Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met July 14.

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 14th, 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 Cord Koch, Darryl Neill, Chuck Short, Al Wagner and Jeff Bullock, Mayor Gregg Jeffords, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, City Clerk Jan Adams and concerned citizens of Metropolis. Aldermen Chad Lewis and Jermey Holley were absent. ROLL CALL:

Bullock Present Longworth Present Holley Absent Neill Present Koch Present Short Present Lewis Absent Wagner Present

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Aldermen Cord Koch to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6-23-2025 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

CITIZENS & VISITOR REQUEST:

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Cord Koch to approve the estimate from Brantley Repair in the amount of $4,737.15 for repairs to landscape tractor the Street Department

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve quote from IMCO Utility Supply Co. in the amount of $2,920.75 for supplies for the Water Department

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Jeff Bullock and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve payment to Quint Utilities & Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $1,500.00 for work done at the Water Treatment Plant

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Darryl Neill to approve payment to Quint Utilities & Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $800.00 for hauling soil for the Street Department

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Chuck Short to approve payment to Quint Utilities & Excavating, Inc. in the amount of $10,000.00 for clearing out & mulching for the Light Department (budgeted)

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Last year’s donation to Harrah’s School Supply Giveaway was $500 after discussion the consensus was to donate $800 due to overall price increases.

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to approve donation to the Harrah’s 2025 School Supply Giveaway in the amount of $800.00 MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve payment of $150.00 for Southern IL Mayors Association dues

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

National Night Out is a way to build a safer community by knowing your neighbors and your surroundings. The evening enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve road closure of Superman Square to 6th Street for the annual National Night Out Event on Tuesday, Aug 5th from 3:30-8:30 pm for the Police Department

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderman Cord Koch to approve payment in the amount of $7,000.00 to Pyrotecnico for the final payment for the Independence Day Fireworks

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderman Chuck Short to approve two new service contracts from Howard D. Happy for Toshiba E-Studio 4515 AC with serial # cnck31725 (Clerks Office), serial # cnck31678 (Mayor’s office), and the Lexmark XC2235 with serial #752904514B46G (Parks & Rec)

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve payment to Jones Building LLC for phase #3 roof replacement in the amount of $40,000.00 for the TIF Redevelopment Agreement

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve payment to Jones Building LLC for phase #4 exterior in the amount of $20,000.00 for the TIF Redevelopment Agreement

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

A Finance Committee meeting was held prior to the council meeting to discuss amending the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget ordinance. The amendment is to increase the police evidence fund by $2,885.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Cord Koch to Adopt an Ordinance Amending the FY 2024/2025 Budget for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025 2025-25

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

The 1% grocery tax in Illinois has been in effect since 1990 and is set to be eliminated January 1, 2026. Adopting the ordinance will continue the 1% municipal grocery retailers’ occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax for the City of Metropolis. The ordinance must be passed by October.

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to Adopt an Ordinance Implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of Metropolis 2025-26

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

HMG engineer Chad Vance first discussed improvements to Metropolis Street was during a Water, Light & Street Committee meeting April 14th. He explained Metropolis Street’s current condition is due to damage of the subsurface. Options were discussed but noted that completely redoing the street’s driving lanes will last longer. The total cost of the project improvements consists of preliminary engineering, construction engineering and construction including patching, milling, and HMA overlay. A portion of the funding will come from Motor Fuel Tax.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to Adopt a Resolution for Improvement Under the Illinois Highway Code for Improvements to Metropolis Street from 5th Street to 1st Street in the amount of $1,3000,000.00 2025-04 MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Chief Masse reminded everyone about the last day pool blast party Saturday, August 9th at the city pool. The party is hosted by the Metropolis Police Department as well as The National Night Out event Tuesday, August 5th at Superman Square from 3:30-8:30 pm.

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chuck Short 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 Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Cord Koch 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 Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Chuck Short to go into executive session for the reasons listed on the agenda 7:11

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Cord Koch to approve the minutes of the executive session and that they remain closed

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Cord Koch seconded by to adjourn.

TIME: 7:28

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea         Longworth Yea

Holley Absent      Neill Yea

Koch Yea             Short Yea

Lewis Absent       Wagner Yea

https://metropolisil.keeforcecloud.com/jobrouter/index.php?cmd=PublicStart&ps=4277dc75346c705d399cb48119d516cf&username=webuser