[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Waterloo 11-1-2007 by Ord. No.
2007-21. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to § 66.1335, Wis. Stats., there is hereby
created a community development authority to be known as the "Community
Development Authority of the City of Waterloo (CDA)." The CDA shall
be deemed a separate body corporate and politic authorized to transact
business and exercise any and all powers granted to a CDA under the
Community Development Authority Law as amended from time to time for
the purpose of carrying out blight elimination, slum clearance, urban
renewal programs and projects and housing projects.
[Amended 5-16-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
A.
Composition. The CDA shall consist of seven resident persons having
sufficient ability and experience in the fields of urban renewal,
community development and housing. These persons shall serve as Commissioners
of the CDA.
B.
Appointment. The Commissioners shall be appointed by the Mayor with
the confirmation of the Common Council. Three of the Commissioners
shall be members of the Common Council with an appointed chair who
reports to the City Council, and shall serve during their term of
office as board members. The first appointments of the four non-board
members shall be for the following terms: one for one year and one
each for the terms of two, three and four years. Thereafter, the terms
of non-board members shall be four years and until their successors
are appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired
term as provided for in this subsection.
C.
Officers. The CDA shall annually elect a Chairperson from among the
Commissioners. The Council Chair shall serve as the vice chairperson.
The City Planning Commission shall assist in performing the duties
required by the CDA.
D.
Compensation. The Commissioners shall receive no compensation for
their services, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for their actual
necessary expenses, including local travel expenses included in the
discharge of their duties.
E.
Meetings, quorum and bylaws. All meetings of the CDA shall be held
in compliance with the provisions of the Open Meeting Laws of the
State of Wisconsin. Four Commissioners shall constitute a quorum for
the purpose of conducting its business and exercising its powers and
for all other purposes. Action may be taken by the CDA upon the affirmative
vote of a majority of the Commissioners present at any meeting at
which a quorum is present. The CDA may adopt and from time to time
amend or repeal such bylaws or other rules or regulations not inconsistent
with the applicable laws of this state and of this chapter, as it
deems necessary in the performance and function of its duties; provided
Common Council approval of such actions is first obtained.
The CDA shall have all powers, duties and functions set out
in §§ 66.1201 and 66.1333, Wis. Stats., for housing
and redevelopment authorities, and as to all housing projects initiated
by the CDA it shall proceed under § 66.1201, Wis. Stats.,
and as to all projects relating to blight elimination, slum clearance,
urban renewal and redevelopment programs it shall proceed under §§ 66.1301
to 66.1327, 66.1331, 66.1333, 66.1337 or 66.1105, Wis. Stats., as
determined appropriate by the Common Council on a project-by-project
basis. As to all community development programs and activities undertaken
by the City under the Federal Housing and Community Development Act
of 1974, the CDA shall proceed under all applicable laws and ordinances
not inconsistent with the laws of this state. In addition, the CDA
may act as agent of the City to perform all acts, except the development
of the general plan of the City, which may otherwise be performed
by the Plan Commission under §§ 66.1301 to 66.1327,
66.1331, 66.1333 and 66.1337 or 66.1105, Wis. Stats. In addition to
all other powers, duties and functions, the CDA shall have such other
powers, duties and functions related to community development as are
conferred upon the Authority by the Common Council from time to time.
A certified copy of this chapter shall be filed with the City
Clerk and shall be prima facie evidence of the CDA's right to
transact business, and such chapter shall not be subject to challenge
because of any technicality. In any suit, action or proceeding commenced
against the CDA, a certified copy of such chapter shall be deemed
conclusive evidence that the CDA is established and authorized to
transact business and exercise its powers hereunder and pursuant to
§ 66.1335, Wis. Stats.
All powers, duties and functions of a housing and community
development authority, as set forth in § 66.1335, Wis. Stats.,
are deemed to have been granted to the CDA as though set forth in
this chapter, except as to those powers, duties and functions which
are subject to further authorization and direction of the Common Council,
as set forth herein. This chapter and the powers granted hereunder
shall be construed liberally to effectuate its purpose.
[Amended 5-16-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-03]
This chapter is enacted pursuant to § 66.1335, Wis.
Stats. Insofar as this chapter may be inconsistent with§ 66.1335,
Wis. Stats., the statute shall control. In addition to its statutory
powers, the authority is further authorized, within the limits of
the funds available for such purposes, to:
A.
Call upon any department, board, commission or agency of the City
for assistance and cooperation in the performance of the authority's
duties and functions, and all City departments, boards, commissions
and agencies are hereby authorized and directed to cooperate with
and furnish assistance to the authority in the performance of the
authority's duties and functions.
B.
Work with business, education, government, labor and citizens to:
(1)
Retain and expand existing business and commercial enterprises within
the City.
(2)
Recruit new businesses and encourage the expansion and diversification
of business and commercial enterprises within the City to expand local
employment opportunities and the tax base.
(3)
Foster and facilitate economic development activities through cooperative
efforts with area organizations, adjoining municipalities, the county,
and the state.
(4)
Assist new and existing businesses through programs and resources
which facilitate quality growth and development within the City.
(5)
Publicize and promote the business, employment, residential, educational,
and recreational opportunities available in the City.
(6)
Foster, develop, and enhance a sense of community, a positive community
image, and civic pride.
C.
To identify itself as the community and economic development authority
in anything other than contracts, resolutions, and financial reports.
D.
The authority has the power to purchase and sell property with consent
of the City Council. With consent, the chair, or the chair's
designee, shall have the powers to sign all documents required for
purchase and sale of such property.
E.
The authority in consultation with the City Plan Commission and other
appropriate bodies and staff, shall:
(1)
Prepare and periodically update an economic development plan and
development strategy for use by the Mayor and Common Council. In formulating
said plan, the authority shall monitor and evaluate economic conditions
in the City, identify economic problem areas, and prioritize any economic
problems identified.
(2)
Consider alternative approaches to improving economic deficiencies
in the City in problem areas identified.
(3)
Recommend specific programs and projects to allocate available City
resources among the elements of the City's economic development
effort.
(4)
Recommend items for inclusion in the annual City budget to implement
the development strategy adopted by the Common Council.
F.
The authority, together with the Clerk/Treasurer, or the Mayor's
designee, shall prepare an annual budget which shall be submitted
as part of the general budget process, subject to Common Council approval.
The budget shall include estimated revenues and expenses for ongoing
and contemplated projects involving any governmental funds directly
tied to the authority, any governmental tax incremental finance district
fund and all other projects and programs over which the authority
has direct responsibility along with other ordinary and necessary
expenses.
G.
The CDA shall also prepare and file with the Mayor and Common Council
a report of its activity for the preceding calendar year on or before
August 1 of the following year.
If any provision of this chapter is invalid or unconstitutional
or if the application of this chapter to any person or circumstance
is invalid or unconstitutional, such invalidity or unconstitutionality
shall not affect the other provisions or applications of this chapter
which can be given effect without the invalid or unconstitutional
provisions or applications.
This chapter shall take effect and be in force from and after
its passage and publication.
