South TIF hearing set for March 14

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council has set a hearing date to determine if a new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district will be established in the city’s Calftown section.

At Monday’s meeting, aldermen voted 10-2 to set the hearing for Thursday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Aldermen Tony Sassen (R-4th Ward) and Mike Rein (R-5th Ward) were the no votes. Aldermen Mike Farha (R-4th Ward) and Glen Ebbing (R-5th Ward) were absent.

The administration has establishing a TIF district for the German Village area of Calftown, which encompasses 14 square blocks and approximately 125 private parcels in the area of Eighth and State streets. The proposed boundary has an approximate equalized assessed value (EAV) of $4.2 million.

The Quincy City Council voted 9-4 on July 3 to approve spending up to $40,000 with PGAV Planners, LLC, from St. Louis to determine an eligibility and redevelopment plan for the TIF district in the State and Eighth/Calftown/Dick Brothers Brewery area.

Alderman Jeff Bergman (R-2nd Ward) voted to hold the hearing, but reiterated that he would only consider supporting a new TIF District if the city eliminated one of the two existing ones. Bergman also asked how the Quincy Park District’s decision to not support the TIF district affects it going forward.

“They are one of the taxing bodies who will be making a recommendation at the joint review meting,” Bevelheimer said.

In other action Alderman Eric Entrup (R-1st Ward) asked the administration to review the city’s ordinances that deal with taxi and cab service. Entrup said it was outdated in light of how society now uses ride share companies such as Uber and Lyft, who do not have to follow any ordinances because of how they are set up.

Police Chief Adam Yates supported the measure, saying it was a good idea to give people more options to get rides, especially if they have been drinking.

Aldermen also voted to:

• Cancel the Emerald Ash Borer treatment contract with Kinnucan Tree Experts & Landscaping. The City spent $9,500 of the nearly $22,000 contract. The remainder of the funding will go to replace trees in the fall tree planting program.
• Buy a 2023 Ford Police Interceptor from Carson Motors in Carthage, Ill. for $44,992.
• Approve a quote from Traffic Control Corporation of Ankeny, Iowa of $29,400 for the purchase of traffic signal equipment.
• Use $528,450 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the next fiscal year for the purchase of concrete, asphalt
  patching, road salt and other items used for the maintenance of roads, $401,000 of Motor Fuel Tax funds to crack seal city streets and $1.3 millions of Motor Fuel Tax funds for asphalt resurfacing projects throughout the City of Quincy.
• Accept an estimate from Mack Trucks, Inc. in the amount of $17,107.21 for repair costs to a garbage truck.
• Approve an estimate from Rush Enterprises in the amount of $31,375.68 for a new dump/frontline plow truck engine.
• Approve the low bid from Rees Construction Co. of $240,075 for the Backwash Line Relocation Project at the Water Treatment plant.