Quincy Reporter

City of Quincy City Council met July 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the City Council was held this day at 7:00 p.m. at the Quincy Public Library, 528 Jersey, with Mayor Michael A. Troup presiding.

The following members were physically present: Ald. Fletcher, Entrup, Bergman, Bauer, Hultz, Mays, Sassen, Rein, Ebbing, Reis, Uzelac, Holtschlag. 12.

Absent: Ald. Farha, Reed. 2.

Ald. Bergman moved absent Aldermen be excused and allowed the usual compensation for this meeting. Motion carried.

The minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held July 15, 2024, were approved on a motion of Ald. Bergman. Motion carried.

Legal Counsel: Lonnie Dunn.

The City Clerk presented and read the following:

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Rev. Carl Terry stated that Quincy should be “A Village” to help children be more literate.

Bret Austin stated that his company, All Phase Property Solutions, is not solely responsible for the cleanup of uptown. Steve Homan stated tax dollars are being spent and nothing is being done to clean up downtown.

PETITIONS

By the following organizations requesting permission to conduct a raffle and have the bond requirement waived: Blessing Hospital/Blessed Beginning Unit Birth Trauma Awareness from now until September 28th; Quincy Arts Guild from August 2nd to August 9th and Friends of the Log Cabins from August 1st to September 14th. The City Clerk recommends approval of the permits.

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

Special Event Application from the Salvation Army Kroc Center for the Bubble Fun Run/Walk September 14, 2024. Maine Street, 5th to 23rd Streets will be closed from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Barricades for the street closure and “No Parking” signs placed along the race route by 5:00 p.m. on September 13th are requested. Auxiliary Police Officers will assist with traffic control at 8th and Maine, 12th and Maine, and 18th and Maine. Business owners and residents along the route will be notified of the street closure at least thirty (30) days prior to the event. Approval is recommended by the Department of Utilities and Engineering.

Ald. Uzelac moved the prayer of the petition be granted and the proper authorities notified. Motion carried. Special Event Application from the Knights of Columbus #583, 700 South 36th St., for the Knights of Columbus BBQ on August 9th through August 11th. “No Parking” signs are requested for Holford Drive, South Holford Drive, West Holford Drive from 4:00 p.m. on August 9th through 8:00 p.m. on August 11th. A waiver of the noise ordinances until 12:00 a.m. on August 9th and August 10th is requested. The Quincy Fire Department will inspect multiple tents once they are in place and prior to the start of the event. Approval is recommended by the Department of Utilities & Engineering. Ald. Rein moved the prayer of the petition be granted and the proper authorities notified. Motion carried. Special Event Application from Quincy University requesting permission to close 20th Street between Spruce and Sycamore Streets for special game day parking for Quincy University home football games. The applicant requests the street closure for the following dates and times: September 7th – 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; September 21st – 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; September 28th – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; October 19th – 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; October 26th – 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and November 2nd – 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Approval is recommended by the Department of Utilities & Engineering. Ald. Bauer moved the prayer of the petition be granted. Motion carried.

A revocable permit for encroachment of City right-of-way from Reid Beaty, owner of property located at 1635 Chestnut Street, requesting permission to place a fence on City-owned right-of-way. The Utilities and Engineering Director presents this request subject to five conditions.

Ald. Bauer moved the prayer of the petition be granted and the proper authorities notified. Motion carried.

CITY OF QUINCY COUNCIL RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO PROVIDE SERVICES RELATED TO CERTAIN MINIMUM HOUSING AND PROPERTY MAINTENANCE LITIGATION

WHEREAS, the City of Quincy is committed to implementing measures that will promote as well as create progress on addressing minimum housing and property maintenance issues through enhanced enforcement efforts; and

WHEREAS, the Office of Inspection regularly encounters cases which require legal action in order to gain compliance; and

WHEREAS, cases involving Property Maintenance Code violations are often more complex and time-involved than ordinary ordinance violation matters; and

WHEREAS, it is often critical that these cases be given priority, as time is a crucial factor and forceful, proactive prosecution is required; and

WHEREAS, the City has identified the need to retain a law firm to provide legal services related to the prosecution of certain cases which require resources beyond those which are currently available; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED as follows:

That the Mayor of the City of Quincy be and is hereby authorized and directed to negotiate and enter into an agreement with a law firm or attorney for legal services related to the prosecution of certain Minimum Housing and Property Maintenance cases.

That the cost for such services be provided from the Nuisance Abatement fund, not to exceed an amount equal to $20,000.

Ald. Bergman moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Bauer, and on the roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald. Mays, Ebbing, Reis, Uzelac, Holtschlag, Fletcher, Entrup, Bergman, Bauer, Hultz. 10. Nays: Ald. Sassen, Rein. 2. Absent: Ald. Farha, Reed. 2. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Department of Utilities and Engineering recently requested bids for the Harrison Street Bridge Replacement Project that includes the replacement of the bridge structure over Curtis Creek on Harrison Street east of 24th Street; and,

WHEREAS, the following bids were received:

Laverdiere Construction

Macomb, Illinois $2,377,356.00

County Contractors

Quincy, Illinois $2,117,634.50

Engineer’s Estimate $1,388,166.00

WHEREAS, the bids have been reviewed by the Engineering Manager and are found to be acceptable for consideration; and,

WHEREAS, the low bid is 52.54% over the Engineer’s estimated project cost and exceeds the amount budgeted for the infrastructure improvement project.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Engineering Manager, Director of Public Works, and Central Services Committee recommend to the Mayor and Quincy City Council that the bids received for the Harrison Street Bridge Replacement Project be rejected and the project be re-bid at a later date.

Steve Bange, P.E.

Engineering Manager

Ald. Sassen moved for the adoption of the resolution, seconded by Ald. Rein, and on the roll call each of the 12 Aldermen voted yea, with 2 absent. Motion carried.

ORDINANCE

Adoption of an Ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Planned Development. (Allow for the construction of three two-family residential dwellings (duplexes) at 201-203 Locust Street, 205 Locust Street, and 1616 North 2nd Street with the condition of perpendicular parking along the eastern side of north 2nd Street to meet the off-street parking requirements.)

Ald. Entrup moved for the adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Ald. Fletcher, and on a roll call each of the 12 Aldermen voted yea, with 2 absent.

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. Reis

Finance Committee

Ald. Rein, seconded by Ald. Sassen, moved the report be received and vouchers be issued for the various amounts and on the roll call each of the 12 Aldermen voted yea, with 2 absent. Motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

Ald. Uzelac asked the City Treasurer Kelly Stupasky to investigate the program called “Balancing Act”, which was implemented by past City Treasurer Linda Moore, see how much it would cost to have it again and involve this current budget.

Ald. Uzelac asked the Public Works Director Jeffrey Conte to investigate if there is a need to increase the staff of Central Services, by how many, what the cost will be to the taxpayer and where is that money coming from.

The City Council adjourned at 7:44 p.m. on a motion of Ald. Holtschlag. Motion carried.

https://www.quincyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/7982/638582105018070000