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City staff and councilmembers debate CORE Alliance advisory board structure, legal form and district coverage
Summary
Councilmembers and staff discussed formation of the CORE Alliance (Community Opportunity Resilience and Empowerment) advisory board, its mission to support economic development in Districts 2 and 4, and legal questions about whether the council must create boards by ordinance and how to ensure equitable coverage across other districts.
City economic development staff and district councilmembers presented the newly named CORE Alliance advisory board during the March 25 council work session and members described priorities to spur economic development in Districts 2 and 4. The presentation prompted a lengthy council discussion about how advisory boards should be formed, staffed and coordinated across the city.
What the CORE Alliance is: Assistant City Manager Carmen Davis and Economic Development senior project manager Teresa Parham presented the board as a district‑focused advisory group recruited to support economic outreach, business engagement and neighborhood‑level initiatives. Members said they had met informally and agreed on a mission and vision statement that emphasize “transformative development” and organizational priorities including data collection, partnerships and pilot projects.
Legal form and procedure: Several councilmembers and the city attorney pointed out a legal requirement: Section 4.11 of the City Charter requires the council to create boards, commissions and authorities by ordinance and to set composition and duties by ordinance. Staff said the next formal step is to present an ordinance at the April 8 meeting to create the CORE Alliance in accordance with the charter; the city attorney confirmed an ordinance is required.
Coverage and equity concerns: Councilmembers debated geographic balance. Some noted District 1 has attracted substantial commercial investment and asked whether District 1 should have a similar dedicated advisory structure; others said District 2 and 4 have more undeveloped land and fewer existing economic development tools (main‑street programs, commercial corridors) and therefore merit targeted focus. Multiple councilmembers urged staff to ensure consistent economic development resources for all districts and to consider how advisory groups coordinate with citywide planning and existing authorities (Downtown Development Authority, tax allocation districts, Red Oak and Old National initiatives).
Staffing and coordination: Staff said the city’s economic development team will staff and guide advisory boards; project managers are assigned to district efforts so data and strategy remain aligned with citywide plans and the comprehensive plan update. Councilmembers requested clarity about dedicated staff assignments for District 1 and asked that staff gather performance metrics for existing boards before creating new ones.
Council direction and next steps: Staff said it will return an ordinance to formally create the CORE Alliance for consideration at the April 8 council meeting. Councilmembers asked staff to produce a list of currently active advisory boards, their charters and staff assignments, and for a plan to ensure equitable staffing across districts.
Ending: The council did not vote to adopt the board at the March 25 meeting; staff will present a formal ordinance to create the CORE Alliance and material describing district coverage and staffing on April 8.
