Metropolis City Council discusses gas company surcharges

By Wadi Reformado

Sep 16, 2016

Metropolis City Council met Monday, Aug. 8.

Here are the minutes as provided by Metropolis:

The regular meeting of the City Council, City of Metropolis, Illinois was held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2016 in Council Chambers of City Hall at 106 West 5th Street, Metropolis, Illinois. Upon roll call the following Alderpersons were present: Alderman Jerry Mizell, John Taylor, Don Canada, David McManus, Mike Hall, Buford McGuire, Chuck Short, Charles Barfield, Corporate Counsel Rick Abell and Mayor McDaniel, City Clerk Jan Adams, and concerned citizens of Metropolis.

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance followed with prayer led by Mayor William McDaniel.

Moved by Alderman Mike Hall and second by Alderman David McManus made a motion to approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on July 25th, 2016 as presented;

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

CITIZENS REQUEST:

Charlie Eichorn came before the Council sharing concerns about Liberty Utility Gas Company surcharges. He commended the Alderman who voted yes to end the Alderman insurance, a plea he has come to the Council on many times. Charlie has come many times to Council showing concern for the growth of Metropolis and asked the Council for help to hire someone who could bring commerce to the area.

MAYOR REPORT:

The Mayor read aloud a Proclamation declaring August 15th 2016 BarkAid Metropolis Day.

CORPORATE COUNSEL:

*First Reading of Ordinance Amending Title III, Administration, Chapter 35, Taxation and Finance, Subchapter: Hotel Operator’s Occupation Tax

The Ordinance will be further discussed in another Ordinance Meeting.

Corporate Counsel brought back up the subject of surcharges from Liberty Utilities that Charlie Eichorn aired in Citizens Request. We as a City have been approached by several small businesses with concerns of the spiked increased and made calls. Representative Brandon Phelps came to City Hall to hear the concerns and complaints and will voice them. We have met with Liberty Utilities as well. They stated they raised them for improvements in their infrastructure but no improvements as of yet have been made and the fees are still being charged. They claimed they sent notice back in 2014 of their increase but the article was so small it was not seen. We will have to go before the Illinois Commerce to make our case to lower fees.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

WATER, LIGHT & STREET:

Moved by Alderman Charles Barfield and Second by Alderman David McManus to make a motion to accept Payment No. 5 to Visu-Sewer for the Interceptor Manhole Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $78,255.00;

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

Moved by Alderman Charles Barfield and Second by Alderman David McManus to make a motion to accept Payment No. 2 to ACIX for Phase 2 of the Combined Sewer Separation Project in the amount of $438,722.75;

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

*No motion made on vacating First Street between Cherry and Yasoda and will

Bring back to Water, Light and Street Committee meeting at a later date due to the project is still under construction.

*No motion was made approving the issuance of a Home Occupation Permit to Brittney Freeman at her home located at 1610 North Avenue. Ms. Freeman didn’t attend the meeting and there were several questions needing answers.

Moved by Alderman Charles Barfield and Second by Alderman Mike Hall to make a motion to accept the purchase 12 of additional water meters for inventory in the amount of $2,921.82;

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

Moved by Alderman Charles Barfield and Second by Alderman David McManus to make a motion to accept the purchase of a 2006 International Altec Digger Truck from Utility Fleet for the Light Department in the amount of $65,108.30;

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

Moved by Alderman Charles Barfield and Second by Alderman David McManus to make a motion to accept funding the 2016-2017 after School Program in the amount of $23,000.00;

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

Moved by Alderman Charles Barfield and Second by Alderman David McManus to make a motion to proceed with the inspection of Structure 064-3050 on Old Marion Road;

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

POLICE AND FIRE COMMITTEES:

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and Second by Alderman Mike Hall to Suspend the Rules and place an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale or Other Disposition of Personal Property of the City of Metropolis upon its passage (2006 Ford Crown Victoria);

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

Moved by Alderman Chuck Short and Second by Alderman Mike Hall to Adopt an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale or Other Disposition of Personal Property of the City of Metropolis upon its passage (2006 Ford Crown Victoria);

MOTION CARRIED: 2016-08

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

MOTION CARRIED: 2016-09

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

NEW BUSINESS:

Alderman Charlie Barfield announced a Tourism meeting to be held in Council Chambers August 9th, 2016 at 11:00 am

MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS:

The Mayor informed the Council we have increased spraying time for mosquitoes. He complimented Darrell Canada for a great job of spraying and added we can’t spray during extreme windy or rainy days. The mosquitoes will always be a problem in pooling water, low lying areas and ditches that hold water.

FINANCIAL REPORT:

Moved by Alderman David McManus 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:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

Moved by Alderman Buford McGuire and Second by Alderman David McManus to make a motion to approve settlement with former Airport manager in the amount of $8,700;

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

Moved by Alderman David McManus and second by Alderman Buford McGuire to adjourn:

MOTION CARRIED:

Barfield Yea McManus Yea

Canada Yea Mizell Yea

Hall Yea Short Yea

McGuire Yea Taylor Yea

APPROVED ATTESTED