Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis Ordinance Committee met Aug. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Roll Call:

Holley Present

Koch Present

Lewis Present

Longworth Present

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and Seconded by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held 6-23-25 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea

Koch Yea

Lewis Yea

Longworth Yea

The amendment removes the owner-occupied language; it now pertains to all occupied residential properties. All applicants in good standing will pay a $250 utility service deposit plus a sum equal to the first month’s flat rate water service. For those not in good standing, the deposit would be $400 plus a sum equal to the first month’s flat rate water service.

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Seconded by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to recommended to adopt ordinance amending Title V Public Works, Chapter 53 Water, Section 53.20 Utility Deposits for Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Properties.

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea

Koch Yea

Lewis Yea

Longworth Yea

This amendment will increase the rates for reconnection fee from $100 to $250.

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Seconded by Alderman Chad Lewis to recommended to Adopt Ordinance Amending Title V, Public Works, Chapter 50, Electricity, Section 50.22, “Charge For Reestablishing Electricity To Premises” and Further Amending Chapter 53, Water, Section 53.11 (C) “Discontinuance Of Service.”

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea

Koch Yea

Lewis Yea

Longworth Yea

This amendment will increase the amount for vacant/repair property statues from $40 to $75 monthly, plus a permit fee of $50.

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Seconded by Alderman Chad Lewis to recommended to Adopt Ordinance Amending Title V, Public Works, Chapter 54 Section 54.02 Vacant Property Status

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea

Koch Yea

Lewis Yea

Longworth Yea

This amendment will establish a rate for sewage disposal of $48 per 1,000 gallons, along with a yearly $300 permit fee. The city’s sewer system is taxed and if private sewage disposal companies continue to use it, they need to pay for it was the consensus.

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Seconded by Alderman Chad Lewis to recommended to Adopt Ordinance Amending Title V Public Works, Chapter 52 Sewer Use, Section 52.16 Private Sewage Disposal

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea

Koch Yea

Lewis Yea

Longworth Yea

The mayor attended a Southern Illinois Mayors Association meeting in Marion, IL and was educated about the product Kratom. After learning the seriousness, he stated it is an immediate health concern. He asked for a motion to adopt an ordinance banning the sale of synthetic Kratom withing the City of Metropolis. We can ban the sale of it inside our city; this is something we have in our power to do. The state law says you can possess it so we need to do what we can to stop the infiltration of it. There have been several bills in state legislature that have stalled in committee, one was sponsored by State Rep. Patrick Windhorst. At the meeting he learned that half the car accidents being dealt with in the northern parts of Southern Illinois, there are empty packages of Kratom in the vehicle. Marion and others banned the sale of it several months ago. The product that has been marketed tends to be toward the younger demographic. The City of Metropolis, like many small, rural communities, has had their own battles with drug use. This is one we can get ahead of it, if we can stop it before it starts, we need to do it. Kratom does have medicinal purposes if it is ground; in leaf form it’s fine. When they start to synthesize the drug, especially if it is administered with excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol, it become extremely dangerous. They are now taking the small alkaloid out of that and synthesizing it up to five hundred times more than what you would normally get out of just a leaf. Kratom becomes an opioid type addiction when used in this method.

According to the Drug Enforcement Association website, Kratom is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Consumption of its leaves produces stimulant effects in low doses and sedative effects in high doses and can lead to psychotic symptoms and psychological and physiological dependence. The Food and Drug Administration has been studying Kratom for five years. In the last week, the Secretary for Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated he wants the DEA to schedule Kratom as a Schedule I narcotic. There are only two narcotics currently on that list — heroin and LSD.

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Seconded by Alderwoman Michele Longworth to recommended to adopt Ordinance Banning the Sale of Synthetic Kratom Products Within the City Limits

MOTION CARRIED:

Holley Yea

Koch Yea

Lewis Yea

Longworth Yea

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Seconded Alderman Chad Lewis to adjourn.

MOTION CARRIED: 6:34

Holley Yea

Koch Yea

Lewis Yea

Longworth Yea

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