Quincy City Council approves temporary district office for Congresswoman Miller

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council waived the usual three readings and approved a lease to provide temporary office space for Congresswoman Mary Miller (R-15th District).

The issue was discussed at length at the Jan. 9 City Council meeting and Mayor Mike Troup said it was a temporary solution while Miller’s staff looked for a permanent office location.

Alderman Mike Rein (R-5th Ward) asked to waive the third reading of the ordinance and the council voted 11-1 to approve the lease, with Troup also casting a supporting vote. Alderman Dave Bauer (D-2nd Ward) was the lone no vote. Mike Farha (R-4th Ward) and Ben Uzelac (D-7th) were absent.

The City Council also heard a first reading of an ordinance to amend the city’s code to establish weight limits for alleys in an effort to keep heavy trucks, primarily garbage trucks, out of them.

Director of Administrative Services Jeff Mays said each alley would be evaluated individually by Director of Public Works Jeffrey Conte working in consultation with aldermen.

Bauer asked if businesses were expected to put dumpsters in front of their buildings as part of this plan and Conte said commercial alleys would be reinforced to allow pickup to continue as it currently works.

Mays said garbage trucks weigh 26 tons and the City has spend $1.5 million on 76 alleys since 2019. He said money that is saved by having fewer alley repairs can then be used on street maintenance.

Alderman Tony Sassen (R-4th Ward) emphasized that it would be the aldermen for each ward who would have the final say on how this would work.

Aldermen also approved a short-term loan of up to $350,000 from the cash reserve fund for operations of Quincy Transit Lines. This is an annual process as the City waits for federal reimbursements.