HB 0829 2003
   
1 A bill to be entitled
2          An act relating to the Manatee County Port Authority;
3    codifying, reenacting, amending, and repealing special
4    acts related to the Port Authority; providing a charter;
5    providing for formation as a dependent special district;
6    providing for the operation of the port authority;
7    providing for powers, functions, and duties; providing for
8    construction and effect; providing an effective date.
9         
10          Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
11         
12          Section 1. Pursuant to section 189.429, Florida Statutes,
13    this act constitutes the codification of all special acts
14    relating to the Manatee County Port Authority. It is the intent
15    of the Legislature to provide a single, comprehensive special
16    act charter for the district including all current legislative
17    authority granted to the district by its several legislative
18    enactments as herein provided, and any additional authority
19    granted by this act and chapters 189 and 315, Florida Statutes,
20    as the same may be amended from time to time. It is further the
21    intent of this act to preserve all district authority.
22          Section 2. Chapters 67-1681, 69-1277, 69-1279, 74-532, and
23    75-428, Laws of Florida, relating to the Manatee County Port
24    Authority, are codified, reenacted, amended, and repealed as
25    provided herein.
26          Section 3. The Manatee County Port Authority is re-created
27    and reenacted to read:
28          Section 1. District formation ratified, restated, and
29    approved.--The Manatee County Port Authority (Port Authority) as
30    initially established pursuant to chapter 67-1681, Laws of
31    Florida, and thereafter amended as provided by special acts of
32    the Legislature, is ratified, confirmed, and approved.
33          Section 2. Establishment.--The Port Authority, a dependent
34    special district, is established for all purposes set forth in
35    this act and chapters 189 and 315, Florida Statutes, as the same
36    may be amended from time to time. This charter may be amended
37    only by special act of the Legislature.
38          Section 3. Popular name.--This charter shall be known and
39    may be cited as the Manatee County Port Authority Act.
40          Section 4. Definitions.--As used in this charter, the
41    following words and terms shall have the following meanings:
42          (1) “Port Authority” shall mean the Board of County
43    Commissioners of Manatee County, Florida, acting as a Manatee
44    County Port Authority. When conducting business as a Port
45    Authority, the board of county commissioners shall use the name
46    of Manatee County Port Authority.
47          (2) “Port facilities” shall mean and shall include harbor,
48    shipping, and port facilities and improvements of every kind,
49    nature, and description, including, but not limited to,
50    channels, turning basins, jetties, breakwaters, public landings,
51    wharves, docks, markets, parks, recreational facilities,
52    structures, buildings, piers, storage facilities, public
53    buildings and plazas, anchorages, utilities, bridges, tunnels,
54    roads, railroads, causeways, port-related aviation facilities
55    such as helipads, and any and all property and facilities
56    necessary or useful in connection with the foregoing, and any
57    one or more of any combination thereof and any extension,
58    addition, betterment, or improvement of any thereof.
59          (3) “Cost” as applied to any port facilities shall mean
60    and shall include the cost of acquisition or construction, the
61    cost of all labor, materials, machinery, and equipment, the cost
62    of all lands, property, rights, easements, and franchises
63    acquired, financing charges, interest prior to and during
64    construction and for 1 year after completion of construction,
65    cost of plans and specifications, surveys and estimates of cost
66    and of revenues, cost of engineering and legal services, all
67    other expenses necessary or incident to determining the
68    feasibility or practicability of such construction, the cost of
69    acquiring or improving, enlarging, and extending existing port
70    facilities and preparing the same for sale or lease to provide
71    funds for financing port facilities under the provisions of this
72    charter, if in the determination of the governing body, such
73    acquisition, such improvement, enlargement, and extension, or
74    such preparation for sale or lease are necessary to such
75    financing, administrative expenses, and such other expenses as
76    may be necessary or incident to any financing herein authorized.
77    Any obligation or expense heretofore or hereafter incurred by
78    Manatee County and/or the Manatee County Port Authority in
79    connection with any of the foregoing items of cost may be
80    regarded as a part of such cost and reimbursed to Manatee County
81    and/or the Manatee County Port Authority out of the proceeds of
82    port facilities bonds issued under the provisions of this
83    charter.
84          Section 5. Public purpose declared.--It is hereby
85    determined and declared that each and all of the powers
86    conferred by this charter and the exercise thereof are proper
87    public and county purposes.
88          Section 6. Grant of powers.--The Port Authority, in
89    addition to any and all powers granted to it by chapter 315.03,
90    Florida Statutes, other laws, general, local or special, is
91    hereby authorized and empowered:
92          (1) To acquire by purchase, grant, gift, or lease, or by
93    the exercise of the right of eminent domain, and to hold and
94    dispose of any property, real or personal, tangible or
95    intangible, or any right or interest in any such property, for
96    or in connection with any port facilities, whether or not
97    subject to mortgage, liens, charges, or other encumbrances.
98          (2) To construct within Manatee County any bridge, tunnel,
99    road, or railroad lines, or any combination thereof, to, from,
100    or between any port facilities.
101          (3) To sell at public or private sale or lease for public
102    or private purposes all or any portion of any port facilities
103    now or hereafter owned, including any such facilities as
104    extended, enlarged, or improved, and all or any portion of any
105    property improved, created, extended, or enlarged under the
106    authority of this law, on such terms and subject to such
107    conditions as the Port Authority shall determine to be in the
108    best interests of the Port Authority.
109          (4) To accept loans or grants of money or materials or
110    property at any time from the United States or the State of
111    Florida or any agency, instrumentality, or subdivision thereof,
112    upon such terms and conditions as the United States, the State
113    of Florida, or such agency, instrumentality, or subdivision may
114    impose.
115          (5) To operate and maintain, and to fix and collect rates,
116    rentals, fees, and other charges for any of the services and
117    facilities now or hereafter acquired, owned, or constructed by
118    the Port Authority.
119          (6) To lease or rent or contract with others for the
120    operation of all or any part of any port facilities now or
121    hereafter acquired, owned, or constructed by the Port Authority,
122    on such terms and for such period or periods and subject to such
123    conditions as the Port Authority shall determine to be in the
124    best interests of the Port Authority.
125          (7) To contract debts for the acquisition or construction
126    of any port facilities or for any other purposes of this law, to
127    borrow money, to make advances, and to issue bonds or other
128    obligations to finance all or any part of such acquisition or
129    construction or in the carrying out of any other purposes of
130    this charter.
131          (8) To contract with the United States or the State of
132    Florida or any agency or instrumentality thereof or with any
133    public body or political subdivision or with any private person,
134    firm, or corporation with reference to any of the powers hereby
135    granted.
136          (9) To have and to exercise all of the powers, rights, and
137    authority now vested by the Statutes of the State of Florida in
138    the office of the Board of Pilot Commissioners.
139          (10) To appoint, regulate, control, and prescribe the
140    powers, duties, and compensation of harbor masters.
141          (11) To appoint and license such number of pilots as the
142    Port Authority shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be
143    necessary to properly conduct the business of the port. Provided
144    that nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting
145    the Port Authority from appointing and licensing pilots who at
146    the time of appointment are also serving any other port on Tampa
147    Bay.
148          (12) To publicize, advertise, and promote the activities
149    and projects authorized by this act, to make known to users,
150    potential users, and public in general, the advantages,
151    facilities, resources, products, attractions, and attributes of
152    the activities and projects authorized by this charter; to
153    further create a favorable climate of opinion concerning the
154    activities and projects authorized and indicated by this
155    charter; to cooperate, including the grant or expenditure of
156    funds, to and with other agencies, both public and private, in
157    accomplishing the purposes enumerated and indicted by this
158    charter; and in furtherance thereof, to authorize reasonable
159    expenditures by supporting voucher to be filed for audit for the
160    purposes herein enumerated, including, but not limited to,
161    meals, hospitality, and entertainment of persons in the interest
162    of promoting and engendering good will towards the activities
163    and projects herein authorized.
164          (13) To perform any of the acts hereby authorized through
165    or by means of its own officers, agents, or employees or by
166    contract.
167          (14) To do all acts and things and to enter into all
168    contracts and agreements necessary or convenient to carry out
169    the purposes of this law.
170          Section 7. Contracts for borrowing of money.—Pursuant to
171    chapter 315, Florida Statutes, and this charter, the Port
172    Authority may contract with any person, firm, corporation, or
173    public body or with the United States or any agency or
174    instrumentality thereof for the borrowing of money for paying
175    all or any part of the cost of any one or more port facilities,
176    and any such contract may contain such terms, conditions, or
177    provisions as the Port Authority may determine not in conflict
178    with the provisions of this charter or chapter 315, Florida
179    Statutes. The provisions of section 13 of this charter
180    applicable to bonds shall be applicable also to contracts
181    entered into under the above provisions of this section. Any
182    such contract may be hypothecated by the Port Authority and the
183    Port Authority may borrow money under such terms and conditions
184    as it shall determine in anticipation of the receipt of funds
185    under such contract.
186          Section 8. Exemption from taxation.--As adequate port
187    facilities are essential for the welfare of the inhabitants and
188    the industrial and commercial development of the area within or
189    served by the Port Authority, and as the exercise of the powers
190    conferred by this charter to effect such purposes constitute the
191    performance of proper public and governmental functions, and as
192    such port facilities constitute public property and are used for
193    public purposes, the Port Authority shall not be required to pay
194    any state, county, municipal, or other taxes or assessments
195    thereof, or upon the income therefrom, and any bonds issued
196    under the provisions of this charter, their transfer and the
197    income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof,
198    shall at all times be free from taxation within the state.
199          Section 9. Resolutions authorized.--All action required or
200    authorized to be taken under the provisions of this charter or
201    chapter 315, Florida Statutes, by the Port Authority may be by
202    resolution, which resolution may be adopted at the meeting of
203    the Port Authority at which such resolution is introduced and
204    shall take effect immediately upon such adoption. Except as
205    otherwise provided in this charter, no resolution under this
206    charter need be published or posted, nor shall any such
207    resolution require for its passage more than a majority of all
208    the members of the Port Authority then in office.
209          Section 10. Liberal construction.--This charter, being
210    necessary for the welfare of the inhabitants of the state, shall
211    be liberally construed to effect the purposes thereof.
212          Section 11. Chapter cumulative.--This charter shall be
213    deemed to provide an additional and alternative method for the
214    doing of the things authorized hereby and shall be regarded as
215    supplemental and additional to the powers conferred by any other
216    law, and shall not be regarded as in derogation of any powers
217    now existing. Bonds may be issued and any other action may be
218    taken hereunder notwithstanding that any other law may provide
219    for the issuance of bonds for like purposes or the taking of
220    like action and without regard to the requirements,
221    restrictions, or procedural provisions contained in any other
222    law.
223          Section 12. Bonds.--Pursuant to chapter 315, Florida
224    Statutes, and this charter, the Port Authority is hereby
225    authorized to provide by resolution, at one time or from time to
226    time, for the issuance of bonds for the purpose of paying all or
227    a part of the cost of any one or more port facilities. The bonds
228    of each issue or series shall be dated, shall bear interest, and
229    shall mature at such time or times not exceeding 40 years from
230    their date or dates, as may be determined by the Port Authority,
231    and may be made redeemable before maturity, at the option of the
232    Port Authority, at such price or prices and under such terms and
233    conditions as may be fixed by the Port Authority prior to the
234    issuance of the bonds. The Port Authority shall determine the
235    form of the bonds, including any interest coupons to be attached
236    thereto, and the manner or execution of the bonds, and shall fix
237    the denomination or denominations of the bonds, and the place or
238    places of payment of principal and interest, which may be at any
239    bank or trust company within or without the state. In case any
240    officer whose signature or a facsimile of whose signature shall
241    appear on the bonds or coupons shall cease to be such officer
242    before the delivery of such bonds, such signature or such
243    facsimile shall nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all
244    purposes the same as if he or she had remained in office until
245    such delivery, and any bond may bear the facsimile signature of,
246    or may be signed by, such persons as at the actual time of the
247    execution of such bond shall be the proper officers to sign such
248    bond, although at the date of such bond such persons may not
249    have been such officers. Notwithstanding any other provisions of
250    this charter or any recitals in any bonds issued under the
251    provisions of this charter, all such bonds shall be deemed to be
252    negotiable instruments under the laws of Florida. The bonds may
253    be issued in coupon or in registered form, or both, as the Port
254    Authority may determine, and provision may be made for the
255    registration of any coupon bonds as to principal alone and also
256    as to both principal and interest, for the reconversion into
257    couponed bonds of any bonds registered as to both principal and
258    interest, and for the interchange of coupon and registered
259    bonds. The issuance of such bonds shall not be subject to any
260    limitation or conditions contained in any other law, and any
261    bonds issued under this charter shall not be considered in
262    computing the amount of indebtedness which Manatee County or the
263    Port Authority may incur under any other law. The Port Authority
264    may sell such bonds in such manner, either at public or private
265    sale and for such price, as it may determine to be for the best
266    interest of the Port Authority. Prior to the delivery of
267    definitive bonds, the Port Authority may, under like
268    restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or
269    without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such
270    bonds have been executed and are available for delivery. The
271    Port Authority may also provide for the replacement of any bonds
272    which have become mutilated or destroyed or lost. Bonds may be
273    issued under the provisions of this charter without obtaining
274    the consent of any commission, board, bureau, or agency of the
275    state, and without any other proceeding or the happening of any
276    other condition or thing than those proceedings, conditions, or
277    things which are specifically required by this charter.
278          Section 13. Source of payment and security for bonds.--The
279    Port Authority may provide that bonds issued under the
280    provisions of this charter or chapter 315, Florida Statutes,
281    shall be payable from and secured by a pledge of any one or more
282    of the following sources:
283          (1) Revenues of any one or more port facilities now owned
284    or hereafter acquired or constructed by the Port Authority.
285          (2) Proceeds of the sale or lease of all or any part of
286    any port facilities now or hereafter owned by the Port Authority
287    as such facilities may be extended, enlarged, or improved, or of
288    any property improved, created, extended, or enlarged or
289    prepared for sale or lease under the authority of this charter.
290          (3) Any money received by the Port Authority from the
291    United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof in
292    connection with any port facilities or in repayment of any
293    advances made by the Port Authority for all or any part of the
294    cost of any port facilities.
295          (4) Any funds received or to be received from the State of
296    Florida under authority of chapter 315, Florida Statutes. The
297    Legislature does hereby covenant with the holders of bonds
298    issued pursuant to the provisions of this law that it will not
299    enact any law which will repeal, impair or amend, in any manner,
300    the rights of such holders or the security of the taxes
301    collected from the operation of pari-mutuel pools which may be
302    pledged to the payment of the principal or of interest on such
303    bonds and the redemption premium, if any.
304          The board of county commissioners may provide that such
305    bonds shall be additionally secured by the full faith credit and
306    taxing power of said Manatee County and that the county shall be
307    irrevocably and unconditionally obligated to levy ad valorem
308    taxes upon all taxable property within said county without limit
309    as to rate or amount for the payment of the principal of and
310    interest on said bonds to the full extent that the revenues or
311    other funds pledged for such principal and interest on said
312    bonds by the authority are insufficient therefor. No pledge of
313    the full faith and credit of said county for the payment of the
314    principal of and interest on said bonds shall be made, however,
315    until the same shall have been approved by the qualified
316    electors who are freeholders residing in said county in the
317    manner provided in the constitution and statutes of the State of
318    Florida. The Port Authority may additionally secure any such
319    bonds by a mortgage or other encumbrance, subject to such terms
320    and conditions as it shall provide, upon all or any part of any
321    port facilities now or hereafter owned by the Port Authority, as
322    such facilities may be extended, enlarged, or improved, or of
323    any property of the Port Authority improved, created, extended,
324    or enlarged or prepared for sale or lease under the authority of
325    this charter, and the Port Authority is hereby authorized to
326    sell at public or private sale, or lease any such port
327    facilities or property, subject to such terms and conditions and
328    for such price, payable at one time or from time to time in
329    installments as the Port Authority may provide, and to apply the
330    proceeds of any such sale or lease, after paying all costs in
331    connection therewith, to payment of the cost of any port
332    facilities financed under the provisions of this law or to the
333    payment of the principal or of the interest or redemption
334    premiums on any bonds issued hereunder or to the payment of any
335    other obligation or obligations herein authorized.
336          Section 14. Refunding bonds.—Pursuant to chapter 315,
337    Florida Statutes, and this charter, the Port Authority is hereby
338    authorized by resolution to provide for the issuance of
339    refunding bonds of the Port Authority for the purpose of
340    refunding any bonds then outstanding which shall have been
341    issued under the provisions of this charter or which shall have
342    been issued to provide funds for the payment of the cost of any
343    port facilities under the provision of any other charter,
344    including the payment of any redemption premium thereof and any
345    interest accrued or to accrue to the date of redemption of such
346    bonds, and, if deemed advisable by the Port Authority, for the
347    additional purpose of acquiring or constructing additional port
348    facilities. The issuance of such bonds, the maturities and other
349    details thereof, the rights of the holders thereof, and the
350    rights, duties, and obligations of the Port Authority in respect
351    of the same, shall be governed by the provisions of this charter
352    insofar as the same may be applicable.
353          Section 15. Trust agreement or resolution.--In the
354    discretion of the Port Authority, any bonds issued under the
355    provisions of chapter 315, Florida Statutes, or this charter may
356    be secured by a trust agreement by and between the Port
357    Authority and a corporate trustee, which may be any trust
358    company or bank having the powers of a trust company within or
359    without the state. Such trust agreement or the resolution
360    providing for the issuance of such bonds may contain such
361    provisions for protecting and enforcing the rights and remedies
362    of the bondholders as may be reasonable and proper and not in
363    violation of law, including covenants setting forth the duties
364    of the Port Authority in relation to the acquisition of property
365    and the acquisition, construction, improvement, maintenance,
366    repair, lease, operating, and insurance of any port facilities
367    in connection with which such bonds shall have been authorized,
368    the custody, safeguarding, or application of all moneys, and
369    conditions or limitations with respect to the issuance of
370    additional bonds. It shall be lawful for any bank or trust
371    company incorporated under the laws of Florida which may act as
372    depositary of the proceeds of bonds or of revenue or other funds
373    to furnish such indemnifying bonds or to pledge such securities
374    as may be required by the Port Authority. Any such trust
375    agreement or resolution may set forth the rights and remedies of
376    the bondholders and of the trustee under any such trust
377    agreement, and may restrict the individual right of action by
378    bondholders. In addition to the foregoing, any such trust
379    agreement or resolution may contain such other provisions as the
380    Port Authority may deem reasonable and proper for the security
381    of the bondholders. All expenses incurred in carrying out the
382    provisions of such trust agreement or resolution shall be
383    treated as a part of the cost of the operation of the port
384    facilities.
385          Section 16. Status as legal investments.--Bonds issued
386    under the provisions of chapter 315, Florida Statutes, or this
387    charter are hereby made securities in which all public officers
388    and public bodies of the state and its political subdivisions,
389    all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations,
390    investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and
391    other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds,
392    including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such
393    bonds are hereby made securities which may properly and legally
394    be deposited with and received by any state or county officer or
395    any agency or political subdivision of the state for any purpose
396    for which the deposit of bonds or obligations of Manatee County
397    is now or may hereafter be authorized by law.
398          Section 17. Remedies of bondholders.--Any holder of bonds
399    issued under the provisions of this charter or any of the
400    coupons appertaining thereto, and the trustee under any trust
401    agreement, except to the extent the rights herein given may be
402    restricted by such trust agreement or the resolution authorizing
403    the issuance of such bonds may, either at law or in equity, by
404    suit, action, mandamus, or other proceedings, protect and
405    enforce any and all rights under the laws of the state or
406    granted hereunder or under such trust agreement or resolution,
407    and may enforce and compel the performance of all duties
408    required by this charter or by bank trust agreement or
409    resolution to be performed by the Port Authority or by any
410    officer thereof, including the fixing, charging, and collecting
411    of rates, rentals, and other charges.
412          Section 4. This act shall be construed as remedial and
413    shall be liberally construed to promote the purpose for which it
414    is intended.
415          Section 5. In the event that any part of this act should
416    be held void for any reason, such holding shall not affect any
417    other part thereof.
418          Section 6. Chapters 67-1681, 69-1277, 69-1279, 74-532, and
419    75-428, Laws of Florida, are repealed.
420          Section 7. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.