Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met March 11.

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, March 11th, 2024, 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, Alderman Al Wagner, Dylan Chambers, Jermey Holley, Chad Lewis, Chuck Short, Darryl Neill, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, Mayor Don Canada, City Clerk Jan Adams and concerned citizens of Metropolis. Alderman Brian Anderson was out of town. ROLL CALL:

Anderson Absent Longworth Present Chambers Present Neill Present Holley Present Short Present Lewis Present Wagner Present

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2-26-2024 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent 

Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea 

Neill Yea 

Holley Yea 

Short Yea 

Lewis Yea 

Wagner Yea

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Public Works Director Natalie Harris stated the purchase will save money since we take the samples three times a week to Carbondale. It will save on labor as well as wear and tear on the vehicle.

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to approve purchase of new sampling tester for Wastewater Department in the amount of $7109.00.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent 

Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea 

Neill Yea 

Holley Yea 

Short Yea 

Lewis Yea 

Wagner Yea

Massac County State’s Attorney Josh Stratemeyer stated the county was given a building owned by the Regional Office of Education #21 (ROE) located at 1102 W. 10th Street around nine years ago. When ROE #21 relocated the Massac County Commission voted to sell the property. The sale is pending but the legal description is incorrect. He and surveyor Loren Kruger presented a survey and plat to be put on record to correct the former deed. The new plat showing the property line going halfway between the Metropolis Community Center and the former ROE#21 building. Kruger said he believes a new description for the city’s deed is not needed, everything on the southside of the line is owned by the city. Mapping and Zoning Administrator Chad Murray stated in his opinion the plat doesn’t require going beyond the council’s authority.

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve property survey and plat to be reviewed and recorded for property located at 1102 W. 10th Street.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent

Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea 

Neill Yea 

Holley Abstain 

Short Yea 

Lewis Yea 

Wagner Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

Corporate counsel stated this ordinance is similar to what other counties around the state are passing. The Resolution states that the city is not going to be spending our local tax dollars on this. He added, this could still happen and if we want to put teeth into this, we’d have to pass violation and penalties upon individuals dropping them off, that’s where we’d enter citations. They will look through these ordinances and see that we’re not supportive and hopefully, that will just deter them from doing so. This Resolution gives us a bit of protection right now to declare we are not going to spend tax dollars for this.

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and Seconded by Alderman Al Wagner to Adopt a Resolution Declaring that the City of Metropolis Will Not Spend or Accept Local Tax Dollars on the Immigration Crisis for Migrants and /or Asylum Seekers Entering the City of Metropolis 2024-01

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent 

Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea 

Neill Yea 

Holley Yea 

Short Yea 

Lewis Yea 

Wagner Yea

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Dylan Chambers 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:

Anderson Absent Longworth Yea Chambers Yea Neill Yea Holley Yea Short Yea Lewis Yea Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Dylan Chambers 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 miscellaneous bills.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent 

Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea 

Neill Yea 

Holley Yea 

Short Yea 

Lewis Yea 

Wagner Yea

CITIZENS REQUEST:

Rosemary Baxter wanted to express her gratitude to the mayor and council for always supporting the programs she brought to the Metropolis Public Library. Your support has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Rosemary added she stepped out on faith, and the programs continued to grow. Thank you again for all you have done. Mayor Canada expressed his appreciation to Rosemary from the city. We want to thank you for all you have done. You’re the reason we kept increasing the budget because you continued to improve and increase programs for our children and residents. We appreciate what you have done in your three years. A round of applause was given to Rosemary for her endeavors.

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and seconded by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to adjourn. 7:20

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent 

Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea 

Neill Yea 

Holley Yea 

Short Yea 

Lewis Yea 

Wagner Yea

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