§ 33:4576 — West Calcasieu Parish Community Center Authority; creation; jurisdiction; purposes; board; powers

A. The West Calcasieu Parish Community Center Authority, referred to in this Section as "the authority", is hereby created. The authority is a political subdivision of the state as defined in the Constitution of Louisiana. The purpose of the authority shall be to build, maintain, and operate a rodeo arena, sports complex, or community center within the boundaries of Wards 4, 5, 6, and 7 of Calcasieu Parish.
B.(1) The authority shall consist of seven members. The members of the authority shall serve without compensation.
(2) The members shall be appointed as follows:
(a) One member shall be appointed by the governing authority of the city of Sulphur.
(b) One member shall be appointed by the governing authority of the city of Westlake.
(c) One member shall be appointed by the governing authority of the city of DeQuincy.
(d) One member shall be appointed by the governing authority of the town of Vinton.
(e) One member shall be appointed by the governing authority of Calcasieu Parish who shall be a resident of Ward 4, 5, 6, or 7 of Calcasieu Parish and shall be appointed so as to provide representation of any such ward not otherwise represented on the authority.
(f) One member who resides in Ward 4, 5, 6, or 7 of Calcasieu Parish shall be appointed by the member of the House of Representatives whose district comprises at least eighty percent of the voting populations of Wards 4, 5, 6, and 7 combined.
(g) One member who resides in Ward 4, 5, 6, or 7 of Calcasieu Parish shall be appointed by the member of the Senate whose district comprises at least eighty percent of the voting populations of Wards 4, 5, 6, and 7 combined.
(3)(a) Beginning on January 1, 2003, terms of members appointed pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall be three years except that: the members appointed pursuant to Subparagraphs (a) and (b) shall serve an initial term of one year; members appointed pursuant to Subparagraphs (c), (d), and (e) shall serve initial terms of two years; and the remaining members shall serve initial terms of three years.
(b) Any member may be removed by the appointing authority solely at its discretion.
(4) A vacancy in the membership of the authority shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term.
(5) The authority shall maintain suitable offices and may contract with, employ, and fix the compensation and terms of employment of attorneys, clerks, or any other agents or employees.
(6) The authority shall elect from its membership a chairman and may elect other officers as deemed necessary for the efficient operation of the affairs of the authority. The authority shall meet at least quarterly each calendar year on the call of the chairman. Meetings shall also be held on the request of at least three members of the authority. The chairman shall give seven days' notice to the members of the authority of the time and place where regular or special meetings will be held.
C. The authority shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) To enter into contracts for the sale, lease, or exchange of property of or for the authority.
(2) To enter into joint venture agreements with any special district, political subdivision, or local governmental unit of the state.
(3) To accept donations of money or property for use to accomplish the authority's purposes from public or private sources.
(4) To fix, maintain, collect, and revise rates, charges, and rentals for the use of authority facilities and services.
(5) To repair, maintain, and operate authority facilities.
(6) To contract with any public or private entities for the maintenance and operation of property owned or operated by the authority.
(7) To do any and all things necessary to carry out the purposes of the authority.

Legislative History

Acts 1992, No. 35, §1, eff. May 29, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1035, §1, eff. July 9, 1999; Acts 2009, No. 53, §1, eff. June 16, 2009.