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Roswell council updates Downtown Development Authority appointment policy, appoints council member to DDA
Summary
Council amended the DDA appointment policy to allow a sitting council member to serve on the Downtown Development Authority, approved the policy by a 4–1 vote, and then appointed David Johnson to the DDA; Jay Corona was appointed to the Roswell Development Authority unanimously.
The Roswell City Council voted 4–1 on Monday to update the Downtown Development Authority’s appointment policy to allow a sitting council member to serve as a DDA member, citing OCGA 36‑42‑4 as legal authority. Council member Sarah Beeson cast the lone no vote, saying she prefers to keep appointed authorities separate from elected members to avoid any perception of pressure.
City Attorney David Davidson introduced the resolution and referenced OCGA 36‑42‑4, which permits a city council member to be appointed to a downtown authority. Council Member Alan Sells moved the resolution; the record shows the vote passed 4–1.
The council then approved two appointments. Jay (Jay/Jay) Corona (transcribed as Jay/Jake in places) was appointed to the Roswell Development Authority by unanimous vote. The council later approved David Johnson’s appointment to the Downtown Development Authority; Johnson recused himself from discussion of that appointment and the council confirmed the appointment by a 4–1 vote.
Both appointees took an oath of office administered at the meeting. The transcript records the oath language and formal swearing for each appointee.
Council discussion before the votes focused on the policy principle of separation between elected leaders and appointed authorities. Beeson said her “policy standpoint” was to avoid the appearance of pressure on boards and commissions. Other members said the change restores a practice that had existed before 2011 and can improve strategic alignment between council and DDA work.
No additional ordinance or administrative changes tied to the DDA membership were recorded at the meeting beyond the resolution updating appointment policy and the appointments themselves.
