Albany commission adopts ordinance to reestablish Keep Albany–Daugherty Beautiful after 5-2 vote

The Albany City Commission on July 1 voted to reestablish Keep Albany–Daugherty Beautiful, approving an ordinance that removes a provision that would have allowed the county commission chairman to appoint the group's chair.

Mayor Bo Dura introduced the ordinance at a special-call meeting, saying the county commission agreed to delete the appointment clause so the local group would be able to select its own chairman. City attorney Michael Custer confirmed the joint ordinance had county approval. A motion to dispense with the second reading and adopt the ordinance passed by roll call: Ward 2, Ward 3, Ward 4, Ward 5 and the mayor voted yes; Ward 1 and Ward 6 voted no.

“Is that correct? That is correct,” Custer said when asked whether the county removed the appointment provision. Mayor Bo Dura told colleagues he wanted to see the original MOU, if any, and a clear set of bullet points describing the city’s commitments and the benefits the city would receive. “I want to see the MOU from the original agreement if there was ever a MOU,” the mayor said.

Commission discussion focused on process and oversight. Several commissioners asked that any future agreements include clear timelines, documentation and protections for the city if the developer or partner later sells a project. The mayor said repayment or adjustment language should be added so the city would be repaid from proceeds if a project is sold after long-term favorable financing is in place.

The commission took the item as a voting matter at the special call and recorded the roll-call vote publicly. No amendments to the ordinance were recorded in the meeting, and the city clerk will include the adopted ordinance in the next regular meeting packet.

The commission then moved on to other agenda items, including a status update on the Davis Exchange MOU and later a work-session agenda.