Aldermen may consider putting electrical aggregation in voters’ hands; Yates recognized for 25 years of service

QUINCY — Aldermen voted during Monday’s Quincy City Council meeting to have an ordinance drafted to place a referendum on the April 2025 ballot that would pose the question of whether the city should continue electrical aggregation.

Alderman Ben Uzelac (D-7) asked Corporation Counsel Bruce Alford near the end of Monday’s meeting how much time the City Council needs to pass an ordinance for the referendum. Aldermen also gave the first of three readings to an ordinance that would end the city’s participation in electrical aggregation.

“Aggregation was done originally via referendum,” Uzelac said. “I would like to see an alternate ordinance to the one that we have a first reading of tonight where we could ask the question of whether we should continue it.”

Alford said he believes aldermen have between 57 and 90 days.

“So we have plenty of time,” he said.

The Quincy City Council voted on Sept. 9 to have an ordinance drafted to end the city’s electrical aggregation program.

Several aldermen noted during the Sept. 3 meeting that they were receiving complaints from customers who were automatically enrolled in the aggregation program, having their electric supply service switched to Constellation. They wanted the program to allow customers to opt in rather than to be automatically enrolled and opt out.

Greg Fletcher said to Uzelac that the City Council is scheduled to vote in two weeks to end electrical aggregation in Quincy. 

“If that passes this council, then your proposal is a moot point,” Fletcher said.

“That’s true,” Uzelac said. “My hope is that this council would be willing to table the other ordinance for a week or two so we can have a fair discussion. This comes because, I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but I’ve had constituents call me and say that they appreciate aggregation and that it has saved them money. I’m just trying to be representative of my constituents. I would like us to have an open discussion.”

“(The) Legal Department said we had every legal right to end (aggregation) through the ordinance,” Fletcher said.

“I’m not arguing that,” Uzelac said. “Because we originally asked the voters of Quincy in a referendum, I wish we could have another referendum.”

“I think that’s an absolutely fair point,” Eric Entrup (R-1) said.

“The ordinance that’s on the agenda, I hope fails,” Mike Rein (R-5) said. “I like electrical aggregation. It’s good. We just need to do a better job of education. That’s all.”

At the beginning of the meeting, Police Chief Adam Yates was recognized for his 25^th year with the Quincy Police Department. Mike McLaughlin with the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners read a letter of congratulations, and Troup gave Yates a gift.

Yates told aldermen he’s been living a dream he had since he was a boy of being a police officer. He thanked his family — his mother, Marie, his sister, Tiffany, and his wife, Stephanie, who he said has been his biggest supporter during his career.

“I’ve really been humbled to have the opportunity to be your police chief for the last couple of years,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed every minute of the work I’ve got to do, both with and for the community.”

In other action, aldermen:

• Granted a live entertainment/public gathering license to Barney’s Tavern, 1708 Broadway, for a Maxwell Wombles memorial event on Saturday.
• Approved an application for the waiver of liquor ordinances by Niemann Foods Inc., to allow for the consumption and possession of liquor in the parking lot at 4830 Broadway for the “Bark and Brew” event on Oct. 19.
• Granted permission to conduct raffles and have the bond requirement waived to the Quincy University women’s basketball from now through Nov. 6 and to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5129 from now until Sept.12, 2025.
• Approved Troup’s appointment of Bill Lantz as the interim director of Quincy Regional Airport.
• Heard proclamations from Troup declaring Sept. 16 as American Business Women’s Association Day and Sept. 19 through Oct. 22 as NEA Big Read: Quincy Month.
• Authorized the low bid of $56,000 from H&D Construction, Inc., for the demolition through the city’s fix or flatten program of structures at 623 Spring, 848 S. Sixth and 1516 Van Buren.
• Approved a quote of $35,377 from Air Specialists Heating & Air Conditioning for the furnishing and installation of HVAC equipment at the wastewater treatment plant.
• Authorized submission and support of an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program grant for $1 million to extend bicycle lanes on both sides of North 18th Street from the bridge north of Quincy University’s North Campus to Koch’s Lane, extend the sidewalk on the west side of North 18th Street from the bridge to the entrance to Bob Mays Park and add a connection from the new sidewalk to the Bill Klingner Trail. Aldermen also adopted an amendment removing language that a local match of $440,000 for the bicycle lanes would come from Motor Fuel Tax dollars. Eric Entrup (R-1) said the Finance Committee would later determine the funding source if the city receives the grant.
• Amended the city’s municipal code to say, “Each handicapped parking space shall be sized according to the current edition of the Illinois Accessibility Code.”
• Amended the city’s municipal code to include a chapter about commercial solar energy facilities that would address construction requirements, design and safety standards, setback and height requirements, security, lighting, use of public roads, inspections, maintenance, insurance, fees, and site decommission/reclamation.