§ 55.107. Downtown investment authority board.

(a)

Establishment. There is hereby established a Board to be known as the Downtown Investment Authority Board (hereinafter known as the "DIA Board" or "Board") to act as a governing body for the Downtown Investment Authority.

(b)

Board membership; term of office and appointment; removal; vacancies; office-holding.

(1)

Board membership. The Board shall consist of nine members, five to be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by Council and four to be appointed by the Council President and confirmed by Council. Of the four appointed by Council, one shall be a resident or have substantial business interests in the Southbank CRA; and one shall be a resident or have substantial business interests in the Northbank CRA. Of the five to be appointed by the Mayor one shall be a resident or have substantial business interests in the Southbank CRA; and one shall be a resident or have substantial business in the Northbank CRA. The remaining five members shall fulfill one of the following categories without duplication: downtown resident (a minimum of two years); a downtown retail operator; a downtown real property owner, a member of the banking or finance industry, a person with business management expertise, a practicing attorney, a person with commercial real estate experience, an architect, or an urban planner. The Board Members requiring downtown affiliation shall mean downtown as defined by Section 656.361.2, Ordinance Code, as may be amended from time to time. The Board Members shall be Duval County residents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, in the event that a Board Member's category changes for any reason during their term, said Board Member shall continue to be a qualified Board Member for purposes of their category for the duration of their term so long as they continue to meet one of the other listed qualifying categories set forth herein. Said Board Member shall, immediately upon or prior to such change in qualifying category provide written notice stating the change in category (and effective date of same) and identify the listed category with which they will continue to qualify and serve by providing such written notice to: (i) the Chair and the CEO of the DIA; (ii) the Mayor and the Council President; and (iii) the Legislative Services Division (for filing in that Board Member's resolution file). Nothing stated herein shall limit or restrict the removal, vacancy or other qualification requirements as set forth in the Ordinance Code.

(2)

Term of office and appointment. Members shall be appointed for four-year staggered terms, expiring on June 30 of the subject term. Of the initial appointments, three members shall serve for four-year full first terms, three members shall serve three-year staggered terms, and three members shall serve for two-year staggered terms. No member shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms; but appointments to fill vacancies for partial terms (less than 50 percent of a full term) and initial appointments under the preceding sentence serving a term that is for three or less years shall not be deemed to be full terms.

(3)

Removal. Members shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor and may be removed at any time by the Mayor with Council approval.

(4)

Vacancy. A Board member's term shall automatically expire and his or her office shall be deemed vacant for purposes of appointment of a new member if, while in office, he or she shall cease to be qualified for membership under the provisions of (b)(1) herein, Chapter 50, Section 55.109, or any other laws or regulations.

(5)

Office-holding. The Board membership shall be considered an office and limited by the office holding provisions as provided for under the Florida Constitution. No Board Member shall be eligible to serve as a member of the Board while holding other office or being an employee of the City. All Board Members shall be required to take an oath of office required by the City Officials and found in Chapter 2 (Oaths), Section 2.101 (Oaths of public officials), Ordinance Code.

(c)

Organization and proceedings.

(1)

Officers. The Mayor shall appoint the initial Chairman of the Board from among its members to serve for a one-year term commencing on July 1. Thereafter, such Chairman shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Board to serve for a one-year term, commencing on July 1 of each year. The Board may appoint other members of its body to serve in other roles and perform such other duties as may be delegated to that person by the Board from time to time.

(2)

Rules of procedure. The Board shall establish rules of procedure necessary to its governing and the conduct of its affairs, consistent with the applicable provisions of the Ordinance Code.

(3)

Meeting. The Board shall hold at least one regular meeting every three months, and such additional meetings as may be needed from time to time. Special meetings may be held when called in the manner provided in the rules of the Board and in accordance with applicable laws. All meetings of the Board shall be open to the public and compliant with the Sunshine Act under F.S. Ch. 286, as amended from time to time.

(4)

Voting; quorum. All decisions and recommendations of the Board shall require a concurring vote of a majority of the members present and voting. Six members shall constitute a quorum. Tie votes shall result in the subject agenda item being continued to the next meeting of the Board.

(5)

Administrative support. The Board shall receive staff support from the Office of Economic Development upon request as needed.

(6)

Notice. Notice of meetings shall be posted three business days in advance (1) in writing in the lobby of City Hall, (2) on the City's on-line web calendar located at www.coj.net (3) electronically in a prominent location on the DIA website, and (4) electronically by emailing notice on the "CITYC" emailing system. No other advertisement or notification is required, except as may be required otherwise pursuant to the Ordinance Code or Florida Statutes.

(7)

Compensation. Board members shall serve without compensation, pension or retirement benefits; however they may be reimbursed for travel and other expenses as allowed by the Ordinance Code.

(8)

Compliance. The Board shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 50, (Organization of Boards and Commissions), Ordinance Code, except as may be otherwise set forth in this Chapter.

(Ord. 2012-364-E, § 2; Ord. 2012-629-E, § 1; Ord. 2014-38-E, § 1; Ord. 2014-560-E , § 11; Ord. 2016-140-E , § 14)