEMENT FROM THE FLORA COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 35 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent – None

Not on the agenda, Mr. Stanford asked Council for approval to start advertising for the Treasurer position. He also requested authorization to start the bidding process for Chief Operator - Sewer Department, as Chuck Behnke has announced his retirement. Council members agreed to start both immediately.

Next, Mr. Stanford announced that B & H Recycling will be coming to Flora on May 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will be held at the parking lot located on the corner of E. North Ave. and N. Locust Street. A list of acceptable items and fees will be sent to the radio station, newspaper and posted on the City website.

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

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3411, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE SELLING OF REAL ESTATE 315 E. SCUDAMORE, 412 E. LINCOLN, 508 VINCENNES AVENUE FLORA, ILLINOIS WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON.

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

ADJOURN

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent – None

At approximately 4:47 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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