Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development Authority topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mayor says he will assume DDA seat as residents and business owners object
Summary
Mayor Gary announced he will assume the city’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) seat and said he will recommend future appointments to the commission. Multiple residents and downtown business owners objected, calling the change inconsistent with past practice and urging an ethics review.
Mayor Gary told the commission Oct. 6 that, citing the DDA enabling legislation, the city holds the permanent seat on the Downtown Development Authority and that “as such, as mayor, I will be assuming the DDA board seat.” He said the city attorney confirmed the authority can vest either with the city manager or the mayor when the manager position is vacant.
The announcement prompted a string of public comments and objections. One member of the public said the DDA board had voted unanimously on nominees and protested that their names had been removed from the consent agenda; she called the change “absolutely shady and unprecedented.” Jason Mloud, chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, said the two‑week posting practice had been used selectively and accused commissioners of using the rule to stack boards with preferred candidates. Several downtown business owners and applicants said long‑standing nominees had been delayed despite prior votes by the DDA.
Commissioners debated the statutory language. Commissioner Habusta noted the city’s ‘weak mayor’ form of government and argued the commission should preserve appointment authority; Mayor Gary said he had spoken with legal counsel and that the statute allows the chief executive officer—either the mayor or the city manager—to fill the seat when the manager post is vacant. The commission did not take a separate roll call vote on the mayor’s statement that he would assume the seat; the mayor said he will recommend appointments to the commission for affirmation.
Several public speakers asked for transparency and an investigation into appointment practices. Suanne Wilks urged the commission to seat an ethics and conduct board and suggested the Attorney General be consulted if the commission cannot resolve perceived conflicts of interest.
The meeting record shows the DDA disagreement unfolded during consent‑agenda discussion and a subsequent public comment period; the commission approved the night’s consent agenda items in a separate unanimous vote. The mayor and others said staff will post application processes publicly and that administration will return with a recommended policy on appointments.
