279.02 Creation and organization.

(1) There is created a public body politic and corporate to be known as the “Lower Fox River Remediation Authority." The board shall consist of 7 members nominated by the governor, and with the advice and consent of the senate appointed, for 7-year terms. Members of the board shall be residents of the state, and not more than 4 of the members may be members of the same political party. The terms of the members expire on June 30. Each member's appointment remains in effect until a successor is appointed. Annually, the governor shall appoint one member as chairperson and the board shall elect one member as vice chairperson.

(2) The board shall appoint an executive director and may appoint an associate executive director who may not be members of the board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. The board shall determine the compensation of the executive director and any associate executive director, except that the compensation of the executive director may not exceed the maximum of the salary range established under s. 20.923 (1) for positions assigned to executive salary group 4 and the compensation of each other employee of the authority may not exceed the maximum of the salary range established under s. 20.923 (1) for positions assigned to executive salary group 3. The executive director, associate executive director, or other person designated by resolution of the board shall keep a record of the proceedings of the authority and shall be custodian of all books, documents, and papers filed with the authority, the minute book or journal of the authority, and its official seal. The executive director, associate executive director, or other person may cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the authority and may give certificates under the official seal of the authority to the effect that the copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the authority may rely upon the certificates.

(3) Four members of the board constitute a quorum. The affirmative vote of a majority of all of the members of the board is necessary for any action taken by the authority. A vacancy in the membership of the board does not impair the right of a quorum to exercise all of the rights and perform all of the duties of the authority. Each meeting of the board shall be open to the public. Notice of meetings, or waivers thereof, shall be as provided in the bylaws of the authority. Resolutions of the authority need not be published or posted. The board may delegate by resolution to one or more of its members or the executive director the powers and duties that it considers proper.

(4) The members of the board shall receive no compensation for the performance of their duties as members, but each member shall be reimbursed for the member's actual and necessary expenses while engaged in the performance of the member's duties.

(5)

(a) It is not a conflict of interest or violation of this chapter for a trustee, director, officer, or employee of a consenting landowner to serve as a member of the board if the trustee, director, officer, or employee of the consenting landowner abstains from discussion, deliberation, action, and vote by the board in specific respect to any undertaking under this chapter in which the consenting landowner has an interest.

(b) It is not a conflict of interest or violation of this chapter for a person having the required favorable reputation for skill, knowledge, and experience in state and municipal finance to serve as a member of the board if the person having the required favorable reputation for skill, knowledge, and experience in state and municipal finance abstains from discussion, deliberation, action, and vote by the board in specific respect to any sale, purchase, or ownership of bonds of the authority in which any business of which the person is a participant, owner, officer, or employee has a past, current, or future interest.

(c) It is not a conflict of interest or violation of this chapter for a person having the required favorable reputation for skill, knowledge, and experience in the field of environmental remediation to serve as a member of the board if the person having the required favorable reputation for skill, knowledge, and experience in the field of environmental remediation abstains from discussion, deliberation, action, and vote by the board in specific respect to a waterway improvement in which any business of which the person is a participant, owner, officer, or employee has a past, current, or future interest.

(6) Chapter 230 does not apply to the employees of the authority, except that s. 230.40 does apply to the employees of the authority.

History: 2007 a. 20.