FLORA CITY COUNCL MEETS

(4/22/25) pg

The Flora City Council met Monday afternoon and began with a public budget meeting.  With the absence of Mayor Rick Slaughter, Commissioner Linda Spicer served as Mayor Pro Tem for the duration of the hearing.  During this time commissioners discussed various aspects of City of Flora finances for FY2026, with questions and brief explanations of how city spending is set to occur over the next year.  With no public comment concerning finances, the meeting adjourned, and the regular meeting convened.

With the arrival of Mayor Slaughter, He convened the regular meeting, and it proceeded in its usual fashion.  During public comment, Roy Smith, past commander of the Louisville American Legion Post 914 addressed members to highlight the upcoming Veterans Suicide Awareness Walk on Saturday, May 10^th.  Smith noted that 17-22 veterans take their own lives every day in the United States, which equates to some 6,000 veteran deaths each year.  The Veterans Walk is an effort to draw attention to the problem and to help end it.  He says last year, over 100 people marched from Flora’s World War II Memorial at Library Park to the Memorial on the Courthouse Square in Louisville.  That effort raised $7,000 for the cause and they hope to top that effort this year.  The group seeks permission to use the library grounds as the starting point and coordination of the traffic flow as the marchers will travel west along 3^rd St. and then north onto Worthey St. and eventually onto Route 45 for remainder of the journey to Louisville.  They welcome other community members to join them on May 10^th.  Commissioners approved his request.

The next person to speak was resident Judy Adams, who requested that the City of Flora take more action in ridding the town of skunks, raccoons and ground hogs.  She said the problem has grown worse in recent years and these animals are causing damage to homes and making it nearly impossible to plant a garden that is successful because squirrels and other animals destroy it before any harvest is made.  Adams said she has contacted Animal Control but has never heard back from anyone.  The council listened to her remarks and took them under advisement. 

Next, Anna Rounds with the Flora Chamber of Commerce spoke to council members about the approaching Spring Festival around the Flora Public Library on Saturday, May 3^rd.  She said there is significant interest in the event, and they need additional space to allow vendors to present their products.  With 2^nd St. already planned for closure, she asked that Main St. in front of the library also be closed to allow businesses to set up there.  The council approved her request.

Commissioners then approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda.  The latter included approval of the Police Activity Report for March as well as the Building and Zoning Report, past meeting minutes, the bills and the Treasurer’s Report.

In regular business, Mayor Rick Slaughter recognized the retirement of Charles Behnke as the Chief Sewer Operator in Flora.  The mayor noted that Behnke began working for the city back in the year 2000 and retired on April 11^th after serving Flora residents for 25 years.  He presented Behnke with gifts and the council and all in attendance rose to give Behnke a standing ovation for this lengthy service, with family members and co-workers joining in. 

Mayor Slaughter, with the council’s approval, appointed Stephanie Bailey as Flora City Treasurer, effective May 1^st, with a salary of $92,000 annually.  Baily served many years as the Village of Louisville Treasurer before leaving that position a few years ago.

The mayor then called on commissioners for their comments.  Phil Wiley reminds everyone that the Spring Festival is on Saturday, May 3^rd and it will include a number of businesses that offer lawn mowers and lawn care products.  It will also serves as the first farmer’s market of the year and will feature vegetables and other products including clothing.  He noted there is no charge and no registration is necessary.  He did ask when people set up to self their products at the northwest corner of the property, that they set up inside the sidewalk and not between the sidewalk and the street.

Flora City Administrator/Economic Development Director Mike Stanford presented the ordinance that adopts the City of Flora FY2025-26 Budget and commissioners unanimously approved the measure.  Also present was an ordinance amending the City of Flora FY2024-25 Budget.  He noted the measure was needed since additional equipment was required and purchased totaling $45,579.  There was also $22,638 for LIHEAP spending.  There was also required spending on a vehicle, for matters related to the large water leak experienced in past months and for the purchase of a new pool filter.  Stanford did point out that the city is also the recipient of additional grant funds to install new LED lighting at the Rotary Skatepark, basketball courts and the tennis courts on East North Avenue.  Stanford also said they had advertised for bids for the property at 412 E. Lincoln, but there were no bidders.  The property was offered to other potential buyers and Stephen Smith agreed to purchase it for $100.  Commissioners ratified the decision.  Stanford also reminds residents that there is another community recycling event scheduled for Saturday May 24^th from 9:00-Noon in the lot in front of the former Clay Medical building on E. North Avenue

Building and Zoning Official Chad Bayles presented an ordinance approving the accepting of bids for the surplus real estate at 532 W. 6^th St. and 514 E. North Avenue which was approved.  The co0uncil also approved a resolution declaring the property owned by Zachary Champlin, John Champlin, Daniel Larose and Lisa Champlin at 525 W. 6^th St. as unsafe and dangerous.  Members concurred.  They also declared that the Harold Lee Cooper Real Estate as unsafe and dangerous at 717 N. State.  They also approved a resolution declaring the Anthony Fulk and Brandy Fulk real estate as unsafe and dangerous at 732 S. Main.

Superintendent of Public Services Toby Rinehart reminds residents in the Flora that the mowing season has begun and it is against village ordinances to blow grass clippings and other materials into village streets.  With all business complete, the meeting adjourned.