The Herald understands council chief executive Phil Wilson met with Beck earlier this week.
The council has since clarified its requirements of the organisation, particularly the requirement for the membership roll to be audited.
The council has oversight of the business organisation under the Auckland Council Business Improvement District policy.
HOTC receives slightly more than $5 million in funding through a targeted rate under the policy.
The council has been considering its options, including whether to cut some or all of that funding.
It’s understood the council wants to ensure funding continues for some of the key roles HOTC plays, including central city security patrols.
The resignation of board members came after Beck was suspended from her role in March.
HOTC then engaged lawyers, beefed up its “financial oversight” and agreed to launch a governance review. An employment investigation was also launched by HOTC relating to Beck.
Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck. Photo / NZME
Beck was later reinstated after an Employment Relations Authority finding.
Auckland’s provisional regional GDP is about $165 billion, according to Infometrics.
The city centre generates $35b of that, about 21% of Auckland’s total and 7% of nationwide GDP.
Among concerns raised with the Herald about the ongoing saga is reputational damage the controversy is doing.
“Auckland’s CBD is the front door for so many people… this kind of carry on just does no good for the city,” one council insider told the Herald.
Some of the trouble began when a survey was released last year claiming anti-social behaviour was crippling businesses.
It’s understood members of the business community and some politicians were frustrated with the negative sentiment Beck was pushing and that led to tensions that boiled over.
For new board members to be reappointed, a special general meeting needs to be called with at least two weeks’ notice.
The council hopes the audit can be carried out reasonably quickly and an SGM held early next month.
Katie Bradford is a Senior Correspondent at the Herald. She has been a broadcast journalist for over 20 years and was based in the press gallery for 10 years. She specialises in politics, business and Auckland issues.