15.2-7024 - Powers of the Authority.
§ 15.2-7024. Powers of the Authority.
The Authority is hereby granted all powers necessary or appropriate to carryout the purposes of this act, including the following, to:
1. Prepare a regional transit plan for all or a portion of the areas locatedwithin the jurisdictional boundaries of each member locality. The regionaltransit plan may include all or portions of those areas within the City ofCharlottesville and the County of Albemarle and shall include, but notnecessarily be limited to, transit improvements of regional significance, andthose improvements necessary or incidental thereto, and shall from time totime revise and amend the plan;
2. When a transit plan is adopted according to subdivision 1, construct oracquire, by purchase, lease, contract, or otherwise, the transit facilitiesspecified in such transit plan;
3. Make, assume, and enter into all contracts, agreements, arrangements, andleases with public or private entities as the Authority may determine, whichare necessary or incidental to the operation of its facilities or to theexecution of the powers granted by this chapter, or may operate suchfacilities itself;
4. Enter into contracts or agreements with the counties and cities embracedby the Authority, with other transit commissions of transportation districtsadjoining any county or city embraced by the Authority, with anytransportation authority, or with any state, local, private, or federalentity to provide, or cause to be provided, transit facilities and servicesto the area embraced by the Authority. Such contracts or agreements, togetherwith any agreements or leases for the operation of such facilities, may beused by the Authority to finance the construction and operation of transitfacilities and such contracts, agreements, or leases shall inure to thebenefit of any creditor of the Authority;
5. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary to:
a. Acquire land or any interest therein by purchase, lease, or gift andprovide transit facilities thereon for use in connection with any transitservice; and
b. Prepare a plan for mass transit services with persons, cities, counties,agencies, authorities, or transportation commissions and contract with anysuch person or other entity to provide necessary facilities, equipment,operations and maintenance, access, and insurance pursuant to such plan;
6. Adopt, amend or repeal bylaws, rules and regulations, not inconsistentwith this chapter or the general laws of the Commonwealth, for the regulationof its affairs and the conduct of its business and to carry into effect itspowers and purposes;
7. Adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;
8. Maintain an office at such place or places as it designates;
9. Sue and be sued;
10. Determine and set fees, rates, and charges for transit services;
11. Establish retirement, group life insurance, and group accident andsickness insurance plans or systems for its employees in the same manner aslocalities are permitted under §§ 51.1-801 and 51.1-802;
12. Provide by resolution for the issuance of revenue bonds of the Authorityfor the purpose of paying the whole or any part of the cost of operating anytransit system. Revenue bonds issued under the provisions of this chaptershall not constitute a pledge of the faith and credit of the Commonwealth orof any political subdivision. All bonds shall contain a statement on theirface substantially to the effect that neither the faith and credit of theCommonwealth nor the faith and credit of any political subdivision arepledged to the payment of the principal of or the interest on the bonds. Theissuance of revenue bonds under the provisions of this chapter shall notdirectly or indirectly or contingently obligate the Commonwealth or anypolitical subdivision to levy any taxes or to make any appropriation fortheir payment except from the funds pledged under the provisions of thischapter;
13. Appoint, employ or engage such officers, employees, architects,engineers, attorneys, accountants, financial advisors, investment bankers andother advisors, consultants, and agents as may be necessary or appropriate,and to pay compensation and fix their duties; and
14. Contract with any participating political subdivision for suchsubdivision to provide legal services, engineering services, depository andaccounting services, including an annual independent audit, procurement ofgoods and services, and to act as fiscal agent for the Authority.
(2009, c. 645.)