City of Metropolis City Council met Dec. 8

City of Metropolis City Council met Dec. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the City Council, City of Metropolis, Illinois was held at 7:00 p.m.  on Monday, December 8th, 2025, in Council Chambers of City Hall at 106 West 5th Street,  Metropolis, Illinois. Upon roll call the following Council members were present: Alderwoman  Michele Longworth, Aldermen Chuck Short, Cord Koch, Jeff Bullock, Jermey Holley, Chad Lewis,  Darryl Neill, Al Wagner, Mayor Gregg Jeffords, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, City Clerk  Jan Adams and concerned citizens of Metropolis. 

ROLL CALL:  

Bullock Present    Longworth Present  

Holley Present     Neill Present  

Koch Present       Short Present  

Lewis Present      Wagner Present    

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Aldermen Al Wagner to approve the  minutes of the previous meeting held on 11-24-2025 as presented. 

MOTION CARRIED:  

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

CITIZENS & VISITOR REQUEST: 

MAYOR’S REPORT: 

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve  payment to Crocket Howard Properties LLC in the amount of $11,301.40 for the redevelopment  agreement between the City of Metropolis and Crockett Howard Properties from TIF funds  

MOTION CARRIED:  

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to  approve payment to Howell Commercial Properties LLC in the amount of $20,00.00 for the  redevelopment agreement between the City of Metropolis and Howell Commercial Properties  LLC from TIF funds  

MOTION CARRIED:  

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

Moved by Alderman Jeff Bullock and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve  payment to Patrick Howell (Howell Commercial Properties, LLC) for a completed Business  Improvement grant project (exterior paint and siding) in the amount of $2,310.60  MOTION CARRIED:  

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

Jeremy Billington, who has been the city’s health insurance since 2012 was at the meeting with his attorney Angela M. Povolish of Povolish Law in Carbondale. She asked to address the council; mayor Jeffords noted the visitors request portion on the agenda was earlier and could speak for 5 minutes. Attorney Povolish had a few questions about the motion to change our insurance broker. She notice it was called for discussion during executive session and wondered why a broker of record change was during an executive session. It’s her understanding that it’s a violation of the open meetings act in Illinois.

Corporate Counsel informed her that she could ask questions, but we don’t have to respond. If you have a legal question, you can submit a letter to my office.

She felt her response was not a legal inquiry but seeking factual reasons as to why the broker of record is being changed.

The mayor stated the City feels that the policy would better be served by somebody else. He added, the city was not going to litigate it here in chamber, that’s not the appropriate place for it.

Again, she inquired the factual reason as to why the broker of record is being changed. Corporate Counsel reiterated if you’re going to continue making legal inquiries , you’re an attorney at law asking questions and formally representing an individual. If you’re going to make legal inquiries, you can send a letter to my office.

Attorney Povolish asked if the council is aware that the city is under a contractual arrangement with Mr. Billington to be the broker of record through January 27 and if we needed to see a copy of the contract.

Corporate Counsel stated that it is a legal assertion.

The mayor added that we will not allow disruption in council chambers and if it continues you will have to leave.

Attorney Povolish commented they have every right during an open meeting to ask questions of council about why the city is changing the broker of record to another who does not live in the state. She continued to ask if Mr. Dunn has been asked if he is available and willing to be

the broker of record and is the change effective immediately or following the 60-day termination notice in the contract. She questioned if her client is relieved of obligations under the contract.

Corporate Counsel finished with no comment.

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve PHP’s health insurance proposal and record of broker change from Jeremey Billington to Richard Dunn

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve the GL Property auto work comp policy from Gower Insurance

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve transportation improvement program for the Metropolis Airport MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

Moved by Alderman Jeff Bullock and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve the KeeFORCE contract renewal in the amount of $1,309.42 beginning on 2/1/2026 MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea Longworth Yea Holley Yea Neill Yea Koch Yea Short Yea Lewis Yea Wagner Yea

City Hall will be closed December 25th & 26th for Christmas and January 1st & 2nd for New Year’s

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to Adopt Ordinance Amending Title VII Traffic Code, Chapter 72, Parking Schedules, Schedule III. Handicapped and Disabled Veteran Parking, of the Code of Metropolis 2025-58

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to approve the Finance Report be received and approved and that the orders be drawn on the Treasurer for the different amounts mentioned therein and that the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to make necessary arrangements for payment of current Salaries, Payroll and Contract bills. MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

Moved by Alderman Jermey Holley and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to approve the Finance Report be received and approved and that the orders be drawn on the Treasurer for the different amounts mentioned therein and that the Mayor and the City Clerk be authorized to make necessary arrangements for payment of miscellaneous bills.

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea          Longworth Yea  

Holley Yea           Neill Yea  

Koch Yea             Short Yea  

Lewis Yea            Wagner Yea  

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chad Lewis seconded by to adjourn. TIME: 7:52

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea Longworth Yea Holley Yea Neill Yea Koch Yea Short Yea Lewis Yea Wagner Yea

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