ONEONTA _ Aldermen volleyed ideas about the downtown developer position and the possibility of creating a business improvement district during a workshop meeting at City Hall on Thursday.
The position was vacated June 1 after Jeff House's contract expired. House, who held the position since 1998, has joined the city staff as housing rehabilitation specialist.
The Common Council considered naming a successor but opted instead to suspend the selection process after some aldermen questioned the overall mission of the downtown developer.
No decisions were made Thursday but Mayor John Nader said after the meeting that the discussion was helpful. Nader has asked aldermen to compete a survey about their visions for downtown, including near- and long-term goals and key characteristics of a successful developer.
On Thursday, aldermen discussed issues including whether development tasks could be done by an employee or a person or firm hired by the city.
Several aldermen said a firm with a track record would give needed, fresh perspective on how to successfully market and develop downtown.
``It's a critical period for the city,'' said First Ward Alderman Maureen Hennessy. She favored contracting out the job for a couple of years as the city moves through a transition.
Liz Shannon, Seventh Ward alderman, cautioned that contracting on a short-term could be difficult if the city doesn't have a vision or a plan. She suggested the council set a parent commission to oversee the position, issues and tasks.
Rodger Moran, Fifth Ward alderman, supported contracting with a firm and transition into a hybrid situation.
Fourth Ward Alderman Mike Lynch supported preparing a request for proposals to seek a firm, not an individual, to hire.
Nader emphasized that the city needs to hear more from Main Street Oneonta, property owners and merchants about what they want to see happen downtown and if there is interest in an improvement district.
Property owners would determine if an improvement district were to be established, city officials said, and the city would collect taxes in the designated area, and the group would determine its budget and how the money would be spent.
While the city weighs its options, House is performing some of the duties he had as downtown developer, Nader said.
The city has loaned about $3 million to businesses through a revolving-loan fund program, House said.
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