The Downtown Vision Inc. board of directors is considering changes to its bylaws to expand its geographic and political influence.
The board met Wednesday to discuss replacing incumbent board members who do not attend meetings with new members and possibly adding more members and an advisory board.
Downtown Vision Executive Director Terry Lorince said that according to the organization's bylaws, any board member who misses three or more meetings in one year may be dismissed.
Referring to two board members, Donald Harris, chair of the City Downtown Investment Authority, and Oliver Barakat, who will be installed as authority chair July 1, board member Bill Prescott said the authority chair should participate on the board as a matter of policy.
"I think that is a great idea," said Chris Flagg, Downtown Vision chair.
Harris said board members should be recruited from the medical, financial and entertainment industries, since those types of businesses are well represented Downtown.
City Council member Don Redman, who represents Downtown and is an ex-officio member of Downtown Vision's board, said the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and a representative from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority should be involved on the board, since both agencies are involved with urban issues.
Flagg said he would contact the non-participating board members to determine their reasons for not attending the board's monthly meetings.
"Board members need to become more proactive in aggressive advocacy," said Flagg.
Lorince said she would "get a small group together to think through changes in the bylaws," consider new board positions and explore the possibility of forming an advisory board.
Valerie Feinberg, Downtown Vision's new director of strategic partnerships, was introduced to the board Wednesday.
Lorince said she was hired to "expand our collaborations and partnerships."
The board in March approved the hiring at an annual salary of $85,000.
Feinberg is a former president of the San Marco Preservation Society and former chair of JaxPride.
She was most recently director of urban planning at the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida.
"She's going to be a tremendously strong advocate," said Flagg.
The board's next meeting is scheduled at noon June 26 in the 23rd floor boardroom at the SunTrust Building.
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