Moore wants to create task force to address lack of housing, commission to assist sports tourism

QUINCY — Mayor Linda Moore announced at the end of Monday’s Quincy City Council meeting her plans to create a housing task force and a sports tourism commission. 

The lack of adequate housing in Quincy was arguably the biggest issue during the mayoral campaigns of Moore and incumbent Mike Troup. 

A non-binding referendum supporting an ordinance proposal for a rental inspection program, created by Quincy for Registration Inspection Licensing Enactment (Q-RILE), was passed by 60.6 percent of voters in the April 1 general election. Q-RILE worked for more than two years to get the proposal on the ballot.

Moore said after Monday’s meeting she wants to create a task force of between 12 and 15 people.

“Housing is the biggest issue in our community. We don’t have enough affordable housing, she said. “We have dilapidated buildings that people are living in because there’s nothing else available. We need to address the housing issues in our community, and we need to come at it from a very strategic standpoint — not just, well, let’s solve this one, then let’s solve this one, then let’s solve that one. We need a strategy.”

Moore does not plan to serve on the committee, but she knows who she wants to participate. She plans to ask the United Way of Adams County, Bella Ease, Two Rivers Regional Council and the Adams County Veterans Commission to have someone involved.

“I want people who have boots on the ground,” she said. “I also want a landlord. I want somebody from Q-RILE. I want all the different voices represented on this committee, and I want them to work together and collaborate to find a shared solution that works for everybody.”

Alderman Karol Ehmen (R-4) already has expressed interest in being a part of the group. She says the problem is much bigger than inspections.

“You can build in one area and maybe bring it up to speed for houses in the range of $250,000 or $300,000, but that leaves a lot that still needs to be done,” Ehmen said after the meeting. “We know there are people who work in Quincy, but they don’t live in Quincy because they can’t find a home. 

“I’m interested in making sure that when we do these developments, we do them right. We need to look at when we are building a complex that it doesn’t only address one income (level). We need to look at what will keep our community healthy. Maybe we a mixed income where we’re trying to model a reflective community development here. That’s just a couple of ideas that I’m thinking about and researching.”

Moore said she was a member of the first sports commission created in St. Louis in the mid-1980s. She said at least 30 people were part of the group.

“It was a group of a lot of CEOs and a lot of boots-on-the-ground organizations,” she said. “I want to see who really wants to put in time and effort to see it develop. Their charge will be to build sports tourism in the area.”

Moore already has thoughts about who she hopes to add to the commission.

“Holly Cain (executive director of SeeQuincy) will need to be on it,” Moore said with a grin. “I want somebody from Quincy University. I’d like somebody from Notre Dame and somebody from Quincy High School, somebody from the AAU programs, somebody from the soccer community, somebody from the baseball community.”

A feasibility study for a proposed indoor sports complex in Quincy, projected to cost in the neighborhood of $30 million, was presented to the public on April 15. 

“I want the commission to look at what type of an indoor facility we need, if we need a facility,” Moore said. “What are the possible locations? What should it include? It needs to be a resource for existing events, to either maybe grow them or maybe bring in more events. You know, the Park District is working to connect Boots Bush (Park) and Paul Dennis (soccer fields) that could be our outdoor soccer complex. What else does the Park District need. How can we support the Park District to make that a tournament facility?

“We already have existing baseball tournaments (through QTown Tournaments), but what else do they need? More fields? Are there fields in town that can be developed? What do they need to make those fields playable for the age range of specific tournaments? For the Quincy Shootout (a two-day basketball event in January at Quincy High School and Quincy Notre Dame), I know Eric (Stratman, event coordinator) could use a lot of support. How can we support him? How can we get the word out that Quincy is a great place to come and bring your sporting events?”

Moore said next week’s City Council agenda will have a first reading of an ordinance to create a consent agenda, which she described as “anything that’s routine” on a weekly agenda that typically would be approved unanimously. Examples would be petitions, proclamations, filing of reports and some resolutions. Aldermen would vote on all items on a consent agenda with a single vote.

“All of the aldermen would be asked, ‘Are there any items on the consent agenda that you want taken off so that we can discuss them on the floor of the regular meeting?’” Moore said.

A sample consent agenda will be distributed to aldermen in May.

“I think that’ll give everybody a better idea of whether it’s something that could work for us or not,” Moore said.

Moore also introduced her “200 Local” challenge. She is encouraging residents to spend at least $200 at local businesses through Sept. 1. 

“Some people might find that super easy. Other people might find that a bigger challenge,” she said. “Instead of spending money outside the community, let’s spend money in the community and keep our local economy going. For every dollar you spend locally, that dollar circulates seven times. When you spend $1 at a national chain, it’ll circulate maybe four times. By spending money locally, we’re going to keep our local economy going and growing.”