Quincy Reporter

City of Quincy City Council met March 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the City Council was held this day at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Michael A. Troup presiding. The following members were physically present:

Ald. Fletcher, Entrup, Bergman, Bauer, Mays, Freiburg, Farha, Sassen, Rein, Mast, Reis, Awerkamp, Uzelac, Holtschlag. 14.

The minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held February 28, 2022, were approved as printed on a motion of Ald. Entrup. Motion carried.

Legal Counsel: City Attorney, Ryan Schnack.

The City Clerk presented and read the following:

PUBLIC FORUM

Ben Inman stated that he was denied a request for a Quincy Police ride-a-long and wanted to know why.

PETITION

By the Quincy Humane Society requesting to conduct a raffle and have the bond requirement waived from now to April 9, 2022. The City Clerk recommends approval of the permit.

Ald. Sassen moved the prayer of the petition be granted. Motion carried.

MONTHLY REPORTS

The monthly reports of the City Clerk, the City Treasurer, the City Comptroller, Forestry Department, Sign & Paint, Recycling, and Street Cleaning Departments for the month of February, 2022, and Forestry Department, Sign & Paint, Recycling, and Street Cleaning Departments for the month of January, 2022, were ordered received and filed on a motion of Ald. Farha. Motion carried.

BANK STATEMENTS OF CONDITIONS

The bank statements of condition of State Street Bank, First Banker’s Trust Company, and Town and Country Bank Midwest as of September, 2021, were ordered received and filed on a motion of Ald. Farha. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy is responsible for lawn maintenance of all city owned properties and certain right-of way locations; and

WHEREAS, the City did seek proposals for lawn maintenance services; and

WHEREAS, the Central Services Committee reviewed all of the proposals; and

WHEREAS, The Lawn Guys provided the lowest proposal in the amount of $32,445.00 and meets the specified requirements; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Central Services Director, the Engineering and Utilities Director, and the Central Services Committee recommend to the Mayor and City Council that the low quote from The Lawn Guys of Quincy, Illinois, in the amount of $32,445.00 be accepted.

Kevin McClean

Central Services Director

Jeffrey Conte

Engineering and Utilities Director

Ald. Sassen moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Holtschlag, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department recognizes that deadly force confrontations are low frequency, high risk

events; and

WHEREAS, officer-involved shootings are dynamic, spontaneous situations that can occur at any time without warn ing; and

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department has developed a robust and extensive firearms training program that con ducts training multiple times each year to prepare officers for such an event; and

WHEREAS, a vital component of a robust and extensive firearms program is the availability of practice ammunition; and

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department has cut ammunition funds from our budget the last several years causing our practice ammunition inventory to become significantly reduced; and,

WHEREAS, practice ammunition has become hard to get and more expensive over the last several years; and,

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department has established a relationship with Defense Logistics LLC of North Kansas City, MO, who is a supplier of ammunition and currently has two of three calibers we need to purchase in stock; and,

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department has checked several other ammunition suppliers that are either more expen sive or lack inventory all together; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Chief of Police and the Police Aldermanic Committee recommend to the Mayor and City Council that the Police Department be allowed to purchase 10,000 rounds of 5.56x45 and 10,000 rounds of 9mm practice ammunition from Defense Logistics LLC of North Kansas City, MO, for the total cost of $7,901.25. 

Robert A. Copley

Chief of Police

Ald. Rein moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Sassen, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department recognizes that the safety of our citizens and police officers is our top pri ority; and

WHEREAS, there is technology available today that was not available in the past that can significantly increase the safety of our officers assigned to handle dangerous situations; and

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department Emergency Response Team is tasked with handling dangerous critical in cidents involving wanted suspects who are believed to be armed and in a position of advantage that makes the approach of law enforcement officers extremely hazardous; and

WHEREAS, the Loki MK2 Tactical Drone utilizes technology that allows police officers to visually and audibly search an area believed to be occupied by a suspect without exposing officers to the potential danger of manually searching for an armed suspect; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Weapons and Tactics team, North Chicago, recently con ducted a training evolution with the QPD ERT and strongly recommended the Loki MK2 as a must-have piece of safety equipment they own and deploy regularly; and

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police ERT purchased a tactical robot approximately 20 years ago that was used on several occasions to assist with similar searches, which recently stopped operating and repair is not feasible; and

WHEREAS, the Loki MK2 Tactical Drone is an ideal replacement for the tactical robot and utilizes the latest technolo gy available to provide another level of safety for our citizens and officers; and

WHEREAS, Aardvark Tactical of La Verne, CA, is the sole source vendor for the Loki MK2 manufactured by SKY-HE RO; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Chief of Police and the Police Aldermanic Committee recommend to the Mayor and City Council that the normal bidding process be waived and the Police Department be allowed to purchase a Loki MK2 tactical drone package from Aardvark Tactical of La Verne, CA, for the total cost of $12,555.00. 

Robert A. Copley

Chief of Police

Ald. Rein moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Sassen, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A WHISTLEBLOWER REPORTING AND ANTI-RETALIATION POLICY FOR THE CITY OF QUINCY

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy (“City”) is an Illinois municipal corporation organized and operating pursuant to authority granted by the Constitution and Laws of the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, the Whistleblower Act (740 ILCS 174/1 et seq.) and Section 4.1 of the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act, 50 ILCS 105/4.1, as added pursuant to Public Act 101-0652, prohibits units of local government from retaliating against whistleblowers; and

WHEREAS, the Retaliation Against Whistleblower Act, 50 ILCS 105/4.1 requires municipalities to develop an Anti retaliation Policy and Procedures; and

WHEREAS, the State further requires that an “auditing official” be available to receive a report of retaliation; and

WHEREAS, the City Council desires to establish official City of Quincy Whistleblower Reporting and Anti-Retaliation Policy and Procedures, as attached hereto as Exhibit A, to prohibit retaliation against whistleblowers; and

WHEREAS, the City Council finds and determines that establishing the City of Quincy Whistleblower Reporting and Anti-Retaliation Policy and Procedures serves the best interests of the City, its officials, employees and City residents.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF QUINCY, IN ADAMS COUNTY, ILLINOIS, AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are incorporated into and made a part of this Resolution as findings of the City Council.

SECTION 2: The City Council hereby declares that the City of Quincy Whistleblower Reporting and Anti-Retaliation Policy and Procedures, attached hereto as Exhibit A, are hereby approved.

SECTION 3: If any section, paragraph, clause, or provision of this Resolution shall be held invalid, the invalidity thereof shall not affect any of the other provisions of this Resolution.

SECTION 4: All Resolutions in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict. 

SECTION 5: This Resolution shall be in full force and effect from after its passage, approval and publication as pro vided by law.

PASSED this 7th day of March, 2022, by the Corporate Authorities of the City of Quincy by a roll call vote as follows: AYES: 14 NAYS: 0 ABSTAIN: 0 ABSENT: 0

Ald. Sassen moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Rein, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

Resolution authorizing application for a Public Transportation Capital Assistance Grant under the Illinois Department of Transportation’s general authority to make such Grants.

WHEREAS, the provision and improvement of public transportation facilities is essential to the development of a safe, efficient, functional public transportation system; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Transportation has the authority to make such Grants and makes funds avail able to offset certain capital costs of a private non-profit, general public transportation system or an IDOT Certified Public Provider transportation system providing specialized paratransit service; and

WHEREAS, Grants for said funds will impose certain obligations upon the recipient.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF City of Quincy: Section 1. That an application be made to the Office of Intermodal Project Implementation (OIPI), Department of Transportation, State of Illinois, for a financial assistance grant under the Illinois Department of Transportation’s general authority to make such Grants, for the purpose of off-setting certain public transportation facility capital costs of City of Quincy.

Section 2. That Mayor of City of Quincy is hereby authorized and directed to execute and file on behalf of City of Quincy such application.

Section 3. That the Mayor of City of Quincy is authorized to furnish such additional information as may be required by the Office of Intermodal Project Implementation in connection with the aforesaid application for said Grant. Section 4. That Mayor of City of Quincy is hereby authorized and directed to execute and file on behalf of City of Quincy all required Grant Agreements with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Ald. Rein moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Sassen, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the City desires to finance improvements to its Combined Sewer Overflow System with a $9 million loan through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Pollution Control Loan Program; and,

WHEREAS, application provisions for loans from the Water Pollution Control Loan Program requires that the City of Quincy authorize a representative to sign the loan application and supporting documents; now,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the City Council of the City of Quincy, that the Mayor is hereby authorized to sign all loan application forms and documents.

Ald. Bauer moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Freiburg, and on the roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald. Mays, Freiburg, Mast, Reis, Awerkamp, Uzelac, Holtschlag, Entrup, Bergman, Bauer. 10. Nays: Ald. Farha, Sassen, Rein, Fletcher. 4. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, in August of 2018, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency approved the City of Quincy’s Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) for the elimination of combined sewer overflow (CSO); and,

WHEREAS, the terms of the CSO LTCP requires that the design of Phase II construction improvements be completed by October 2022; and,

WHEREAS, the second phase of improvements includes the expansion of the Waste Water Treatment Plant pump sta tion and structures to increase the plant’s rated capacity from 78 mgd to 90 mgd; and,

WHEREAS, Crawford, Murphy and Tilly of Springfield, Illinois, has submitted a proposal for an amount not to exceed $330,000.00 for design and bidding services for this phase of the project; and,

WHEREAS, funding for service is available in the 2022/2023 Sewer Fund fiscal year budget. NOW, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, that the Director of Utilities and Engineering and the Utilities Committee recommend to the Mayor and Quincy City Council that the proposal from Crawford, Murphy and Tilly of Springfield, Illinois, for an amount not to exceed $330,000.00 be accepted.

Jeffrey Conte, P.E.

Director of Utilities & Engineering

Ald. Bauer moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Mast, and on the roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald. Entrup, Bergman, Bauer, Mays, Freiburg, Sassen, Rein, Mast, Reis, Awerkamp, Uzelac, Fletcher. 12. Nays: Ald. Farha. 1. Abstain: Holtschlag. 1. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Department of Utilities requires the purchase of ten (10) 6 inch fire service assembly water meters for the replacement of aging commercial meters; and,

WHEREAS, Badger meters, offered by Midwest Meter, Inc., offer the automatic meter reading technology that is compatible with the automatic meter reading system employed by the City of Quincy, thus qualifying them as a sole source provider; and,

WHEREAS, the City has received an invoice from Midwest Meter, Inc., of Edinburg, Illinois, totaling $113,130.40 for the purchase of the water meters; and,

WHEREAS, funding for the water meters is available in the 2021/2022 Water Fund fiscal year budget.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of Utilities and Engineering and the Utilities Committee recommend to the Mayor and Quincy City Council that normal bidding requirements be waived and the invoice from Midwest Meter, Inc., of Edinburg, Illinois, in the amount of $113,130.40 be approved for payment. 

Jeffrey Conte, P.E

Director of Utilities & Engineering

Ald. Bauer moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Mast, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy strives to invest in the improvement of its infrastructure in order to facilitate the free flow of traffic and insure the safety of its pedestrian and motoring traffic; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy and County of Adams desire to improve the intersection of 48th and State Streets; and,

WHEREAS, the proposed project will include the purchase of right-of-way, construction of a PCC pavement round about, road widening and resurfacing, installation of storm sewers, sidewalk, roadway lighting, pavement markings, and other construction related items; and,

WHEREAS, the County has pledged to commit funding for improvements to the sections of roadway that are under its jurisdiction; and,

WHEREAS, the County desires that the City enter into a joint agreement stating the City of Quincy will be responsible for a portion of the project cost for improvements made to the sections of roadway under the City’s jurisdiction; and,

WHEREAS, the City’s share of the proposed improvement project is estimated to be $2,000,000.00; and,

WHEREAS, funding for the proposed project will be available in the 2022/2023 2019B GO Bond Street Project Fund fiscal year budget.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of Utilities and Engineering and the Central Services Committee present to the Mayor and Quincy City Council the proposed agreement between the City of Quincy and County of Adams, and that the Mayor be authorized to execute the Agreement on behalf of the City of Quincy if approved by the City Council. Said Agreement is attached hereto.

Jeffrey Conte, P.E.

Director of Utilities & Engineering

Ald. Uzelac moved the rules be suspended to have Kent Snyder, Adams County Board Chairman, speak to the council. Motion carried.

Kent Snyder, Adams County Board Chairman, spoke about the resolution presented and answered questions from the council.

Ald. Uzelac moved the rules be resumed. Motion carried.

Ald. Mast moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Holtschlag, and on the roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald. Mays, Freiburg, Rein, Mast, Reis, Awerkamp, Uzelac, Holtschlag, Fletcher, Entrup. 10. Nays: Ald. Bauer, Farha, Sassen, Bergman. 4. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy strives to invest in the improvement of its infrastructure in order to facilitate the free flow of traffic and insure the safety of its pedestrian and motoring traffic; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy and County of Adams desire to improve the intersection of 48th and State Streets; and,

WHEREAS, the proposed project will include the purchase of right-of-way and the relocation of a natural gas main; and,

WHEREAS, the estimated cost for right-of-way purchases based on current appraisals is $45,106.00 and the estimated cost for the gas main relocation is $24,356.00; and,

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy will reimburse the County of Adams for fifty percent (50%) of costs associated with the right-of-way purchases and gas main relocation; and,

WHEREAS, to allow for the uninterrupted progression of the project in the event that changes or modifications are required, an additional 10% over the estimated cost shall be included in the encumbrance for this project; and,

WHEREAS, funding for the proposed project will be available in the 2022/2023 2019B GO Bond Street Project Fund fiscal year budget.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of Utilities and Engineering and the Central Services Committee present to the Mayor and Quincy City Council a request for the appropriation of $69,462.00 for the purchase of right-of-way and relocation of a natural gas main for the proposed 48th and State Street intersection improvements. 

Jeffrey Conte, P.E.

Director of Utilities & Engineering

Ald. Mast moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Sassen, and on the roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald. Rein, Mast, Reis, Awerkamp, Uzelac, Holtschlag, Fletcher, Entrup, Bergman, Mays, Freiburg, Sassen. 12. Nays: Ald. Bauer, Farha. 2. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Quincy Illinois that the following described street(s)/road(s)/structure be improved under the Illinois Highway Code. Work shall be done by Contract.

For Structures:

Name of Street Existing Route Location Feature Crossed Structure No.

Harrison 001-6005 FAU7814 700 ft. east of 24th St. Curtis Creek

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

1. That the proposed improvement shall consist of Replacement of SN 001-6005 and associated street improvements

Project to be funded with REBUILD Illinois bond funds.

2. That there is hereby appropriated the sum of five hundred twenty thousand Dollars ($520,000.00) for the improvement of said section from the Local Public Agency’s allotment of Motor Fuel Tax funds.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk is hereby directed to transmit four (4) certified originals of this resolution to the district office of the Department of Transportation.

Ald. Mast moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Entrup, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy has been taking enforcement action against 426 College, Quincy, Illinois, regarding minimum housing issues; and,

WHEREAS, the owner of the property has stated they do not have sufficient funds to maintain or repair the property; and,

WHEREAS, the owner of the property is willing to Quit Claim their interest in the property to the City of Quincy; and,

WHEREAS, accepting the property by Quit Claim Deed will allow the City to demolish the structure, removing a dangerous and unsafe structure from the neighborhood, without the additional action of a fix or flatten case; and

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy can demolish the structure with the use of City of Quincy personnel.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council that the City of Quincy may accept a Quit Claim Deed from the owner of the property commonly known as 426 College, Quincy, Illinois, for said real estate. Ald. Bergman moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Bauer, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the City of Quincy are parties to a certain Pro gram Funding Agreement dated August 6, 2021, (the “Funding Agreement”) for a grant in an amount not to exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars and No/100 Dollars ($50,000.00) (the “Funds”) for the maintenance and demolition of Abandoned Residential Property under the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program; and

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy did expend, and the Authority did disburse, Zero and No/100 Dollars ($0) (“Expended Funds”) of the Funds; and

WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of Illinois (“Court”) issued an opinion on June 17, 2021, ruling that the statutory frame work funding the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program is unconstitutional; and

WHEREAS, IHDA is no longer able to operate the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Program due to the Court’s ruling; and

WHEREAS, IHDA and the City of Quincy desire to terminate the Funding Agreement, except as expressly stated herein.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is acknowledged, the Illinois Housing Development Authority and the City of Quincy agree as follows: That the Funding Agreement shall be terminated in its entirety and shall be of no further force and effect and the City of Quincy shall have no further obligations under the Funding Agreement; and further, that the Illinois Housing Development Authority does not owe, nor shall make, any additional disbursement of any of the Funds to the City of Quincy.

Adopted this 7th day of March, 2022. 

Laura Oakman

City Clerk

Approved this 8th day of March, 2022. 

Michael A. Troup

Mayor

Ald. Uzelac moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Holtschlag, and on the roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE

First presentation of an Ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Amending The District Map Which Is Made A Part Of Section 162.002 Of The Municipal Code Of The City Of Quincy Of 2015 (Re-zoning of 4701-4729 Broadway Street).

REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

Michael Farha

Jack Holtschlag

Anthony E. Sassen

Mike Rein

Richie Reis

Finance Committee

Ald. Farha, seconded by Ald. Sassen, moved the reports be received and vouchers be issued for the various amounts and on a roll call each of the 14 Aldermen voted yea. Motion carried.

MOTIONS

Ald. Holtschlag moved to allow “No Parking” signs to be placed along the south side of Maine St., from 12th to 16th Street, after school gets out on Thursday afternoon, March 24th, so school busses can park for a Quincy Symphony concert event at Quincy Junior High School. The signs may be removed any time after 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 25th. Motion carried.

Ald. Holtschlag moved to allow a dumpster on city right-of-way at 932 Kentucky Street for two week starting tomorrow. Motion carried.

The City Council adjourned at 7:52 p.m. on a motion of Ald. Holtschlag. Motion carried.

https://www.quincyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/6589/637826043463670000