§ 1973. Battery park city authority. (1) There is hereby created the battery park city authority which shall be a body corporate and politic, constituting a public benefit corporation. Its membership shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. One of the members first appointed shall serve for a term ending four years from January first next succeeding his appointment; one of such members shall serve for a term ending five years from such date; and one of such members shall serve for a term ending six years from such date. Provided, however, that two board members first appointed on or after the effective date of chapter seven hundred sixty-six of the laws of two thousand five shall serve an initial term of two years; provided further that two other board members first appointed on or after the effective date of chapter seven hundred sixty-six of the laws of two thousand five shall serve an initial term of four years. Their successors shall serve for terms of six years each. Members shall continue in office until their successors have been appointed and qualified and the provisions of § 39 of the public officers law shall apply. In the event of a vacancy occurring in the office of a member by death, resignation or otherwise, the governor shall appoint a successor with the advice and consent of the senate to serve for the balance of the unexpired term. After the effective date of the chapter of the laws of two thousand seventeen that amended this subdivision, if the membership of the corporation is such that less than two of the members are residents of Battery Park city as described by the Battery Park project area defined by subdivision five of section nineteen hundred seventy-two of this title, any appointments made shall be residents of Battery Park city. Appointments shall continue in such a manner until two of the members of the corporation are residents of Battery Park city. Thereafter, two of the corporation's members shall be residents of Battery Park city.

(1-a) All board members shall recuse themselves from matters pending before the board in the event of a conflict of interest, consistent with the provisions of subdivision three of this section and subdivision two of section twenty-eight hundred twenty-five of this chapter, sections seventy-three and seventy-four of the public officers law, and relevant authorities budget office guidance.

(1-b) All board members appointed under the provisions of this section shall have relevant real estate, corporate board, financial, legal, urban planning and/or design, architectural, governmental or security experience.

(2) The members shall elect the chairman of the authority from among their number. The members shall serve without salary or other compensation, but each member shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his or her official duties. Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, any member who serves as an employee of the authority shall be entitled to receive such salary as the members may determine for services as such employee.

(3) Such members other than those serving as employees of the authority may engage in private employment, or in a profession or business. The authority, its members, officers and employees shall be subject to the provisions of sections seventy-three and seventy-four of the public officers law.

(4) Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, general, special or local, no officer of the state or of any civil division thereof shall be deemed to have forfeited or shall forfeit his office or employment by reason of his acceptance of membership on the authority created by this section.

(5) The governor may remove any member for inefficiency, neglect of duty or misconduct in office after giving him a copy of the charges against him and an opportunity to be heard, in person or by counsel, in his defense, upon not less than ten days notice. If any such member shall be removed, the governor shall file in the office of the department of state a complete statement of the charges made against such member and his findings thereon, together with a complete record of the proceedings.

(6) The authority in its corporate existence shall continue until terminated by law, provided, however, that no such law shall take effect so long as the authority shall have bonds, notes and other obligations outstanding, unless adequate provision has been made for the payment thereof in the documents securing the same. Upon termination of the existence of the authority, all its rights and properties shall vest in the state.

(7) A majority of the members of the authority shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power or function of the authority. The authority may delegate to one or more of its members, or to its officers, agents or employees, such powers and duties as it may deem proper.