Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met Sept. 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 Monday, September 9th, 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, Brian Anderson, Dylan Chambers, Darryl Neill, Chuck Short, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, Mayor Don Canada, City Clerk Jan Adams and concerned citizens of Metropolis. Alderman Al Wagner was absent.

ROLL CALL:

Anderson Present      Longworth Present 

Chambers Present     Neill Present 

Holley Present            Short Present 

Lewis Present             Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held meeting on 8-26-2024 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

CITIZENS REQUEST:

Will Belford inquired about the sewer system in Woodhaven Subdivision after 15 years of delays. We have had four surveys and would like to know if there are any updates. After speaking with the engineer, we learned the project has been pushed back by the EPA with application issues and/or deadlines missed. We would like to see the city move forward with the project. Alderman Short replied HMG Engineers sent the latest grant application to the EPA in August and the announcement will be in January 2025. He added we have been in the subdivision getting the easements signed. Mr. Beford stated they are working on a band-aid system in Woodhaven and are struggling along out there. Short said he fully understood their frustration, he was in the meetings when the promises were first made.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve flu shots for all city employees and elected officials at a cost of $50 each to be given later; date to be determined. The city will cover the cost in an effort to be flu-free.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Dylan Chambers to approve Trick or Treating on Halloween (Wednesday, October 31st) from the hours of 5 pm to 8 pm.

*The day was incorrect and was amended with a new motion for approval.

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to approve Trick or Treating on Halloween (Thursday, October 31st) from the hours of 5 pm to 8 pm.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Brian Anderson to approve to hire for the position of Dispatcher at the Metropolis Police Department created by the retirement of Joy Grimes.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve an application for a home occupancy permit to Kali Lindsey of 621 Girard St establishing a home occupation as a beautician within a residential district in compliance with Title XV: Land Usage, Chapter 156: Zoning, Section 156.367: Home Occupations, of the Metropolis, IL Code of Ordinances.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Dylan Chambers to approve final payment of $22,609.56 to E.T. Simonds Construction Company for the resurfacing of North Ave

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Brain Anderson to approve payment of $49, 266.00 to Bio Vac for the purchase of materials for filter media repair on Pump 1 at the Water Treatment Plant

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Dylan Chambers to approve Mayor Canada to deliver the Proclamation for Gold Start Mission’s 8th Annual Gold Star 500

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

The motion to authorize the mayor to execute a Retainer Agreement concerning the Honeywell lawsuit will be voted after Executive Session.

During the previous administration it was decided by the mayor and corporate counsel that the elected or appointed governing body officials (aldermen) weren’t eligible Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF). Since then, IMRF has reached out to us and stated that was wrong. The resolution will give approval to give those people their time back.

Moved by Alderman Dylan Chambers and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve Resolution to Allow Elected or Appointed Governing Body Officials to Participate in IMRF #2024-03

MOTION CARRIED:

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

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Chief Masse shared the annual Trunk or Treat is on October 30th, the festivities begin at 5 pm at Fort Massac State Park. There are no golf carts allowed at the event. He added the Homecoming parade is October 18th.

OLD BUSINESS:

Alderman Chambers questioned when information on the abatement process will be published. Corporate Counsel stated he sent him an email with the information to call him personally on the matter.

NEW BUSINESS:

Aldermen Jeremy Holley and Chad Lewis have had several constituents reach out to them about the people going door to door promoting solar power. They are concerned if this is a scam or a reputable company. Corvus Pro Solar out of Springfield MO. are in the area saying they are with the City of Metropolis. Their company offers ground and roof mounted solar systems, battery backup systems as well as financing. Solar can cost a person between $14,000 -$40,000 which is a major investment. Our Net Metering Policy and Customer Self Generation Interconnection Policy Ordinance is on our website. The ordinance includes the application, fees, and requirements. The “avoided costs” are determined and approved annually in the month of January.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Brian Anderson 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 Absent

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth 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 Nay Neill Yea Holley Yea Short Yea Lewis Yea Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderman Dylan Chambers and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley that we go into Executive Session for reasons listed on the agenda. Time 7:19

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Brian Anderson that we approve the minutes of the Executive Session, and they are to remain closed.

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Brian Anderson to approve and authorize the mayor to execute a Retainer Agreement concerning the Honeywell lawsuit

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and seconded by Alderman Jeremy Holley to adjourn. 7:47

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea     Longworth Yea 

Chambers Yea    Neill Yea 

Holley Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea           Wagner Absent

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