Council amends DIA ordinance, removes council confirmation of CEO and approves changes on emergency vote

The Rules Committee voted unanimously (8–0) to pass ordinance 2025-0395, an amendment to the Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) code that alters the board’s procedures and related public investment policy. The committee also approved the measure as an emergency so the changes could take effect within the current council year.

Vice President Kericho (cited in committee as the council vice president) offered to accept an amendment that removes council confirmation from any proposed DIA CEO-removal mechanism. Committee members described that concession as the key change that enabled broader committee support.

Miss Caraher (council staff) explained the Neighborhoods Amendment included these main changes: strike proposed council confirmation of DIA CEO removals, add an exhibit to update the public investment policy, allow DIA to revise its bid plan consistent with the bill, and correct scrivener’s errors. The committee adopted the Neighborhoods Amendment and moved the bill as amended.

Council members discussed the history of DIA appointments and the mayor/council appointment split. Councilman Matt Carlucci and others described how DIA originally was mayor-appointed and later shifted to a 5–4 split between the mayor and council; the sponsor said he was amenable to future tweaks but preferred to move the bill forward given the upcoming interviews of DIA finalists.

The committee approved declaring an emergency for the bill so changes would be effective before the end of the council year; that emergency motion passed by voice vote and the amended ordinance then passed on a unanimous recorded vote of 8 yeas, 0 nays.