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River Center review panel names two public appointees, elects vice chair and sets follow-ups
Summary
The River Center Project Review Committee approved two named at-large appointees from a developer-provided list, elected Jerry Cook as vice chairman and scheduled follow-up meetings in January; the committee deferred final TIF plan decisions pending a more detailed project plan and fiscal options from staff and the developer.
The River Center Project Review Committee on Wednesday approved two named public at-large members from the developer'provided candidate list, elected Jerry Cook vice chairman and set follow-up meetings in January to continue work on a proposed tax-increment financing district.
Mayor Bear, who opened the meeting and asked committee members to participate fully, urged the group to be open-minded about nominees: "Every 1 of them, we would welcome with open arms," he said, recommending the slate of candidates to the committee.
Committee members asked candidates who were present to introduce themselves. Sherry Baker described a long history of local business ownership and housing development; Jerry Cook said he has lived in Tahlequah since 1970 and brings private-sector and public-service experience. Motions to appoint Sherry Baker and Jerry Cook to at-large seats were moved, seconded, and carried by roll call.
A third at-large seat was also filled during the nominations exchange; the transcript records the motion and roll-call approval but the excerpted roll-call exchange in the record did not clearly capture the third appointee'name. Committee staff should be consulted for the official appointment list.
On committee organization, members approved the nomination of a secretary (customarily the city clerk) and elected Jerry Cook as vice chairman to ensure continuity if the mayor or chair cannot attend. Cook accepted the nomination; another member said they would "do my best" to attend regularly.
The committee also set two follow-up meetings in January to continue review of the River Center project plan and the draft TIF proposal. Members discussed holding sessions in the early afternoon (around 3:00 p.m.) on Jan. 5 and Jan. 22 to allow time for staff to prepare financial options and exhibits.
What happens next: staff (Missy, the legal counsel) will draft a project plan and present alternative fiscal scenarios for committee review. The committee said it will not forward a recommendation to the city council until members have sufficient detail on boundaries, apportionment options and fiscal impacts. The committee adjourned at 04:26 p.m.
