Quincy City Council approves $455,000 for airport improvement to benefit Knapheide Manufacturing

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council unanimously voted to pay $455,000 out of the city’s general fund for runway improvements near the hangars at Quincy Regional Airport owned by Knapheide Manufacturing.

The original proposal called for more than $800,000 in runway improvements to be paid for with American Relief Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. The City of Quincy will end up receiving about $5.4 million in federal funding to assist in recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alderman Mike Farha (R-4th Ward) said since Knapheide employs more than 2,000 people and has been based out of Quincy for nearly 175 years, this wasn’t that big of an ask. Knapheide is funding much of the airport project that deal with new and expanded hangars.

But Farha did drop the request to $455,000 by eliminating one of three phases of the project.

Aldermen Jeff Bergman (R-2nd Ward) did not want to use federal relief dollars for the project and asked if the money could come from the general fund. Bergman said he would like to see a list of other projects the City is planning to utilize ARPA dollars for.

Mayor Mike Troup said it would be possible to pay for the improvements out of the general fund and Farha, who is the chairman of the City’s Finance Committee, agreed. Troup also said he would be providing a list of potential ARPA-funded projects in the coming weeks.

Troup said Knapheide has more flights in and out of the airport than the commercial airlines.

In other news, a special permit for a gaming parlor at 1034 N. 4th died for lack of a second. John Schutte, who owns multiple bars and gaming parlors in Quincy, had asked to table the request for 30 days because of concerns neighbors had with the plan.

Neither alderman spoke to the issue or acted to pass the special permit. Schutte met with Bergman, as the location is in the 2nd Ward, in an attempt to bring the project back at a later date.

And Jason Priest, known for his appearances at City Council meetings, his wigs and his attire in women’s clothing and underwear, had another outburst that caused him to be removed from the City Council Chambers…again.

Priest shouted at Troup, saying the mayor should be removed for multiple reasons and said “Jesus has 10 sticks of dynamite” for him.

Priest is charged with multiple misdemeanors and felonies and has been lodged in the Adams County Jail.

The court has ordered Priest to have a mental fitness exam, which is supposed to be completed by August 8, which is his next scheduled court date.