A.  The Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, hereinafter the “commission”, is hereby created to be a body politic and corporate and a political subdivision of the state with all of the powers of a political subdivision and with such further powers and functions as are set forth in this Section.  The commission is created for the purpose of the planning and development of the Natchitoches Historic District, a national landmark, hereinafter the “district”, as such district is created and its area described in Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Natchitoches.

B.  The commission shall direct the production and maintenance of a master plan for the development of the district, which plan shall specifically provide for the development of tourism and maintenance of the historic integrity of the district.  The commission shall adopt an initial plan no later than February 1, 1999.  Prior to the adoption of any such plan, there shall have been a thirty-day period for public review of the plan as finally proposed for adoption, which review period shall culminate in the commission’s holding at least one public hearing on the plan.

C.  If, on July 1, 1999, no contract has been awarded by the city of Natchitoches for the construction of the Natchitoches Convention Center, then the commission may select a site for construction of the center.  The selection of the site for the Natchitoches Convention Center by the commission shall not be construed to impede or abrogate the city of Natchitoches’ solicitation of the state for funding for the construction of the center.

D.  The commission may:

(1)  Receive grants, donations, funds, or other resources from any source, including proceeds from the sale of services.

(2)  Acquire property, including rights-of-way; and hold and use any franchise or property, immovable, movable, or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein, necessary or desirable for carrying out the purposes of the commission.

(3)  Issue bonds for the purposes set forth in this Section, which bonds may be payable from any of the commission’s resources including a pledge and dedication of the amounts of tax proceeds in the Natchitoches Historic District Development Fund.

(4)  Enter into contracts including those for purchase, construction, and improvement of works and facilities necessary in connection with the planning and development of the district.

(5)  Sell or lease property owned by it when such property is no longer needed for public purposes.

(6)  Appoint agents or employees, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.

(7)  Adopt such rules for the transaction of its business as it deems necessary.

(8)  Adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.

(9)  Provide matching grants for the restoration or improvement of private properties located within the district, when such restoration or improvement is determined by the commission to be consistent with the master plan for the development of the district.

E.  The commission is prohibited from levying taxes and expropriating property.

F.  The commission shall be comprised of the following sixteen members:

(1)  The chairman of the Historic Business Association.

(2)  The chairman of the Natchitoches Historic District Commission.

(3)  The chairman of the National Heritage Area Commission District.

(4)  The mayor of the city of Natchitoches or his designee.

(5)  The chairman of the Natchitoches Chamber of Commerce or his designee.

(6)  The chairman of the Natchitoches Tourist Commission or his designee.

(7)  The state senator from District 31 or his designee.

(8)  The state representative from District 23 or his designee.

(9)  The president of the Natchitoches Parish Police Jury or his designee.

(10)  The president of Northwestern State University or his designee.

(11)  The chairman of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches or his designee.

(12)  The chairman of the Natchitoches Historic Foundation, Inc. or his designee.

(13)  The chairman of the Cane River Waterway Commission or his designee.

(14)  The chairman of Museum Contents, Inc. or his designee.

(15)  The president of the Natchitoches Parish Voters and Civic League or his designee.

(16)  The chairman of the Main Street Association or his designee.

G.  Commission members shall serve without pay or per diem.  Members may receive reimbursement for pre-approved travel expenses; however, in no case shall such travel expense allowances exceed those established under Chapter 17* of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

H.  The commission shall convene its first meeting no later than July 1, 1998, and thereafter shall meet monthly or as is determined appropriate by either the commission chairman or by written request of a majority of the commission members.  The mayor of the city of Natchitoches shall notify all commission members of the date, time, and place of the first meeting.  At the first commission meeting, the members shall by majority vote elect a chairman, who shall serve in such capacity for a term of two years.  Members holding the position of chairman shall be limited to one term in such office.  A vacancy in the office of chairman shall be filled by majority vote of  the members.  Meetings of the commission shall be open to the public, pursuant to the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 42:11 et seq.  The commission shall keep a record of its resolutions, transactions, studies, and findings, which record shall be public record.

I.  Monies received by the commission from the Natchitoches Historic District Development Fund pursuant to La. Rev. Stat. 47:302.10, 322.13, and 332.5 shall be used for the planning and development of the district and for administration and operation of the commission.

J.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, neither the authority of the commission created by this Section nor the exercise of such authority shall in any way supersede, limit, or otherwise interfere with the authority of the Natchitoches Historic District Commission as the latter is established by Chapter 16 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Natchitoches.

Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 154, §1, eff. May 7, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 937, §1, eff. July 9, 1999.

*As appears in enrolled bill.

NOTE:  See Acts 1998, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 154, §2 (La. Rev. Stat. 47:302.10, 322.13, and 332.5) and §3, eff. July 1, 1998.