East Central Reporter

City of Flora City Council met May 19.

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 Chief of Police Jeremy Ruger, City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford, City Clerk Kaci O'Dell, City Treasurer Stephanie Bailey, Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles and Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart. City Attorney Bob Coble was absent. A few guests and two media representatives were also in attendance.

Mayor Rick Slaughter led the Pledge of Allegiance and Commissioner Phil Wiley offered the Invocation.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Stephen Smith with Flora Tourism addressed the Council on several topics. First, he wanted to touch on Spring Fest. Smith stated it was the most organized event they have had. Not only are these events meant to bring people to town, but to bring the community together. Flora Tourism is happy to report there has been an increase in community volunteers. This helps the events run smoothly.

Next, Smith asked for approvals relating to Ford Town Fun Fest.

A MOTION TO APPROVE FLORA TOURISM TO HOST FORD TOWN FUN FEST (INCLUDING APPROVED ROAD CLOSURES) ON SEPTEMBER 19 AND SEPTEMBER 20, 2025, WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Smith moved on to speak about the July 4th Fireworks. In order to keep the July 4th date in the future, there is a need to grow the show. Flora Tourism has teamed up with local organizations to host a fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting the July 4th Fireworks. The fundraiser will be a drive thru pork steak dinner at Act Automotive. Tickets are $15.

Lastly, Smith asked council if a 24' x 12' portable storage building could be placed at the Southeast corner of Library Park. Flora Tourism is open to placing it either temporarily or permanently and would like to add a concrete pad. The building would be used for the Santa house and storage of event supplies throughout the year. The crowd has grown over the past few years with bringing Christmas festivities downtown rather than Charley Brown Park. Mayor Slaughter told Smith that Council would like more time to think about placement options.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA FOR THE MAY 19, 2025, REGULAR COUNCIL MEETIN 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 APRIL 2025

• ACCEPT BUILDING AND ZONING REPORT FOR APRIL 2025

• APPROVE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 5, 2025

• APPROVE SCHEDULE OF BILLS FOR APRIL 30, 2025 THROUGH MAY 13, 2025

• APPROVE TREASURERS REPORT FOR APRIL 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 had one item for approval.

A MOTION TO APPOINT THOMAS ALLEN TO FLORA AIRPORT AUTHORITY FOR A 5 YEAR TERM (06/28/2025-06/28/2030) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Commissioner Jeremy Henderson announced that the swimming pool filters arrived later than anticipated and unfortunately would have to push the opening pool date to Saturday, May 31st.

City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford reminded citizens they can set out extra items to be picked up for spring clean-up week and to take advantage of the recycling event this Saturday at the parking lot east of China Buffet. Then, Stanford had a few items for approval.

A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION AMENDING THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK (CHAPTER 13 VACATION AND MISCELLANEOUS LEAVE) 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. 25-3431, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE AWARDING OF BID AND SALE OF REAL ESTATE FOR 532 W. 6TH STREET, FLORA, ILLINOIS (EDDIE JAY JONES - $2,200.00) 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. 25-3432, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE AWARDING OF BID AND SALE OF REAL ESTATE FOR 514 E. NORTH AVENUE, FLORA, ILLINOIS (CALVIN L. WATKINS - $1,776.00) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Next, Vance Sloan, Head of Water and Sewer Department gave an informative and energetic presentation on how the City would benefit from purchasing a new Jetter Truck. Armor representative, Kyle Watkins, was also present and answered questions regarding warranties on the equipment.

A MOTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND APPROVE PURHASE OF JETTER TRUCK (ARMOR EQUIPMENT $571,225.39) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

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

A MOTION TO PASS A RESOLUTION DECLARING THE HARRY Z. STRANGE REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (315 AUSTIN AVENUE) 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 GERALD BAKER REAL ESTATE AS UNSAFE AND DANGEROUS (540 E. 4TH STREET) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER SPICER; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER FEHRENBACHER.

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

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF BUDGETED ITEMS - TWO (2) STIHL MOWERS FOR THE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS (ACT TIRE AND AUTO $15,999.99 EACH) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER HENDERSON; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER WILEY. > Vote: Yes - Slaughter, Spicer, Henderson, Wiley, Fehrenbacher

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart had one item to present to council.

A MOTION TO WAIVE THE FORMAL BIDDING PROCESS AND ACCEPT QUOTE FROM MUNICIPAL EQUIPMENT FOR PROPRIETARY EQUIPMENT AT HELLA LIFT STATION (PUMPS $37,890.00 AND ELECTRICAL CONTROL PANEL $22,753.13) WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER WILEY; SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER SPICER.

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

ADJOURN

No - None

Abstain - None; Absent - None

At approximately 5:17 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 FEHRENBACHER. COUNCIL MEMBERS CONCURRED AND MAYOR SLAUGHTER DECLARED SAID MEETING ADJOURNED.

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