HOUSE BILL No. 6243

 

June 8, 2010, Introduced by Rep. Clemente and referred to the Committee on New Economy and Quality of Life.

 

     A bill to amend 1975 PA 197, entitled

 

"An act to provide for the establishment of a downtown development

authority; to prescribe its powers and duties; to correct and

prevent deterioration in business districts; to encourage historic

preservation; to authorize the acquisition and disposal of

interests in real and personal property; to authorize the creation

and implementation of development plans in the districts; to

promote the economic growth of the districts; to create a board; to

prescribe its powers and duties; to authorize the levy and

collection of taxes; to authorize the issuance of bonds and other

evidences of indebtedness; to authorize the use of tax increment

financing; to reimburse downtown development authorities for

certain losses of tax increment revenues; and to prescribe the

powers and duties of certain state officials,"

 

by amending sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 17 (MCL 125.1651, 125.1652,

 

125.1653, 125.1654, 125.1657, and 125.1667), section 1 as amended

 

by 2008 PA 225, section 2 as amended by 1985 PA 159, section 3 as

 

amended by 2005 PA 115, section 4 as amended by 2006 PA 279,

 

section 7 as amended by 2008 PA 226, and section 17 as amended by


 

1993 PA 122.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 1. As used in this act:

 

     (a) "Advance" means a transfer of funds made by a municipality

 

to an authority or to another person on behalf of the authority in

 

anticipation of repayment by the authority. Evidence of the intent

 

to repay an advance may include, but is not limited to, an executed

 

agreement to repay, provisions contained in a tax increment

 

financing plan approved prior to the advance, or a resolution of

 

the authority or the municipality.

 

     (b) "Assessed value" means 1 of the following:

 

     (i) For valuations made before January 1, 1995, the state

 

equalized valuation as determined under the general property tax

 

act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.1 to 211.155.

 

     (ii) For valuations made after December 31, 1994, the taxable

 

value as determined under section 27a of the general property tax

 

act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.27a.

 

     (c) "Authority" means a downtown development authority created

 

pursuant to this act.

 

     (d) "Board" means the governing body of an authority.

 

     (e) "Business district" means an area in the downtown of a

 

municipality zoned and used principally for business. A business

 

district may include an area that includes a qualified higher

 

education institution.

 

     (f) "Captured assessed value" means the amount in any 1 year

 

by which the current assessed value of the project area, including

 

the assessed value of property for which specific local taxes are


 

paid in lieu of property taxes as determined in subdivision (z),

 

exceeds the initial assessed value. The state tax commission shall

 

prescribe the method for calculating captured assessed value.

 

     (g) "Chief executive officer" means the mayor or city manager

 

of a city, the president or village manager of a village, or the

 

supervisor of a township or, if designated by the township board

 

for purposes of this act, the township superintendent or township

 

manager of a township.

 

     (h) "Development area" means that area to which a development

 

plan is applicable.

 

     (i) "Development plan" means that information and those

 

requirements for a development plan set forth in section 17.

 

     (j) "Development program" means the implementation of the

 

development plan.

 

     (k) "Downtown district" means that part of an area in a

 

business district that is specifically designated by ordinance of

 

the governing body of the municipality pursuant to this act. A

 

downtown district may include 1 or more separate and distinct

 

geographic areas in a business district as determined by the

 

municipality if the municipality enters into an agreement with a

 

qualified township under section 3(7) or if the municipality is a

 

city that surrounds another city and that other city lies between

 

the 2 separate and distinct geographic areas. If the downtown

 

district contains more than 1 separate and distinct geographic area

 

in the downtown district, the separate and distinct geographic

 

areas shall be considered 1 downtown district.

 

     (l) "Eligible advance" means an advance made before August 19,


 

1993.

 

     (m) "Eligible obligation" means an obligation issued or

 

incurred by an authority or by a municipality on behalf of an

 

authority before August 19, 1993 and its subsequent refunding by a

 

qualified refunding obligation. Eligible obligation includes an

 

authority's written agreement entered into before August 19, 1993

 

to pay an obligation issued after August 18, 1993 and before

 

December 31, 1996 by another entity on behalf of the authority.

 

     (n) "Fire alarm system" means a system designed to detect and

 

annunciate the presence of fire, or by-products of fire. Fire alarm

 

system includes smoke detectors.

 

     (o) "Fiscal year" means the fiscal year of the authority.

 

     (p) "Governing body of a municipality" means the elected body

 

of a municipality having legislative powers.

 

     (q) "Initial assessed value" means the assessed value, as

 

equalized, of all the taxable property within the boundaries of the

 

development area at the time the ordinance establishing the tax

 

increment financing plan is approved, as shown by the most recent

 

assessment roll of the municipality for which equalization has been

 

completed at the time the resolution is adopted. Property exempt

 

from taxation at the time of the determination of the initial

 

assessed value shall be included as zero. For the purpose of

 

determining initial assessed value, property for which a specific

 

local tax is paid in lieu of a property tax shall not be considered

 

to be property that is exempt from taxation. The initial assessed

 

value of property for which a specific local tax was paid in lieu

 

of a property tax shall be determined as provided in subdivision


 

(z). In the case of a municipality having a population of less than

 

35,000 that established an authority prior to 1985, created a

 

district or districts, and approved a development plan or tax

 

increment financing plan or amendments to a plan, and which plan or

 

tax increment financing plan or amendments to a plan, and which

 

plan expired by its terms December 31, 1991, the initial assessed

 

value for the purpose of any plan or plan amendment adopted as an

 

extension of the expired plan shall be determined as if the plan

 

had not expired December 31, 1991. For a development area

 

designated before 1997 in which a renaissance zone has subsequently

 

been designated pursuant to the Michigan renaissance zone act, 1996

 

PA 376, MCL 125.2681 to 125.2696, the initial assessed value of the

 

development area otherwise determined under this subdivision shall

 

be reduced by the amount by which the current assessed value of the

 

development area was reduced in 1997 due to the exemption of

 

property under section 7ff of the general property tax act, 1893 PA

 

206, MCL 211.7ff, but in no case shall the initial assessed value

 

be less than zero.

 

     (r) "Municipality" means a city, village, or township.

 

     (s) "Obligation" means a written promise to pay, whether

 

evidenced by a contract, agreement, lease, sublease, bond, or note,

 

or a requirement to pay imposed by law. An obligation does not

 

include a payment required solely because of default upon an

 

obligation, employee salaries, or consideration paid for the use of

 

municipal offices. An obligation does not include those bonds that

 

have been economically defeased by refunding bonds issued under

 

this act. Obligation includes, but is not limited to, the


 

following:

 

     (i) A requirement to pay proceeds derived from ad valorem

 

property taxes or taxes levied in lieu of ad valorem property

 

taxes.

 

     (ii) A management contract or a contract for professional

 

services.

 

     (iii) A payment required on a contract, agreement, bond, or note

 

if the requirement to make or assume the payment arose before

 

August 19, 1993.

 

     (iv) A requirement to pay or reimburse a person for the cost of

 

insurance for, or to maintain, property subject to a lease, land

 

contract, purchase agreement, or other agreement.

 

     (v) A letter of credit, paying agent, transfer agent, bond

 

registrar, or trustee fee associated with a contract, agreement,

 

bond, or note.

 

     (t) "On behalf of an authority", in relation to an eligible

 

advance made by a municipality, or an eligible obligation or other

 

protected obligation issued or incurred by a municipality, means in

 

anticipation that an authority would transfer tax increment

 

revenues or reimburse the municipality from tax increment revenues

 

in an amount sufficient to fully make payment required by the

 

eligible advance made by the municipality, or eligible obligation

 

or other protected obligation issued or incurred by the

 

municipality, if the anticipation of the transfer or receipt of tax

 

increment revenues from the authority is pursuant to or evidenced

 

by 1 or more of the following:

 

     (i) A reimbursement agreement between the municipality and an


 

authority it established.

 

     (ii) A requirement imposed by law that the authority transfer

 

tax increment revenues to the municipality.

 

     (iii) A resolution of the authority agreeing to make payments to

 

the incorporating unit.

 

     (iv) Provisions in a tax increment financing plan describing

 

the project for which the obligation was incurred.

 

     (u) "Operations" means office maintenance, including salaries

 

and expenses of employees, office supplies, consultation fees,

 

design costs, and other expenses incurred in the daily management

 

of the authority and planning of its activities.

 

     (v) "Other protected obligation" means:

 

     (i) A qualified refunding obligation issued to refund an

 

obligation described in subparagraph (ii), (iii), or (iv), an

 

obligation that is not a qualified refunding obligation that is

 

issued to refund an eligible obligation, or a qualified refunding

 

obligation issued to refund an obligation described in this

 

subparagraph.

 

     (ii) An obligation issued or incurred by an authority or by a

 

municipality on behalf of an authority after August 19, 1993, but

 

before December 31, 1994, to finance a project described in a tax

 

increment finance plan approved by the municipality in accordance

 

with this act before December 31, 1993, for which a contract for

 

final design is entered into by or on behalf of the municipality or

 

authority before March 1, 1994 or for which a written agreement

 

with a developer, titled preferred development agreement, was

 

entered into by or on behalf of the municipality or authority in


 

July 1993.

 

     (iii) An obligation incurred by an authority or municipality

 

after August 19, 1993, to reimburse a party to a development

 

agreement entered into by a municipality or authority before August

 

19, 1993, for a project described in a tax increment financing plan

 

approved in accordance with this act before August 19, 1993, and

 

undertaken and installed by that party in accordance with the

 

development agreement.

 

     (iv) An obligation incurred by the authority evidenced by or to

 

finance a contract to purchase real property within a development

 

area or a contract to develop that property within the development

 

area, or both, if all of the following requirements are met:

 

     (A) The authority purchased the real property in 1993.

 

     (B) Before June 30, 1995, the authority enters a contract for

 

the development of the real property located within the development

 

area.

 

     (C) In 1993, the authority or municipality on behalf of the

 

authority received approval for a grant from both of the following:

 

     (I) The department of natural resources for site reclamation

 

of the real property.

 

     (II) The department of consumer and industry services for

 

development of the real property.

 

     (v) An ongoing management or professional services contract

 

with the governing body of a county which was entered into before

 

March 1, 1994 and which was preceded by a series of limited term

 

management or professional services contracts with the governing

 

body of the county, the last of which was entered into before


 

August 19, 1993.

 

     (vi) A loan from a municipality to an authority if the loan was

 

approved by the legislative body of the municipality on April 18,

 

1994.

 

     (vii) Funds expended to match a grant received by a

 

municipality on behalf of an authority for sidewalk improvements

 

from the Michigan department of transportation if the legislative

 

body of the municipality approved the grant application on April 5,

 

1993 and the grant was received by the municipality in June 1993.

 

     (viii) For taxes captured in 1994, an obligation described in

 

this subparagraph issued or incurred to finance a project. An

 

obligation is considered issued or incurred to finance a project

 

described in this subparagraph only if all of the following are

 

met:

 

     (A) The obligation requires raising capital for the project or

 

paying for the project, whether or not a borrowing is involved.

 

     (B) The obligation was part of a development plan and the tax

 

increment financing plan was approved by a municipality on May 6,

 

1991.

 

     (C) The obligation is in the form of a written memorandum of

 

understanding between a municipality and a public utility dated

 

October 27, 1994.

 

     (D) The authority or municipality captured school taxes during

 

1994.

 

     (w) "Public facility" means a street, plaza, pedestrian mall,

 

and any improvements to a street, plaza, or pedestrian mall

 

including street furniture and beautification, park, parking


 

facility, recreational facility, right-of-way, structure, waterway,

 

bridge, lake, pond, canal, utility line or pipe, building, and

 

access routes to any of the foregoing, designed and dedicated to

 

use by the public generally, or used by a public agency. Public

 

facility includes an improvement to a facility used by the public

 

or a public facility as those terms are defined in section 1 of

 

1966 PA 1, MCL 125.1351, which improvement is made to comply with

 

the barrier free design requirements of the state construction code

 

promulgated under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale single state

 

construction code act, 1972 PA 230, MCL 125.1501 to 125.1531.

 

Public facility also includes the acquisition, construction,

 

improvement, and operation of a building owned or leased by the

 

authority to be used as a retail business incubator.

 

     (x) "Qualified educational economic opportunity district"

 

means that part of a downtown district that includes a qualified

 

higher education institution and surrounding area that is

 

specifically designated by ordinance or resolution of the governing

 

body of the municipality.

 

     (y) "Qualified higher education institution" means an

 

institution of higher education or a community or junior college

 

described in section 4, 5, 6, or 7 of article VIII of the state

 

constitution of 1963.

 

     (z) (x) "Qualified refunding obligation" means an obligation

 

issued or incurred by an authority or by a municipality on behalf

 

of an authority to refund an obligation if 1 or more of the

 

following apply:

 

     (i) The obligation is issued to refund a qualified refunding


 

obligation issued in November 1997 and any subsequent refundings of

 

that obligation issued before January 1, 2010 or the obligation is

 

issued to refund a qualified refunding obligation issued on May 15,

 

1997 and any subsequent refundings of that obligation issued before

 

January 1, 2010 in an authority in which 1 parcel or group of

 

parcels under common ownership represents 50% or more of the

 

taxable value captured within the tax increment finance district

 

and that will ultimately provide for at least a 40% reduction in

 

the taxable value of the property as part of a negotiated

 

settlement as a result of an appeal filed with the state tax

 

tribunal. Qualified refunding obligations issued under this

 

subparagraph are not subject to the requirements of section 611 of

 

the revised municipal finance act, 2001 PA 34, MCL 141.2611, if

 

issued before January 1, 2010. The duration of the development

 

program described in the tax increment financing plan relating to

 

the qualified refunding obligations issued under this subparagraph

 

is hereby extended to 1 year after the final date of maturity of

 

the qualified refunding obligations.

 

     (ii) The refunding obligation meets both of the following:

 

     (A) The net present value of the principal and interest to be

 

paid on the refunding obligation, including the cost of issuance,

 

will be less than the net present value of the principal and

 

interest to be paid on the obligation being refunded, as calculated

 

using a method approved by the department of treasury.

 

     (B) The net present value of the sum of the tax increment

 

revenues described in subdivision (bb)(ii) (dd)(ii) and the

 

distributions under section 13b to repay the refunding obligation


 

will not be greater than the net present value of the sum of the

 

tax increment revenues described in subdivision (bb)(ii) (dd)(ii) and

 

the distributions under section 13b to repay the obligation being

 

refunded, as calculated using a method approved by the department

 

of treasury.

 

     (aa) (y) "Qualified township" means a township that meets all

 

of the following requirements:

 

     (i) Was not eligible to create an authority prior to January 3,

 

2005.

 

     (ii) Adjoins a municipality that previously created an

 

authority.

 

     (iii) Along with the adjoining municipality that previously

 

created an authority, is a member of the same joint planning

 

commission under the joint municipal planning act, 2003 PA 226, MCL

 

125.131 to 125.143.

 

     (bb) (z) "Specific local tax" means a tax levied under 1974 PA

 

198, MCL 207.551 to 207.572, the commercial redevelopment act, 1978

 

PA 255, MCL 207.651 to 207.668, the technology park development

 

act, 1984 PA 385, MCL 207.701 to 207.718, and 1953 PA 189, MCL

 

211.181 to 211.182. The initial assessed value or current assessed

 

value of property subject to a specific local tax shall be the

 

quotient of the specific local tax paid divided by the ad valorem

 

millage rate. However, after 1993, the state tax commission shall

 

prescribe the method for calculating the initial assessed value and

 

current assessed value of property for which a specific local tax

 

was paid in lieu of a property tax.

 

     (cc) (aa) "State fiscal year" means the annual period


 

commencing October 1 of each year.

 

     (dd) (bb) "Tax increment revenues" means the amount of ad

 

valorem property taxes and specific local taxes attributable to the

 

application of the levy of all taxing jurisdictions upon the

 

captured assessed value of real and personal property in the

 

development area, subject to the following requirements:

 

     (i) Tax increment revenues include ad valorem property taxes

 

and specific local taxes attributable to the application of the

 

levy of all taxing jurisdictions other than the state pursuant to

 

the state education tax act, 1993 PA 331, MCL 211.901 to 211.906,

 

and local or intermediate school districts upon the captured

 

assessed value of real and personal property in the development

 

area for any purpose authorized by this act.

 

     (ii) Tax increment revenues include ad valorem property taxes

 

and specific local taxes attributable to the application of the

 

levy of the state pursuant to the state education tax act, 1993 PA

 

331, MCL 211.901 to 211.906, and local or intermediate school

 

districts upon the captured assessed value of real and personal

 

property in the development area in an amount equal to the amount

 

necessary, without regard to subparagraph (i), to repay eligible

 

advances, eligible obligations, and other protected obligations.

 

     (iii) Tax increment revenues do not include any of the

 

following:

 

     (A) Ad valorem property taxes attributable either to a portion

 

of the captured assessed value shared with taxing jurisdictions

 

within the jurisdictional area of the authority or to a portion of

 

value of property that may be excluded from captured assessed value


 

or specific local taxes attributable to such ad valorem property

 

taxes.

 

     (B) Ad valorem property taxes excluded by the tax increment

 

financing plan of the authority from the determination of the

 

amount of tax increment revenues to be transmitted to the authority

 

or specific local taxes attributable to such ad valorem property

 

taxes.

 

     (C) Ad valorem property taxes exempted from capture under

 

section 3(3) or specific local taxes attributable to such ad

 

valorem property taxes.

 

     (iv) The amount of tax increment revenues authorized to be

 

included under subparagraph (ii) or (v), and required to be

 

transmitted to the authority under section 14(1), from ad valorem

 

property taxes and specific local taxes attributable to the

 

application of the levy of the state education tax act, 1993 PA

 

331, MCL 211.901 to 211.906, a local school district or an

 

intermediate school district upon the captured assessed value of

 

real and personal property in a development area shall be

 

determined separately for the levy by the state, each school

 

district, and each intermediate school district as the product of

 

sub-subparagraphs (A) and (B):

 

     (A) The percentage that the total ad valorem taxes and

 

specific local taxes available for distribution by law to the

 

state, local school district, or intermediate school district,

 

respectively, bears to the aggregate amount of ad valorem millage

 

taxes and specific taxes available for distribution by law to the

 

state, each local school district, and each intermediate school


 

district.

 

     (B) The maximum amount of ad valorem property taxes and

 

specific local taxes considered tax increment revenues under

 

subparagraph (ii) or (v).

 

     (v) Tax increment revenues include ad valorem property taxes

 

and specific local taxes, in an annual amount and for each year

 

approved by the state treasurer, attributable to the levy by this

 

state under the state education tax act, 1993 PA 331, MCL 211.901

 

to 211.906, and by local or intermediate school districts, upon the

 

captured assessed value of real and personal property in the

 

development area of an authority established in a city with a

 

population of 750,000 or more to pay for, or reimburse an advance

 

for, not more than $8,000,000.00 for the demolition of buildings or

 

structures on public or privately owned property within a

 

development area that commences in 2005, or to pay the annual

 

principal of or interest on an obligation, the terms of which are

 

approved by the state treasurer, issued by an authority, or by a

 

city on behalf of an authority, to pay not more than $8,000,000.00

 

of the costs to demolish buildings or structures on public or

 

privately owned property within a development area that commences

 

in 2005.

 

     Sec. 2. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a

 

municipality may establish 1 authority. If, before November 1,

 

1985, a municipality establishes more than 1 authority, those

 

authorities may continue to exist as separate authorities. Under

 

the conditions described in section 3a, a municipality may have

 

more than 1 authority within that municipality's boundaries. A


 

municipality may establish 1 additional authority in that

 

municipality if that authority operates a qualified educational

 

economic opportunity district. A parcel of property shall not be

 

included in more than 1 authority created by this act.

 

     (2) An authority shall be a public body corporate which may

 

sue and be sued in any court of this state. An authority possesses

 

all the powers necessary to carry out the purpose of its

 

incorporation. The enumeration of a power in this act shall not be

 

construed as a limitation upon the general powers of an authority.

 

     Sec. 3. (1) When the governing body of a municipality

 

determines that it is necessary for the best interests of the

 

public to halt property value deterioration and increase property

 

tax valuation where possible in its business district, to eliminate

 

the causes of that deterioration, and to promote economic growth,

 

the governing body may, by resolution, declare its intention to

 

create and provide for the operation of an authority under this

 

act.

 

     (2) In the resolution of intent, the governing body shall set

 

a date for the holding of a public hearing on the adoption of a

 

proposed ordinance creating the authority and designating the

 

boundaries of the downtown district. Notice of the public hearing

 

shall be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in

 

the municipality, not less than 20 or more than 40 days before the

 

date of the hearing. Not less than 20 days before the hearing, the

 

governing body proposing to create the authority shall also mail

 

notice of the hearing to the property taxpayers of record in the

 

proposed district and for a public hearing to be held after


 

February 15, 1994 to the governing body of each taxing jurisdiction

 

levying taxes that would be subject to capture if the authority is

 

established and a tax increment financing plan is approved.

 

Beginning June 1, 2005, the notice of hearing within the time frame

 

described in this subsection shall be mailed by certified mail to

 

the governing body of each taxing jurisdiction levying taxes that

 

would be subject to capture if the authority is established and a

 

tax increment financing plan is approved. Failure of a property

 

taxpayer to receive the notice shall not invalidate these

 

proceedings. Notice of the hearing shall be posted in at least 20

 

conspicuous and public places in the proposed downtown district not

 

less than 20 days before the hearing. The notice shall state the

 

date, time, and place of the hearing, and shall describe the

 

boundaries of the proposed downtown district. A citizen, taxpayer,

 

or property owner of the municipality or an official from a taxing

 

jurisdiction with millage that would be subject to capture has the

 

right to be heard in regard to the establishment of the authority

 

and the boundaries of the proposed downtown district. The governing

 

body of the municipality shall not incorporate land into the

 

downtown district not included in the description contained in the

 

notice of public hearing, but it may eliminate described lands from

 

the downtown district in the final determination of the boundaries.

 

     (3) Not more than 60 days after a public hearing held after

 

February 15, 1994, the governing body of a taxing jurisdiction

 

levying ad valorem property taxes that would otherwise be subject

 

to capture may exempt its taxes from capture by adopting a

 

resolution to that effect and filing a copy with the clerk of the


 

municipality proposing to create the authority. The resolution

 

takes effect when filed with that clerk and remains effective until

 

a copy of a resolution rescinding that resolution is filed with

 

that clerk.

 

     (4) Not less than 60 days after the public hearing, if the

 

governing body of the municipality intends to proceed with the

 

establishment of the authority, it shall adopt, by majority vote of

 

its members, an ordinance establishing the authority and

 

designating the boundaries of the downtown district within which

 

the authority shall exercise its powers. The adoption of the

 

ordinance is subject to any applicable statutory or charter

 

provisions in respect to the approval or disapproval by the chief

 

executive or other officer of the municipality and the adoption of

 

an ordinance over his or her veto. This ordinance shall be filed

 

with the secretary of state promptly after its adoption and shall

 

be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in

 

the municipality.

 

     (5) The governing body of the municipality may alter or amend

 

the boundaries of the downtown district to include or exclude lands

 

from the downtown district pursuant to the same requirements for

 

adopting the ordinance creating the authority.

 

     (6) A municipality that has created an authority may enter

 

into an agreement with an adjoining municipality that has created

 

an authority to jointly operate and administer those authorities

 

under an interlocal agreement under the urban cooperation act of

 

1967, 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to 124.512.

 

     (7) A municipality that has created an authority may enter


 

into an agreement with a qualified township to operate its

 

authority in a downtown district in the qualified township under an

 

interlocal agreement under the urban cooperation act of 1967, 1967

 

(Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to 124.512. The interlocal agreement

 

between the municipality and the qualified township shall provide

 

for, but is not limited to, all of the following:

 

     (a) Size and makeup of the board.

 

     (b) Determination and modification of downtown district,

 

business district, and development area.

 

     (c) Modification of development area and development plan.

 

     (d) Issuance and repayment of obligations.

 

     (e) Capture of taxes.

 

     (f) Notice, hearing, and exemption of taxes from capture

 

provisions described in this section.

 

     Sec. 4. (1) Except as provided in subsections (7), (8), and

 

(9), an authority shall be under the supervision and control of a

 

board consisting of the chief executive officer of the municipality

 

and not less than 8 or more than 12 members as determined by the

 

governing body of the municipality. Members shall be appointed by

 

the chief executive officer of the municipality, subject to

 

approval by the governing body of the municipality. Not less than a

 

majority of the members shall be persons having an interest in

 

property located in the downtown district or officers, members,

 

trustees, principals, or employees of a legal entity having an

 

interest in property located in the downtown district. Not less

 

than 1 of the members shall be a resident of the downtown district,

 

if the downtown district has 100 or more persons residing within


 

it. Of the members first appointed, an equal number of the members,

 

as near as is practicable, shall be appointed for 1 year, 2 years,

 

3 years, and 4 years. A member shall hold office until the member's

 

successor is appointed. Thereafter, each member shall serve for a

 

term of 4 years. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be made by

 

the chief executive officer of the municipality for the unexpired

 

term only. Members of the board shall serve without compensation,

 

but shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses. The

 

chairperson of the board shall be elected by the board.

 

     (2) Before assuming the duties of office, a member shall

 

qualify by taking and subscribing to the constitutional oath of

 

office.

 

     (3) The business which the board may perform shall be

 

conducted at a public meeting of the board held in compliance with

 

the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275. Public

 

notice of the time, date, and place of the meeting shall be given

 

in the manner required by the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL

 

15.261 to 15.275. The board shall adopt rules consistent with the

 

open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275, governing its

 

procedure and the holding of regular meetings, subject to the

 

approval of the governing body. Special meetings may be held if

 

called in the manner provided in the rules of the board.

 

     (4) Pursuant to notice and after having been given an

 

opportunity to be heard, a member of the board may be removed for

 

cause by the governing body. Removal of a member is subject to

 

review by the circuit court.

 

     (5) All expense items of the authority shall be publicized


 

monthly and the financial records shall always be open to the

 

public.

 

     (6) In addition to the items and records prescribed in

 

subsection (5), a writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession

 

of, or retained by the board in the performance of an official

 

function shall be made available to the public in compliance with

 

the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to 15.246.

 

     (7) By resolution of its governing body, a municipality having

 

more than 1 authority may establish a single board to govern all

 

authorities in the municipality. The governing body may designate

 

the board of an existing authority as the board for all authorities

 

or may establish by resolution a new board in the same manner as

 

provided in subsection (1). A member of a board governing more than

 

1 authority may be a resident of or have an interest in property in

 

any of the downtown districts controlled by the board in order to

 

meet the requirements of this section.

 

     (8) By ordinance, the governing body of a municipality that

 

has a population of less than 5,000 may have the municipality's

 

planning commission created pursuant to 1931 PA 285, MCL 125.31 to

 

125.45, serve as the board provided for in subsection (1).

 

     (9) If a municipality enters into an agreement with a

 

qualified township under section 3(7), the membership of the board

 

may be modified by the interlocal agreement described in section

 

3(7).

 

     (10) Subject to the requirements of subsection (1), the board

 

of an authority for a qualified educational economic opportunity

 

district shall include a representative of a qualified higher


 

education institution located in the downtown district and not less

 

than 3 individuals who represent 1 or more of the following

 

interests:

 

     (a) A major business or organization that operates within the

 

downtown district.

 

     (b) Arts and cultural organizations that operate within the

 

downtown district.

 

     (c) Young professional organizations that operate within the

 

downtown district.

 

     (d) A local chamber of commerce that operates within the

 

downtown district.

 

     (e) A local community foundation that operates within the

 

downtown district.

 

     (f) Regional economic development organizations that operate

 

within the downtown district.

 

     (g) Public transportation that operates within the downtown

 

district.

 

     Sec. 7. (1) The board may:

 

     (a) Prepare an analysis of economic changes taking place in

 

the downtown district.

 

     (b) Study and analyze the impact of metropolitan growth upon

 

the downtown district.

 

     (c) Plan and propose the construction, renovation, repair,

 

remodeling, rehabilitation, restoration, preservation, or

 

reconstruction of a public facility, an existing building, or a

 

multiple-family dwelling unit which may be necessary or appropriate

 

to the execution of a plan which, in the opinion of the board, aids


 

in the economic growth of the downtown district.

 

     (d) Plan, propose, and implement an improvement to a public

 

facility within the development area to comply with the barrier

 

free design requirements of the state construction code promulgated

 

under the Stille-DeRossett-Hale single state construction code act,

 

1972 PA 230, MCL 125.1501 to 125.1531.

 

     (e) Develop long-range plans, in cooperation with the agency

 

which is chiefly responsible for planning in the municipality,

 

designed to halt the deterioration of property values in the

 

downtown district and to promote the economic growth of the

 

downtown district, and take such steps as may be necessary to

 

persuade property owners to implement the plans to the fullest

 

extent possible.

 

     (f) Implement any plan of development in the downtown district

 

necessary to achieve the purposes of this act, in accordance with

 

the powers of the authority as granted by this act.

 

     (g) Make and enter into contracts necessary or incidental to

 

the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties.

 

     (h) Acquire by purchase or otherwise, on terms and conditions

 

and in a manner the authority considers proper or own, convey, or

 

otherwise dispose of, or lease as lessor or lessee, land and other

 

property, real or personal, or rights or interests in property,

 

which the authority determines is reasonably necessary to achieve

 

the purposes of this act, and to grant or acquire licenses,

 

easements, and options with respect to that property.

 

     (i) Improve land and construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate,

 

restore and preserve, equip, improve, maintain, repair, and operate


 

any building, including multiple-family dwellings, and any

 

necessary or desirable appurtenances to that property, within the

 

downtown district for the use, in whole or in part, of any public

 

or private person or corporation, or a combination of them.

 

     (j) Fix, charge, and collect fees, rents, and charges for the

 

use of any building or property under its control or any part

 

thereof, or facility therein, and pledge the fees, rents, and

 

charges for the payment of revenue bonds issued by the authority.

 

     (k) Lease any building or property under its control, or any

 

part of a building or property.

 

     (l) Accept grants and donations of property, labor, or other

 

things of value from a public or private source.

 

     (m) Acquire and construct public facilities.

 

     (n) Create, operate, and fund marketing initiatives that

 

benefit only retail and general marketing of the downtown district.

 

     (o) Contract for broadband service and wireless technology

 

service in the downtown district.

 

     (p) Operate and perform all duties and exercise all

 

responsibilities described in this section in a qualified township

 

if the qualified township has entered into an agreement with the

 

municipality under section 3(7).

 

     (q) Create, operate, and fund a loan program to fund

 

improvements for existing buildings located in a downtown district

 

to make them marketable for sale or lease. The board may make loans

 

with interest at a market rate or may make loans with interest at a

 

below market rate, as determined by the board.

 

     (r) Create, operate, and fund retail business incubators in


 

the downtown district.

 

     (2) If it is the express determination of the board to create,

 

operate, or fund a retail business incubator in the downtown

 

district, the board shall give preference to tenants who will

 

provide goods or services that are not available or that are

 

underserved in the downtown area. If the board creates, operates,

 

or funds retail business incubators in the downtown district, the

 

board and each tenant who leases space in a retail business

 

incubator shall enter into a written contract that includes, but is

 

not limited to, all of the following:

 

     (a) The lease or rental rate that may be below the fair market

 

rate as determined by the board.

 

     (b) The requirement that a tenant may lease space in the

 

retail business incubator for a period not to exceed 18 months.

 

     (c) The terms of a joint operating plan with 1 or more other

 

businesses located in the downtown district.

 

     (d) A copy of the business plan of the tenant that contains

 

measurable goals and objectives.

 

     (e) The requirement that the tenant participate in basic

 

management classes, business seminars, or other business education

 

programs offered by the authority, the local chamber of commerce,

 

local community colleges, or institutions of higher education, as

 

determined by the board.

 

     (3) In addition to the powers authorized under this section,

 

the board of an authority for a qualified educational economic

 

district may do 1 or more of the following in that qualified

 

educational economic opportunity district:


 

     (a) Authorize the use of tax increment revenues and other

 

funds available to the authority for 1 or more of the following:

 

     (i) To match funds for other sources for any allowable purpose

 

under this act.

 

     (ii) Business loan programs.

 

     (iii) Entrepreneurial incubators.

 

     (iv) Home purchase down payment assistance programs.

 

     (v) Energy efficiency programs.

 

     (b) Facilitate transit development.

 

     (c) Acquire land and buildings.

 

     (d) Facilitate green building development.

 

     Sec. 17. (1) When a board decides to finance a project in the

 

downtown district by the use of revenue bonds as authorized in

 

section 13 or tax increment financing as authorized in sections 14,

 

15, and 16, it shall prepare a development plan.

 

     (2) The development plan shall contain all of the following:

 

     (a) The designation of boundaries of the development area in

 

relation to highways, streets, streams, or otherwise.

 

     (b) The location and extent of existing streets and other

 

public facilities within the development area, shall designate the

 

location, character, and extent of the categories of public and

 

private land uses then existing and proposed for the development

 

area, including residential, recreational, commercial, industrial,

 

educational, and other uses, and shall include a legal description

 

of the development area.

 

     (c) A description of existing improvements in the development

 

area to be demolished, repaired, or altered, a description of any


 

repairs and alterations, and an estimate of the time required for

 

completion.

 

     (d) The location, extent, character, and estimated cost of the

 

improvements including rehabilitation contemplated for the

 

development area and an estimate of the time required for

 

completion.

 

     (e) A statement of the construction or stages of construction

 

planned, and the estimated time of completion of each stage.

 

     (f) A description of any parts of the development area to be

 

left as open space and the use contemplated for the space.

 

     (g) A description of any portions of the development area that

 

the authority desires to sell, donate, exchange, or lease to or

 

from the municipality and the proposed terms.

 

     (h) A description of desired zoning changes and changes in

 

streets, street levels, intersections, or utilities.

 

     (i) An estimate of the cost of the development, a statement of

 

the proposed method of financing the development, and the ability

 

of the authority to arrange the financing.

 

     (j) Designation of the person or persons, natural or

 

corporate, to whom all or a portion of the development is to be

 

leased, sold, or conveyed in any manner and for whose benefit the

 

project is being undertaken if that information is available to the

 

authority.

 

     (k) The procedures for bidding for the leasing, purchasing, or

 

conveying in any manner of all or a portion of the development upon

 

its completion, if there is no express or implied agreement between

 

the authority and persons, natural or corporate, that all or a


 

portion of the development will be leased, sold, or conveyed in any

 

manner to those persons.

 

     (l) Estimates of the number of persons residing in the

 

development area and the number of families and individuals to be

 

displaced. If occupied residences are designated for acquisition

 

and clearance by the authority, a development plan shall include a

 

survey of the families and individuals to be displaced, including

 

their income and racial composition, a statistical description of

 

the housing supply in the community, including the number of

 

private and public units in existence or under construction, the

 

condition of those units in existence, the number of owner-occupied

 

and renter-occupied units, the annual rate of turnover of the

 

various types of housing and the range of rents and sale prices, an

 

estimate of the total demand for housing in the community, and the

 

estimated capacity of private and public housing available to

 

displaced families and individuals.

 

     (m) A plan for establishing priority for the relocation of

 

persons displaced by the development in any new housing in the

 

development area.

 

     (n) Provision for the costs of relocating persons displaced by

 

the development and financial assistance and reimbursement of

 

expenses, including litigation expenses and expenses incident to

 

the transfer of title, in accordance with the standards and

 

provisions of the federal uniform relocation assistance and real

 

property acquisition policies act of 1970, being Public Law 91-646,

 

42 U.S.C. USC sections 4601, et seq.

 

     (o) A plan for compliance with Act No. 227 of the Public Acts


 

of 1972, being sections 213.321 to 213.332 of the Michigan Compiled

 

Laws 1972 PA 227, MCL 213.321 to 213.332.

 

     (p) Other material that the authority, local public agency, or

 

governing body considers pertinent.

 

     (3) A development plan may provide for improvements related to

 

a qualified facility, as defined in the federal facility

 

development act, Act No. 275 of the Public Acts of 1992, being

 

sections 3.931 to 3.940 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, that is

 

located outside of the boundaries of the development area but

 

within the district, including the cost of construction,

 

renovation, rehabilitation, or acquisition of that qualified

 

facility or of public facilities and improvements related to that

 

qualified facility.

 

     (3) In addition to the requirement for a development plan

 

described in subsection (2), the board of an authority for a

 

qualified educational economic opportunity district may include 1

 

or more of the following in the development plan for the qualified

 

educational economic opportunity district:

 

     (a) The plan to assist in the creation of a walkable downtown

 

district.

 

     (b) The plan to assist in the creation and demonstration of

 

regional connectivity.

 

     (c) The plan to assist in the development of a mixed-use and

 

sustainable community.

 

     (d) The plan to integrate higher education activities and

 

expertise into the downtown district.

 

     (e) The plan to assist in entrepreneurial enterprise


 

development especially with faculty and students of the qualified

 

higher education institution.