Quincy Reporter

City of Quincy City Council met Sept. 15.

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 Dr. Linda K. Moore presiding. A prayer was given and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

A moment of silence was held for the passing of Gov. Jim Edgar and others that passed last month.

MAYOR’S STATEMENT

This past week, our community has been exposed to things that are hard to process. We saw and heard things our eyes and hearts are not meant to take in, and that kind of shock unsettles us. We were also reminded of how serious it is to protect our children and keep them safe. These moments test us, and they stir fear.

But fear does not define us. Division does not define us. What defines Quincy is the choice we made together as a com munity. When you elected me, it was not about blue or red. It was about believing we could do better together. That is who we are. That is our strength.

We cannot ignore what has happened, but we can decide what comes next. The promise of America, and the promise of Quincy, is that no one loses their voice when someone else speaks. No one loses their worth because someone else is different. We stand side by side, not in spite of our differences, but strengthened by them.

Your belief does not become invalid because your neighbor believes something else. Your fears do not disappear be cause someone else has different fears. What makes us strong is that we can each hold our values firmly and still respect the values of those around us. That is not weakness. That is the very proof of our strength as a community and as a country.

We have already seen that spirit in action. Our schools, our city, and our police department worked together to prevent a tragedy. And in one moment that has stayed with me, a video has circulated on social media in Quincy. We saw a police officer embrace a parent of a child who had been apprehended and respond not with hatred but with compassion, while still upholding the law. That is the kind of humanity that must guide us forward.

Your concerns matter, no matter what they are. For some it is politics, for others it is school safety, for others it is a turn lane or even a speed bump. All of it is real, because it affects the lives of people in Quincy. And I want you to know this: you are being heard. The city and the county will continue to work together on road issues, and we will do a better job of keeping you informed by sharing updates through the media and our social platforms. We will continue to bring others to our table. Continue to evolve and establish new and effective communication channels within our governing bodies.

Quincy does not belong to one group or another. Quincy belongs to all of us. And together, right now we are moving forward.

We see how people are treating each other on social media. It’s disgusting and it’s not the example that should be setting for our children/peers. Hate is ignorance dressed up as conviction. It poisons communities and silences solutions. We don’t have to agree, but we do have a responsibility to treat each other with humanity. Hate speech and intimidation, online or in person, have no place in Quincy.

PRESENTATIONS

Introduction of Visitor from Buenos Aires, Argentina

Lucia Ransenburg, Professor of Law

Lucia Ransenburg, from Buenos Aires, Argentina, spoke to the Council. Mayor Moore presented her with a gift.

Flock Camera Update – Chief Adam Yates

Chief Adam Yates gave a power point presentation on the Flock Cameras. He answered questions from the Council. States Attorney Todd

Eyler also spoke.

PROCLAMATIONS

NATIONAL DIAPER NEED AWARENESS WEEK –

September 15th through September 21st, 2025

Star Spangled Banner Day - September 14th

Constitution Week - September 17th – 23rd

Mayor Linda K. Moore called the meeting to order.

Ald. Reis moved the proclamations be received and filed. Motion carried.

ROLL CALL

The following members were physically present:

Ald. Fletcher, Entrup, Bergman, Bauer, Mays, Adkins, Sassen, McReynolds, Ebbing, Reis, Reed, Holtschlag. 12. Absent: Ald. Ehmen, Uzelac. 2.

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

The minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council held September 8, 2025, were approved, on a motion of Ald. Entrup. Motion carried.

Legal Counsel: Corporation Counsel Bruce Alford.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Sherry Hills stated that Quincy is a great place to offer safety, stability and hope to pregnant mothers and children. Steve Homan stated that the book “This Book Is Gay” should not be in our public library.

Todd Hastings wanted to thank the Council for advancing the Hope House to an ordinance and hopes it will pass. CONSENT AGENDA

PETITIONS

By AirMedCare Network requesting permission to have the Air Evac helicopter land at the east parking lot of Blessing Reiman, Marx Road, for the Teddy Bear Clinic on October 5th from noon - 3:00 p.m. The Quincy Fire Department will be handling securing the landing zone during landing and takeoff.

By the VFW Post 5129 requesting permission to conduct a raffle and have the bond requirement waived from now through August 30, 2026. The City Clerk recommends approval of the permit.

REPORT OF THE TRAFFIC COMMISSION

Recommending that the City Council extend the 2-hour parking zone on the north side of Spring Street from North 12th Street east to North 13th Street.

SALES TAX REPORT

June, 2025 - $1,199,700.41

HOME RULE SALES TAX REPORT

June, 2025 - $1,146,263.30

ANNUAL REPORT

Quincy Public Library, May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025

MAYORS APPOINTMENTS

Reappointment - Elaine Davis to the Quincy Housing Authority Board, effective October 1st for a 5-year term.

The appointment of the Ad Hoc Yard Waste Recycling Committee to consider the renewal of the yard waste recycling service which expires in April of 2026. Members: Greg Fletcher, Tony Sassen, Laura McReynolds, Jeffery Conte, John

Schafer, May Ann Ervin, and Dan Brink.

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Department of Utilities requires the use of chemicals for the treatment of waste water and dewatering of biosolids at the Waste Water Treatment Plant; and,

WHEREAS, the Department recently purchased and took delivery of 9,200 pounds of polymer at the cost of $2.25 per pound from Hawkins, Inc. of Roseville, Minnesota; and,

WHEREAS, funding for the purchase of chemicals is available in the 2025/2026 Sewer Fund fiscal year budget.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of Public Works and Utilities Committee recommend to the Mayor and Quincy City Council that normal bidding requirements be waived, and the invoice in the amount of $20,700.00 from Hawkins, Inc. of Roseville, Minnesota for the purchase of polymer be approved for payment. Jeffrey Conte, P.E.

Director of Public Works

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, on July 21, 2025, a bearing on a 450 HP pump at the Water Treatment Plant failed resulting in the catastrophic failure of the pump motor coupling; and,

WHEREAS, the pump failure greatly reduced the Water Treatment Plant’s ability to pump enough water to keep up with the consumption demand which necessitated the emergency repair of the pump; and,

WHEREAS, Richards Electric of Quincy, Illinois, was available and had the expertise and parts required to make temporary repairs to the failed pump in accordance with Section 44.056 of the Municipal Code of the City of Quincy; and,

WHEREAS, the repair work has been completed in a satisfactory manner and an invoice received in the amount of $23,204.09 for costs associated with the emergency repair of the pump; and,

WHEREAS, funding for this repair is available in the 2025/2026 Water Fund fiscal year budget.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of Public Works and Utilities Committee recommend to the Mayor and Quincy City Council that normal bidding requirements be waived, and the invoice in the amount of $23,204.09 from Richards Electric Motor Company of Quincy, Illinois for the emergency repair of a pump at the Water Treatment Plant be approved for payment.

Jeffrey Conte, P.E.

Director of Public Works

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the soft starter controls on wet weather screw pumps #2 and #3 at the Waste Water Treatment Plant recent ly failed due to corrosion and required immediate repair; and,

WHEREAS, Richards Electric of Quincy, Illinois, was available and had the expertise required to repair the failed equipment in accordance with Section 44.056 of the Municipal Code of the City of Quincy; and,

WHEREAS, the work has been completed in a satisfactory manner and an invoice received in the amount of $11,570.91 for all costs associated with the replacement of the failed starter controls; and,

WHEREAS, funding for this repair is available in the 2025/2026 Sewer Fund fiscal year budget.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of Public Works and Utilities Committee recommend to the Mayor and Quincy City Council that normal bidding requirements be waived and the invoice in the amount of $11,570.91 from Richards Electric Motor Company of Quincy for the replacement of the failed equipment controls at the Waste Water Treatment Plant be approved for payment.

Jeffrey Conte, P.E.

Director of Public Works

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, lightning strikes from a recent storm resulted in damage to several electric control equipment devices at the Waste Water Treatment Plant; and,

WHEREAS, Richards Electric of Quincy, Illinois, was available and had the expertise and parts required to make the repairs in a timely manner in accordance with Section 44.056 of the Municipal Code of the City of Quincy; and,

WHEREAS, the repair work has been completed in a satisfactory manner and an invoice received in the amount of $14,928.89 for all costs associated with the emergency repair of the electrical equipment; and,

WHEREAS, funding for this repair is available in the 2025/2026 Sewer Fund fiscal year budget.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Director of Public Works and Utilities Committee recommend to the Mayor and Quincy City Council that normal bidding requirements be waived, and the invoice in the amount of $14,928.89 from Richards Electric Motor Company of Quincy, Illinois for the emergency repair of electrical equipment at the Waste Water Treatment Plant be approved for payment.

Jeffrey Conte, P.E.

Director of Public Works

RESOLUTION ACCEPTING DONATION OF AMERICAN FLAGS AND FLAGPOLES FOR INSTALLATION AT ENTRANCE TO QUINCY REGIONAL AIRPORT

WHEREAS, Quincy Regional Airport has provided airline service for the citizens of Quincy and Adams County since 1947; and

WHEREAS, United Express Flight 5925 was traveling from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Quincy on No vember 19, 1996; and

WHEREAS, as the Beechcraft 1900 twin turboprop aircraft was landing in Quincy, it collided with a Beechcraft King Air 90 that was taking off from an intersecting runway at 5:02 PM; and

WHEREAS, the 14 occupants of the two planes -- Mike Brueck, Leonard Carlson, William Johnson, James Beville, Mark DeSalle, Larry Downing, Dennis Reed, Edward Schneggenburger, Jason Berger, Debbie Heffelbower, Katherine Gathje, Darin McCombs, Neal Reinwald and Laura Winkleman Brooks -- perished in the crash; and

WHEREAS, Quincy natives Paul and Joan Mast are generously donating 14 flagpoles and 14 American flags to be flown at the entrance of Quincy Regional Airport in memory of the men and women who died in that 1996 crash; and

WHEREAS, each flagpole will stand 30 feet tall with solar lights at the top and each American flag will be 5 feet tall by 8 feet wide.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council authorizes the City to accept the donation and to install the 14 flagpoles and 14 American flags at the entrance to Quincy Regional Airport as requested.

ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA

Mayor Moore asked if any Council member wished to remove any items from the Consent Agenda. Mayor Moore asked the City Clerk to read the items on the Consent Agenda.

Ald. Holtschlag moved to approve the Consent Agenda Items, seconded by Ald. Reis, and on the roll call each of the 12 Alderpersons voted yea, with 2 absent. Motion carried.

REGULAR MEETING

ORDINANCE

Adoption of an Ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Authorizing the Jurisdictional Transfer Of Roadway Into The City Of Quincy Municipal Street System. (Seminary Road, east edge of North 12th Street and a portion of North 18th Street 50’ north of Seminary Road southerly to the south edge of Locust Street.)

Ald. Entrup moved for the adoption of the ordinance, seconded by Ald. Bergman, and on a roll call the following vote resulted: Yeas: Ald. Entrup, Bergman, Mays, Adkins, Sassen, McReynolds, Ebbing, Reis, Reed, Holtschlag, Fletcher. 11. Nay: Ald. Bauer. 1. Absent: Ald. Ehmen, Uzelac. 2.

The Chair, Mayor Dr. Linda K. Moore, declared the motion carried and the ordinance adopted.

ORDINANCE

Adoption of an Ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Granting A Variation From Zoning Regulations. (1503 Maas Road, to allow construction of a garage and porch to encroaches required yard setback.)

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

The Chair, Mayor Dr. Linda K. Moore, declared the motion carried and the ordinance adopted.

ORDINANCE

Second presentation of an Ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Establishing And Imposing Certain Business District Tax es In The City Of Quincy 54th Street Business District.

ORDINANCE

First presentation of an Ordinance entitled: An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Planned Development. (1603 Center Avenue, operate a maternity house for up to four pregnant mothers.)

REPORT OF FINANCE COMMITTEE

Laura McReynolds

Jack Holtschlag

Richie C. Reis

Finance Committee

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

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor stated that the City-Wide Cleanup is September 24th and 25th, 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and September 26th, 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

https://www.quincyil.gov/files/assets/city/v/1/city-council-archive/2025/minutes/2025-09-15council-minutes.pdf