East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met April 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, Interim City Treasurer Becky Wiley and Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles and Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart. Several guests and two media representatives were also in attendance.

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Roy Smith was present to request approval of an upcoming event.

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE 2^° VETERANS SUICIDE AWARENESS WALK ON MAY 10, 2025 WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Judy Adams, a resident of Flora, addressed the council with her concerns regarding animal control. She has called and left a message with Animal Control in Louisville and has yet to receive a call back. Adams went on to say she has lived on Seminary Street for almost 58 years and the number of racoons, groundhogs, opossums and squirrels is horrible. It makes it very hard to have a garden and flowers. Adams asked the city to consider some way to detour the animals. Mayor Slaughter thanked Adams for bringing this to their attention.

Anna Rounds, on behalf of Flora Tourism had one request for approval.

A MOTION TO APPROVE AN ADDITIONAL ROAD CLOSURE (200 BLOCK OF NORTH MAIN STREET) DURING SPRING FEST (MAY 3, 2025) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Kristen Logan, with Clay County Farm Bureau Young Leaders was listed on the agenda but was not present at the meeting. No action was taken.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE APRIL 21, 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:

• ACCEPT POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY REPORT FOR MARCH 2025 .

• ACCEPT BUILDING AND ZONING REPORT FOR MARCH 2025

• APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 7, 2025

• APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR MARCH 26, 2025 THROUGH APRIL 15, 2025

• APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT FOR MARCH 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 Slaughter started off the meeting with recognizing the retirement of Charles Behnke, Chief Sewer Operator. Behnke was employed by the City of Flora from March 6, 2000 to April 11, 2025. Slaughter expressed his appreciation for all of his dedicated years of service to the City and presented Behnke with a retirement clock.

Next, Mayor Slaughter presented one item for approval.

Commissioner Jeremy Henderson chimed in at this time. Henderson wanted to stress that in the past, the City would have professionals come and sit in on the interviews. He believed this was a good thing that the City has strayed from and would like to see it started again.

A MOTION TO APPOINT STEPHANIE BAILEY AS CITY TREASURER AT AN ANNUAL SALARY OF $92,000.00 WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF MAY 1, 2025, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Commissioner Wiley encouraged everyone to attend the upcoming family-friendly Tourism event - Spring Fest. This event will be held on Saturday, May 3^^ from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Also, this is the first day of the Farmers' Market.

April 21. 2025 Page 3

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

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3422, AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING THE CITY OF FLORA ANNUAL BUDGET 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR 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. 25-3423, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY OF FLORA ANNUAL BUDGET 2024-2025 FISCAL YEAR WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Not listed on the agenda, Mr. Stanford asked for one more approval. Previously, the City had posted to accept bids for real estate located at 412 E. Lincoln and did not receive any bids. After contacting a few individuals, one offer was made.

A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE OFFER OF $100 FROM STEPHEN SMITH FOR 412 E. LINCOLN WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Stanford then reminded citizens of the upcoming recycling event. This will be held in the parking lot on the corner of E. North Avenue and S. Locust Street on Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Items accepted and prices are listed on the City website.

Next, Stanford informed the Council that the City received a lighting grant. The lighting is for the tennis courts, basketball courts and skatepark. All new LED lighting will be installed this summer. The grant was $12,000 in total and is estimated to save around $30,000 in energy costs within 10 years.

Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles had several items to present to council.

A MOTION TO PASS ORDINANCE NO. 25-3424, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING ACCEPTING OF BIDS FOR SURPLUS REAL ESTATE 532 W STREET AND 514 E NORTH AVENUE, FLORA, ILLINOIS 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 PASS A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE ZACHARY D. CHAMPLIN, JOHN CHAMPLIN, DANIEL LAROSE AND LISA A. CHAMPLIN REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (525 W ST) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

April 21, 2025 Page 4

A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE HAROLD LEE COOPER REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (717 N. STATE) 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 DECLARING THE ANTHONY E. FULK AND BRANDY L. FULK REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (732 S. MAIN) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Lastly, Bayles asked citizens to keep cut grass out of the roadways. When grass is left on the roads it can get washed down to the storm drains and cause issues.

ADJOURN

At approximately 5:02 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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