Don Canada - Mayor | City of Metropolis
Don Canada - Mayor | City of Metropolis
City of Metropolis City Council met Aug. 25.
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, August 25th, 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, Jeff Bullock, Cord Koch, Jermey Holley, Chad Lewis, Darryl Neill, 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 Present 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 8-11-2025 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:
Caroline Jones with Metro Financial Group presented three investment opportunities for the Public Works funds at the August 11th council meeting. The consensus was to select Option 1 for the long-term investment of $200,000 to increase the funds for future capital improvements. Option 1 uses a less aggressive and less volatile approach with a mix of bonds and exchange-traded funds. The ETFs chosen are stocks of stable companies, such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson. We can now grow those funds at a more aggressive rate than the use of traditional CD’s and can be withdrawn at any time.
Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to proceed with investment proposal, option 1 in the amount of $200,000 as presented by Metro Financial Group
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
Comptroller Courtney Bremer explained in the Public Hearing prior to tonight’s council meeting that the city’s biggest expenses for the 2025-2026 fiscal year are the following projects.
Redoing Metropolis Street from First to Fifth streets in the amount of $1.1 million. She stated the city has received approval to use Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds toward the project. The project will begin in spring of 2026
Rehabilitating the Metropolis Airport runway, a $950,000 project that the city has received a 95% matching grant for. The city will have to pay the remaining 5%.
The sewer lift-station project for the Industrial Park, Highway 45 and Woodhaven Subdivision, in the amount of $6.6 million.
$867,000 for designing the new sewer plant.
A new well for the water department, a $1.4 million project.
Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to Adopt the Annual Appropriations Ordinance Of The City Of Metropolis, Illinois for the 2025- 2026 fiscal year. 2025-30
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 Alderman Chad Lewis to approve/reject the new service contracts from Howard D. Happy for XC6152 with serial # 7506363101055l for the Fire Department, XM1145 with serial # 70156PHH13NDK for the Police Department and ES4505AC with serial # CFGG38110 for the City Attorney’s office payment to Preferred Health Plan in the amount of $40,239.27 for health insurance
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 Alderwoman Michele Longworth to approve/reject road closure of First St. from Girard St to Frelinghuysen St. for the Community Health Resource Fair on Oct. 4th, 2025, at Dorothy Miller Park
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/reject a donation to Massac County High School in the amount of & 2,000.00 for their Athletics Department
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
September is suicide prevention month dedicated to raising awareness and promoting conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. It is also to spread hope and spark meaningful action around on of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. The goal is to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the tools, resources, and support they need to talk openly about prevention, recognize warning signs, and seek help. Start a conversation. Be the difference.
Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve/reject road closure of Metropolis St. from 4th St to 3rd St., 3rd St. to Park St., Park St. to 4th St., and 4th St. to Metropolis St. for the Walk of Hope event on Sept. 13th from 4-8 PM. 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 Alderman Jeff Bullock to approve/reject payment to Anixter Power Solutions (Wesco) in the amount of $9,927.73 for the Light Department
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 Alderwoman Michele Longworth to Motion to approve/reject reservation of a table for 8 at the 1940’s Steel Wings Swing Dance on 9/6/2025 in the amount of $300.00 proceeds will go towards the John Marvin Steele Stature & WWII Memorial
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
CORPORATE COUNSEL:
The amendment removes the owner-occupied language, now requiring a deposit to all properties requiring services.
Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to Adopt an Ordinance Amending Title V Public Works, Chapter 53 Water, Section 53.20 Utility Deposits for Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Properties 2025-31
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
The amendment increases the rates for reconnections from $100 to $250.
Moved by Alderman Jeff Bullock and second by Alderman Cord Koch to Adopt an 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” 2025-32
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
The amendment increases the amount of vacant property status from $40 to $75 monthly, plus a permit fee of $50, for a six-month time period. All vacant property status accounts shall remain unoccupied, and the monthly kilowatt usage remains below 200 Kwh.
Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Second by Alderman Al Wagner to Adopt An Ordinance Amending Title V, Public Works, Chapter 54 Section 54.02 Vacant Property Status 2025-33
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
Amending the ordinance establishes a rate for sewage disposal by private sewage disposal companies of $48 per 1,000 gallons along with a yearly $300 permit fee.
Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and Second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to Adopt An Ordinance Amending Title V Public Works, Chapter 52 Sewer Use, Section 52.16 Private Sewage Disposal 2025-34
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
The ordinance establishes rates for bulk water from 1 gallon up to 10,000 gallons at a cost of $42 to $187 per gallon along with a $200 permit fee. Alderman Holley remarked it makes the rate regionally competitive. Mayor Jeffords added that the ordinance brings our rates up to where we’re not giving away all of our services essentially for free.
Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Cord Koch to Adopt an Ordinance Establishing Rates of Charge for Bulk Water 2025- 35
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
This is the renewal of the wholesale agreement between the City of Metropolis, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA) and Ameren.
Moved by Alderman Jermey Holley and Second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to Adopt An Ordinance Of The City Of Metropolis Illinois Approving And Adopting The Wholesale Connection Agreement By And Between The City Of Metropolis, Illinois, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, And Ameren Services Company, On Behalf Of And As Designated Agent For Ameren Illinois Company 2025-36
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
The ordinance will add a facility charge on all utility bills issued by the city. Alderman Holley commented the charge would be a way for the city to get some property tax relief on those accounts we subsidize through property tax alone in other departments. It will relieve salaries and property tax expenditures to allow us to use funds in a more unrestrictive manner and help close the budget gap we’re currently trying to solve and stay ahead of. Everybody will be paying, whether you’re owning or renting. It creates a more proactive taxing system rather than a regressive system that relies solely on property tax
Alderman Koch remarked that while he understands why it needs to be done, we need to be careful as we move forward through these financial decisions that we’re not ultimately saying you have to have a higher discretionary income to live in the City of Metropolis. I think this one’s justifiable. It seems like it’s the same kind of facilities charge that gets placed on other water company’s bill.
Mayor Jeffords noted that comparatively to other surrounding areas, the $ 8 is much less. For example, Pope County's facilities charge is $52.
Alderman Holley noted the $8 is for the entire utility bill, not each line item.
The Mayor added the ordinance appropriates that the fund is used to initially pay the City Clerk's Office, and any overage would go into the general fund, that way we can start to close that part of the budget as well, It would 100% take care of the Clerk's Office salaries and their raises over the next 10 to 20 years.
Alderman Holley pointed out that by getting the city’s departments more self-sustaining, it maintains what we have. Do we want to give up our parks department, Happy Hearts, after school programs, police department, fire department? If we lose police and fire, the city’s safety rating will go up, meaning homeowners’ insurance will go up. The burden will only increase on the citizens if this doesn't happen. This is just a way to keep us up to the times, and we can eventually wean ourselves off gaming and live within our means. We’re not to make some arbitrary job or spend things frivolously, we’re doing this to keep things going. The only other option we have is to increase sales tax or property tax. We stand to lose a lot if we don’t do a little.
He added that neither gaming nor marijuana money will last forever. The writing's on the wall. It’s that simple.
Mayor Jeffords used the example of Cairo and how its leaders 50 years ago never imagined what its current state is.
Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Second by Alderman Cord Koch to TABLE an Ordinance Establishing A Monthly Facilities Charge On Utility Bills For The City Of Metropolis, Illinois
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
The redevelopment agreement is capped at $20,000 for work done at 810 Market Street, which is part of the TIF District 6. The agreement excludes landscaping, requires that a tenant has to occupy the property for six months before the costs can be recouped and requires the installation of a water meter. Alderman Koch added the city wants to encourage business owners renovating their property. Alderman Holley noted the success of past renovations has bred more success.
Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and Second by Alderman Cord Koch to Adopt an Ordinance Approving a Redevelopment Agreement by and Between City of Metropolis and Randy and Rona Coram 2025-37
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
DEPARTMENT HEADS:
Metropolis Fire Chief Micah Tolbert shared Patrick Howell and the Massac County Youth Football League was appreciative for the fire department’s presence at its August 23rd game where one injury was treated and an intervention on a trespassing issue was provided.
Planning & Zoning Administrator Chad Murray informed the council the city has received a Community Rating System (CRS) score of 8 in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)on its recently completed five-year review. CRS is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the (NFIP).
OLD BUSINESS:
NEW BUSINESS:
The following two motions are due to the resignation of Jim Young and for the appointed position of mayor Jeffords.
Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Chad Lewis to approve appointment of Landon Bremer to the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals 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 Alderman Chad Lewis to approve appointment of Stephen Grimes to the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:
Alderman Holley received a request to move the Farmer’s Market from Dorothy Miller Park to Washington Park. The issue with Washington Park is there are no restroom facilities noted mayor Jeffords. Lincoln Park was mentioned since restroom facilities are there but there are no shaded areas.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley 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 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:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Jermey Holley and second by Alderman Cord Koch to go into executive session for the reasons listed on the agenda 7:24
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Jermey Holley and second by Alderman Chuck Short to approve the minutes of the executive session and that they remain closed
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea
Holley Yea Neill Yea
Koch Yea Short Yea
Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley seconded by to adjourn. TIME: 8:24
MOTION CARRIED:
Bullock Yea Longworth Yea Holley Yea Neill Yea Koch Yea Short Yea Lewis Yea Wagner Yea
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