Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met March 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, March 24, 2025, 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, Aldermen Chuck Short, Dylan Chambers, Brian Anderson, Darryl Neill, Al Wagner, Jeremy Holley, Chad Lewis, Mayor Don Canada, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, 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 Darryl Neill and second by Aldermen Dylan Chambers to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3-10-2025 as presented

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

CITIZENS REQUEST:

An urgent plea to amend our 90.05 Ordinance allowing limited poultry was made by Daniel and Deidre Little. They have three pet ducks (pictures provided) that are not raised for meat or commercial purposes, they are beloved pets for their autistic son. They provide emotional support, comfort and a routine that is important to his well-being. The ducks are housed in a secure enclosure and well maintained. There is a new neighbor across the street and are having issues with his dog. The dog roams freely onto the Little’s property and has broken into the duck enclosure and attacked one of the ducks nearly killing it. They chose not to take extreme measures but politely requested that the dog’s owner keep his pet confined to his own property. Animal Control John Roman gave 30 days to remove the ducks off the premises after the neighbor complained. The ducks have been moved to the backyard as instructed by John Roman. Due to the time-sensitive nature of this matter, they urge the council to act quickly to revise the ordinance to permit residents to own a limited amount of poultry. The Little’s were told they will have an Ordinance Committee meeting to discuss the matter but until a decision is made the ducks are not subjected to the 30-day notice.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

The job will be posted 5 days to the union then advertised in the paper.

Moved by Alderman Dylan Chambers and second by Alderman Chuck Short to hire for the position of Street/Water /Truck Driver at Public Works created by the retirement of John Ryan MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

The position is for the Water Filtration Plant and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The employees are cross trained for both plants.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to hire for the position of Plant Operator created by a resignation

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 road closure of 1st Street from Frelinghuysen to the Lighthouse for Massac Pre-K End of Year Celebration on May 13th from 5pm to 7pm

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve road closure, Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 4:30-9 pm for MCDAC Super Road Race from Dorothy Miller Park east to Frelinghuysen around to Scott St. Turn east on 2nd Street to Cherry, turn north on Cherry to 3rd Street, then turn west on 3rd Street to Metropolis Street. Then turn north to E 4th Street, then turn right on E 4th Street to Park 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 Dylan Chambers to

approve road closure of Lincoln Street from 5th Street to 3rd Street and the alley behind Hope Unlimited, but not blocking Edward Jones’ driveway on June 12th from 8am to 3pm

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderman Chuck Short to motion to approve payment to Coe Equipment Inc in the amount of $82,121.54 for Vactor truck repairs/new equipment

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderman Dylan Chambers to

motion to First-Line Fire Extinguisher Co. in the amount of $8,500 for the new Happy Hearts building

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

As discussed in the Finance Committee meeting a motion to table was made. This allows extra time to review the information before making the discission to move forward. The project is a new sludge process wastewater treatment facility to be constructed directly north of the existing plant.

Moved by Alderman Dylan Chambers and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to TABLE HMG Engineers Professional Services Agreement for the Wastewater Treatment Facilities – Design & Bidding Phase Services

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Al Wagner to Adopt an Ordinance to Set Date for a Public Hearing for The City of Metropolis Market Street Tax Increment Financing VI Redevelopment Plan and Project 2025-13

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Fire Chief Tolbert stated March is Severe Weather Awareness month. After testing the sirens batteries, we have discovered all the batteries are low and will change in the coming weeks.

We have two firefighters at Champaign, IL for the Fire Ground Rope and Knots course.

The ladder truck is still expected to be finished in the fall of 26.

OLD BUSINESS:

The Massac Co Youth League Association (MCYLA) requested an increase in a monthly lump sum to hire and pay the mowing/maintenance crew. Comptroller Courtney Bremer stated they submit a pay request weekly; we will need to make changes to their contract if we are going to meet their request. She added there is not much money left in the current budget, but we have money for designer fees for the all-inclusive playground equipment at Lincoln Park. Parks Maintenance Technician is working on getting them the air conditioner.

NEW BUSINESS:

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner 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 Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Dlyan 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 Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and seconded by Dylan Chambers to adjourn. TIME: 7:28

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

APPROVED ATTEST

MAYOR CITY CLERK

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Aldermen Al Wagner to approve moving forward with the Intergovernmental agreement for the economic business incentive plan between Massac County and the City of Metropolis

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Brian Anderson and second by Aldermen Dylan Chambers to approve payment of $10,000 to MCDAC from Opioid Settlement

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 Aldermen Jeremy Holley to approve quote in the amount of $11,625 to the Light Department from UTB Transformers to purchase backup transformers for Ingram and the Dollar Tree area

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

The ordinance approving a redevelopment agreement between the City and Acee’s Food & Fuel, Inc. to provide $51,568 from the Metropolis Interstate North Business District Tax Fund to go toward a $263,316 EV charging station project.

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Brian Anderson to Adopt an Ordinance Redevelopment Agreement Between the City of Metropolis and Acee’s Food & Fuel, Inc 2025-12

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve appointing Amanda Ridell to the Metropolis Public Library Board

MOTION CARRIED:

Anderson Yea    Longworth Yea

Chambers Yea   Neill Yea

Holley Yea          Short Yea

Lewis Yea           Wagner Yea

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