1 | A bill to be entitled |
2 | An act relating to the Orange County Civic Facilities |
3 | Authority; codifying, reenacting, amending, and repealing |
4 | chapters 71-803, 72-625, 73-569, 77-611, and 78-757, Laws |
5 | of Florida, relating to the authority; providing an |
6 | effective date. |
7 |
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8 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
9 |
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10 | Section 1. Pursuant to section 189.429, Florida Statutes, |
11 | this act constitutes the codification of all special acts |
12 | relating to the Orange County Civic Facilities Authority. It is |
13 | the intent of the Legislature in enacting this law to provide a |
14 | single comprehensive special act charter for the authority, |
15 | including all current authority granted to the authority by its |
16 | several legislative enactments. |
17 | Section 2. Chapters 71-803, 72-625, 73-569, 77-611, and |
18 | 78-757, Laws of Florida, are amended, codified, reenacted, and |
19 | repealed as provided in this act. |
20 | Section 3. The charter for the Orange County Civic |
21 | Facilities Authority is re-created and reenacted to read: |
22 | Section 1. Creation; purposes.--There is hereby created |
23 | and established the Orange County Civic Facilities Authority, |
24 | hereafter referred to as the "authority," as a public body, |
25 | politic and corporate, in Orange County, for the purpose of |
26 | planning, developing, constructing, acquiring, owning, |
27 | reconstructing, extending, enlarging, repairing, improving, |
28 | relocating, equipping, maintaining, and operating facilities for |
29 | the holding of conventions and expositions and civic, cultural, |
30 | recreational, athletic, and similar events and activities. Said |
31 | facilities may be located anywhere in Orange County and shall |
32 | not be restricted in number. Said property is hereby deemed to |
33 | be a public purpose the fulfillment of which is an urgent public |
34 | necessity. |
35 | Section 2. Membership and organization.-- |
36 | (1) The authority shall consist of 11 members, each |
37 | serving a 3-year term, except for the initial selections, of |
38 | which three shall be for 1-year terms, four shall be for 2-year |
39 | terms, and four shall be for 3-year terms, all as hereinafter |
40 | provided. The members shall, insofar as practicable, be drawn |
41 | from city, county, civic, cultural, recreational, athletic, |
42 | business, and social interests. The members of the authority |
43 | shall be selected by the County Commission of Orange County in |
44 | the following manner: |
45 | (a) The county commission shall select four members from |
46 | eight nominees made by the City Council of Orlando, which |
47 | nominees are to be residents of the City of Orlando. After |
48 | being presented with certified evidence of such nominations, the |
49 | county commission shall forthwith, but in no event later than 20 |
50 | days thereafter, by majority vote, select the said four members. |
51 | (b) The county commission shall select one member from two |
52 | nominations made by the City Council of Winter Park, which |
53 | nominees are to be residents of the City of Winter Park. After |
54 | being presented with certified evidence of such nominations, the |
55 | County Commission of Orange County shall forthwith, but in no |
56 | event later than 20 days thereafter, by majority vote, select |
57 | the said one member. |
58 | (c) The county commission shall select one member from two |
59 | nominations made by the City Council of Maitland, which nominees |
60 | are to be residents of the City of Maitland. After being |
61 | presented with certified evidence of such nominations, the |
62 | County Commission of Orange County shall forthwith, but in no |
63 | event later than 20 days thereafter, by majority vote, select |
64 | the said one member. |
65 | (d) The county commission shall select one member from the |
66 | nominations made by the mayors or other heads of government of |
67 | the incorporated municipalities within Orange County having a |
68 | population of 3,000 persons or more other than the City of |
69 | Orlando, the City of Winter Park, and the City of Maitland. Each |
70 | mayor or head of government shall have the right to furnish one |
71 | nominee to the county commission, which nominee shall be a |
72 | resident of said municipality. After being presented with |
73 | certified evidence of such nominations, the County Commission of |
74 | Orange County shall forthwith, but in no event later than 20 |
75 | days thereafter, by majority vote, select the said one member. |
76 | (e) The County Commission of Orange County shall select |
77 | without nominations four members who reside within the remaining |
78 | incorporated and unincorporated areas of Orange County. |
79 | (2) In the manner set forth above, of the four members |
80 | selected by the county commission from the initial eight |
81 | nominees made by the City of Orlando, the county commission |
82 | shall designate one to serve for the initial 1-year term, one to |
83 | serve for the initial 2-year term, and two to serve for the |
84 | initial 3-year term. The one member selected by the county |
85 | commission from the initial two nominees made by the City of |
86 | Winter Park shall be designated to serve for the initial 2-year |
87 | term. The one member selected by the county commission from the |
88 | initial two nominees made by the City of Maitland shall be |
89 | designated to serve for the initial 2-year term. The one member |
90 | selected by the county commission from the initial nominees made |
91 | by the mayors or other heads of government of the municipalities |
92 | within Orange County having a population of 3,000 persons or |
93 | more other than the City of Orlando, the City of Winter Park and |
94 | the City of Maitland shall be designated to serve for the |
95 | initial 1-year term. Of the four members initially selected |
96 | without nomination by the county commission, the county |
97 | commission shall designate one to serve for the initial 1-year |
98 | term, one to serve for the initial 2-year term, and two to serve |
99 | for the initial 3-year term. Nominations and selections of |
100 | members upon expiration of initial terms and thereafter shall be |
101 | allocated to and made by the governmental unit or units last |
102 | making the nominations or selections of said members as provided |
103 | herein. Nominees shall be double the number of members to be |
104 | selected at any one time except as provided in subsection |
105 | (1)(d). |
106 | (3) The initial nominations and selections called for in |
107 | this section shall be made as soon as practicable after this act |
108 | becomes law; however, this requirement shall not serve to |
109 | invalidate the authority or any portions of the act. The results |
110 | of all selections and removals shall be immediately certified to |
111 | the authority. |
112 | (4) All members shall be at the time of their selection |
113 | and during the term of their membership electors of Orange |
114 | County. The members shall not receive any compensation for their |
115 | services except that they may be reimbursed for actual expenses |
116 | necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties |
117 | under this act. Each member, unless removed as hereinafter |
118 | provided, shall serve until his or her successor is selected and |
119 | qualified. A member may be removed by the county commission for |
120 | just cause by a four-fifths vote of the county commission. A |
121 | vacancy in membership for any reason shall be filled for the |
122 | unexpired term of that member as soon as practicable after the |
123 | vacancy occurs by the method of nomination and selection as set |
124 | forth in this act. Before entering upon the duties of office, |
125 | each member of the authority shall take and file with the Clerk |
126 | of the Circuit Court of Orange County an oath to faithfully |
127 | discharge the duties of his or her office, and such other oaths |
128 | as may be required by law. A majority of the members of the |
129 | authority shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy or unselected |
130 | member in the authority shall not impair the rights of a quorum |
131 | to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the |
132 | authority. |
133 | (5) The authority and the members thereof shall organize |
134 | as soon as practicable after this act becomes law; however, this |
135 | requirement shall not serve to invalidate the authority or any |
136 | portion of this act. The authority shall elect by majority vote |
137 | one of its members as chair, one as vice chair, one as |
138 | secretary, and one as treasurer. The treasurer of the authority, |
139 | prior to entering upon his or her duties as such officer, and |
140 | any other officer or employee so required by the authority, |
141 | shall provide a surety bond in an amount to be determined by the |
142 | authority conditioned upon the faithful performance of the |
143 | duties of his or her office or employment. |
144 | Section 3. Definitions.--As used in this act, unless some |
145 | other meaning is plainly intended: |
146 | (1) "City" means any municipality in Orange County. |
147 | (2) " County" means the County of Orange. |
148 | (3) "Authority" means the Orange County Civic Facilities |
149 | Authority created by the provisions of this act. |
150 | (4) "Governmental unit" means the County of Orange and |
151 | each municipality and district, improvement or otherwise, in the |
152 | county and each agency or instrumentality thereof. Included in |
153 | the term "district," but not limited thereto, is the Reedy Creek |
154 | Improvement District, created under the name of "Reedy Creek |
155 | Drainage District" by decree of the circuit court in and for the |
156 | ninth judicial circuit, entered in chancery No. 66-1061 on May |
157 | 13, 1966, and any and all bodies succeeding to the privileges |
158 | and functions thereof, provided, however, that the term |
159 | "governmental unit" or "governmental unit in or of Orange |
160 | County" and similar designations shall apply only to the |
161 | portions of any governmental unit that is within the boundaries |
162 | of Orange County. |
163 | (5) "Facilities" means and includes facilities and site or |
164 | sites for holding any and all types of conventions, expositions, |
165 | civic and cultural events, recreational and athletic events, and |
166 | similar events and activities and includes auditoriums, towers, |
167 | coliseums, athletic fields, stadiums, music halls and buildings, |
168 | structures, utilities, parks, parking areas, roadways, and all |
169 | other facilities and properties reasonably necessary or |
170 | desirable to carry out the purposes of this act. |
171 | (6) "Cost" or "costs," as applied to facilities, means and |
172 | includes the cost of acquisition and construction of said |
173 | facilities, including the cost of all land, property, property |
174 | rights, easements, franchises, labor, insurance, materials, and |
175 | equipment required to carry out the purposes of this act, and |
176 | includes financing charges, including bond discount, interest, |
177 | and debt service and reserves therefor prior to and during |
178 | construction and for reasonable period of time thereafter, costs |
179 | of plans and specifications, estimates of costs and of revenues, |
180 | costs of engineering and architectural services, costs of legal |
181 | services including those rendered for the issuance, validation |
182 | and sale of bonds, all expenses necessary or incidental to |
183 | determining the feasibility or practicability of such |
184 | acquisition and construction, administrative expenses, and such |
185 | other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the |
186 | acquisition and construction or the financing herein authorized, |
187 | and includes reimbursement from bond proceeds of any funds |
188 | advanced for such purpose prior to the sale of the bonds |
189 | authorized by this act. |
190 | Section 4. General powers.--The authority is hereby |
191 | authorized and empowered to: |
192 | (1) Sue in its own name, which power is granted without |
193 | waiving or removing its immunity from suit except insofar as |
194 | such immunity is expressly herein waived or removed. |
195 | (2) Adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the |
196 | conduct of its business. |
197 | (3) Adopt and use an official seal. |
198 | (4) Plan, develop, purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire, |
199 | construct, reconstruct, improve, extend, enlarge, relocate, |
200 | equip, repair, maintain, and operate facilities. All contracts |
201 | for constructing, improving, extending, enlarging, relocating, |
202 | repairing, and equipping of facilities of the authority in the |
203 | amount of $5,000 or more shall be awarded by the authority to |
204 | the bidder who, as determined by the authority, is the best |
205 | bidder for the project contemplated after consideration of all |
206 | relevant factors including the purposes and provisions of this |
207 | act and the competitiveness of all bids received. The authority |
208 | shall, at least 30 days prior to the award of such contract, |
209 | publish one time in a newspaper of general circulation in Orange |
210 | County a notice requesting bids on such contract. The authority |
211 | shall have the right and power to reject all bids and request |
212 | new bids in the same manner as bids were first requested. |
213 | Notwithstanding anything that may be to the contrary, for the |
214 | purposes of the three preceding sentences only, the purchase, |
215 | lease, or acquisition otherwise of site or sites specifically |
216 | shall not be included in facilities. Without limiting anything |
217 | elsewhere embraced in this act, the authority shall not be |
218 | empowered or authorized to build or construct in its facilities |
219 | any sleeping accommodations held out for rent to the public. |
220 | (5) Make a comprehensive plan for the overall orderly |
221 | development of facilities and develop detailed architectural and |
222 | engineering plans for specific facilities, and obtain necessary |
223 | feasibility and other reports and studies. |
224 | (6) Acquire by lease, grant, purchase, gift, or devise |
225 | from any source, including governmental units, without |
226 | requirement of referendum, all property, real or personal, or |
227 | any estate or interest therein, necessary, desirable, or |
228 | convenient for the purpose of this act, and lease or rent all or |
229 | any part thereof and exercise all of its powers and authority |
230 | with respect thereto. Governmental units may sell or lease said |
231 | property to the authority for nominal consideration. Without |
232 | limiting the foregoing or the existing powers and authority of |
233 | the County of Orange or the municipalities in Orange County, the |
234 | county and municipalities in the county may, within their |
235 | respective territorial jurisdictions and by the methods provided |
236 | by chapters 73 and 74, Florida Statutes, insofar as said |
237 | statutes are consistent herewith, condemn real property and, as |
238 | herein provided and with the agreement of the authority, |
239 | transfer same to the authority, all to be done for the uses and |
240 | purposes of this act. Any title to real property so acquired by |
241 | condemnation may be in fee simple, absolute and unqualified in |
242 | any way or any lesser interest therein. Nothing in this act |
243 | shall be construed to allow condemnation of real property for |
244 | purposes or uses other than as herein provided. |
245 | (7) Borrow money and issue revenue bonds and provide for |
246 | the rights of the holders thereof. |
247 | (8) Issue revenue bonds of the authority, as hereinafter |
248 | provided, to pay the cost of planning, developing, purchasing, |
249 | leasing, or otherwise acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, |
250 | improving, extending, enlarging, relocating, and equipping |
251 | facilities and otherwise carrying out the purposes of this act |
252 | and secure the payment of said bonds by a pledge of all or any |
253 | portion of the revenues and moneys legally available therefor, |
254 | and, in general, provide for the security of the bonds and the |
255 | rights and remedies of the holders thereof, provided, however, |
256 | that no revenue bonds may be issued unless it appears, after |
257 | proper study, that the revenues available under this act to the |
258 | authority will, with reasonable probability, be sufficient to |
259 | pay the bonds. |
260 | (9) Issue revenue refunding bonds of the authority, as |
261 | hereinafter provided, and refund any bonds then outstanding |
262 | which shall have been issued under the provisions of this act. |
263 | (10) Lease, rent, or contract for the operation of any |
264 | part of any of the facilities of the authority. |
265 | (11) Fix and collect rates, rentals, fees, and charges for |
266 | the use of any and all of the facilities of the authority. |
267 | (12) Contract for the operation of concessions on or in |
268 | any of the facilities of the authority. The authority may also |
269 | at its discretion operate such concessions as it deems |
270 | desirable. |
271 | (13) Advertise and promote within or without the state any |
272 | of the facilities and activities of the authority. Without |
273 | limiting the foregoing, funds available under section 5(5)(b) |
274 | shall not be used to advertise or promote private enterprise. |
275 | (14) Make and enter into all contracts and agreements |
276 | necessary or incidental to the performance of the duties imposed |
277 | by and the execution of the powers granted under this act and |
278 | employ such consulting services, engineers, superintendents, |
279 | managers, construction and financial experts and attorneys, and |
280 | such employees and agents as may, in the judgment of the |
281 | authority, be deemed necessary, and fix their compensation. |
282 | (15) Cooperate with and contract with the government of |
283 | the United States or the state or any agency, instrumentality, |
284 | or political subdivision of either, or with any municipality, |
285 | district, private corporation, copartnership, association, |
286 | person, or individual in providing for or relating to the |
287 | authority and facilities as may be necessary, desirable, or |
288 | convenient in carrying out the provisions and purposes of this |
289 | act. |
290 | (16) Without limiting the foregoing, do all acts or things |
291 | necessary, desirable, or convenient to carry out the powers |
292 | expressly granted in this act. |
293 | (17) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the powers enumerated |
294 | in subsections (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), |
295 | (13), (14), (15), and (16) of this section may not be exercised |
296 | when the cost involved in the exercise thereof exceeds an |
297 | aggregate amount of $25,000 without the prior written consent of |
298 | the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County. |
299 | (18)(a) The authority shall begin its fiscal year on |
300 | October 1 of each year and end it on September 30. Not less than |
301 | 1 month prior to the end of each fiscal year of the authority, |
302 | the authority shall adopt by resolution its proposed budget for |
303 | the ensuing fiscal year, and submit the same to the Board of |
304 | County Commissioners of Orange County for its review and |
305 | approval. Such proposed budget shall include all anticipated |
306 | expenditures of the authority for all of its projects during the |
307 | ensuing fiscal year, including operating expenses, capital |
308 | outlays, materials, labor, equipment, supplies, payments of |
309 | principal and interest on all outstanding bonds of the |
310 | authority, and sinking fund and reserve requirements of such |
311 | bonds. Such proposed budget shall provide for expenditures only |
312 | to the extent of funds legally available to the authority for |
313 | such purposes and reasonably anticipated revenues of the |
314 | authority for the ensuing fiscal year from established sources, |
315 | based upon past experience and reasonable projections thereof, |
316 | and from new projects or new sources of income of the authority. |
317 | The Board of County Commissioners of Orange County may, within |
318 | 10 days after receipt of such proposed budget, conduct a public |
319 | hearing with respect thereto, and in that event, the chair and |
320 | executive director of the authority shall be present at each |
321 | such public hearing. After such public hearing, the board of |
322 | county commissioners may require the authority to alter, amend, |
323 | or otherwise modify its proposed budget as the board of county |
324 | commissioners may direct. During the last 10 days of each of its |
325 | fiscal years, the authority shall adopt by resolution its budget |
326 | for the ensuing year, as may be altered, amended, or modified by |
327 | the board of county commissioners, subject to the same |
328 | constraints as to the amount of expenditures as set forth above |
329 | with respect to the proposed budget of the authority. Once |
330 | adopted, the said budget shall not be amended except by |
331 | resolution of the authority and the public notice of the |
332 | authority's intention to consider amending its budget, which |
333 | notice shall be by publication in a newspaper of general |
334 | circulation in Orange County at least 10 days prior to the |
335 | meeting of the authority at which such proposed amendment is to |
336 | be finally considered. |
337 | (b) Within 90 days following the close of each fiscal |
338 | year, the authority shall prepare a comprehensive report of its |
339 | operations of each project under its control during the |
340 | preceding fiscal year, including all matters relating to rates, |
341 | charges, revenues, expenses of maintenance, repair, and |
342 | operation and of replacements and extensions, principal and |
343 | interest requirements, and the status of all funds. Copies of |
344 | such annual reports shall be filed with the secretary of the |
345 | authority and with the Board of County Commissioners of Orange |
346 | County. |
347 | (c) The authority shall cause an audit to be made of its |
348 | books and accounts for each of its fiscal years by an |
349 | independent certified public accountant, which audit shall be |
350 | accompanied by the accountant's opinion and qualifications |
351 | relating thereto, if any. |
352 | Section 5. Bonds; financing and payment for the authority |
353 | and facilities.-- |
354 | (1) Subject to the provisions of section 4(17) of this |
355 | act, the authority shall have the power and is hereby authorized |
356 | from time to time to issue revenue bonds in such principal |
357 | amount as, in the opinion of the authority, shall be necessary |
358 | to provide sufficient moneys for achieving its purposes, |
359 | including the cost of planning, development, construction, |
360 | reconstruction, improvement, extension, enlargement, repair, |
361 | relocation, and equipping of facilities, the cost of acquisition |
362 | of property, interest on bonds during construction and for a |
363 | reasonable period thereafter, establishment of reserves to |
364 | secure bonds, and all other costs and expenditures of the |
365 | authority incident to and necessary, desirable, or convenient to |
366 | carry out its purposes and powers. |
367 | (2) Bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the members |
368 | of the authority and shall bear such date or dates; mature at |
369 | such time or times not exceeding 40 years from their respective |
370 | dates; bear interest at such rate or rates not exceeding the |
371 | maximum rate or rates authorized by law; be in such |
372 | denominations; be in such form, either coupon or fully |
373 | registered; carry such registration, exchangeability, and |
374 | interchangeability privileges; be payable in such medium of |
375 | payment and at such place or places; be subject to such terms of |
376 | redemption; and be entitled to such priorities of lien on the |
377 | revenues and other available moneys as such resolution or any |
378 | resolution subsequent thereto may provide. The bonds shall be |
379 | executed either by manual or facsimile signature by such |
380 | officers as the authority shall determine, provided that such |
381 | bonds shall bear at least one signature which is manually |
382 | executed thereon. The coupons attached to such bonds shall bear |
383 | the facsimile signature or signatures of such officer or |
384 | officers as shall be designated by the authority. Such bonds |
385 | shall have the seal of the authority affixed, imprinted, |
386 | reproduced, or lithographed thereon. |
387 | (3) The bonds shall be sold at public or private sale at a |
388 | price of not less than 95 percent of the par value thereof. |
389 | Pending the preparation of definitive bonds, temporary bonds or |
390 | interim certificates may be issued to the purchaser or |
391 | purchasers of such bonds and may contain such terms and |
392 | conditions as the authority may determine. |
393 | (4) Payment of the bonds and the principal and interest |
394 | thereon may be secured by a pledge of all or part of the |
395 | revenues provided for in this act together with such other |
396 | revenues as may otherwise be authorized by general or special |
397 | law, provided, however, that no ad valorem taxes may be pledged |
398 | for payment of the bonds except after full compliance with the |
399 | State Constitution. |
400 | (5) The following revenues may be pledged by the authority |
401 | as security for and may be used for payment of the bonds of the |
402 | authority issued pursuant to this act, interest thereon, and |
403 | other necessary expenses and costs of said bonds: |
404 | (a) The revenues accruing to the authority from operation |
405 | or use of facilities. |
406 | (b) No taxes received by any governmental unit in Orange |
407 | County pursuant to the Local Option Tourist Development Act, |
408 | section 125.0104, Florida Statutes, shall be transmitted or paid |
409 | over to the authority unless said transmittal or payment is part |
410 | of Orange County's plan for tourist development, adopted or |
411 | amended from time to time pursuant to said Local Option Tourist |
412 | Development Act. |
413 | (c) Any other revenues provided to the authority by |
414 | governmental units or by other entities for pledging by the |
415 | authority as security for and payment of the revenue bonds of |
416 | the authority issued pursuant to this act, interest thereon, and |
417 | other necessary expenses and costs of the revenue bonds. Such |
418 | other revenues that may be so provided to the authority, in the |
419 | discretion of the governmental units or other entities, shall |
420 | include, but not be limited to, cigarette taxes as authorized by |
421 | general law accruing to governmental units in Orange County, ad |
422 | valorem taxes, and occupational license taxes or similar taxes |
423 | levied, collected, or received under general or special law or |
424 | the law of any governmental unit in Orange County. Said other |
425 | revenues may be so provided and used despite the provisions of |
426 | any other law; provided, however, that ad valorem taxes may be |
427 | so provided and used only after full compliance with the State |
428 | Constitution. |
429 | (6) Without limiting anything contained elsewhere in this |
430 | act, the revenues available to the authority as set forth in |
431 | subsection 5(a), (b), and (c), if not previously pledged to |
432 | revenue bonds issued or to be issued pursuant to this act or |
433 | otherwise committed, may be used to otherwise finance or pay for |
434 | facilities and the authority or the operation thereof or |
435 | otherwise in carrying out the purposes and provisions of this |
436 | act. |
437 | (7) Notwithstanding anything that may be contrary in this |
438 | act, the authority shall have the power in any bond resolution, |
439 | trust indenture, or other agreement authorizing the issuance of |
440 | revenue bonds pursuant to this act to provide for pledging for |
441 | payment of said bonds all or any part of the foregoing revenues |
442 | set forth in subsection 5(a), (b), and (c) and to establish the |
443 | order of priority in which such revenues shall be applied and |
444 | used in paying debt service (principal, interest, reserves, |
445 | sinking funds, and other necessary costs and expenses) on such |
446 | revenue bonds; and the authority shall further have the power to |
447 | provide, if in any year all of the foregoing pledged revenues |
448 | are not needed for payment of principal, interest, reserves, |
449 | sinking funds, and other necessary costs and expenses of said |
450 | bonds, that the previously pledged revenues may be used for |
451 | other facility financing or payment of costs and expenses and |
452 | for operating expenses and costs of the facilities and authority |
453 | and otherwise in carrying out the purposes and provisions of |
454 | this act and, if not so needed, that any such unneeded and |
455 | unused revenues, except revenues derived from operation or use |
456 | of the facilities, may be returned to the governmental unit or |
457 | units or other entities from which they were received. |
458 | (8) Any such resolution or resolutions authorizing any |
459 | bonds may contain provisions, which shall be part of the |
460 | contract with the holders of such bonds, as to: |
461 | (a) The pledging of all or any part of the revenues or |
462 | other moneys lawfully available therefor. |
463 | (b) The construction, reconstruction, improvement, |
464 | extension, enlargement, repair, relocation, and equipping of |
465 | facilities authorized by this act. |
466 | (c) Limitations on the purposes to which the proceeds of |
467 | the bonds then or thereafter to be issued or of any loan or |
468 | grant by any federal agency or the state or any political |
469 | subdivision thereof may be applied. |
470 | (d) The fixing, charging, establishing, revising, |
471 | increasing, reducing, and collecting of rates, fees, rentals, or |
472 | other charges for the use of facilities of the authority or any |
473 | part thereof. |
474 | (e) The setting aside of reserves or of sinking funds and |
475 | the regulation and disposition thereof. |
476 | (f) Limitations on the issuance of additional bonds. |
477 | (g) The terms and provisions of any lease-purchase |
478 | agreement, deed of trust, or indenture securing the bonds, or |
479 | under which same may be issued. |
480 | (h) Any other or additional matters of like or different |
481 | character, which in any way affect the security or protection of |
482 | the bonds. |
483 | (9) The authority may enter into any deeds of trust, |
484 | indentures, or other agreements with any bank or trust company |
485 | within or without the state as security for such bonds and may, |
486 | under such agreements, assign and pledge all or any of the |
487 | revenues and other available moneys pursuant to the terms of |
488 | this act. Such deed of trust, indenture, or other agreement may |
489 | contain such provisions as are customary in such instruments or |
490 | as the authority may authorize, including, but without |
491 | limitation, provisions as to: |
492 | (a) The pledging of all or any part of the revenues or |
493 | other moneys lawfully available therefor. |
494 | (b) The application of funds and the safeguarding of funds |
495 | on hand or on deposit. |
496 | (c) The rights and remedies of the trustee and the holders |
497 | of the bonds. |
498 | (d) The terms and provisions of the bonds or the |
499 | resolutions authorizing the issuance of the same. |
500 | (e) Any other or additional matters of like or different |
501 | character which in any way affect the security or protection of |
502 | the bonds. |
503 | (10) It is the intention hereof that any pledge made by |
504 | the authority shall be valid and binding from the time the |
505 | pledge is made; that the moneys so pledged and thereafter |
506 | received by the authority shall immediately be subject to the |
507 | lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or |
508 | further act; and that the lien of any such pledge shall be valid |
509 | and binding as against all parties. Neither the resolution nor |
510 | any other instrument by which a pledge is created need be |
511 | recorded. |
512 | (11) Neither the members nor any person executing the |
513 | bonds shall be liable personally on the bonds or be subject to |
514 | any personal liability or accountability by reason of the |
515 | issuance thereof. |
516 | (12) The authority shall have power, out of any funds |
517 | available therefor, to purchase its bonds, which shall thereupon |
518 | be canceled, at a price not exceeding, if the bonds are then |
519 | redeemable, the redemption price then applicable plus accrued |
520 | interest to the next date of redemption thereof or, if the bonds |
521 | are not then redeemable, the redemption price applicable on the |
522 | first date after such purchase upon which the bonds become |
523 | subject to redemption plus accrued interest to said date. |
524 | (13) Bonds issued under the provisions of this act shall |
525 | not be deemed to constitute a debt of the County of Orange or |
526 | any other governmental unit in Orange County or a pledge of the |
527 | faith and credit of the County of Orange or any other |
528 | governmental unit in Orange County, and a statement to that |
529 | effect shall be recited on the face of the bonds. |
530 | (14) As the authority serves an essential public purpose |
531 | and performs an essential public function and as its facilities |
532 | will constitute public property used for public purposes, no |
533 | taxes or assessments shall be levied upon any such property or |
534 | upon the income therefrom and bonds issued under the provisions |
535 | of this act, their transfer, and the income therefrom, including |
536 | any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free |
537 | from taxation within this state. |
538 | Section 6. Notes of the authority.--The authority is |
539 | authorized from time to time to issue its negotiable notes for |
540 | any corporate purpose and to renew from time to time any notes |
541 | by the issuance of new notes, whether the notes to be renewed |
542 | have or have not matured. The authority may issue notes partly |
543 | or wholly to renew notes or to discharge other obligations then |
544 | outstanding or partly or wholly for any other purpose. The notes |
545 | may be authorized, sold, executed, and delivered in the same |
546 | manner as bonds. Any resolution or resolutions authorizing notes |
547 | of the authority or any issues thereof may contain any |
548 | provisions that the authority is authorized to include in any |
549 | resolution or resolutions authorizing revenue bonds of the |
550 | authority or any issue thereof, and the authority may include in |
551 | any notes any terms, covenants, or conditions that it is |
552 | authorized to include in any bonds. All such notes shall be |
553 | payable solely from the revenues available under this act to the |
554 | authority, subject only to any contractual rights of the holders |
555 | of any of its notes or other obligations then outstanding. |
556 | Section 7. Refunding bonds.-- |
557 | (1) The authority is authorized to provide by resolution |
558 | for the issuance from time to time of bonds for the purpose of |
559 | refunding any bonds then outstanding. The authority is further |
560 | authorized to provide by resolution for the issuance of bonds |
561 | for the combined purpose of: |
562 | (a) Paying the cost of planning, developing, acquiring, |
563 | constructing, reconstructing, improving, extending, enlarging, |
564 | repairing, relocating, and equipping of facilities of the |
565 | authority and other costs as may be defined in section 3(6). |
566 | (b) Refunding any bonds then outstanding. The |
567 | authorization, sale, and issuance of such obligations, the |
568 | maturities and other details thereof, and the rights, powers, |
569 | privileges, duties, and obligations of the authority with |
570 | respect to the same shall be governed by the foregoing |
571 | provisions of this act insofar as the same may be applicable. |
572 | (2) In the event the authority determines to issue bonds |
573 | for the purpose of refunding any outstanding bonds prior to the |
574 | maturity thereof, the proceeds of such refunding bonds may, |
575 | pending the redemption of the bonds to be refunded, be invested |
576 | in direct obligations of the United States, or certificates of |
577 | deposit of banks or trust companies fully secured in the same |
578 | manner as state and county deposits are required to be secured |
579 | by law of the state. It is the express intention of this act |
580 | that outstanding bonds may be refunded and retired by and upon |
581 | the issuance of refunding bonds as long as the outstanding bonds |
582 | to be refunded will mature or be subject to prior redemption not |
583 | later than 10 years after the date of issuance of such refunding |
584 | bonds or such longer period of time as may be allowed by law. |
585 | Section 8. Remedies.-- |
586 | (1) The rights and the remedies herein conferred upon or |
587 | granted to the bondholders shall be in addition to and not in |
588 | limitation of any rights and remedies lawfully granted to such |
589 | bondholders by any resolution, indenture, or other agreement |
590 | under which the bonds may be issued or secured. In the event |
591 | that the authority defaults in the payment of the principal of |
592 | or interest on any of the bonds issued pursuant to the |
593 | provisions of this act after such principal of or interest on |
594 | the bonds has become due, whether at maturity or upon call for |
595 | redemption as provided in said resolution, and such default |
596 | shall continue for a period of 30 days, or in the event that the |
597 | authority fails or refuses to comply with any material provision |
598 | of any agreement made with, or for the benefit of, the holders |
599 | of the bonds, the holders of 25 percent in aggregate principal |
600 | amount of the bonds then outstanding shall be entitled to the |
601 | appointment of a trustee to represent such bondholders for the |
602 | purpose thereof; provided, however, that such holders of 25 |
603 | percent in aggregate principal amount of the bonds then |
604 | outstanding shall have first given written notice of their |
605 | intention to appoint a trustee to the authority. |
606 | (2) In the event of the default, failure, or refusal set |
607 | forth in subsection (1), such trustee, and any trustee under any |
608 | deed of trust, indenture, or other agreement, may, and upon |
609 | written request of the holders of 25 percent in principal amount |
610 | of the bonds then outstanding or such other percentage that may |
611 | be specified in any deed of trust, indenture, or other agreement |
612 | aforesaid shall, in any court of competent jurisdiction, in his |
613 | or her or its own name: |
614 | (a) By mandamus or other suit, action, or proceeding at |
615 | law or in equity, enforce all rights of the bondholders, |
616 | including the right to require the authority to fix, establish, |
617 | maintain, collect, and charge rates, fees, rentals, and other |
618 | charges adequate to carry out any agreement as to, or pledge of, |
619 | the revenues and to require the authority to carry out any other |
620 | covenants and agreements with or for the benefit of the |
621 | bondholders and to perform its and their duties under this act; |
622 | (b) Bring suit upon the bonds; |
623 | (c) By an action or suit require the authority to account |
624 | as if it were the trustee of an express trust for the |
625 | bondholders; or |
626 | (d) By civil action or suit enjoin any acts or things |
627 | which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the |
628 | bondholders. |
629 | (3) Any trustee when appointed as aforesaid, or acting |
630 | under a deed of trust, indenture, or other agreement, in the |
631 | event of the default, failure, or refusal set forth in |
632 | subsection (1), and whether or not all bonds have been declared |
633 | due and payable, shall be entitled to the appointment of a |
634 | receiver who may enter upon and take possession of the |
635 | facilities or any part or parts thereof, the revenues, and other |
636 | pledged moneys and operate and maintain the same for and on |
637 | behalf of and in the name of the authority and the bondholders, |
638 | collect and receive all revenues and other pledged moneys in the |
639 | same manner as the authority might do, and deposit all such |
640 | revenues and moneys in a separate account and apply the same in |
641 | such manner as the court shall direct. In any suit, action, or |
642 | proceeding by the trustee, the fees, counsel fees, and expenses |
643 | of the trustee and said receiver, if any, and all costs and |
644 | disbursements allowed by the court shall be a first charge on |
645 | any revenues. Such trustee shall, in addition to the foregoing, |
646 | have and possess all of the powers necessary or appropriate for |
647 | the exercise of any functions specifically set forth herein or |
648 | incident to the representation of the bondholders in the |
649 | enforcement and protection of their rights. |
650 | Section 9. Other revenues.--The County of Orange and any |
651 | and all other governmental units in Orange County may |
652 | appropriate additional funds for use by the authority for |
653 | maintenance of the facilities and for the payment of employees' |
654 | salaries, operating and planning expenses, and other necessary |
655 | expenditures, and such expenditures are declared to be for |
656 | valid, necessary public purposes. |
657 | Section 10. Public or private subscription.--The authority |
658 | may solicit, encourage, promote, and accept any and all public |
659 | or private subscriptions and donations of moneys and other |
660 | property and assets for use in furthering the provisions and |
661 | purposes of this act. |
662 | Section 11. Provisions of act severable.--The provisions |
663 | of this act are severable, and it is the intention to confer the |
664 | whole or any part of the powers herein provided, and if any |
665 | provision or provisions of this act or any of the powers granted |
666 | by this act shall be held unconstitutional or invalid by any |
667 | court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court |
668 | shall not affect or impair any remaining provision or provisions |
669 | of this act or any of the remaining powers granted by this act. |
670 | It is hereby declared to be the legislative intent that this act |
671 | would have been adopted had such unconstitutional or invalid |
672 | provision or provisions or power not been included therein. |
673 | Section 12. Alternative method.--This act shall be deemed |
674 | to provide an additional and alternative method for the doing of |
675 | the things authorized hereby. This act, being for a public |
676 | purpose, shall be liberally construed to affect the purposes |
677 | thereof. |
678 | Section 4. Chapters 71-803, 72-625, 73-569, 77-611, and |
679 | 78-757, Laws of Florida, are repealed. |
680 | Section 5. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. |