Section 2.70.040 Powers of the board.

1. To provide for the operation, maintenance and repair of those portions of the skywalk system outside the primary operational control of a private property interest. Portions of the skywalk system within the primary operational control of a private property interest include those portions of the skywalk system in which the city's interest consists solely of an easement for public pedestrian travel;

a. Selection of such employees shall be consistent with the Civil Service laws of the state of Iowa and the authorized positions in the budget approved by the city council,

b. Such employees shall be employees of the city and their selection, appointment, employment, wages and benefits governed by the city's policies and procedures for personnel administration, and the board shall utilize the services of the city personnel office in all employment matters, including labor negotiations,

4. To establish, through rules and regulations, the design standards for the skywalk logo, skywalk maps and route directories, skywalk directional signs and skywalk building identification signs;

5. To approve all contracts not in excess of five thousand dollars. All contracts in excess of five thousand dollars shall be subject to the approval of the city council. All purchases shall be made through and in accordance with city resolutions and regulations governing the operation of the purchasing department of the city;

6. To establish and regulate, through rules and regulations, advertising, activities and events held within the skywalk system. To promote and initiate activities and events within the skywalk system;

8. To have control over the revenue and municipal funds allotted the board for the maintenance, operation and repair of the skywalk system in strict accordance with the line item budget approved by the city council and further, in strict compliance with the other provisions of this code;

9. To authorize such variances as will not be contrary to the spirit of this code, the public safety and welfare, and substantial justice. Variances may be authorized only in accordance with the conditions enumerated in this code;

10. To approve the erection of sculpture, plantings, or supports for public announcements or art work or other amenities in any part of a nodal area on a public easement, the dimensions of which exceed the minimum skywalk corridor dimensions;

11. To establish, through rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this code, minimum standards and specifications for the construction of the skywalk system, except for the structural design of skywalk bridges and corridors, the standards and specifications over which the city council shall retain control;

13. To provide for determination of the amounts due from private property interests for operational costs of the skyway system, pursuant to the provisions of this code, and to collect said amounts due;

14. To identify those operations of private property interests which, because of the nature of the operation of their business, cause, either directly or indirectly, operational, maintenance and repair costs to the skywalk system in excess of normal costs. Such excess costs shall not be based upon the flow of pedestrian traffic into or out of said business, but shall be based upon the increase in trash, rubbish, paper and refuse deposited or discarded in the skywalk system as a result of the operation of said business. The board may charge such private property interest for such additional costs in addition to the normal proration of costs provided in Section 17.36.060, subsections 4 and 6. Such additional costs shall be collected in the manner provided in Section 17.36.060 subsections 4 and 6;

The aforementioned powers are intended to apply to administration of the skywalk system. When the board is reviewing parking procedures, the board’s power is limited to that of an advisory body unless an additional power is authorized by another section of the code.