Source: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/authorities/virginias-region-2000-airport-authority-act/
Timestamp: 2020-01-19 10:43:41
Document Index: 106584835

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2', '§ 4', '§ 14', '§ 12', '§ 25', '§ 2', '§ 15', '§ 26']

Authority - Virginia's Region 2000 Airport Authority Act
Table of Contents » Virginia's Region 2000 Airport Authority Act
Virginia's Region 2000 Airport Authority
2007 Acts of Assembly, c. 812.
This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Virginia's Region 2000 Airport Authority Act. (2007, c. 812)
If the governing body of the City of Lynchburg and the governing bodies of one or more of the Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell by resolution declare that there is a need for an airport authority to be created for the purpose of establishing or operating an airport for such participating political subdivisions, and that they should unite in its formation, an airport authority to be known as Virginia's Region 2000 Airport Authority (the Authority) shall thereupon exist for such participating city and counties and shall exercise its powers and functions as prescribed herein. The region for which such Authority shall exist shall be coterminous with the boundaries of the participating political subdivisions.
In any suit, action, or proceeding involving the validity or enforcement of or relating to any contract of the Virginia's Region 2000 Airport Authority, such Authority shall be conclusively deemed to have been created as a body corporate and to have been established and authorized to transact business and exercise its powers hereunder upon proof of the adoption of a resolution as aforesaid by the governing bodies of such counties and city declaring that there is a need for such Authority and that they should unite in its formation. A copy of such resolution duly certified by the clerks of the counties and city by which it is adopted shall be admissible as evidence in any suit, action, or proceedings. Any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, all or part of which is located within 60 miles of an Authority facility, is authorized to join such Authority pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Act.
It is hereby declared that the ownership and operation by the Authority of modern and efficient air transportation and related facilities and the exercise of powers conferred by this Act are proper and essential governmental functions and public purposes and matters of public necessity for which public moneys may be spent and private property acquired through the power of eminent domain as hereinafter provided. It is also declared that the promotion and stimulation of industry and trade to induce the location, retention, and expansion of manufacturing, industrial, governmental, and commercial enterprises and institutions in the Authority's participating political subdivisions, and to vest the Authority with all powers that may be necessary to enable it to accomplish these purposes, are essential governmental functions and public purposes and are for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, either through the increase of their commerce or through the promotion of their safety, health, welfare, convenience, or prosperity. It is further declared that contract obligations of a city or town to provide payments over a period of more than one year to the Authority shall be excluded from existing indebtedness of such city or town for purposes of calculating debt limit pursuant to Article VII, Section 10 (a) of the Constitution of Virginia. It is further declared that the Authority is a regional entity of government by or on behalf of which debt may be contracted by or on behalf of any county pursuant to Article VII, Section 10 (b) of the Constitution of Virginia. (2007, c. 812)
"Act" means this Virginia's Region 2000 Airport Authority Act.
"Authority" means Virginia's Region 2000 Airport Authority created by this Act.
"Cost" means the cost of construction; the cost of acquisition of all lands, structures, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other property rights and interests; the cost of demolishing, removing, or relocating any buildings or structures on lands acquired, including the cost of acquiring any lands to which such buildings or structures may be moved or relocated; the cost of all labor, materials, machinery, and equipment; financing charges and interest on all bonds prior to and during construction and, if deemed advisable by the Authority, for a period not exceeding one year after completion of such construction; cost of engineering, financial and legal services, plans, specifications, studies, surveys, estimates of cost and of revenues, and other expenses necessary or incident to determining the feasibility or practicability of constructing facilities; administrative expenses, provisions for working capital, reserves for interest and for extensions, enlargements, additions, and improvements; and such other expenses as may be necessary or incident to the construction of the facilities, the financing of such construction and the placing of the facilities in operation. Any obligation or expense incurred by the Commonwealth or any agency thereof, with the approval of the Authority, for studies, surveys, borings, preparation of plans and specifications, or other work or materials in connection with the construction of the facilities may be regarded as a part of the cost of the facilities and may be reimbursed to the Commonwealth or any agency thereof out of the proceeds of the bonds issued for such facilities as hereinafter authorized.
"Facility" or "Facilities" means any and all airports, terminals, runways, hangars, loading facilities, repair shops, parking areas, facilities for the preparation of in-flight meals, restaurants and accommodations for temporary or overnight use by passengers, and other facilities functionally related to the needs or convenience of passengers, shipping companies and airlines, and any and all industrial and commercial facilities, purchased, constructed, or otherwise acquired or operated by the Authority pursuant to the provisions of this Act. Any facility may consist of or include any or all buildings or other structures, improvements, additions, extensions, replacements, machinery, or equipment, together with appurtenances, lands, rights in land, avigation rights, water rights, franchises, furnishings, landscaping, utilities, approaches, roadways, or other facilities necessary or desirable in connection therewith or incidental thereto.
"Loans" means any loans made by the Authority in furtherance of the purposes of this Act from the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Authority's bonds and from any of its revenues or other moneys available to it as provided herein.
"Lynchburg Regional Airport" means the airport facilities located south of the intersection of U.S. Route 460 and U.S. Route 29 in Campbell County, and any other facilities necessary, incidental, or convenient to the operation of such airport facilities.
"Participating political subdivision" or "Participating political subdivisions" means the City of Lynchburg and any of the Counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell that have adopted a resolution consistent with § 2 of this Act, and any other political subdivision that may join or has joined the Authority pursuant to §§ 4 and 5 of this Act.
"Political subdivision" means a county, municipality, or other public body of the Commonwealth. (2007, c. 812)
No pecuniary liability of any kind shall be imposed upon any participating political subdivision because of any act, omission, agreement, contract, tort, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance by or on the part of the Authority or any member thereof, or its agents, servants, or employees, except as otherwise provided in this Act with respect to contracts and agreements between the Authority and any other political subdivision. (2007, c. 812)
The powers of the Authority shall be vested in the directors thereof in office from time to time. The governing body of each participating political subdivision shall appoint the number of directors, as agreed by the participating political subdivisions. The governing body of each political subdivision shall be empowered to remove at any time, without cause, any director appointed by it and appoint a successor director to fill the unexpired portion of the removed director's term. Each director may be reimbursed by the Authority for the amount of actual expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties. (2007, c. 812)
The Authority shall hold regular meetings at such times and places as may be established by its bylaws. Special meetings of the Authority may be called by any director or the executive director upon at least 48-hours' written notice to each director served personally or left at his usual place of business or residence.
The Board of Directors may make and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, not inconsistent with this Act, governing the manner in which the Authority's business may be transacted and in which the power granted to it may be enjoyed. The Board of Directors may appoint such committees as the board may deem advisable and fix the duties and responsibilities of such committees. (2007, c. 812)
9. To apply for and accept gifts, or grants of money or gifts, grants or loans of other property, or other financial assistance from the United States of America and agencies and instrumentalities thereof, the Commonwealth and political subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities thereof, or any other person or entity, for or in aid of the construction, acquisition, ownership, operation, maintenance, or repair of the Authority's facilities or for the payment of principal of any indebtedness of the Authority, interest thereon or other cost incident thereto, or in order to make loans in furtherance of the purposes of this Act of such money, contributions, grants, and other financial assistance, and to this end the Authority shall have the power to render such services, comply with such conditions, and execute such agreements and legal instruments as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable or imposed as a condition to such financial aid;
13. To contract with a participating political subdivision for such subdivision to provide legal services, engineering services, depository and investment services contemplated by § 14, accounting services, including the annual independent audit required by § 12, procurement of goods and services, and to act as fiscal agent for the Authority. In the event of a contract for a participating political subdivision to act as fiscal agent, the Authority's employees shall be compensated, shall receive the same benefits, including pensions, and shall be subject to the personnel rules of said subdivision;
21. To purchase and maintain insurance or to provide indemnification on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee, or agent of the Authority against any liability asserted against him or incurred by him in any such capacity or arising out of his status as such;
22. To make loans or grants to any person, partnership, association, corporation, business, or governmental entity in furtherance of the purposes of this Act, including for the purposes of promoting economic development, provided that such loans or grants shall be made only from revenues of the Authority that have not been pledged or assigned for the payment of any of the Authority's bonds, and to enter into such contracts, instruments, and agreements as may be expedient to provide for such loans and any security therefor. The Authority may forgive loans or other obligations if it is deemed to further economic development. The word "revenues" as used in this subdivision includes contributions, grants, and other financial assistance, as set out in subdivision 9; and
The grant of regulatory authority by this Act, including regulations that displace, eliminate, or limit competition by or among persons or entities, is based on the policy of the Commonwealth to provide for the safe, adequate, economical, and efficient provision of air transportation and related facilities and services to the public. (2007, c. 812)
The name of the airport operated by the Authority within the boundaries of Campbell County shall be Lynchburg Regional Airport. The name of the airport may be changed upon approval of the majority of the governing bodies of the participating political subdivisions. (2007, c. 812)
The Authority's rules and regulations relating to (i) traffic, including but not limited to motor vehicle moving violations and the location of and payment of public parking; (ii) access to Authority facilities, including but not limited to solicitation, handbilling, and picketing; and (iii) aircraft operation and maintenance shall have the force of law, as shall any other rule or regulation of the Authority which shall contain a determination by the Authority that it is necessary to accord the same force and effect of law in the interest of the public safety. All ordinances, rules, and regulations duly adopted for the regulation, administration, and operation of Lynchburg Regional Airport, in force at the effective date of this Act, shall remain in full force insofar as they or any part thereof are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act until amended or repealed in accordance with this Act. (2007, c. 812)
For the purpose of enforcing such statutes, ordinances, rules, and regulations, the court or courts having jurisdiction for the trial of criminal offenses of the participating political subdivision wherein the offense was committed shall have jurisdiction to try a person charged with the violation of any such statutes, ordinances, rules, or regulations. (2007, c. 812)
In the exercise of its eminent domain powers, the Authority shall have the right to inspect property as provided in § 25.1-203 of the Code of Virginia. (2007, c. 812)
The Authority shall keep minutes of its proceedings, which minutes shall be open to public inspection during normal business hours. It shall keep suitable records of all its financial transactions and shall arrange to have the same audited annually by an independent certified public accountant. Copies of each such audit shall be furnished to each participating political subdivision and shall be open to public inspection. (2007, c. 812)
All contracts that the Authority may let for construction or materials shall be subject to the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). This section shall not apply to contracts relating to the construction of facilities by tenants on land leased from the Authority or to the construction of facilities not owned by the Authority but for which the Authority is providing financial assistance through the issuance of its bonds to finance all or a portion of such construction. (2007, c. 812)
Funds of the Authority not needed for immediate use or disbursement may, subject to the provisions of any contract between the Authority and the holders of its bonds, be invested in securities which are considered lawful investments for fiduciaries. (2007, c. 812)
Prior to the preparation of definitive bonds, the Authority may, under like restrictions, issue interim receipts or temporary bonds, with or without coupons, exchangeable for definitive bonds when such bonds shall have been executed and are available for delivery. (2007, c. 812)
In connection with or incidental to any of these contracts or arrangements, the Authority may enter into credit enhancement or liquidity agreements with such terms and conditions as it shall determine. (2007, c. 812)
The fees, rents, and other charges received by the Authority, except such part thereof as may be necessary to pay the cost of maintenance, repair, and operation and to provide such reserves therefor as may be provided for in any resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or in any trust indenture or agreement securing the same, shall to the extent necessary, be set aside at such regular intervals as may be provided in any such resolution or trust indenture or agreement in a sinking fund or sinking funds pledged to, and charged with, the payment and the interest on such bonds as the same shall become due, and the redemption price or the purchase price of such bonds retired by call or purchase as therein provided. Such pledge shall be valid and binding from the time when the pledge is made. So long as any of its bonds are outstanding, the fees, rents, and charges so pledged and thereafter received by the Authority shall immediately be subject to the lien of such pledge without any physical delivery thereof or further act, and the lien of any such pledge shall be valid and binding as against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the Authority irrespective of whether such parties have notice thereof. Neither the resolution nor any trust indenture by which a pledge is created need be filed or recorded except in the records of the Authority. The use and disposition of moneys to the credit of any such sinking fund shall be subject to the provisions of the resolution authorizing the issuance of such bonds or of such trust indenture or agreement. (2007, c. 812)
The bonds of the Authority shall not be a debt of the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, other than the Authority, and neither the Commonwealth nor any political subdivision thereof, other than the Authority, shall be liable thereon, nor shall such bonds be payable out of any funds or properties other than those of the Authority. All bonds of the Authority shall contain on the face thereof a statement to such effect. The bonds shall not constitute indebtedness within the meaning of any debt limitation or restriction. (2007, c. 812)
Neither the Board of Directors nor any person executing the bonds shall be liable personally on the Authority's bonds by reasons of the issuance thereof. (2007, c. 812)
Any resolution authorizing the issuance of the Authority's bonds or trust indenture or agreement securing the same may limit or abrogate the individual right of action by the holders of such bonds or coupons appertaining thereto. (2007, c. 812)
The exercise of the powers granted by this Act shall in all respects be presumed to be for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Commonwealth, for the increase of their commerce, and for the promotion of their health, safety, welfare, convenience, and prosperity, and as the operation and maintenance of any project which the Authority is authorized to undertake will constitute the performance of an essential governmental function, the Authority shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments upon any facilities acquired and constructed by it under the provisions of this Act, and the bonds issued under the provisions of this Act, their transfer and the income therefrom, including any profit made on the sale thereof, shall at all times be free and exempt from taxation by the Commonwealth and by any political subdivision thereof. Persons, firms, partnerships, associations, corporations, and organizations leasing property of the Authority or doing business on property of the Authority shall be subject to and liable for payment of all applicable taxes of the political subdivision in which such leased property lies or in which business is conducted, including, but not limited to, any leasehold tax on real property and taxes on tangible personal property and machinery and tools, taxes for admission, taxes on hotel and motel rooms, taxes on the sale of tobacco products, taxes on the sale of meals and beverages, privilege taxes and local general retail sales and use taxes, taxes to be paid on licenses in respect to any business, profession, vocation, or calling, and taxes upon consumers of gas, electricity, telephone, and other public utility services. (2007, c. 812)
Bonds issued by the Authority under the provisions of this Act are hereby made securities in which all public officers and public bodies of the Commonwealth and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, trust companies, banking associations, investment companies, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. Such bonds are hereby made securities which may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any state or municipal officer or any agency or political subdivision of the Commonwealth for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds or obligations is now or may hereafter be authorized by law. (2007, c. 812)
Any participating political subdivision, or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth all or a part of which is located within 60 miles of an Authority facility, is authorized to provide services, to donate real or personal property, and to make appropriations to the Authority for the acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of the Authority's facilities. Any such political subdivision is hereby authorized to issue its bonds, including general obligation bonds, in the manner provided in the Public Finance Act (§ 15.2-2600 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) or in any applicable municipal charter for the purpose of providing funds to be appropriated to the Authority, and such political subdivision may enter into contracts obligating such bond proceeds to the Authority.
The Authority may agree to assume, or reimburse a participating political subdivision for, any indebtedness incurred by such participating political subdivision with respect to facilities conveyed by it to the Authority. With the consent of the governing body of the participating political subdivision, any such agreement may be made subordinate to the Authority's indebtedness to others. (2007, c. 812)
B. The Authority shall annually prepare its budget as agreed to by the participating jurisdictions. (2007, c. 812)
The Authority is authorized to enter into contracts with any one or more political subdivisions, which contracts may restrict the powers of the Authority otherwise granted by this Act. Any participating political subdivision, or other political subdivision of the Commonwealth all or part of which is located within 60 miles of an Authority facility, is authorized to enter into contracts with the Authority, pursuant to which the Authority undertakes to provide the facilities and render the services specified therein. Any such contract or agreement may provide that the political subdivision will make payments to the Authority based on the services rendered by the Authority to the residents of such political subdivision, determined in such reasonable manner as the Authority and the political subdivision may mutually agree. Each political subdivision entering into such a service contract with the Authority is authorized to do everything necessary or proper to carry out and perform such contract and to provide for the payment or discharge of any obligation thereunder by the same means and in the same manner as any other of its obligations. (2007, c. 812)
§ 26. Withdrawal of participating jurisdiction.
Whenever it shall appear beneficial to the Authority a participating jurisdiction may request to withdraw from the Authority subject to approval of the remaining political jurisdictions by resolution of the governing bodies. In the event a jurisdiction withdraws from the Authority, that jurisdiction shall be responsible for any outstanding obligations previously agreed to and shall not be entitled to any benefit of the assets of the Authority. (2007, c. 812)
Each participating political subdivision and all holders of the Authority's bonds shall be made parties to any such proceeding and shall be given notice as provided by law. Any party defendant may reply to such petition at any time within six months after the filing of the petition. From the final judgment of the court, an appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court of Virginia. (2007, c. 812)
The Commonwealth and, by participating in the Authority, each participating political subdivision pledge to and agree with the holders of any bonds issued by the Authority that neither the Commonwealth nor any participating political subdivision will limit or alter the rights hereunder vested in the Authority to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with said holders or in any way impair the rights and remedies of said holders until such bonds are fully met and discharged. The Authority is authorized to include this pledge and agreement in any contract with the holders of the Authority's bonds. (2007, c. 812)
Neither this Act nor anything herein contained is or shall be construed as a restriction or limitation upon any powers which the Authority might otherwise have under any laws of the Commonwealth, and this Act is cumulative to any such powers. This Act does and shall be construed to provide a complete, additional, and alternative method for the doing of the things authorized hereby and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to powers conferred by other laws. However, the issuance of bonds under the provisions of this Act need not comply with the requirements of any other law applicable to the issuance of bonds, notes, or other obligations. No proceedings, notice, or approval shall be required for the issuance of any bonds or any instrument as security therefor, except as is expressly provided in this Act. The provisions of this Act are severable, and if any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court shall not affect or impair any of the other provisions of this Act. (2007, c. 812)
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt the Authority's property from any applicable zoning, subdivision, erosion and sediment control, and fire prevention codes or from building regulations of a political subdivision in which such property is located. Nor shall anything herein contained exempt the property of the Authority from any service charge authorized by the General Assembly pursuant to Article X, Section 6 (g) of the Constitution of Virginia, or exempt any lessee of any of the Authority's property from any tax imposed upon his leasehold interest in such property or upon the receipts derived therefrom. (2007, c. 812)
No provisions of this Act shall relieve, impair or affect any right, duty, liability, or obligation arising out of any contract, concession, lease, or franchise now in existence except to the extent that such contract, concession, lease, or franchise may permit. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the Authority may renegotiate, renew, extend the term of, or otherwise modify at any time any contract, concession, lease, or franchise now in existence in such manner and on such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate, provided that the operator of or under any said contract, concession, lease, or franchise consents to said renegotiation, renewal, extension, or modification. (2007, c. 812)