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City approves measures to improve pedestrian safety near QU; also refinances loans

3 months ago by Bob Gough

The Quincy City Council approved measures that aldermen hope will improve pedestrian safety where a Quincy University student was hit by a car.

The Traffic Commission recommended adding north/south crosswalk pavement markings at 20^th & Chestnut, installing two solar powered LED Pedestrian Warning Signs on Chestnut and two on North 18^th, increasing the wattage on the 9 streetlights located at Chestnut and North 18^th and QU implementing a campus pedestrian safety campaign.

The action was taken after QU student Shannon Peter was hit by a car while crossing Chestnut on January 7.

Aldermen also approved refinancing a bond and a loan that will save the city about $210,000 in interest payments.

The Council approved accepting a bid of a 2.08 rate from Peoples Prosperity Bank to save the City more than $141,000 in interest on a loan it took out for HVAC improvements. The loan still has more than $900,000 outstanding.

Alderman Mike Rein (R-5^th Ward) had concerns about the increase of the monthly payment by $2,000 to $11,800. Comptroller Ann Scott said the increase would be covered by increased revenues from Ameren as part of the 10-year franchise agreement between the utility and the City. The City has set aside money in what it calls in a Green Energy Fund.

Aldermen also approved the refinancing of the general obligation bond used to finance the building of the Oakley-Lindsay Center. The City accepted a bid from First Bankers Trust to reduce the rate from 5.75 to 1.6 percent and the City will save more than $72,000 with the move.

Alderman Paul Havermale (R-3^rd Ward) has asked for an update on hydropower expenses. He asked Mayor John Spring to convene a meeting of the City Council to sit as the C-Corp Hydropower Board to review $69,000 in expenses that he said have occurred since the last time Aldermen were updated on the project, which Havermale said was about a year and a half ago.

Quincy Police Department Detective Anjanette Biswell was recognized as the QPD Employee of the Year. Biswell has been with the department since 1994 and a detective since 2004.

Quincy Police Chief Rob Copley said Biswell was selected by her peers in the department. He said she has been effective in tracking down child porn predators.

“I am humbled and honored…there is no bigger honor than being recognized by those you work with,” Biswell said.

The Council also forwarded a lawsuit to the city's Corporation Counsel. The city was served a summons last week along with Burlington Junction Railway and the North Side Boat Club Gary Straus filed the suit for up to $150,000 where he alleges that he sustained disabling injuries.

Corporation Counsel Andrew Staff said he has no details of the lawsuit, which was sent to the City’s Third Party Administrator of its self-insurance plan.