Quincy Reporter

City of Quincy City Council met July 3.

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, Rivera, Mays, Farha, Sassen, Rein, Ebbing, Reis, Reed, Uzelac, Holtschlag. 14.

The minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held June 26, 2023, were approved as printed on a motion of Ald. Entrup. Motion carried.

Legal Counsel: Assistant Corporation Counsel Bruce Alford.

The City Clerk presented and read the following:

PUBLIC FORUM

Nick Eddy stated:

“My name is Nick Eddy and I am a police officer for the Quincy Police Department and a member of the local Police Benevolent and Protective Association Union Board.

If you look around the room tonight, you will find extra folks in attendance. The answer to why they are here is confidence...or perhaps a lack there of. Members of this Union Board have spoken in front of this council and the finance committee before about issues with the City’s health insurance program. Over the past two years we have spoken about officers and their dependents not having health, vision, or dental insurance after being told that they do. A back and forth that has been a real nightmare for some. We’ve heard comments from the Mayor that you and I don’t have all the information or have been misinformed by this person or that person.

On March 15, 2023, Mayor Troup issued a memo to Robert MeGee, our local Union President, and Shane Voyles, our Union Attorney. The Mayor acknowledged an “unintentional lapse in coverage not caused by the city.” This was the City’s response to Robert MeGee filing a grievance on January 9th, 2023 in regards to this issue. 51 days passed for this response. Our labor arrangement with the City gives each side 10 days to respond. This one took 51. The Mayor had information and reference such on February 6th, 2023. But again, it took 51 days for a response. It should also be no secret at this point that the Quincy Police Department has not been immune to the nationwide police officer shortage. In June and now into July, the Quincy Police Department has or will have 182 uncovered shifts. These are shifts that MUST be covered but the department does not have the necessary officers to do so. This means these shifts become either voluntary or forced overtime for the officers. Currently we have only a combination of 49 Lieutenants, Sergeants and Officers to cover those 182 shifts and with the logistics of scheduling to cover those shifts the number of officers is drastically reduced. Again, this provides only the minimum manpower coverage for police patrol services for our community.

The Mayor has the ability to help but up to this point has not. Allowing Officers the opportunity to live within a 40-mile radius of Quincy, whether that be in Missouri or Iowa, would drastically improve our chances to combat our police officer shortage. This change in residency would make the Quincy Police Department more attractive to lateral transfers from Missouri, Iowa and across Illinois. An opportunity for the City to gain experienced Officers saves time, money and expedites the necessary police services and more that our community deserves and expects. Do not allow the Mayor to hold residency hostage while current Officers, their families and, most importantly, our community suffers from the effects of this shortage.”

Robert MeGee stated:

“Sgt. Eddy just provided a short glimpse into the hell that some QPD Officers have went through with the mayor’s changes to our health, vision and dental insurance plans. He also provided a glimpse into the hell all QPD Officers and their families are going through in relation to mandatory overtime. These things all have simple fixes that mayor, Michael Troup, refuses to change or listen to those smarter than he is for a solution.

These issues are not singular to QPD, they are common amongst all City of Quincy departments. If you look around this room you will see Quincy Police Officers, men and women who have pledged an oath to run towards the sound of gunfire to stop any active threat whether it be at your child’s school, your home or place of business. If you look around this room, you will see members of the Machinist Union. These men and woman literally run this city and keep it free from disease.

They provide you with energy, clean water, remove your garbage and many other vital to our survival tasks. You do not see members of the Transit Union here tonight. The reason you do not see them is because they are afraid to be here. They are afraid of retaliation from the mayor, I have spoken to them and that is what they told me. You also do not see members of the Quincy Fire Department, QFD has refused to support the Machinist Union, QPD or to stand up for the Transit Union due to ill perceived self-interests. We however, we are not afraid. We are fed up; we are sick and tired of what we see coming from the mayor’s office and we are united. I stand before you as the voice speaking on behalf of the Police Union, and the Machinist Union. Ladies and gentlemen, I am honored to do so, we all, are honored to also stand up and fight for the Transit Union, all non-unionized city of Quincy employees and ourselves.

We have seen and had enough of Mayor Michael Troup. The Union’s represented here tonight have separately taken votes of confidence in Mayor Michael Troup. We agree that we all have no confidence in Mayor Michael Troup or his abilities. We now ask you, the city council, to hold a public vote of confidence in the mayor. We ask you to do this as our voting families and friends watch, and we ask you to do this immediately.

If you return a vote of no confidence, we ask that you have corporate council research how to remove a sitting Illinois mayor from office and if you need direction on how to get that accomplished, please reach out to me as we have already begun that research process.

Thank you to my brothers and sisters from the Machinist Union and my brothers and sisters in blue for allowing me to speak for you tonight. Thank you to the city council for the work that you all put in to making this city better.” Ald. Reis, seconded by Ald. Fletcher, moved to receive and file the public forum statements from Officer Eddy and McGee. Motion carried.

PETITION

By Quincy Notre Dame High School requesting permission to conduct a raffle and have the bond requirement waived from August 1, 2023 through July 30, 2024. The City Clerk recommends approval of the permit. Ald. Holtschlag moved the prayer of the petition be granted. Motion carried.

MONTHLY REPORTS

The monthly reports of the City Clerk, the City Treasurer, and the City Comptroller for the month of June, 2023, and the Recycle Division for the month of May, 2023, were ordered received and filed on a motion of Ald. Uzleac. Motion carried.

REPORTS OF THE QUINCY PLAN COMMISSION

Recommending approval of the request to rezone property commonly known as 150 South 48th Street from R1A (Single-Family Residential) to C1B (Commercial) to allow for the continued operation of a restaurant at 150 South 48th Street as requested.

Ald. Fletcher moved the report be received and concurred in and an ordinance drafted. Motion carried. Recommending approval of a request to rezone property commonly known as 1515 State Street from R2 (Two-Family Residential) to C1B (Commercial) as requested.

Ald. Fletcher moved the report be received and concurred in and an ordinance drafted. Motion carried. Ald. Farha left the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

Recommending approval of a request for a Special Permit for Planned Development to allow for the demolition of the dwelling at 424 South 16th Street while continuing to use the existing garage with plans to demolish the existing garage and build a new garage without being required to construct at new dwelling at 424 South 16th Street as requested.

Ald. Fletcher moved the report be received and concurred in and an ordinance drafted. Motion carried. Recommending approval of a request for a Special Permit for Planned Development to allow for the commercial sale of portable buildings at 900-920 Maine Street as requested, with the following condition: that the placement of the portable buildings not impair the visibility of drivers or pedestrian along 9th Street or Maine Street.

Ald. Uzelac moved the report be received and concurred in and an ordinance drafted. Motion carried.

MAYOR’S APPOINTMENTS

By Mayor Michael A. Troup making the appointments of Ald. Glen Ebbing to the Great River Economic Development Foundation board (GREDF); Ald. Jake Reed to the Human Rights Commission for a three-year term ending June 30, 2026; Dr. Tim Jacobs to the Police Pension Fund Board of Trustees for a term expiring April 30, 2025.

Ald. Uzelac moved the appointments be confirmed. Motion carried.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE PGAV CONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR THE GERMAN VILLAGE TAX INCREMENT FINANCE DISTRICT

WHEREAS, diversifying the economy, fostering startups and innovation, encouraging infill housing, supporting retail development, and encouraging investment in the public realm were identified by the public as part of the 2018 Quincy Next Strategic Plan Planning Program; and

WHEREAS, the City has adopted Tax Increment Finance Districts as a method to finance private redevelopment efforts and public infrastructure improvements in the Central Business District; and

WHEREAS, to create a TIF District, the City needs to make a determination of eligibility and prepare a redevelopment plan for the area; and

WHEREAS, PGAV Planners LLC is able to prepare the necessary reports to establish the TIF District for a sum of Thirty-Six Thousand Dollars ($36,000); and

WHEREAS, the City has budgeted $40,000 in this year’s budget for consultant services and ancillary expenses associated with the establishment of a new TIF District;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the City of Quincy is hereby authorized to enter into an agreement with PGAV Planners LLC to provide consulting services toward the establishment of a new TIF District for the German Village Area at a cost of up to $36,000 and is hereby authorized to spend up to $4,000 on ancillary expenses associated with establishing the new TIF District.

Passed this 3rd day of July, 2023.

Approved this 5th day of July, 2023.

City of Quincy, an Illinois Municipal Corporation

By: Mike Troup, Its Mayor

Laura Oakman, Its City Clerk

Ald. Uzelac moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Holtschlag, and on the roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald. Rivera, Mays, Ebbing, Reis, Reed, Uzelac, Holtschlag, Fletcher, Entrup. 9. Nays: Ald. Sassen, Rein, Bergman, Bauer. 4. Absent: Ald. Farha. 1. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department issues Glock models 17 and 19, 9mm pistols to each officer to carry on and/or off duty; and

WHEREAS, the department provides duty ammunition for certain other weapons carried by officers, and WHEREAS, Illinois State Law requires that the Quincy Police Department must provide firearms training to all sworn officers at least annually; and

WHEREAS, because of training use and necessary replacement of practice and duty ammunition, the Quincy Police Department must purchase replacement ammunition annually; and

WHEREAS, the officers must train and qualify with the same ammunition used in the field; and WHEREAS, Ray O’Herron holds the state bid for the following practice ammunition:

30,000 rounds of 9mm               $6,570.00

25,000 rounds of 5.56mm          $9,950.00

1,000 rounds of 10mm                 $ 600.00

5,000 rounds of 300 black out   $4,250.00

WHEREAS, the total cost of ammunition from Ray O’Herron is $21,370.00; and

WHEREAS, Underwood Ammo is the sole source provider for the following duty ammunition: 3,800 rounds of 9mm duty ammunition $4,332.00

WHEREAS, the total cost of ammunition from Underwood Ammo is $4,332.00; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Chief of Police recommends to the Mayor and City Council that practice ammunition be purchased from Ray O’Herron, Danville, IL, and duty ammunition be purchased from Underwood Ammo, Sparta, IL, in the amount of $25,702.00.

Adam C. Yates

Chief of Police

Ald. Rein moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Sassen and on the roll call each of the 13 Aldermen voted yea, with 1 absent. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department has a long history of providing security and service to the Quincy Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department and Quincy Public Schools believe that the safety and security of students is the highest of priorities; and

WHEREAS, for more than twenty years the Quincy Police Department has assigned three patrol officers to the three public school levels, elementary (grades 1-5), Junior High (grades 6-8) and Senior High (grades 9-12) as “School Resource Officers”; and

WHEREAS, the school resource officers work in concert with the Quincy Public Schools to which they are individually assigned; and

WHEREAS, the school resource officers are responsible for providing police service to the employees and students who work for or obtain their education in the various Quincy Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, this special assignment allows Quincy Police Department patrol officers to remain in their assigned districts and not spend an inordinate amount of time dealing with truancy and other related issues specific to students of the Quincy Public Schools; and

WHEREAS, the Quincy Public Schools agree to pay fifty-five percent of the three school resource officers’ salary and benefits, including overtime, for all school related duties; and

WHEREAS, the Quincy Police Department and Quincy Public Schools both agree that this agreement is beneficial to both entities, as well as the students of the Quincy Public School system; and

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy Legal Department has reviewed and approved this agreement; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Chief of Police recommends to the Mayor and City Council that a new agreement for service for three Quincy Police Department School Resource Officers for the 2023-2024 school year be entered into to continue this successful partnership between the Quincy Police Department and the Quincy Public Schools.

Adam C. Yates

Chief of Police

Ald. Rein moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Sassen and on the roll call each of the 13 Aldermen voted yea, with 1 absent. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE

Adoption of an Ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Annexing Certain Territories To The City Of Quincy, Adams County, Illinois. (5100 Chestnut)

Ald. Mays moved for the adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Ald. Rivera and on a roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald.Bauer, Rivera, Mays, Ebbing, Reis, Reed, Uzelac, Holtschlag, Fletcher, Entrup. 10. Nays: Ald. Bergman, Sassen, Rein. 3. Absent: Ald. Farha. 1.

The Chair, Mayor Michael A. Troup, declared the motion carried and the ordinance adopted.

REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

Mike Rein

Jack Holtschlag

Anthony E. Sassen

Eric Entrup

Richie C. Rein

Finance Committee

Ald. Rein, seconded by Ald. Sassen, moved the reports be received and vouchers be issued for the various amounts and on the roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald. Fletcher, Entrup, Bauer, Rivera, Mays, Sassen, Rein, Ebbing, Reis, Reed, Uzelac, Holtschlag. 12. Nay: Ald. Bergman. 1. Absent: Ald. Farha. 1. Motion carried.

MOTIONS

Alderman Sassen moved Ald. Farha be excused and be allowed the usual compensation for this meeting. Motion carried.

Ald. Rein asked Human Resource Director Jennifer Winking for the time frame of the bid process for the next City’s health insurance.

Ms. Winking stated that the bid proposals will be available for bid on July 6th and will be published on July 7th. The bids will be due back on August 10, 2023, and will be reviewed from that date. There will be three bids: health, dental, and member health clinic, which may be combined.

Ald. Reis moved to have Administration come up with a plan to expand the hiring boundaries of hiring police officers. Motion carried.

The City Council adjourned at 7:51 p.m. on a motion of Ald. Holtschlag. Motion carried.

https://www.quincyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7642/638249437269870000