§4720.115. Cooperation by public bodies with the Opelousas Redevelopment Authority

A. For the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of a community improvement project and related activities authorized by this Chapter, any public body may, upon such terms, with or without consideration as it may determine:

(1) Dedicate, sell, donate, grant, devise, convey, or lease any of its interest in any property or gray easements, licenses, or other rights or privileges therein to the authority.

(2) Incur the entire expense of any public improvements made by such public body in exercising the powers granted in this Chapter.

(3) Do any and all things necessary to aid or cooperate in the planning or carrying out of a community improvement plan and related activities.

(4) Lend, grant, or contribute funds to the authority and borrow money and apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions, and any other form of financial assistance from the federal government, the state, parish, or other public body, or from any other source.

(5) Enter into agreements which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary, with the federal government or other public body respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted by this Chapter, including the furnishing of funds or other assistance in connection with a community improvement project and related activities.

(6) Cause public buildings and public facilities, including parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, educational, water, sewer, or drainage facilities, or any works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake to be furnished to the authority; furnish, dedicate, close, vacate, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan, or replan streets, roads, sidewalks, ways, or other places; plan or replan, zone or rezone any property of the public body, or make exceptions from building regulations; and cause administrative and other services to be furnished to the authority.

B. If at any time title to or possession of any community improvement project is held by any public body or governmental agency, other than the authority which is authorized by this Chapter to engage in the undertaking, carrying out, or administration of community improvement projects and related activities, the provisions of the agreements referred to in this Section shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by such public body or governmental agency.

C. Any sale, conveyance, lease, or agreement provided for in this Section may be made by a public body without appraisal, public notice, advertisement, or public bidding.

D. For the purposes of aiding in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of any community improvement project and related activities of the authority, the city of Opelousas may, in addition to its other powers and upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine, do and perform any or all of the actions or things which, by the provisions of this Section, a public body is authorized to do or perform, including the furnishing of financial and other assistance.

E. For the purposes of this Section, or for the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of a redevelopment project and related activities, the municipality may, in addition to any authority to issue bonds pursuant to R.S. 33:4720.111, issue and sell its general obligation bonds. Any bond issued by the municipality pursuant to this Section shall be issued in the manner and within the limitation prescribed by the applicable laws of this state for the issuance and authorization of general obligation bonds by the municipality. Nothing in this Section shall limit or otherwise adversely affect any other Section of this Chapter.

Acts 2007, No. 380, §1, eff. July 10, 2007.