Quincy City Council: May 4, 2026

• Date: May 04, 2026
• Governing Body: Quincy City Council
• Meeting Type: Oversight Committee and General City Council Meeting
• Attendees:
  • Councilors: David Jacobs (Oversight Chair), Anne Mahoney (President), Richard Ash, Noel DiBona, Walter Hubley, Maggie McKee, Deborah Riley, Virginia Ryan, Ziqiang Yuan.
  • Administration: Mayor Thomas Koch, Christopher Walker (Mayor's Representative), Paul Hines (Commissioner of Public Buildings), Joe Shea Jr. (Granite City Partners).

The committee reviewed the operations and financial performance of the city-owned Monroe Building (1229A-1259B Hancock Street).

Key Operational Data:

• Acquisition: Purchased in July 2021 using ARPA funds and support from Congressman Stephen Lynch's office.
• Size: 65,000 gross square feet; 43,500 net commercial square feet.
• Management: Managed by Granite City Partners LLC for a $60,000 annual fee.
• Occupancy Status:
  • 12 commercial occupants (tenants at sufferance/will).
  • 2 non-Quincy governmental occupants (Congressman Lynch and Norfolk County Sheriff).
  • 19 City of Quincy governmental uses.
  • 8 vacant spaces (8,410 square feet).

Financial Performance:

• FY2024: $525,101 revenue; $339,545 expenses.
• FY2025: $388,772 revenue; $574,175 expenses.
• FY2026 (Year-to-Date): $245,555 revenue; $224,243 expenses.
• Capital Expense: $199,260 for a new boiler in 2024.

Discussion Points:

• Rent Discrepancies: Councilor McKee noted commercial rents as low as $0.83/sq ft (Two Trunks/Compass Beauty) compared to $5.33/sq ft for Congressman Lynch. Commissioner Hines explained that low rents reflect the lack of long-term leases and the 'pop-up' nature of some businesses.
• Tax Forfeiture: Councilor Riley noted that the city forfeits approximately $188,000 in annual property tax revenue by owning the building and parking lot.
• Tenant Issues: Hines reported the eviction of the 'Cherry Punch' restaurant due to repeated sanitary sewer violations involving grease dumping.

Mayor Koch presented the proposed FY2027 budget.

Financial Highlights:

• Total General Fund Budget: $491,849,705 (a 2.9% increase over FY2026).
• Education: $148,419,432 for Quincy Public Schools.
• Public Safety: 4.5% increase for Police and Fire departments.
• Enterprise Budgets:
  • Sewer (Order 2026-074): $31.7 million.
  • Water (Order 2026-075): $27.6 million.
• Debt Service: $5.5 million increase, largely driven by the Pension Obligation Bond.

Action: All budget orders were moved to the Finance Committee for further review.

The Mayor proposed the acquisition of the 20-acre Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) campus for $22.5 million.

Proposed Plan:

• Housing: Development of 55+ housing for Quincy residents and a first-time homebuyer program for younger families.
• Revenue Generation: Selling 14 existing single-family homes on the perimeter, estimated to return $7 million to $9 million to the city.
• Municipal Use: Utilization of the gym and fields by Quincy College and the Recreation Department.
• Environmental: Returning flood-prone areas to natural wetlands to mitigate neighborhood flooding.

Action: Moved to the Finance Committee.

The Council voted to return $322,377.03 from completed or cancelled Community Preservation Act (CPA) projects back to the CPA General Fund.

Vote Outcome: Passed 9-0 (Roll Call: Ash, DiBona, Hubley, Jacobs, McKee, Riley, Ryan, Yuan, Mahoney).

The Council authorized the feasibility phase for the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Accelerated Repair Program to address roofs and windows at four city schools.

Legal Language: "Any project costs the City of Quincy incurs in excess of any grant that may be approved by and received from MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the City of Quincy."

Vote Outcome: Passed 9-0 (Roll Call: Ash, DiBona, Hubley, Jacobs, McKee, Riley, Ryan, Yuan, Mahoney).

1. Order 2026-080: A resolve calling for Quincy Housing Authority (QHA) vacancy data to assess the viability of 55+ housing initiatives.
   • Outcome: Passed 8-0.
2. Order 2026-081: A resolve seeking a formal audit of lease deductions, expenses, and payments by Quarry Hills Associates, LP (Granite Links Golf Course).
   • Legal Language: "The City Council hereby calls upon the City of Quincy to initiate said audit pursuant to section 15.7 of the lease conducted by an independent and third-party certified auditor selected by the City Council."
   • Outcome: Passed 9-0.

• Hank Dondero: Supported downtown development, stating, "What's going on downtown now is an enhancement... of livability and... property values."
• Joanne Collins: Expressed concern over the $22.5 million ENC purchase, stating, "This land purchase should not become a blank check."
• Heather Doney: Questioned water abatements for Granite Links, noting a $24,000 abatement on a $100,000 bill while residents face high costs.
• Jennifer O'Brien (Two Trunks): Clarified that her business supports over 30 small business pop-ups and 12 nonprofits, and that fees charged are for management, not sub-leasing.
• Leah DeGloria: Criticized the Council for accepting a 50% raise while discussing budget cuts, calling it "hypocrisy."

• Veterans Services: Councilor Hubley reported 98 VA claims filed and 120 veterans receiving financial assistance. Upcoming events include the Memorial Day Parade on May 25th.
• Foster Care Awareness: Councilor Hubley announced an information session for prospective foster parents on June 29th at the Common Market.
• Lunar New Year: Councilor Jacobs announced a School Committee meeting on May 6th to discuss making Lunar New Year an official school holiday.
• Council Conduct: Councilor Yuan criticized Councilor DiBona for "insulting and intimidating" behavior during the budget discussion. Councilor DiBona offered a public apology.