Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met June 24.

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, June 24th, 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, Chad Lewis, Chuck Short, Darryl Neill, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, Mayor Don Canada, City Clerk Jan Adams and concerned citizens of Metropolis. Aldermen Brian Anderson and Jeremy Holley were absent. 

ROLL CALL:

Anderson Absent 

Longworth Present 

Chambers Present 

Neill Present 

Holley Present 

Short Present 

Lewis Absent 

Wagner Present

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth Alderman to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held meeting on 6-10-2024 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

CITIZENS REQUEST:

MAYOR’S REPORT:

State Representative Patrick Windhorst presented Captain Clay Childers the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Medal of Valor at the 31st annual Illinois Fallen Firefighters Memorial & Firefighting Medal of Honor Awards Ceremony in Springfield. The ceremony was held May 14th, 2024. In October 2023, Captain Childers entered a structure fire in Metropolis, where he discovered a woman suffering from smoke inhalation. Captain Childers, without the aid of a water source, rescued the woman from the flames. With medical treatment, her life was saved. Captain Childers, and indeed, all those who wear the uniform, run toward danger, and save lives every day, our most sincere thanks and gratitude. Thank you, Captain Childers, and congratulations on this distinct, and well-earned honor.

Firefighters are awarded the medal for an act of heroism or bravery that demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of danger while on duty.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve payment to Quint Utilities and Excavating, Inc in the amount of $75,000.00 for Sitework on Devers Road project

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

J.K. Thomas turned in his resignation from the position of Water Superintendent after 23 years with the City of Metropolis. His last day will be Monday, September 30th, 2024. The city wishes him the best in his next endeavor.

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve hire of a full-time Plant Operator to fill vacancy created by the retirement of JK Thomas

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

The motion to give the mayor or such other officer the approval to execute documents for pending litigation will be voted on after coming out of closed session.

There were no bids received for 905 Girard Street.

Michael Thomas was the solo bid in the amount of $250 for 1012 E. 3rd St.

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Al Wagner to Adopt an Ordinance Authorizing Sale of Municipally Owned Real Estate 1012 East 3rd Street 2024-09

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

Edgar Romero was awarded the bid for the Triangle on W. 11th St in the amount of $1,000. He was the only bid received.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to Adopt an Ordinance Authorizing Sale of Municipally Owned Real Estate Triangle on West 11th Street

MOTION CARRIED: 2024-10

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Fire Chief Micah Tolbert stated the department responded to 98 calls. We had three smoke/odor removal calls, a vehicle extraction, two motor vehicle accidents with injuries, a passenger vehicle fire, down power line, and 11 cancellations in route and 69 medical assists or assistance to the EMS crew. Medical assistance is a trend across the nation, any fire service that runs medical calls, 80 to 90% of their business is running medical alarms and calls. A monthly and year-to-date report on the department’s HASSS Alert device, which was placed on the first-out engine in March. It’s activated when the engine’s lights are on, the device 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. Total YTD drivers alerted are 675. Tolbert felt alerts undoubtedly reduced secondary collisions and accidents where we may be operating at. Chief Tolbert noted the ladder truck remains out of service and it’s still in the shop since January.

OLD BUSINESS:

Alderwoman Michele Longworth gave the council the results of her Facebook survey on what should be done with Lincoln Park. The 3 questions asked were: (1) What improvements or additions would you like to see made at Lincoln Park? (2) Where do you reside-City, County or elsewhere? (3) If improvements are made at Lincoln Park, how often do you foresee you and/or your family using the park?

She had 23 responses with various answers about what they would like to see at Lincoln Park. Most responded to wanting the park improved, including things such as pickleball/tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, more playground equipment as well as accessible equipment for children with disabilities. Others felt we should make it look more like a park with trees and seating as well as a designated picnic area. A few felt they would like to see a business there creating jobs and service our community. Alderwoman Longworth included things she would like to see herself. She agreed with the park staying a park with the added extras mentioned above and requested the re-installment of a full-time Parks & Recreation director.

NEW BUSINESS:

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill 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 current Salaries, Payroll and Contract bills. MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis 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 miscellaneous bills.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and seconded by Alderman Darryl Neill that we go into Executive Session for reasons listed on the agenda MOTION CARRIED: TIME 7:12

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and seconded by Alderman Darryl Neill that we approve the minutes of the Executive Session and that they are to remain closed

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to give the mayor or such other officer the approval to execute documents for pending litigation

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and seconded by Alderman Chad Lewis to adjourn. 7:38

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Absent    Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea        Neill Yea 

Holley Absent         Short Yea

Lewis Yea               Wagner Yea

After the meeting adjourned a business owner inquired about parking on Market Street. What is the procedure to change the parallel parking to angle parking and side streets nearby. There are several things to take into consideration before those changes can be made. Others had questions on the subject and were told we will have to take the matter to a Water, Light & Street Committee meeting for discussion before anything is brought to the attention of the council.

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