[Ord. 2017-324]
In pursuance of the laws of the state in reference thereto, there is created and established a riverfront improvement commission in the City, consisting of 11 members, all of whom shall be residents and qualified electors of the City.
[Ord. 2017-324]
Each Alderman and the Mayor shall have an assigned commission position for which they are the appointing authority. Appointments shall be confirmed by the City Council. The term of office is six years. The Mayor and Aldermen shall give due consideration to appointing members focused foremost on the stewardship of the Riverfront, overall gender balance of the commission, and professional representation reflective of such areas as education, finance, real estate, law, construction, engineering or other design professions. Members shall have no other official position in, or connection with, the City. Each member so appointed shall, upon taking office, take the oath prescribed for officers elected in the City. If any vacancy occurs, the person appointed to fill the same shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which the person was appointed.
Transition rule: Current commissioners as of July 1, 2017 shall be allowed to serve out their terms so long as death, disability or conduct does not result in removal from office. In order to assign a seat to the Mayor and each Council member the following transition plan shall be in place:
1st Ward - Open for immediate appointment; term ends 4/30/2023
2nd Ward - Open for immediate appointment; term ends 4/30/2023
3rd Ward - Patrick Walton (3rd Ward Resident); term ends 4/30/2022
4th Ward - Open for immediate appointment; term ends 4/30/2021
5th Ward - Karl Rhomberg (5th Ward Resident); term ends 4/30/2020
6th Ward - Bill Ashton (6th Ward Resident); term ends 4/30/2020
7th Ward - Open for immediate appointment; term ends 4/30/2021
8th Ward - Open for immediate appointment; term ends 4/30/2019
At Large - Mike Veal (6th Ward Resident); term ends 4/30/2018
At Large - Shelley Chambers (6th Ward Resident); term ends 4/30/2018
Mayor - Frank Clark (6th Ward Resident); term ends 4/30/2022
From April 2018 onward, if only one of the Aldermen at large has not appointed a then serving commissioner, that Alderman at large shall have the privilege of appointment; otherwise, the Alderman at large who is the top vote recipient of the two at the last City election shall have the appointment privilege.
[Ord. 2017-324]
The Mississippi Riverfront is one of Davenport's most important resources. The Riverfront Improvement Commission improves the riverfront through stewardship, collaboration, innovative planning, thoughtful development, and sound management.
[Ord. 2017-324]
In July of every year, the members shall choose a chair, vice chair and secretary from among their membership. The chair shall preside at all meetings, and the vice chair shall preside in the absence of the chair. If neither is present, but a quorum is present, the members present shall nominate and choose a member to preside at the meeting immediately after the announcement of a quorum. The secretary shall ensure that a complete and accurate record of all its acts and proceedings are kept. The finance director or the director's designee shall be ex officio treasurer. The director of the community and economic development department or the director's designee shall have charge of the accounts, books and other clerical work in connection with said commission.
[Ord. 2017-324]
The commission shall meet at least monthly at a time and place conducive to public meetings. Special meetings may be called pursuant to the bylaws. A majority of the members present and voting shall be necessary for the passage of any motion.
The commission shall meet jointly at least quarterly with the parks and recreation commission to discuss future opportunities and amenities in an effort to create a coordinated vision and effort. The chairs of these bodies shall preside at any joint meetings.
The commission shall choose a member to act as a liaison to and attend the meetings of the parks and recreation commission.
The commission shall choose four members to attend, participate and report back on Council work sessions called for the purpose of discussing future opportunities and amenities including the Riverfront. At least once a year Council shall hold such a work session.
[Ord. 2017-324]
The commission shall have power to adopt the rules or bylaws concerning its meetings and all other matters pertaining to the business of such commission as are not inconsistent with provisions of this chapter.
[Ord. 2017-324]
As provided in this chapter, the riverfront improvement commission shall have responsibility, supervision and control of territory included within the limits of the City and described as follows, to-wit:
Beginning at a point at the intersection of the east City limits and the center line of the Mississippi River (Iowa-Illinois boundary); thence northerly along the east City limits (extension of Fernwood Avenue) to the intersection with the center line of East River Drive, then in a generally westerly direction along the center line of East River Drive and West River Drive to the intersection of West River Drive with the center line of the Soo Line Railroad (immediately west of Blackhawk Creek), thence in a southwesterly direction along the center line of the Soo Line Railroad to the intersection with the west City limits (Utah Avenue); thence in a southerly direction to the intersection of the extension of the west City limits with the center line of the Mississippi River, thence upstream along the center line of the Mississippi River (Iowa-Illinois boundary) to the point of beginning.
[Ord. 2017-324]
A. 
The riverfront improvement commission shall have exclusive charge, supervision and control of all work done, or to be done, and of all improvements made, or to be made using the riverfront improvement funds within the commission's control as set forth in Section 2.62.100, upon, over, along or within the area described in Section 2.62.070, including the filling, grading, paving, macadamizing, riprapping and construction of retaining walls upon, over, along or within the area: provided, that the City reserves to itself exclusive charge, supervision and control of such improvements therein or thereon as the City itself has constructed or may hereafter construct using its own funds derived from any lawful source, as well as reasonable rights of access thereto for all purposes, including the alteration, repair, reconstruction and maintenance thereof.
B. 
Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary, no encumbrances, by lease, easement, license, agreement or otherwise upon property within the commission's jurisdiction for a term greater than three years shall be final and binding until such encumbrance has been voted upon by the City Council.
C. 
Any encumbrance requiring a City Council vote shall be referred to the City Council and placed on the Council's agenda. If the commission denied the encumbrance, then an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members of the City Council is required to approve the encumbrance. If the commission approved the encumbrance, the matter will be determined by the normal simple majority of the members of the Council rule.
D. 
The commission may not consent to or otherwise authorize or approve any lien, by mortgage or otherwise, upon the Riverfront.
[Ord. 2017-324]
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed as limiting or abrogating the police power of the City in the Riverfront area described in Section 2.62.070.
[Ord. 2017-324]
For all projects whose proposed budget is less than $500,000, the riverfront improvement commission shall have exclusive charge and control of the riverfront improvement fund, and of all monies dedicated to such fund derived from the sale of bonds on behalf of the commission, issued by the City Council for the purpose of carrying on the work of making any of the improvements authorized to be made by the commission. The finance director or his designee shall keep a specific general ledger account for the riverfront improvement fund and monies belonging to the fund derived from the sale of bonds as provided above or from other sources. Commission funds, as described above, shall only be spent as authorized by the commission.