Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met Sept. 8.

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, September 8th, 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 Cord Koch and second by Aldermen Chad Lewis to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8-25-2025 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

CITIZENS & VISITOR REQUEST:

Jeff Adams questioned why an extra $7 is being charged for water and $8 for lights, he felt the bill was high enough on his fixed income. The Mayor explained that both the water and sewer rate increases is to ensure the city can cover the EPA-funded loans for mandatory IEPA projects. He was also informed the water rates had not been raised for 13 years.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Chuck Short to approve/reject payment to Thomas Security Industries in the amount of $21,248.20 for cameras for the Police Department. (Budgeted)

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 payment to Bridgewell Resources in the amount of $34,771.69 for the purchase of new poles for the Lights Department

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Jeff Bullock and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve/reject donation to the Miss Metropolis Scholarship Program in the amount of $500.00 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 Darryl Neill to approve/reject road closure of 2nd St. & Ferry St. heading west (about a half a block) continuing 2nd St. (see attached map) Also, 3rd & Ferry to prevent semi’s from coming thru for Brewfest 2025 from Sept 25-27th

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea Longworth Yea Holley Yea Neill Yea Koch Yea Short Yea Lewis Abstain Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve/reject road closure of 1st St from the Lighthouse to the parking area for the Cancer Warrior’s Walk on October 4th from 8 am – 4 pm

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Al Wagner and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to approve/reject road closure of US 45 from 6th Street to Metropolis Street from 3-5PM on October 3rd for the Massac Co. High School Homecoming Parade

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 Al Wagner to Adopt a Resolution For The MCHS Homecoming Parade On Friday, October 3, 2025, from 3pm till 5pm MOTION CARRIED: 2025-06

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 Al Wagner to motion to approve/reject payment to Metropolis Hometown Hardware (817 West 10th St) for a completed Business Improvement Grant project (structural – roof repairs) in the amount of $2500.00

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 Jeff Bullock to motion to approve/reject payment to Robert W. Ball (321 Ferry St.) for a completed Business Improvement Grant project (structural – new gutters) in the amount of $400.00 MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Jermey Holley to motion to approve/reject payment to Super City Cleaners (722 E. 5th St.) for a completed Business Improvement Grant project (exterior signage) in the amount of $2500.00 MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderwoman Al Wagner to motion to approve/reject Trick or Treating on Halloween (Friday, October 31st) from 5pm - 8pm 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 Cord Koch to Motion to approve/reject regularly scheduled meetings of the Metropolis City Council for the year 2026 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 Motion to approve/reject Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 14th to be changed to Monday, Oct 6th.

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

David and Charlene Daugherty applied for a redevelopment agreement for their rental property located at 1014 Vienna Street. The property is part of the Market Street TIF District # 6. The redevelopment agreement has a cap of $5,000.00, granting them $2,150.00 for the project.

Moved by Alderman Cord Koch and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to Adopt An Ordinance Approving A Redevelopment Agreement By And Between City Of Metropolis And David And Charlene Daugherty 2025-38

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 Cord Koch to Adopt an Ordinance Establishing A Monthly Facilities Charge On Utility Bills For The City Of Metropolis, Illinois 2025-39

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Chief Masse shared Nickayly Brown is in her third week at the police academy and is holding a B average and Travis Baker began at the academy on Monday. Detective Sergeant Nick Holland’s last day with the department is September 25th.

There are two events this weekend, Superfast and Furriest Car Cruise that benefits Project Hope Humane Society. The event is being held on Market Street from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13th.

The Walk for Hope event is being held at Washington Park Saturday, September 13th from 4-8 p.m. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness; the walk is to help raise awareness and promote hope.

NEW BUSINESS:

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Alderman Al Wagner to approve appointment of Michele Longworth to the Library Board of Trustees

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 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:

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 7:16

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 Chad Lewis 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 Chad Lewis seconded by to adjourn. TIME: 7:31

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Yea          Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

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