Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met April 22.

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, April 22nd, 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 Brian Anderson, 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.

ROLL CALL:

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

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4-8-2024 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea

Longworth Yea

Chambers Nea

Neill Yea

Holley Yea

Short Yea

Lewis Yea

Wagner Yea

Alderman Chambers asked a direct question to the mayor about what is going on with the library board appointments. Mayor Canada replied, “nothing at the moment” He spoke with Colby Kennedy (interim director) April 15th and informed him we would not be making any appointments, we will wait until the end of the term, which is July 1st, and would not do anything prior to that. On April 8th council meeting the library board submitted two names for consideration for the replacement of LaDawn Bradley who resigned.

CITIZENS REQUEST:

Leslie McColgin thanked the mayor and council for the opportunity to speak this evening and brought two issues to the council for discussion. First, I would like the council to know of a small, dedicated and non-partisan group of Metropolis natives, both former and current, who have formed a kind of study and planning group in the spirit of Ben Franklin. In the Fall of 1727 Benjamin Franklin and a group of friends founded the Junto Club also known as the Leather Apron Club. The first public affair of the Junto club was the regulation and improvement of the city watch. The 12 members were tradesmen and artisans who met on Friday evenings to discuss issues of morals, politics, or natural philosophy. Franklin became convinced the group needed an authoritative library to referee basic facts. The Library Company was officially founded on July 1st, 1731, when Benjamin Franklin and Junto Club members signed the articles of agreement to subscription. The club lasted 38 years. In the spirit of Benjamin Franklin, and the motto of Superman, have created a small group Lois & Clark Coalition of Accountability. We are on Facebook and welcome new members. Our goals, like Superman, we stand for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. We are a different tool than the Library League but are a reliable source. I will be the face you see for the Lois & Clark Coalition of Accountability group. LCCA seeks to hold our government officials, elected or not, accountable to the standards established by the rule of law. The guiding principle is freedom for all, with a focus on government accountability and civic education and engagement. A library is not just a warehouse of learning, for many it can be a cradle of creativity. Two, she stated her concerns over the comments made that we have more cars with out of-town plates than local residents parked at city hall for the meeting. All should be made to feel welcome. We need to stop dividing people and start using language that brings people together and includes everyone. Lelise’s family came to Metropolis in 1963 and spoke about her youthful days living in Metropolis. She and her family now reside in Graves County, KY.

Tracie Berry posed the question based on the community of citizens who are concerned about the library. We are asking the mayor and council members their general view of the library’s role and importance in the community. We want to know how you view our public library.

Sumar Holt stated that she does not speak for all but for the likeminded. We feel Alderman Brian Anderson should recuse himself from voting on anything pertaining to the public library. She and others feel it would be a conflict of interest. The request is due to both actual and perceived conflicts and his inability to remain objective concerning library issues. He should make his decisions based on his civic duties not his pastoral duties for this community.

Dianna Douglas came as a property owner whose taxes assist the library. Her request as we prepare the next fiscal year budget providing funding for the library to replace the “countless number” of books given away and sold. A library is a place that houses books and provides essential information to the community. We ask you appropriate money to purchase books for everyone in the community of all ages, especially for kids, in addition to what you’re already funding for the library. If there are any unexpected contingency funds or unexpectedly found money to please give it to the library so the board can buy a variety of books for all ages.

Kerian Brannon was the next to address the council with a number of concerns. They inquired on the status of the proposed terminations of the three library board of trustee’s members that was tabled on March 25th and rescheduled for tonight’s meeting. We wanted to know if formal charges have been presented and will the two remaining members who were set for removal remain on the board to serve their respective terms. She suggested public comments be placed at the beginning of the agenda to better serve the community and council to hear public comment input regarding agenda items from the citizens before motions are made and votes are taken. Other suggestions are to include coordination between the library board and council concerning future candidates before the candidate is brought before the council for a vote. Her last request was better communication between the city and the public when positions on boards and committees are open for appointment. The perception is that decisions are being made behind closed doors in executive sessions and being hidden purposely from the public. She closed with “We have a right to know”.

Tyler Holman asked if written charges had been filed against the three library board members as required by law. Mayor Canda responded “No, I didn’t”, he informed the library board of trustees that we are not doing anything, and the three members will stay on the board. Nothing will change until it’s time to make appointments in July. They are not terminated, and no charges were filed. Canada added, he dropped it and elected to let it go until July. He was asked by another if he had informed the council and was told he discussed it with them individually. Tyler questioned the mayor’s response and lack of transparency.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to accept payment to the Regional Office of Education (ROE) #21 for a completed Business Improvement Grant awarded in the amount of $2500.00.

MOTION CARRIED:

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

Moved by Alderman Dylan Chambers and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve the road closure for MCDAC Super Road Race on Thursday, June 6th, 2024, from 5:00-10 pm

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea

Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea

Neill Yea

Holley Yea

Short Yea

Lewis Yea

Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve road closure for Block Party June 19, 2024, on Vienna St between 7th and 8th Street.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea

Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea

Neill Yea

Holley Yea

Short Yea

Lewis Yea

Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve Brotcke Well & Pump (BWP) quote to supply a spare motor (75hp, 460 V, 3 phase 8” Hitachi) for Metropolis IL in the amount of $14,712.00. MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea

Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea

Neill Yea

Holley Yea

Short Yea

Lewis Yea

Wagner Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

There was only one bid and was awarded to John and Patina Abney in the amount of $500.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to Adopt an Ordinance Authorizing Sale of Municipally Owned Real Estate 1212 Baynes Street 2024-06

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea

Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea

Neill Yea

Holley Yea

Short Yea

Lewis Yea

Wagner Yea

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Chief Masse reminded everyone of Prescription Drug Drop Off Day being held from 10am-2pm Saturday, April 27th, at the Metropolis Police Department.

Chief Tolbert informed everyone the department received the State Fire Marshal Small Equipment Grant in the amount of $24,800. They are going to update the firefighter’s turnout gear which has to be replaced every 10 years. He also educated them about the Haas Alert device placed on the first-out engine a month ago. The system provided an extra layer of safety for the firefighters, first responders, police and the public to reduce secondary collisions. It’s activated when the engine’s flashing lights are on and sends alerts to Apple Car Play and Google Maps providing drivers advance notice when the department is responding to emergency calls or operating at an event. In its first month the system alerted 193 drivers. He added the department is seeing a few more accidents where it is waiting more than 10-15 minutes for an ambulance on other ambulance calls.

Alderman Chambers praised and thanked the police and fire departments for their response to a call on Sunday, April 21st after a 1-year-old was transported in the squad car to the hospital.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Chad Lewis 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 Yea

Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea

Neill Yea

Holley Yea

Short Yea

Lewis Yea

Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley to and second by Alderman Brian Anderson 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 Yea

Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea

Neill Yea

Holley Yea

Short Yea

Lewis Yea

Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and seconded by Alderman Darryl Neill to adjourn. 7:40

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea

Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea

Neill Yea

Holley Yea

Short Yea

Lewis Yea

Wagner Yea

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