As used in this act:

    (a) "Authority" means an Indian housing authority created pursuant to section 2.

    (b) "Indian reservation" means an Indian community which has land held in trust for the Indian community by the federal or state government, or a local unit of government, or which owns the land in its own name.

    (c) "Reservation governor" means the chairperson or president of the elected governing council of an Indian reservation.

    (1) Each Indian reservation in this state may create an Indian housing authority. Each authority shall have 5 commissioners appointed by the reservation governor, with the advice and consent of the tribal council of the reservation for which the authority is created. Not less than 4 commissioners, including the chairperson, shall be members of the tribe of the respective reservation. The holding of any tribal office shall not bar appointment of a tribal member to the authority of the member's reservation.

    (2) The term of a member appointed, except to fill a vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term, shall be 4 years from the expiration of the term of the member's predecessor. However, the terms of the members first appointed shall be as follows: 1 shall be appointed for 1 year, 1 for 2 years, 1 for 3 years, and 2 for 4 years. A vacancy in the office of an appointed member occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the term.

    (3) Each authority shall elect a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, a secretary, and a treasurer from among the commissioners. A commissioner may hold the positions of both secretary and treasurer.

    (1) The business which an authority may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting of the authority held in compliance with Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, as amended, being sections 15.261 to 15.275 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. Public notice of the time, date, and place of the meeting shall be given in the manner required by Act No. 267 of the Public Acts of 1976, as amended.

    (2) A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by an authority in the performance of an official function shall be made available to the public in compliance with Act No. 442 of the Public Acts of 1976, as amended, being sections 15.231 to 15.246 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

     An authority shall have all of the following powers and duties:

    (a) To purchase, lease, sell, exchange, transfer, assign, and mortgage real or personal property or any interest in the property, or acquire real or personal property by gift or bequest. The authority also may clear and improve property, engage in or contract for the design, construction, alteration, improvement, extension, or repair of a house or housing project under the authority's jurisdiction.

    (b) To lease, operate, and maintain, or provide for the leasing, operation, and maintenance of a housing project.

    (c) To provide for water, sewage, drainage, recreational, community, and educational facilities which the authority considers a necessary part of a housing project.

    (d) To provide for streets, sidewalks, bicycle paths, or any other type of thoroughfare which the authority considers necessary for the transportation needs of the inhabitants of a housing project.

    (e) To arrange for financing of housing projects and to enter into grants or contracts for the implementation of the activities described in this section.

     The state may provide facilities, services, and financial aid, by loan, grant, or appropriation, to an authority. In addition, the state may enter into an agreement with an authority for the purposes of implementing this act.