Discuss and consider approval of Second Amended Ordinance No. 4198-A, an Ordinance Amending the City of Muskogee Code of Ordinances by Amending Chapter 74, Taxation, Article VIII, Use Tax, by Amending Section 74-237, Economic Development Fund, Amending Section 74-237(h) Removing the Subcommittee and Replacing it with an Economic Develoment Advisory Board, and Adding Sections (h) (1)-(8); Adding Section 74-237 (i) and Sections (i)(1) (a)-(e), Adding Section (2) and Sections (2) (a) and (b), Providing for Severability, Repealer and Setting an Effective Date, or take other necessary action. (Councilor Tracy Hoos)
BACKGROUND:
The City Council amended this ordinance in September of 2023, establishing an economic development committee. In October and November meetings, Councilors discussed possible amendments and changes to the committee's structure, duties and composition. Councilor Hoos has gathered input from those meetings and discussions and proposes the attached changes to the ordinance, which expands the committee to include members of the Urban Renewal Authority, Port Muskogee, and other economic development partners. It further defines the scope of work of the committee to focus on housing and retail projects with specific emphasis on strategic planning, project evaluation, resource allocation, contract review and reporting. The committee would provide recommendations but the City Council retains approval authority for all economic development incentives from the City for these projects; the committee would be subject to open meetings regulations and would discuss confidential matters in executive session.