Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met June 23.

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 23RD, 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:

Bullock Present Longworth Present

Holley Present Neill Present

Koch Present Short Presen

Lewis Present Wagner Present

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Aldermen Chad Lewis to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6-9-2025 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

CITIZENS & VISITOR REQUEST:

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve the appointment of Jeanne Turley as the Authorized Agent for IMRF

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve payment to 10-8 Video in the amount of $8,135,00 for the Metropolis Police Department

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to approve the reappointment of Kelley Sullivan to the Library Board of Trustees for a three-year term

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to

approve payment to H.E. Mitchell in the amount of $125,105.92 for the Airport for replacement of the existing T-Hanger with a 6 Unit T-Hanger Building (budgeted)

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

The city council voted to amend the 2014 ordinance establishing rates for the use of waterwork system by its residential customers, commercial, industrial, and non-residential customers on June 9th, 2025, the increase begins July 1st. Under the ordinance, the rate for non-metered residential customers will increase by 20%, going from $39 to $46.80. Beginning on July 1, 2026, the rate will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the prior year. Residents that are with 1 ½ miles of the city limits currently pay $50.00, which will go to $60 with the July rate increase. A similar ordinance was passed in July 2023 pertaining to sewer rates. The churches are billed for sewer usage only; no water revenue was being generated for their usage. There is not a state law that says they can be exempt and will begin charging churches in the city limits a flat fee of $60 a month for receiving city water starting Aug. 1st, as well as the 1 ½ miles out of the city limit unless metered. Several of the churches are used once or twice a week, after looking at ERUs (Equivalent Residential Unit), which is defined as a standardized unit of measure used to assess fees or charges based on the impact of different types of properties on a system, $60 seemed a fair price.

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to Adopt an Ordinance Establishing Rates of Charge for Use of Water System 2025-24

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

The Resolution Regarding Lift Station Project is part of Phase III in the Long-Term Control Plan. We need to construct, occupy, and maintain an 18” sewer main along and under US 45, which comes under the jurisdiction and control of the Department of Transportation of the State of Illinois. IDOT will issue the required permit.

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to Adopt a Resolution Regarding Lift Station Project for Phase III of the Longterm Control Plan 2025-02

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Chuck Short to Adopt a Resolution Making Jeanne Turley the Authorized Agent for the City of Metropolis for the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund 2025-03

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Chief Tolbert reminded everyone to check on your neighbors and pets during this heatwave we are experiencing.

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

The Metropolis Police Department requested the following motion for a city-wide video system from Thomas Security Industries. They will provide and install 15 fixed cameras attached to outdoor all-weather enclosures. The enclosures will be mounted to the city’s light poles and positioned to provide the best possible coverage of each area; the city will provide the power and fiber connections. The proposed cost is $21,248.20 which includes equipment and 15 cameras, programming, labor and installation. This also includes all staff training and support.

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderman Chuck Short to approve purchase of a city-wide video surveillance system expansion from Thomas Security Industries in the amount of $21,248.20

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chuck Short to accept the resignation of Rebecca Reed effective July 11th, 2025

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis 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:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley 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 miscellaneous bills.

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Alderman Chad Lewis seconded by to adjourn. TIME: 7:14

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea    Longworth Yea

Holley Yea      Neill Yea

Koch Yea        Short Yea

Lewis Yea       Wagner Yea

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