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Committee approves emergency revisions to Downtown Investment rules after debate; CEO confirmation language removed
Summary
After debate and several amendments, the Neighborhoods Committee approved an emergency ordinance to adjust Downtown Investment Authority authorities and processes, removing proposed council confirmation and removal powers for the DIA chief executive and adopting cleaned-up investment and grant provisions.
An emergency ordinance that would revise aspects of Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) governance and grant authority passed the committee on Monday after protracted debate and amendments.
The item had been filed with emergency designation so language changes could take effect before a pending CEO search and onboarding. Opponents initially said the proposal did not meet the emergency standard; supporters argued timing mattered because the DIA was in an active CEO search.
Committee members adopted an auditor-recommended amendment to align code changes with the city’s public-investment policy and to authorize the DIA to update its bid plan. Councilmember Joe Carlucci then offered an amendment to remove proposed language that would have allowed council confirmation and removal of the DIA CEO; the DIA publicly objected only to that provision and supported the other changes. The committee approved the Carlucci amendment.
Other key changes in the ordinance as amended included revisions to DIA grant authority, clarification of the three‑party REV (revitalization) grant process, and adjustments to thresholds for approvals so the DIA can act within council-granted budget limits without returning to the council for routine awards. One proposed amendment from a committee member to increase the DIA’s TIF cash-incentive cap from $10 million to $15 million failed on a tie split in committee.
After votes on amendments, the emergency ordinance passed the committee. Committee members said the changes were intended to streamline downtown project approvals while preserving oversight; supporters urged caution and clearer public reporting. The DIA asked that CEO appointment language be removed so finalists would know the board — not council — would handle hiring and firing. The committee’s final adopted package removes council confirmation and removal of the DIA CEO and includes auditor-recommended technical edits.
