Southern Illinois News

City of Metropolis City Council met Sept. 22.

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 22ND, 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, Jermey Holley, Chad Lewis, Darryl Neill, Al Wagner, Mayor Gregg Jeffords, Corporate Counsel Andrew Leonard, City Clerk Jan Adams and concerned citizens of Metropolis. Alderman Cord Koch was absent.

ROLL CALL:

Bullock Present     Longworth Present

Holley Present       Neill Present

Koch Absent          Short Present

Lewis Present        Wagner Present

Moved by Alderman Jeremy Holley and second by Aldermen Chuck Short to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9-8-2025 as presented.

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Absent     Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

CITIZENS & VISITOR REQUEST:

MAYOR’S REPORT:

Moved by Alderman Chad Lewis and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to approve payment in the amount of $17,114.72 to Brown & Roberts, Inc. for the Metropolis Municipal Airport T-Hanger project

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Absent     Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

The consensus was to give the same amount as last year’s donation in the amount of $250.00.

Moved by Alderman Darryl Neill and second by Alderman Jeff Bullock to approve donation in the amount of $250.00 to Happy Hearts Senior Center Sock Hop MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Absent     Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

Overton P. Morris Post 306 The American Legion located at 321 Market Street applied for a redevelopment agreement in the Market Street TIF District #6. They want to blacktop the adjacent lot next to the building to expand their parking area, increasing the available parking space by 22 spots. The approximate cost of the project is $27,790.00 with the maximum amount to be paid $13,809.00. An amendment has been added to section 3 requiring a building permit and a site plan to be submitted for the parking lot prior to the start of the project. The amendment also states that if the project is completed without submitting the building permit and site plan, the project will not be eligible for TIF money.

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley to Adopt an Ordinance Approving A Redevelopment Agreement By And Between City Of Metropolis And Overton P. Morris Post 306 The American Legion 2025-40

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Absent     Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

The two redevelopment agreements between the City of Metropolis and Jones Building, LLC, are not submitted for a motion and removed from the agenda. The properties discussed in the agreement are zoned commercial and need to be changed to residential.

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Chief Tolbert regretfully informed the council that firefighter Conner Faughn submitted his resignation Monday morning effective immediately. Conner was in his third week of fire academy and unforeseen medical issues arose, making him unable to complete the certification requirements.

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

Alderman Holley informed the council that the city is beginning the application work for the Safe Routes To School grant. The city received the grant previously for Metropolis Elementary School which provides funds to implement infrastructure projects, such as sidewalks, improving conditions for students getting to the school or to its bus routes. He also found a survey that can be given to MES and Robinson Transportation for data for the application.

The mayor noted the city may be too late to apply under this funding cycle but there may be a similar grant we can apply for. The paperwork should be ready when the next Safe Routes Filing cycle opens.

Alderman Holley reported that a portion of the alley between The Zone and Home Again Architectural on Market Street has a 1- to 3-inch rising piece of concrete that is a tripping hazard. Mayor Jeffords noting there have been several similar spots around town and would inform public works and the street department.

Alderman Chad Lewis reported that the soccer field parking lot entrance needs attention as the gravel next to the concrete is digging out due to the traffic and creating a bump. This will also be given to public works and the street department to fix the issue.

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 Absent     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 Absent     Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

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

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

Moved by Alderwoman Michele Longworth and second by Alderman Jeremy Holley seconded by to adjourn. TIME: 8:13

MOTION CARRIED:

Bullock Yea      Longworth Yea 

Holley Yea        Neill Yea 

Koch Absent     Short Yea 

Lewis Yea         Wagner Yea

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