§ 1-4Officers.
§ 1-5Chairman.
§ 1-6Vice Chairman.
§ 1-7Secretary.
§ 1-8Additional duties and functions.
§ 1-9Elections and appointments.
§ 1-10Vacancies.
§ 1-11Additional personnel.
§ 1-11.1Indemnification of Commissioners and officers.
The officers of the Authority shall be the Chairman, the Vice Chairman and a Secretary.
The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Authority. Except as otherwise authorized by resolution of the Authority, the Chairman or his designee shall sign all contracts, deeds and other instruments made by the Authority. At each meeting, the Chairman shall submit such recommendations and information as he may consider proper concerning the business affairs and policies of the Authority.
The Vice Chairman shall perform the duties of the Chairman in the absence or incapacity of the Chairman; and in case of the resignation or death of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall perform such duties as are imposed on the Chairman until such time as the Authority shall select a new Chairman.
The Secretary shall be the Executive Director of the Authority and, as such, shall have general supervision over the administration of its business and affairs, subject to the direction of the Authority. He shall be charged with the management of the housing projects of the Authority.
The Secretary shall keep the records of the Authority, shall act as secretary of the meetings of the Authority and record all votes, shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Authority in a journal of proceedings to be kept for such purpose and shall perform all duties incident to his office. He shall keep in safe custody the Seal of the Authority and shall have power to affix such seal to all contracts and instruments authorized to be executed by the Authority.
The Secretary shall act as Treasurer of the Authority. He shall have the care and custody of all funds of the Authority and shall deposit the same in the name of the Authority in such bank or banks as the Authority may select. The Secretary shall sign all orders and checks for the payment of money and shall pay out and disburse such moneys under the direction of the Authority. Except as otherwise authorized by resolution of the Authority, all such orders and checks shall be countersigned by the Chairman. A Commissioner may be designated to countersign orders and checks on behalf of the WHA in the absence of the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The Secretary shall keep regular books of accounts showing receipts and expenditures and shall render to the Authority semiannually (or when requested by a vote of the Authority) an account of his transactions and also of the financial condition of the Authority. He shall give such bond for the faithful performance of his duties as the Authority may determine.
The compensation of the Secretary shall be determined by the Authority, provided that a temporary appointee shall serve without compensation (other than the payment of necessary expenses).
Pending the appointment of a permanent Secretary, a Secretary pro tem may be selected from among the Commissioners of the Authority. He shall have all the power and duties of a permanent Secretary.
The officers of the Authority shall perform such other duties and functions as may from time to time be required by the Authority or the bylaws or rules and regulations of the Authority.
The Chairman and Vice Chairman shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Authority from among the Commissioners of the Authority and shall hold office for one year or until their successors are elected and qualified.
The Secretary shall be appointed by the Authority. Any person appointed to fill the office of Secretary, or any vacancy therein, shall have such term as the Authority fixes, but no Commissioner of the Authority shall be eligible to this office except as a temporary appointee.
Should the offices of Chairman or Vice Chairman become vacant, the Authority shall elect a successor from its membership at the next regular meeting, and such election shall be for the unexpired term of said office. When the office of Secretary becomes vacant, the Authority shall appoint a successor, as aforesaid.
The Authority may from time to time employ such personnel as it deems necessary to exercise its powers, duties and functions as prescribed by the Housing Authorities' Law of Rhode Island and all other laws of the State of Rhode Island applicable thereto. The selection and compensation of such personnel (including the Secretary) shall be determined by the Authority subject to the laws of the State of Rhode Island.
Each Commissioner and officer of this Authority shall be indemnified by this Authority against the costs and expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of his being or having been a Commissioner or officer of this Authority, except with respect to matters as to which he shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to be liable for misconduct in the performance of his duty as such officer or Commissioner. In case of the settlement of any action, suit or proceeding in which any such Commissioner or officer of this Authority is involved by reason of his being or having been a Commissioner or officer of this Authority, he shall be indemnified by this Authority against the costs and expenses, including any amount paid in settlement by this Authority, incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding, whether or not he is a Commissioner or officer at the time of incurring such costs and expenses. It is the intent of the Authority that its Commissioners and officers shall be afforded all the indemnification subject to all of the terms set forth in R.I.G.L. § 7-6-6, as presently enacted or hereafter amended.
