FLORA CITY COUNCIL MEETS

(4/16/24) pg

Members of the Flora City Council met Monday afternoon.  They met first for a public hearing on the FY 2024-25 Budget.  Following the hearing, the regular meeting got underway.

In Public Comments, Mark Smith of Flora First Methodist Church, Dr. Joel Hackney of First Southern Baptist Church and Jim Earleywine of First Church of Flora, representing the Clay County Ministerial Alliance addressed commissioners concerning the number of gaming parlors in Flora.  Reading from a prepared statement, Mark Smith said while gaming parlors may seem innocuous, their impact on our town, particularly on families living at or below the poverty level, cannot be ignored.  They threaten the fabric of our community, and he said statistics show that people who frequent these sites live at or below the poverty line.  He noted that the Ministerial Alliance does offer a benevolence fund to help people during difficult times, but its funds are stretched due to the high number of people that use the food pantry.  He then cited information from the Illinois Municipal League about townships creating a benevolent fund or something like it to help those affected by this issue.  When Smith concluded his remarks, Mayor Rick Slaughter thanked the group for their remarks, and they would take the matter under advisement.  The mayor took a moment highlighting the good that the Food Pantry does and said Flora citizens pay for the utilities of the organization while it focuses on serving not just Flora but all of Clay County, with over half of those seeking help coming from outside of Flora. 

As the meeting unfolded, commissioners approved the agenda and consent agenda. The latter included acceptance of the Flora Police Activity Report, Building and Zoning Report and approval of the Treasurer’s Report, past meeting minutes and the bills.

In the Mayor’s Report under regular business, Mayor Slaughter issued a proclamation making April 14-20 Public Safety Telecommunicators week.  The proclamation states telecommunicators serve the public by answering 911 calls for police, fire, emergency medical services and dispatching the appropriate assistance as quickly as possible 24 hours a day.  He thanked them for their service.  The council then voted unanimously to name Mike Stanford as the Flora Budget Officer in the absence of a City Treasurer. 

As the mayor polled commissioners for their comments, Linda Spicer and others thanked everyone who helped handle the influx of visitors during the eclipse on April 8.  It was noted the event was prepared for as much as is possible.  Phil Wiley noted there was a visitor from London, England who traveled to Chicago and met with friends and then they drove to our area and learned about Flora on social media. It was also mentioned that people who haven’t yet tossed their eclipse glasses could take them to Beyond the Bell.  They’re collecting the glasses and plan to send them to other countries for when they experience an eclipse.

Flora Police Chief Guye Durre asked commissioners to approve the purchase of a 2023 Ford Interceptor for the Police Department at a cost of $49,445.  His request was approved.   Chief Durre also echosed the mayor’s proclamation and paid tribute to Flora Telecommunicators.

City Administrator Mike Stanford earned approval on several items.  Members approving seeking bids for the Resurfacing of Tennis Courts, Parking at the Tennis Courts and Parking at the Basketball Courts at what is now Rotary Park (formerly Kiwanis Park).  The council also approved an ordinance for a contract for sale and purchase of real estate with Clay Group Limited Partnership.  They also approved a special ordinance authorizing the ceding of private activity bonding authority.  The body had planned to approved the FY24-25 Budget, but Stanford explained there were a few changes to the budget and they will now need to have a special meeting to fully adopt the new budget.  Members will consult their calendars and a special meeting will be scheduled.

Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles asked commissioners to approval an ordinance for a lease agreement between the City of Flora and Frank and Kim Lusk at Kel-Kay-Cam’s Treats.

Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart asked and commissioners approved Rinehart’s proposal to reject all bids on the Dump Truck Conversion and rebid it using different parameters.