City Council approves aggregation for electric, natural gas accounts for city departments

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council voted to approve electric aggregation for all electric accounts for city municipal departments and facilities, while also authorizing Mayor Mike Troup to enter into any contracts and execute any documents necessary to acquire the lowest electric rate.

“This has nothing to do with the citizens of Quincy. It’s for city-owned properties, correct?” Alderman Greg Fletcher (R-1st Ward) asked.

“It’s for (the city’s) utility bills,” Troup said.

“The public’s aggregation issues will be settled on the ballot in April. Correct?” Fletcher asked. Troup agreed.

The adoption of an ordinance calling for the end of the electrical aggregation program for the city of Quincy was tabled on Sept. 30 by aldermen until May 5. Aldermen directed the city administration not to enter any more aggregation contracts when the current contract with Constellation expires on Jan. 1.

“Is that a guarantee that we’re getting a lower rate?” Alderman Dave Bauer (D-2nd Ward) asked. 

“The proposed rate last week would have been about $250,000 a year annually for savings over the current rate that we’re paying,” Director of Public Works Jeffrey Conte said. “If the rates change, (the proposed rate) is guaranteed. A 12-month contract is what we were being offered.”

“If Ameren’s rate goes down, we could be paying more,” Bauer said.

“Potentially, yes, but the number we were shot, I can’t imagine Ameren ever going that low. It hasn’t been that low in years,” Conte said.

Aldermen also approved a similar resolution for national gas aggregation for city accounts.

Jason Priest spoke to the City Council during the public comment portion of the meeting for the first time since Aug. 1, 2022, when he told Troup that “Jesus has 10 sticks of dynamite for you.” Judge John Wooleyhan granted an emergency summons protective order for Troup on Aug. 8, 2022, against Priest, who had made several threatening comments to the mayor during City Council meetings earlier that year.

“The city has waged a small war against me and my kind,” Priest told the City Council on Monday. “I want to tell you I’m back with a few scars, but the mayor, he knows what he did.”

Priest’s rambling comments ranged from aircraft carriers, terrorism in Israel, being scared of China and more complaints about Troup and Adam Yates, chief of the Quincy Police Department.

“The only weapon I have is this right here,” Priest said as he pointed to his head at the end of his comments. “The only thing I need to do is keep talking. Now. I spent two years playing their little game by being silent. Mayor, I’m not silent anymore. And believe me: When I say war, I mean war.”

Several charges were filed against Priest from March to August 2022. Among them were eight counts of disorderly conduct, one count of threatening a public official, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, trespassing, reckless conduct, criminal damage to government property, making an improper left turn with a bicycle and failing to have a light on a bicycle at nighttime. Two other orders of protection against Priest also were granted.

Priest’s record was clean in 2023. He was charged on Aug. 29 this year for disregarding a traffic-control device.  He has a contempt of court hearing before Judge Josh Jones set for Jan. 7.

In other action, aldermen:

• Gave permission to the Quincy University cross country and track and field teams to conduct a raffle from now through Dec. 11.
• Accepted a $66,000 bid from Quincy Medical Group for wellness and occupational health services for 2025.
• Approved an ordinance changing C1B zoning (limited local commercial district) to C2 zoning (commercial district) for properties at 2536 Broadway and 2600-2602 Broadway.