Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met July 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, July 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 Jeremy Holley, Chad Lewis, Al Wagner, Brian Anderson, Dylan Chambers, Chuck Short, Darryl Neill, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, Mayor Don Canada, City Clerk Jan Adams and concerned citizens of Metropolis. Alderman Chambers phoned in. ROLL CALL:

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

Moved by Alderman Jermey Holley and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held meeting on 7-8-2024 as presented. MOTION CARRIED:

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

CITIZENS REQUEST:

Kasey Prescott inquired again if the lower speed limit and/or speed bumps can be sited on Speckman between 19th and 20th Streets. She thanked Chief Masse after receiving the email information on the investigation stating she was satisfied after she spoke with Sgt. Davis. She asked if we would continue to research the speed limit laws, hoping something can be done to slow down the vehicles. In closing she added is also a bus stop location at the corner of Speckman and 20th Street and felt for the safety of the children something should be done.

The Metropolis Police Department is pleased to announce that Officer John Suggs and Officer Christian Cepeda were given lifesaving awards. The awards were presented by Chief Kirk Brueggeman, IL Association of Chief’s of Police, Vice President, Region 1 and Chief of Police O’Fallon, IL as well as Chief Harry Masse. Officer Suggs received his award due to his lifesaving efforts on May 27, 2023, where he performed CPR on an individual who quit breathing and was unresponsive. He took immediate action to move the patient to the floor and begin CPR. Officer Suggs stabilize the female and was taken to the hospital for further treatment. Officer Cepeda received his award for his quick thinking after responding to an apartment building on fire on May 14, 2023. Being the first on the scene, he began evacuating residents. When nobody answered at one of the apartments, he forced his way in and led the occupants to safety. These actions brought great credit to themselves and the Metropolis Police Department. We thank them for a job well done. The officers shared this moment with family and friends.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to approve payment to Quint Utilities and Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $248,675.00 for completion of Devers Road project

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 Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve the purchase of two AC Units in the amount of $31,000.00 for the new Happy Hearts building

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 Chad Lewis to approve payment to Brotcke Well & Pump Inc. in the amount of $19,138.00 for the Test Well Development Pump

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea Longworth Yea Chamber Yea Neill Yea Holley Yea Short Yea Lewis Yea Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve the purchase of two 2023 Dodge Ram Special Support Vehicles for the Police Department in the amount of $38,935.00 each for the total purchase of $77,870.00 MOTION CARRIED:

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

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August. Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much more. Our event will be held on Market Street from Superman Statue to Lois Lane Statue August 6th from 4-9 pm for all to enjoy. There will be games, face painting, balloon animals, free food and much more.

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve road closure of Market Street, from Superman Square to 6th Street for National Night Out on August 6th, 2024, from 4-9 pm

MOTION CARRIED:

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

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to Adopt an Ordinance Approving Landlord’s Consent Agreement Concerning Lease with Southern Illinois Riverboat/Casino Cruises, Inc., D/B/A 2024-11

MOTION CARRIED:

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

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Chief Tolbert asked permission to hire a firefighter to fill a vacancy. We would like to hire and enroll them into the upcoming fall academy. Their motion will be ratified at the next council meeting August 5th, 2024.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Jeremey Holley to approve the hire of a firefighter due to a vacancy

MOTION CARRIED:

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

NEW BUSINESS:

Alderman Holley shared his concerns with the August 12-16 quarterly clean up week ahead. There are several items that were not picked up last quarter that should have been according to the list from Bulldog. He wanted more clarification about what can and can’t be picked up.

Alderman Chambers noticed an influx of tents around. He would like abatement officer John Roman to come to the next meeting to explain the procedures and the contents of the ordinance. Corporate counsel stated he is in the process of putting out information to the public on commonly asked questions. He stated he wanted to post them on the city’s Facebook page and in The Planet to educate our residents. Some of the topics are, the process of abatements, public nuisance, demolitions, vacant or unsafe homes to name a few.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Darryl Neill 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 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 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 Jeremy Holley to adjourn. 7:20

MOTION CARRIED:

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

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