• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Muddy River Sports
  • Podcasts
    • State of Play with David Adam
    • Muddy River Podcasts
  • Muddy River TV+
  • Support Muddy River News
  • Newsletter

Muddy River News

Our Home. Our News.

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Politics
  • Muddy River Vibe
  • Blotter
  • Business
  • Local Matters
  • Markets & Ag
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • Real Estate
  • Shop
Home » News » Riverfront Development Corporation debates formation of, representation on 501(c)(3) foundation
The Top Stories section is sponsored by:

Riverfront Development Corporation debates formation of, representation on 501(c)(3) foundation

June 30, 2022 — by David Adam, MRN Editor

Tieraney Craig, right, draws a number out of an envelope held by Chuck Bevelheimer during Wednesday's Quincy Riverfront Development Corporation in city council chambers. The corporation drew numbers out of an envelope to stagger the length of the first term for each of the nine members. In the background are corporation counsel Lonnie Dunn, left, and corporation member Duane Venvertloh. | David Adam

QUINCY — The Quincy Riverfront Development Corporation is formed, and board members are selected. The next step is determining how the corporation will handle the money it receives.

That topic dominated Wednesday afternoon’s meeting in City Council chambers.

The nine-member board will guide the implementation of the riverfront master plan and oversee the development of 89 acres of Quincy riverfront spanning from Kentucky to Spring, Third Street to the riverfront and the Maine Street right of way from Third to Fourth.

Quincy Mayor Mike Troup told the corporation the city started working in April 2021 on the formation of a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) foundation to help raise money. He said asked attorney Hal Oakley, chairman of Schmiedeskamp, Robertson, Neu and Mitchell, and Mike Klingner, president and chief engineer of Klingner and Associates, to join himself on the foundation.

“We weren’t sure what was going to happen to the original riverfront committee, because they were working on the plan,” Troup said. “We wanted to start the fundraising, because we know we cannot solely count on the city, the county and the Park District to continue to fund every aspect of the riverfront development.”

Troup said he’s waiting on approval from the Internal Revenue Service to create the foundation. He said he asked only two people to be on the foundation “so it was easier” when signatures or a quick responses are needed.

“We’ve got a targeted list of other groups and individuals who are willing to invest,” Troup said. “We’ve had several conversations with a handful of people who would start (donating). The hesitation was they didn’t want to write a check to the foundation without knowing it is a certified IRS approved 501(c)(3).”

Craig wants more representation on foundation

Troup hoped the foundation would get IRS approval by the end of July.

Corporation member Tieraney Craig believes most of the nine members agree with the creation of a funding mechanism. However, she was hesitant to have just three people on the foundation.

“It’s taken a lot to get three entities and the public together on this project,” she said. “I know this project is going to be a long haul. We’re looking at years and years and years. Down the line, everybody needs to be represented from those (public taxing) entities and from the public (on the foundation). … It’s just imperative. We would all feel better if there was one member from each entity on there. Chuck (Bevelheimer, director of planning and development) isn’t going to be here forever. I know (Troup isn’t) going to be here forever. I’m thinking long term.”

Corporation member Duane Venvertloh said he thought Troup’s effort to form the foundation was “noble.” However, he suggested the QRDC board file for its own charitable designation and meld the corporation and the foundation into one group comprising the same nine members.

“What (Troup has) done is to be applauded. Thank you. But to move forward, (creating a separate foundation) just seems cumbersome and confusing to me,” Venvertloh said.

Troup said he chose Klingner and Oakley because each had raised money from other nonprofit groups.

“We all came in with a list of who is on our contact list. We’ve had conversations with individuals and some other organizations,” Troup said. “So I’m optimistic we’re going to raise some significant money. We’ve had conversations, but we’ve not really gone out for a full press because we’re lacking that IRS final approval.”

Steinkamp ‘didn’t sign up’ to be fundraiser

QRDC president Jeff Steinkamp said he “didn’t sign up” to be a fundraiser when he agreed to join the corporation. He pointed out agreements the Quincy Park District has with the Friends of the Trails and the Friends of the Castle, which raise money that the Park Board manages for specific projects.

“At some point, we have to raise funds,” Craig said. “So you have to raise the funds to get somebody in here to start to professionally raising that money.”

“What we’ve done is we’ve bypassed all that,” Troup said.

“No, you’ve politicized it. That’s what you’ve done,” Venvertloh said. “That’s what this board is not about. We tried to avoid politicking.”

The corporation did not act on adding more people to the foundation Troup created. However, Steinkamp asked the corporation to consider adding four of its members — one each representing the city, county, and Park District, and one at-large member — to the foundation. Troup said he was open to that idea.

Asked about Steinkamp’s proposal after the meeting, Venvertloh agreed one member representing the city, county and Park District should be added. However, he wants all three at-large members — Craig, Jeff Grimm and Melanie Allen — added as well.

“Now the public’s represented, the taxing bodies are represented, and the folks who did the due diligence to put the foundation together are represented,” Venvertloh said. “That’s a win win.”

In other business, the corporation learned its articles of incorporation were submitted to the state. Allen, Craig, Steinkamp and Mike Mahair will serve as the board of directors.

Grant request made to National Scenic Byways Program

The corporation also drew numbers out of an envelope to stagger the length of the first term for each member. Steinkamp, Dave Bauer and Dave Bellis have one-year terms. Mahair, Allen and Rick Ehrhart have two-year terms. Venvertloh, Craig and Grimm have three-year terms.

“This does not mean you’re limited to a one-year term. You can serve up to three full terms,” Bevelheimer said. “This establishes, in the by-laws, the starting point for each member here.”

The corporation also learned the electrical line burial project along the riverfront is in its last phase of design work. Bevelheimer said the city is “potholing” where the lines are before it puts the project out to bid.

“So when we bid it, we know exactly where our utilities are as it relates to the alignment for the buried power lines,” Bevelheimer said.

Bevelheimer and Jason Parrott, community development planner for the city, updated the corporation on requests for allocations to help pay for the electrical line burial project from Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Darin LaHood. Parrott said the request to LaHood also included money for a dock for cruise ships. He estimated 50 ships bypass Quincy each year, costing the city about $1 million in revenue.

The city also applied for a National Scenic Byways Program grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The FHWA administers the byways program to recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the nation. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 included $16 million for the NSBP — the first Congressional appropriations for the program since 2012 — and directed FHWA to make more NSBP designations.

“They were anticipating more than 250 applications from across the nation, and a few dozen would probably be funded,” Parrott said. “So it’s one of those, you give it a shot.”

Miss Clipping Out Stories to Save for Later?

Click the Purchase Story button below to order a print of this story. We will print it for you on matte photo paper to keep forever.

Purchase Story
close

Do you want to receive the Muddy River News newsletter in your inbox every morning? Send us your email address, click "Subscribe" and don't forget to check your email to confirm your FREE subscription.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Filed Under: Noteworthy, Top Stories Tagged With: Chuck Bevelheimer, Duane Venvertloh, Jeff Steinkamp, Mike Troup, Quincy Riverfront Development Corporation, Tieraney Craig

Primary Sidebar

Daily Muddy: Crazy times in a river town

https://youtu.be/drKpha8hPE8
View Complete Forecast

Trending Posts This Week

  • ‘Everything’s going to stay status quo’: New owner of Hess Auto Agency has no plans for change
    QUINCY — The new owner of Hess Auto Agency says he has no plans to change what’s going on at...
  • Illinois Attorney General’s Office: “Adams County has acknowledged that its closed session discussions…were improper” 
    QUINCY — The Illinois Attorney General's office has received the recordings of the closed sessions of the Adams County Board...
  • City to spend $4.43 million to elevate, repair barge dock wall; Mayor ‘doesn’t understand rationale’ for Park District’s intention to close the marina in 2024
    QUINCY — The Quincy City Council voted Monday night to accept the low bid of $4.43 million from County Contractors...
  • Ulmus Academy has a home
    The Academy agreed to a three-year lease with Rupp Enterprises LLC for the northeast wing of the former Adams Elementary...
  • Real estate transfers in Adams County from July 25-29, 2022
    Muddy River News transaction information is obtained from Illinois Real Estate Transfer Declaration forms accompanying recorded documents. Dates provided may...

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Our Most Recent Podcasts

  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: Crazy times in a river town August 9, 2022
  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: Have gun, will travel August 8, 2022
  • CLUB MUDDY PODCAST: Elephants and asses in the room August 8, 2022
  • Adams County Board Finance Committee meeting closed session from May 9, 2022 August 2, 2022
  • Adams County Board closed session recording from May 10, 2022 August 2, 2022
  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: Quincy YMCA helping with housing August 2, 2022
  • CLUB MUDDY PODCAST: Garbage Human? July 28, 2022
  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: The return of the Freefall Convention? July 26, 2022
  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: Back to school and high school sports coverage July 22, 2022
  • CLUB MUDDY PODCAST: Brushes with fame July 21, 2022

More Top Stories

Ulmus Academy has a home

by Ron Kinscherf, Muddy River News Correspondent

New school will begin teaching students at the former Adams Elementary on September 6 QUINCY — The leadership of the Ulmus Academy has signed a three-year lease to open at a site where thousands of children spent their formative years in elementary school. The Academy agreed to a three-year … ...Read Full Article about Ulmus Academy has a home

County Board…in open session…votes to give Circuit Clerk a raise; Board to undergo more Open Meetings Act training

by J. Robert Gough, Publisher

QUINCY — The Adams County Board narrowly voted to give the Circuit Clerk a more than $6,000 raise on a split vote. The discussion on the vote centered around giving the raise during middle of Circuit Clerk Lori Geschwandner's term. By statute, most raises for officeholders are allowed to be … ...Read Full Article about County Board…in open session…votes to give Circuit Clerk a raise; Board to undergo more Open Meetings Act training

Minnesota man pleads not guilty to four sexual assault felonies with children under age 13

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — A gymnastics coach from West Virginia pled not guilty Tuesday morning to four charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13 in Adams County. Leonard Johnson, 63, of Rochester, Minn., was arraigned in Adams County Circuit Court by Judge Amy Lannerd. He … ...Read Full Article about Minnesota man pleads not guilty to four sexual assault felonies with children under age 13

City to spend $4.43 million to elevate, repair barge dock wall; Mayor ‘doesn’t understand rationale’ for Park District’s intention to close the marina in 2024

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — The Quincy City Council voted Monday night to accept the low bid of $4.43 million from County Contractors of Quincy to elevate and repair the city’s barge dock wall and grade the land adjacent to the dock. The barge dock, located on the Mississippi River at Mile 326 in Lock & Dam … ...Read Full Article about City to spend $4.43 million to elevate, repair barge dock wall; Mayor ‘doesn’t understand rationale’ for Park District’s intention to close the marina in 2024

Rather than risk losing airline service, City Council opts for single-engine aircraft from Southern Airways Express

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — Quincy Mayor Mike Troup didn’t want to see the city lose having twin-engine airplanes provide service to Quincy Regional Airport. However, he thought it was better than the alternative. “If we reject both (airline proposals) and go out for more bids, it's a slim likelihood that you're … ...Read Full Article about Rather than risk losing airline service, City Council opts for single-engine aircraft from Southern Airways Express

Footer

Coverage Area

Muddy River News LLC
535 Maine, Suite 4A
Quincy, IL 62301

Have a Story or News Tips? Contact Us!

Phone: (217) 577-8044
Email: news@muddyrivernews.com

Copyright © 2022 • Muddy River News LLC • All Rights Reserved • Privacy Policy