Aldermen approve sale of two fix-or-flatten properties; city to receive $10,000 annually for 18 years as part of nationwide opioid settlement

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council recommended on Monday night the sale of two properties that were part of the city’s fix-or flatten program. It also adopted a resolution to participate in a billion-dollar nationwide opioid settlement agreement.

The city advertised in December 16 vacant lots that it owned were for sale, and it received two requests for purchase. Simon Holtschlag submitted an offer of $5,500 for a property at 1122 Monroe. Michael Fitzgerald submitted an offer for $1,000 for a property at 633 State. Both men plan to build a single-family residence on each property within 18 months of closing on the property.

The city spent $12,800 to demolish the previous home at 1122 Monroe and $17,000 to demolish the previous home at 633 State.

Aldermen also learned of two proposed nationwide settlement agreements that have been reached. All opioid litigation brought by states and local political subdivisions against three pharmaceutical distributors — McKesson, Cardinal Health and AmerisourceBergen — and one manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and its parent company Johnson & Johnson, will be resolved.

The proposed settlements require the distributors to pay $21 billion over 18 years and for Janssen to pay $5 billion over no more than nine years to help abate the opioid epidemic. Illinois has joined both settlements, and eventually so has Quincy. The city is entitled to 0.28 percent of the Local Government Recovery Fund in accordance with the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement. 

Jeff Mays, director of administrative services for the city, says the city expects to receive about $10,000 annually for the next 18 years. 

“(The money) can go only for very specific opioid-related issues. That’s why it will probably be going to either police or fire, depending on the need,” Mays told aldermen.

Aldermen recommended the drafting of an ordinance to allow for multiple uses of the former Madison School, 2435 Maine. The property, owned by Rupp Enterprises, now may be used for the following:

• Gymnasium: Youth sports practices, adult recreational sports leagues and personal/group training (fitness/athletics/agility);
• Kitchen: Preparation of baked goods, preparation of seasoning mix;
• Classrooms: Dance studio, music/recording studio, limited educational opportunities.

The ordinance will not allow retail sales, professional office space, indoor customer seating within the kitchen and youth sports games/competitions.