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Gulfport
City Council Tightens Reigns on "Development Commission" by Keith Burton - GCN 10/22/08 The Gulfport City Council Tuesday somewhat tightened its control of the city's Development Commission and renamed the agency. The changes include new bylaws that will require the commission to report on its work to the City Council. The council also renamed the agency the Gulfport Redevelopment Commission. GCN reported shortly after the commission was established in April that state law prohibits cities from creating "development commissions." For months, several councilmembers have questioned whether the commission was legal. The commission was formed under the laws regulating urban renewal agencies, but many of the tasks outlined for the commission's work were more in tune to what development commissions run by counties conduct. The commission was created to negotiate contracts with developers to build several large projects, which were designed by Andres Duany, on city-owned property, including the VA. For months, council members had questioned whether the commission was legal. Municipalities are not allowed to establish economic development commissions. In an effort to clear up confusion, the council renamed the board on Tuesday to the Gulfport Redevelopment Commission. Related: Gulfport's New Development Commission Illegal? - GCN 6/26/08 Warr's "Development Commission" Opens Can of Worms - GCN 7/7/08
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