CLAREMONT — The Claremont Development Authority could be back in business in a couple of weeks, more than two months after its work was suspended by the City Council.

On Wednesday, the council voted 9-0 to approve a revised ordinance that brings the authority into compliance with city code and state law. The second reading — and likely final approval of Ordinance 620 — will be at the next council meeting on Feb. 28, Mayor Dale Girard said.

In December, the council voted 6-2 to suspend the authority on a motion by then-Councilor Jonathan Stone, who said the entity was not operating in accordance with the city code and state law.

Attorney James Raymond with the Concord-based law firm of Upton & Hatfield said in a Jan. 26 letter to the council that the amended ordinance brings the code into conformance with “RSA 162-G and the CDA bylaws as previously approved by the City Council.”

During the public hearing at Wednesday’s council meeting, authority member and former City Councilor Keith Raymond asked the council to lift the suspension immediately so the authority could hold its next meeting on Feb. 22.

“We do have business that we have to take care of so it would be nice if we could get that suspension lifted so we can get back to business this month,” Raymond said.

The authority, a volunteer group, works on behalf of the city to “acquire, develop, expand, lease or sell commercial property to expand job opportunities and the city tax base.”

Started as the Industrial Development Authority in 1989, it became the CDA in 2003 with new bylaws governed by state law and city ordinances. The revised ordinance officially changes the name to the Claremont Development Authority.

Among its current projects are renovations to the former restaurant next to city hall that will become the new home of the West Claremont Center for Music and Arts.

Last month, after the council suspended the authority, city officials said they would be able to continue with the organization’s work while a new ordinance was drafted.

“The revenues are coming in, the bills are getting paid, everything is continuing on,” Claremont Planning and Development Director Nancy Merrill said in late December. Councilor Nick Koloski, who voted against the suspension in December, said he would like to see the suspension lifted, but pointed out it cannot happen until the council holds the second reading and vote to ensure CDA is operating under the revised ordinance.

If the council approves the ordinance on the second reading, the CDA can call a meeting any time after that, Merrill said Thursday.

“We have been able to do what we needed to do because we have funding, but we have other requests coming in on a lease and loans so I am looking forward to getting the board back together,” Merrill said.

Among the changes to the ordinance are reducing the number of members on the authority from 15 to nine, and appointments will now be made by the council. Previously, the authority nominated prospective board members and asked the council to approve them. Terms for all members are now three years. The authority’s board of directors will now be responsible for establishing rules and regulations. That role was previously given to the city manager.

During the discussion, Councilor Andrew O’Hearne suggested the council reappoint all members.

“I think the changes are enough so that we should probably reseat them,” O’Hearne said.

In response, Merrill said, in her opinion, they are still seated members.

The authority has six seated members and three other appointments were to be made in December before the suspension, Raymond said.

The new ordinance “does not say you have to change all nine seats again,” Raymond said, adding that advertising all nine seats again would further delay the authority’s ability to resume its work.

Stone, who lost his re-election bid in November and left the council at the end of last year, agreed with O’Hearne.

“If you are replacing an ordinance and reducing the number of seats to nine, maybe the prudent thing is to put the seats back out there for the council to appoint,” Stone said.

Girard, Koloksi and Councilor Spence Batchelder said removing members was not part of the recommended ordinance change.

“I understand it as a suspension, not a removal,” Batchelder said. “I think we should stick with what we voted on (in December). Suspend but not remove.”

Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.