15-9-134. Agency; creation; board of commissioners; appointment; compensation; actions and procedure; removal.

(a) There is created in each municipality a public body corporate and politic to be known as the "urban renewal agency" of the municipality. The urban renewal agency shall not exercise its powers under this chapter until or unless the local governing body has made the finding prescribed in W.S. 15-9-106 and has elected to have urban renewal powers exercised by an urban renewal agency as provided in W.S. 15-9-133.

(b) The mayor, by and with the consent and advice of the local governing body, shall appoint a board of five (5) commissioners of the urban renewal agency selected on the basis of their interest in and knowledge of community planning, urban renewal and business management. Any person may be appointed as commissioner if he resides within the area of operation of the agency (which shall have the same bounds or limits as the area of operation of the municipality) and is otherwise eligible for appointment under this chapter. The original appointment of commissioners shall be as follows: one (1) for a term of one (1) year; one (1) for a term of two (2) years; one (1) for a term of three (3) years; one (1) for a term of four (4) years; and one (1) for a term of five (5) years. Thereafter each appointment shall be for a term of five (5) years.

(c) Each commissioner shall hold office until his successor is appointed and qualified. A certificate of the appointment or reappointment of any commissioner shall be filed with the clerk of the municipality and the certificate is conclusive evidence of the commissioner's due and proper appointment.

(d) A commissioner shall receive no compensation for his services but is entitled to necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of his duties. No commissioner or other officer of any urban renewal agency, board or commission exercising powers pursuant to this chapter shall hold any other public municipal office for which compensation is received.

(e) The powers of an urban renewal agency shall be exercised by the commissioners thereof. A majority of the commissioners constitute a quorum for all purposes. Action may be taken by the agency upon a vote of a majority of the commissioners present, unless in any case the bylaws require a larger number. Annually, at the first meeting, the board of commissioners shall elect its officers. Each officer shall hold office for a term of one (1) year and until his successor is elected and qualified.

(f) A commissioner may be removed from office for inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office only after:

(i) A hearing;

(ii) He has been given a copy of the charges at least ten (10) days prior to the hearing; and

(iii) He has had an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel.