Finding an executive director is of the utmost importance for the Business Improvement District (BID) board, and was the topic of much conversation for the board during their monthly meeting.
While the board has received several resumes inquiring about the position, many of them lack the experience or qualifications necessary to hire and handle the vendors the BID wishes to employ. It was noted that when applying, applicants were advised to have some sort of downtown development experience, which culled several promising candidates from the pool.
Yvette Freeman, senior strategist for Progressive Urban Management Associates, has been integral in this search for a director. She told the board that the deadline to apply for the position is Dec. 27. Because of the low turnout, she was open to extending the deadline.
The board members were in favor of this, due to the timing of the late-December deadline. By moving it to Jan. 8, they gave prospective applicants the opportunity to finish their holiday and New Year travels. City Councilman Eskrine Ogelsby suggested an even greater extension to Jan. 15.
“Moving the deadline to Jan. 15 gives them two weeks to reconnect themselves and get back into the flow of things,” said the councilman, who noted that people are often busy with travel near the New Year.
Ms. Freeman also brought up the contract situation of the director and their vendors, who will be involved in maintaining the BID. She suggested a one-year contract with the option to renew on a yearly basis. The rest of the board asked for a longer contract.
They said that becoming a director or even just being involved with the BID was a major investment for those hired. Because of that, they asked that the contract be three years with an option for one-year renewals after that time was up.
Ms. Freeman seemed open to that suggestion, with the clause that those hired could be fired if their performance did not meet the standards expected.
The board also had questions about how they would decide between different candidates, since one candidate could claim they would only need more or less employees and would require more or less funds to do their job. Certain board members wondered how each of these plans could be evaluated on an even ground.
In the end, each board member made their points, which were noted by a member of the River City Company. Adjustments to the plan would be made after taking their suggestions and questions into account.