A.  Creation.  The Seventh Ward Neighborhood Development District, hereinafter referred to as the “district”, is hereby constituted as a political subdivision of the state.

B.  Boundaries.  The boundaries of the district shall be coterminous with the boundaries of the Seventh Ward of Orleans Parish.

C.  Purpose.  The district is established for the primary object and purpose of promoting, encouraging, and participating in activities of providing neighborhood assistance, job training, education for individuals, youth development, community services, community development, or crime prevention within the district.

D.  Governance.  (1) The district shall be governed by a board of directors hereinafter referred to as the “board”.  The members of the board shall be appointed as follows:

(a)  Five members selected by the Seventh Ward Community Services Corporation.

(b)  Two persons selected by the state representative for House of Representatives District No. 96.

(c)  Two persons selected by the state representative for House of Representatives District No. 97.

(d)  Four persons selected by the state senator for Senate District No. 4.

(2)  A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.

(3)  Members shall serve two-year terms and may be reappointed.  An appointed member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed.

(4)  Members shall serve without compensation.

(5)  The board shall elect such officers as are deemed necessary who shall perform the duties customarily performed by such officers as provided in the rules adopted by the board.

(6)  A majority of the members of the board shall constitute a quorum.  A quorum is necessary to conduct any board action.

E.  Powers and duties.  The district, acting by and through its board, shall have and exercise all powers of a political subdivision necessary or convenient for the carrying out of its objects and purposes, including but not limited to rights and powers set out in this Subpart:

(1)  To sue and be sued.

(2)  To adopt, use, and alter at will a corporate seal.

(3)  To acquire by gift, grant, purchase, lease, or otherwise, all property, including servitudes or rights of way; to hold and use any franchise or property, immovable, movable, or mixed, corporeal or incorporeal, or any interest therein, necessary or desirable for carrying out the objectives and purposes of the district.

(4)  To receive by gift, grant, donation, or otherwise any sum of money, or property, aid, or assistance from the United States, the state of Louisiana, or any political subdivision thereof, or any person, firm, or corporation.

(5)  To enter into contracts for the purchase, acquisition, construction, maintenance, and improvement of works and facilities necessary in connection with the purposes of the district.

(6)  To mortgage properties constructed or acquired and to borrow money and pledge all or part of its revenues, leases, rents, or other advantages as security for such loans.

(7)  To sell immovable property owned by the district as provided by law.

(8)  To appoint officers, agents, and employees, prescribe their duties, and fix their compensation.

(9)  To contract, upon such terms as it may agree upon, for legal, financial, engineering, and other professional services necessary or expedient in the conduct of its affairs.

(10)  To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct for its business.

(11)  To do any and all things necessary or proper for the government, regulation, development, and control of the business of the board.

F.  Miscellaneous provisions.  (1)  The district and all properties at any time owned by the district and the income therefrom shall be exempt from all taxation by the state.

(2)  The financial records of the district shall be audited pursuant to the provisions of La. Rev. Stat. 24:513.

(3)  As used in this Subpart, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context requires otherwise:

(i)  “Community services” means any type of counseling and advice, emergency assistance, or medical care furnished to individuals or groups within the district.

(ii)  “Crime prevention” means any activity which aids in the reduction of crime in the district.

(iii)  “Education” means any type of scholastic instruction or scholarship assistance to any individual who resides in the district that enables him to prepare himself for better opportunities.

(iv)  “Job training” means any type of instruction to an individual who resides within the district that enables him to acquire vocational skills so that he can become employable or be able to seek a higher grade of employment.

(v)  “Neighborhood assistance” means furnishing financial assistance, labor, material, or technical advice to aid in the physical improvement or rehabilitation of any part or all of the district.

Acts 1992, No. 1125, §1, eff. July 15, 1992; Acts 1999, No. 1078, §2; Acts 1999, No. 1233, §1.