[Code 1968, § 2-901]
The City Council, having determined that it is necessary in
the best interest of the public to halt property value deterioration
and increase property tax valuation, where possible, in its business
district, and to eliminate the causes of that deterioration and to
promote economic growth, creates and provides for the operation of
the downtown development authority.
[Code 1968, § 2-902]
The downtown development authority, established pursuant to
Public Act No. 197 of 1975 (MCL 125.1651 et seq.), shall have all
of the powers, duties and authority prescribed in such act, as amended,
and the downtown development authority's boundaries within the
City shall be as follows:
Commencing at the northwest corner of lot 1, block 5 of the
original plat of the City, extending south to the southeast corner
of block 9 of the original plat of the City, thence west to the southwest
corner of lot 5, block 16 of Jeffery's Addition of the City,
thence north to the northwest corner of lot 12, block 7 of Upper Ithaca
of the City, thence east to the place of beginning, including lots
1 — 12 of block 5, lots 1 — 12 of
block 4, lots 1 — 10 of block 10, all in the original
plat of the City, and lots 1 — 12 of block 7 of Upper
Ithaca, and lots 1 — 8, block 16 of Jeffery's
Addition.
[Code 1968, § 2-903; amended 10-3-2017]
(a)
The Downtown Development Authority shall be under the supervision
and control of a Board which shall consist of the Mayor and eight
members appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval by the City Council.
Not less than a majority of the Board members shall be persons having
an interest in property located in the Downtown District or officers,
members, trustees, principals, or employees of a legal entity having
an interest in property located in the Downtown District. No less
than one of the Board members shall be a resident of the Downtown
District if the Downtown District has 100 or more persons residing
within it. Terms of office for members other than the Mayor shall
be four years. The term of office of the Mayor shall run coterminous
with the Mayor's term on the City Council. Terms of office for
other members shall be staggered such that no more than two Board
positions expire each calendar year. A member shall hold office until
the member's successor is appointed. An appointment to fill a
vacancy on the Board shall be made by the Mayor for the unexpired
term only. Members of the Board shall serve without compensation but
shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses. The officers
of the Board shall be elected by the Board.
(b)
Before assuming the duties of office, a Board member shall qualify
by taking and subscribing to the constitutional oath of office.
(c)
The Board shall adopt bylaws governing its procedure and the holding
of regular meetings, subject to the approval of the City Council.
Special meetings may be held when called in the manner provided in
the bylaws of the Board. Meetings of the Board shall be open to the
public as required by the Michigan Open Meetings Act, Public Act No.
267 of 1976 (MCL §§ 15.261 to 15.275).
(d)
Pursuant to notice and after having been given an opportunity to
be heard, a member of the Board may be removed for cause by the City
Council. Removal of a Board member is subject to review by the Circuit
Court.
(e)
All expense items of the Authority shall be publicized monthly, and
financial records shall be open to the public.
(f)
In addition to the items and records prescribed in Subsection (e) of this section, a writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of or retained by the Board in the performance of an official function shall be made available to the public in compliance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, Public Act No. 442 of 1976 (MCL §§ 15.231 to 15.246).
