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Commission discusses expanding CRA membership or hiring departing deputy mayor as special counsel
Summary
The commission reviewed options to modify the CRA board or retain the departing deputy mayor as special counsel to preserve his institutional knowledge for the Wells built hotel redevelopment; staff will draft contract language and return for ratification.
Commissioners and staff discussed proposed changes to the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) governance and an alternative: retaining the departing deputy mayor as special counsel to the CRA after he leaves the commission, to preserve his expertise without changing board structure.
Staff explained the CRA statute allows expansion to seven members and noted mandatory four‑year terms with staggered initial appointments. Several commissioners favored a special counsel solution as a 'win‑win' that would let the city keep the deputy mayor’s experience on redevelopment issues (specifically the Wells built hotel project) while avoiding altering the CRA’s structure. They emphasized special counsel would be advisory only and not possess voting rights.
Staff committed to drafting a sample contract and returning it for review; the deputy mayor’s last commission day was noted as the first meeting in May, with the next CRA meeting occurring a week later so the contract could be in place for ratification quickly.
The commission did not change CRA structure at the work session and instructed staff to prepare contract terms and a timeline for a future agenda item.
