Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met May 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Friends and family, city employees and council officials celebrate as Massac County Clerk Hailey Miles conducted the swearing in ceremony of Mayor Gregg Jeffords, City Clerk Jan Adams, Ward 1 alderwoman Michele Longworth, Ward 2 alderman Cord Koch, Ward 3 alderman Darryl Neill and Ward 4 alderman Chad Lewis.

The regular meeting of the City Council, City of Metropolis, Illinois was held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, May 12th, 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, Jermey Holley, Cord Koch, Chad Lewis, Darryl Neill, Chuck Short, Al Wagner, Mayor Gregg Jeffords, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, City Clerk Jan Adams and concerned citizens of Metropolis.

ROLL CALL:

Holley Present       Neill Present

Koch Present        Short Present

Lewis Present       Wagner Present

Longworth Present

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Aldermen Chad Lewis to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4-28-2025 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

CITIZENS REQUEST:

Eric Makela is a Labor Market Economist for Southern Illinois representing the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported that the March 2025 unemployment rate for Massac County was 3.3%. That’s a very low rate compared to the rest of the state and most

other counties nationwide. The county’s unemployment claims for March 2025 were at their lowest point for the first time in 10 years. The numbers point toward a strengthening labor force in Massac County and Metropolis.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Al Wager to approve payments to Sam Davis in the amounts of 6,400.00 and $19,200.00 for repairs at the new Happy Hearts

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve payment to C & C Pumps & Supply, Inc. in the amount of $7,618.12 for repairs to the backwash pump at the Water Treatment Plant

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve payment to Quint Utilities and Excavating, Inc. in the amount to $73,360.00 for Hope Lane Storm Sewer project

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve the hire for the position of Police Officer to fill vacancy created by the resignation of C.J. Harrell

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

Chief Masse explained Detective Holland is expected to begin his state police academy training in September. If anything changes, the motion to hire will be withdrawn.

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve hire for the position of Police Officer to fill vacancy created by the expected resignation of Nick Holland

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

Officer Tim Davis will be retiring in mid-October stated Chief Masse.

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to approve hire for the position of Police Officer to fill vacancy created by the resignation of Tim Davis

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to accept road closure of Market Street from the Northeast corner of the Courthouse lawn thru 8th Street, 6th Street from the driveway of the Detention Center to the drive thru of Legence Bank, 7th Street from the old Happy Hearts back parking area to the City property on the East side of Market, and 8th Street on the West side from the NAPA business to the SICIL Drive for the Superman Celebration on June 12th through June 15th

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

Police Chief Masse educated the council on the Flock Safety System. It’s a force multiplier enabling agencies of all sizes to solve significantly more crime and improve quality of life without increasing staffing, The all-in-one system provide opportunities for the enhancement of law enforcement agencies’ productivity, effectiveness, and protection of public and offer safety. The Police & Fire committee met on 5/8/2025 to understand the systems capabilities and discuss funding. Chief Masse stated the installation fees have been waived bringing the first year’s annual cost down. He added he could purchase the $37,800 system now through their equipment fund and the annual fee could be added to the budget. If approved, we can purchase the system now and be in place for the Superman Celebration.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve the purchase of the Flock Safety System in the 2025-2026 budget for Metropolis Police Department

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation eliminating the state’s 1% tax on groceries starting January of 2026. The grocery tax has been enacted since 1990 and is being done away with in October. Corporate Counsel stated it’s a 1% revenue the city would lose if a local ordinance isn’t in place to replace it. It will be a continuation of the previous state-implemented tax and there are not going to be any differences there. The price will stay the same, so we don’t lose money. An ordinance will be brought back at a later date for approval.

No motion was made to adopt an Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Metropolis.

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

OLD BUSINESS:

Alderman Darryl Neill conveyed to the council Happy Hearts’ appreciation for the parking lot and stated they’re continuing to work out the kinks after moving into the new building. They are very appreciative of what the city’s done for them so far. Alderwoman Michele Longworth commented that after speaking with manager Bettie Stoner, they hope money would be allocated to the budget for exterior painting and re-paving the parking lot.

NEW BUSINESS:

Ward 2 alderman Brian Anderson submitted his resignation on Monday, May 12th. He began serving on the council in May 2021 after being appointed to the position. He was elected in April 2023, with the understanding that 4 years would be his commitment. He said he has learned much during his time with the city but now needs to put time and energy into ministries that our city needs. As a pastor of Life Church, leading a missions organization, launching 3D Recovery and operating our local sober living home is where his efforts and attention will be. He wishes the council all the best. They city wishes him well and much success in all his endeavors.

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to accept the resignation of Brian Anderson

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:

Alderman Jeremy Holley suggested researching or reaching out to the Greater Metropolis Convention & Visitors Bureau concerning safety grants that may be available for future Flock expenditures “seeing that it does cover part of the tourism industry.” Alderman Short noted if those funds are available, it could “almost pay for it each year.”

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:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth 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:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth Alderman Cord Koch and seconded by to adjourn.

TIME: 7:16

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea          Neill Yea

Koch Yea           Short Yea

Lewis Yea          Wagner Yea

Longworth Yea

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