§ 2-154. Redevelopment authority.

(a)

Authority and purpose. Pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 66.1333(3), there is hereby created the redevelopment authority, as a separate body politic, for the purpose of carrying out blight elimination and urban renewal programs and projects; which authority shall be known as the "Redevelopment Authority of the City of Merrill."

(b)

Exclusive authority. The redevelopment authority shall have the exclusive power to proceed to carry on blight elimination and urban renewal projects in the city, except that the city may apply, accept and contract for federal grants, advances and loans under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383).

(c)

Commissioners.

(1)

The mayor shall, with the confirmation of a four-fifths majority vote of the common council, appoint seven resident persons having sufficient ability and experience in the fields of urban renewal, community development and housing, as commissioners of the redevelopment authority.

(2)

Two of the commissioners shall be members of the common council and shall serve their term of office as councilmembers.

(3)

The first appointments shall be for the following terms:

a.

Two for one year;

b.

Two for two years;

c.

One for three years;

d.

One for four years; and

e.

One for five years.

Thereafter, the terms of the noncouncilmembers shall be five years and until their successors are appointed and qualified.

(4)

Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term as provided in this subsection.

(d)

Powers and duties.

(1)

The redevelopment authority shall have all powers, duties and functions set out in Wis. Stats. § 66.1333, for redevelopment authorities.

(2)

The redevelopment authority shall act as the agent of the city in planning and carrying out blight elimination and urban renewal programs and activities approved by the mayor and common council. The redevelopment authority shall proceed under all applicable laws and ordinances not inconsistent with the laws of this state.

(3)

The redevelopment authority shall act as agent of the city to perform all acts, except the development of the general plan of the city which may be otherwise performed by the plan commission under Wis. Stats. §§ 66.1105, 66.1301 through 66.1329, 66.1331, 66.1333, or 66.1337.

(e)

Tax exemption. Bonds issued on or after adoption of the ordinance from which this section is derived by the redevelopment authority are declared, pursuant to Wis. Stats. § 66.1333(5m), to be issued for an essential public and governmental purpose and to be public instrumentalities and, together with interest thereon and income therefrom, are exempt from taxes.

(f)

Controlling law. The powers conferred under this section shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law or ordinance. Insofar as this section is inconsistent with any other law, this section shall control.

(g)

Construction. This chapter shall be construed liberally to effect its purposes and the enumeration of specific powers herein does not restrict the meaning of any general grant of power contained in this section, nor does it exclude other powers comprehended in such general grant, as provided in Wis. Stats. § 66.1333(17).

(Code 1993, § 2-4-17; Ord. No. 04-10, 8-10-2004)

State law reference

Blight elimination and slum clearance, Wis. Stats. § 66.1333.