Quincy Police Chief hiring investigation complete, report to be released this week

QUINCY — The City of Quincy’s Director of Administration Jeff Mays brought up a thick stack of papers as he addressed the Quincy City Council Monday night.

The papers contained the results of a year-long investigation into the hiring process that led to Adam Yates becoming Quincy’s police chief.

Mays said the report, which Muddy River News has requested via the Freedom of Information Act, was turned over to city attorneys Friday morning. Assistant Corporation Counsel Bruce Alford said he had completed his review with “very few redactions” and another attorney expected to have their review completed this week.

While not giving specifics, Mays said an employee complaint led to the investigation and one finding was changing the hiring process during the search and not having those details locked down before it started.

“There was one recommendation, and I know it was shared was all of us together, though it was not in the report,” Mays said referring to the search process. “I know that resonated with a number of you because, had that been structured, we probably would have avoided a lot of the issues that were raised.”

In other action, aldermen voted to provide $200,000 in tax increment financing (TIF) to the Riverfront Development Corporation, which is looking to build an amphitheater south of the Hampshire Street boat ramp. That land is owned by the city and currently houses part of the city’s water filtration system.

Aldermen questioned providing the funding with no concrete plans in place, but representatives of the commission addressed the body to say it will go toward a study and plans for the site. They also said the dollars will not be spent without council approval.

The Commission changed course after failing to gain support to pay for burying Ameren power lines near Clat Adams Park. Director of Planning Chuck Bevelheimer said an amphitheater is considered infrastructure and is eligible for TIF dollars.

The vote was 8-4 with Alderman Brianna Rivera (R-3) abstaining. Rivera is leaving the City Council to becoming the executive director of The District. Alderman Tony Sassen (R-4) was absent.

The City Council once again tabled the payment of a $15,000 “success fee” to NextSite after developer Tom Marx told aldermen he had done the work to bring Planet Fitness to his commercial property at 30th and Broadway. Alderman Mike Rein (R-5) made a motion to have Mayor Mike Troup negotiate a contract buyout with NextSite.

Aldermen also:

• Approved the Special Service Area tax levy for The District.
• Approved the annual property tax levy.
• Confirmed the appointment of Kelly Stupavsky as city treasurer, effective Jan. 1.
• Approved paying for health clinic benefits not fully covered by the city’s health insurance plans for all employees to include physical and occupational therapy care and pre-placement physicals and fitness-for-duty exams.
• Approved a $470,000 bid from Process Water Technologies of Baltimore for dewatering equipment, to assist in the disposal of the waste byproduct created in sewage processing.
• Approved the planned development of a two-family dwelling and garages at 1736 Adams.