Mayor proclaims “Pothole Season” in Quincy

QUINCY — Quincy Mayor Mike Troup told the City Council Monday night that it was officially “Pothole Season” in the city, although some residents might contend that season lasts year-round.

Troup said the sudden temperature shifts have led to new potholes and said crews were working on Saturdays to try to catch up. He said the city is looking for additional equipment to rent on top of what crews are doing with the pothole truck and other equipment it already has in use.

“If you have significant potholes on the streets whichever ones you a are driving, please call Central Services and give an address be as close to the address as you can,” he said. “Just don’t say ‘Jefferson Street’.

“Bear with us. There’s a ton of potholes we’ve got to take care of.”

Troup said Illinois Department of Transportation crews are also out working on potholes on Broadway and other state rights-of-way.

The City also recognized February as Career and Technical Education Month and highlighted the work being done at John Wood Community College and the Quincy Area Vocational Technical Center.

JWCC President Bryan Renfro addressed the Council and discussed the recently launched Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME initiative) and the new culinary arts and hospitality management program the school will launch this fall.

“We know that the city is coming off of one of its biggest years in tourism dollars in Quincy’s history,” Renfro said. “As a result of that, we’ve heard the needs of the local hotel and restaurant management programs across the city and Adams County.”

“We’re all about teaching students technical skills, teaching them essential employability skills and giving them exposure to career technical education,” said QAVTC Director Evie Morrison.

Aldermen also recognized Miss Quincy Nicole Taylor at the meeting as she prepares to compete in the Miss Illinois pageant.

In other action, aldermen approved:

• A contract not to exceed $10,000 with PGAV Planners to prepare paperwork for an enterprise zone boundary expansion to include United Alloy’s new 40-acre plot, which is south of Ellington Road and east of South Commercial Drive.
• A $196,146 contract with Motorola Solutions of Schaumburg for the purchase of 21 new Motorola APX 8500 digital police radios and the upgrade of 80 APX 6000 portable radios to the digital platform.
• The purchase of two 2023 Dodge Durango Police Vehicles for $79,284 and another $24,466 to outfit them with emergency equipment, lighting, and prison transport safety equipment. The new squad cars will be funded in part from the Federal Forfeiture Fund.
• The purchase of 70 new holsters for $8,190.
• A bid of $57,642 for radio equipment and accessories from A&W Communications for the Quincy Fire Department. Fire Chief Bernie Vahlkamp said a state grant will cover the bulk of the purchase.