City of Metropolis City Council met Feb. 9.
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 Thursday, February 9th, 2026, 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, Jeff Bullock, Cord Koch, 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 Alderwomen Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1-29-2026 as presented.
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
CITIZENS & VISITOR REQUEST:
Monica Obermark came on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce to announce the annual Superman Celebration will host a carnival this year. There has not been a carnival since COVID 19 and need a location in close proximity to go back and forth to the celebration. We have tried each year to bring the carnival back, in 2025 one of the largest carnivals in the country came to scout locations but stated it wasn’t feasible for them to come. After several calls to other companies in August, two replied this year. We have a contract awaiting signature once the street closures are approved. After their representatives came to look at locations they decided being centered around Washinton was the best place to accommodate the 5-10 food stands and 10-15 rides. A map was presented for road closure surrounding Washington Park. She stated there will be barricades placed at all intersections with access for emergency vehicles available at all times. The residents will have access to their properties through the alleyway and Humma Apartment residents will have Third Street from Ferry to Metropolis Street access. The Chamber contacted Rhonda James, president of the library board, since the library will be open for business. The company is out of Tampa Florida; we have had good feedback from everyone and are very reputable.
We are looking at making the Superman Celebration bigger, this is the first step the mayor said. This is very exciting.
MAYOR’S REPORT:
Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve payment to Southwestern IL College in the amount of $7,407.10 for Police Academy for our new police officer, Braiden Davis
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve payment to Quint Utilities and Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $5,800.00 for the 612 East 8th St. Demo
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Jeremey Holley to approve payment to HMG Engineers in the amount of $6,402.50 for 6838 Metropolis-CSO Longterm Control Plan
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderwoman Jeremey Holley to approve the payment to Preferred Health Plan in the amount of $37,843.26 for City Health Insurance
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Mayor Jeffords read aloud the Ordinance Implementing a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax in its entirety
A First Reading of Ordinance Implementing a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax.
CORPORATE COUNSEL:
Corporate Counsel stated that the TIF application process has been updated to increase transparency and strengthen accountability to the public. The applications will be reviewed by Metropolis Planning Commission to ensure proposed projects align with the city’s long-term development goals and provide a clear benefit to the community. Their recommendations are passed on to the council for final approval.
The added layer of review allows for public discussion and helps ensure that TIF funds are allocated responsibly, strategically and in a way that supports economic growth, infrastructure improvement and neighborhood revitalization. These decisions should not be made by city hall alone and the process allows for more oversight to protect taxpayer funds.
Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to Adopt an Ordinance Approving A Redeveloping Agreement By and Between City of Metropolis and Crockett Howard Properties LLC 2026-03
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to Adopt an Ordinance Approving and Updating a Net Metering Policy and a Customer Self Generation Interconnection Policy for the City of Metropolis 2026-04
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Chief Masse confirmed he is attending a meeting with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet concerning the 2nd phase of construction on the I-24 bridge February 11. The work is to start the first week in March and will consist of building new lanes on one side of the bridge. All traffic will be diverted to the other side with barriers dividing the traffic. He will continue to update the council where the crossover will be located. The department is making plans to increase police presence in the area.
He reminded everyone about the homecoming celebration for Yolina Lindquist on Sunday, February 15 who was crowned Miss Cosmos International.
Chief Tolbert stated the department has made good progress with the hiring of two firefighters. Both hires will be relocating from upstate; one is certified at the fire level and has his EMT basics and the other is EMT certified but not fire certified. A spot has been reserved for the one at the fire academy which starts March 2, the cost is a reimbursable expense through the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Jermey Holley to Adopt a Resolution to Adopt and Allocate Funds for an Outdoor Fitness Court as a Part of the 2026 National Fitness Campaign 2026-01
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Chief Masse informed the council about the Downstate Major Case Squad Intergovernmental Criminal Justice Service Assistance Agreement at a prior meeting adding there is no fee involved but will be costs in time and manpower when local sources are activated. The agreement states each participating agency agrees that all other participating agencies and their employees rendering aid or assistance under this agreement shall be vested with the same jurisdiction powers and authority as the agency and its employees to which they are rendering aid and assistance. Police chiefs can request mutual aid assistance in investigating major crimes from any of the public agencies who enter into this agreement.
Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to approve the Downstate Major Case Squad Intergovernmental Criminal Justice Service Assistance Agreement
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Road closures for the carnival are from Metropolis Street from Second to Fourth Street, where the rides will be located. Fourth St. from Ferry to Metropolis Street, the alley next to Cordavino’s. Washington St (behind the library) from Third to Fourth Streets and Third St from Metropolis to Park Street.
Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve the road closure for the carnival setup and operations for the 2026 Superman Celebration June 8th- 14th
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth 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 YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth 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 YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Cord Koch that we go into Executive Session for reasons listed on the agenda
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Cord Koch that we approve the minutes of the Executive Session and that they are to remain closed
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chad Lewis seconded by to adjourn. TIME: 8:20
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea   Longworth YeaÂ
Holley Yea    Neill YeaÂ
Koch Yea     Short YeaÂ
Lewis Yea    Wagner Yea
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