§ 2-84-7. Powers and functions.

A.

Powers. The commission shall have all powers necessary and requisite to effectuate the purposes of the commission, including, but not limited to, the following:

1.

To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business and to prescribe rules, regulations, and policies in connection with the performance of its functions and duties;

2.

To employ such persons as may be required and to fix and pay their compensation from funds available to the commission;

3.

To accept, administer and comply with the conditions and requirements respecting any appropriation of funds or any gift, grant, or donation of any property or money;

4.

To make and execute agreements which may be necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers and functions of the commission, including contracts with any person firm, corporation, governmental agency or other entity;

5.

To administer and manage its own funds and accounts and to pay its own obligations;

6.

To serve as district management corporation for any central business improvement district to the extent so appointed pursuant to T.C.A. § 7-84-501 et seq., as same may be amended, or any statute successor thereto or similar thereto, and to exercise any and all powers and authority delegated to the commission in such capacity or otherwise inherent in such capacity;

7.

To assist and act as the agent of the president in exercising the powers and functions delegated to the president pursuant to T.C.A. § 13-2-107 and this chapter;

8.

To serve as the vacant property review commission for the center city area pursuant to T.C.A. § 13-21-201 et seq., as same may be amended, and to exercise any and all powers and authority delegated to the commission in such capacity or otherwise inherent in such capacity;

9.

To review on behalf of the city and the County of Shelby any net earnings of Memphis Center City Revenue Finance Corporation and to contribute such net earnings to Memphis Center City Development Corporation without any further authorization of or approval by the city or County of Shelby or the council or county commission;

10.

To exercise any other power delegated to the commission or to exercise any other powers necessary to carry out or incidental to the powers delegated to and the purposes of the commission specified above. Such specific powers shall not be considered as a limitation upon any power necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and intent of this chapter.

B.

Functions. The functions of the commission will include advising the city council and the county commission, together with the mayors of both the city and county and all other interested public officials, as to all steps which are necessary and proper in the administration, promotion and redevelopment of the center city area, including District No. I and District No. II, and to see that all public activities in connection with the implementation of the plans for the creation of the districts are properly coordinated. In addition, the commission shall:

1.

Develop and present an annual operating budget for the consideration and approval of the city and county;

2.

Employ a salaried staff, including without limitation a president and chief executive officer;

3.

Maintain a close liaison with all city and county divisions, including, but not limited to, public works public service, general services, police services, fire services, budget finance and administration, executive office, community development department, and the city and county office of planning and development;

4.

Conduct the business necessary for the management and operation of the Main Street Mall, including, but not limited to, promotions, maintenance, security transportation and parking coordination, special events, and any other functions in connection with the operation of the mall;

5.

Coordinate planning studies in the center city area;

6.

Determine priorities for improvement projects within the center city area;

7.

Serve as district management corporation for District No. II, including full authority to:

a.

Carry out the functions and activities delegated to the commission pursuant to chapter 12-44; and

b.

Make recommendation for use of special assessment revenues, administer activities, make improvements, provide services and projects in and for the district and carry out all functions and activities to the fullest extent contemplated pursuant to T.C.A. § 7-84-501 et seq., as same may be amended;

8.

Develop implementation strategies for specific projects, such as, but not limited to:

a.

Promenade Gateway;

b.

New public/private transportation modes for the center city area;

c.

New housing districts, services and amenities for the center city area;

d.

New hotel/motel facilities, parking facilities and office buildings in the center city area;

e.

New pedestrian systems in the center city area;

9.

Prepare the feasibility and marketing data necessary for development of first priority projects;

10.

Study and recommend, in concert with the financial agencies of the city and county administration, innovations in public/private financing for center city renewal and secure appropriate financial commitments from public/private sectors to implement first-priority projects;

11.

Study and recommend necessary legislative authority to implement first-priority projects, such as, but not limited to:

a.

Tax incentives; and

b.

Revision of building and zoning codes;

12.

Develop an implementation tracking system for improvements monitoring;

13.

Determine the specific development plan's critical path system for first-priority projects;

14.

Coordinate with private developers to expedite first-priority projects;

15.

Develop an evaluation system to measure economic, social and environmental impacts and the effectiveness of completed projects;

16.

Provide for an audit and annual report to the official agencies and private interests contributing to the commission.

(Code 1985, § 7-17; Ord. No. 4468, § 1, 1-7-1997)