HB 1555, Engrossed 1 2003
1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to the West Palm Beach Downtown
3	Development Authority, Palm Beach County; codifying the
4	district’s charter, chapters 67-2170, 77-664, 83-534, 84-
5	540, 90-460, and 93-381, Laws of Florida; providing
6	legislative intent; amending, codifying, and reenacting
7	all special acts relating to the West Palm Beach Downtown
8	Development Authority as a single act; repealing all prior
9	special acts related to the authority; providing an
10	effective date.
11
12	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
13
14	Section 1. Pursuant to section 189.429, Florida Statutes,
15	this act constitutes the codification of all special acts
16	relating to the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority,
17	an independent special district. It is the intent of the
18	Legislature in enacting this law to provide a single,
19	comprehensive special act charter for the West Palm Beach
20	Downtown Development Authority including all current legislative
21	authority granted to the West Palm Beach Downtown Development
22	Authority by its several legislative enactments and any
23	additional authority granted by this act. It is further the
24	intent of this act to preserve all authority of the West Palm
25	Beach Downtown Development Authority.
26	Section 2. Chapters 67-2170, 77-664, 83-534, 84-540, 90-
27	460, and 93-381, Laws of Florida, are amended, codified,
28	reenacted, and repealed as herein provided.
29	Section 3. The charter for the West Palm Beach Downtown
30	Development Authority is re-created and reenacted to read:
31	Section 1. Short title.--This Act shall be known and may
32	be cited as the “West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority
33	Act.”
34	Section 2. Definitions and rules of construction.--Unless
35	qualified in the text the following definitions and rules of
36	construction shall apply hereto:
37	(a) “Authority” means the West Palm Beach Downtown
38	Development Authority, hereby created, and any successor to its
39	functions, authority, rights, and obligations.
40	(b) “City” and “West Palm Beach” mean the City of West
41	Palm Beach, Florida.
42	(c) “City Commission” means the West Palm Beach City
43	Commission and any succeeding governing body of the City.
44	(d) “Downtown” and “Downtown area” mean the area herein
45	described and to which this Act primarily relates, including the
46	central business district and its environs.
47	(e) “Herein,” hereby,” “hereof,” and similar compounds
48	refer to the entire act.
49	(f) “Including” shall be construed as merely introducing
50	illustrative examples and not as limiting in any way the
51	generality of the inclusive term.
52	(g) “Majority” without qualification means a majority of a
53	quorum.
54	(h) “State” means the State of Florida.
55	(i) “Mayor” means the Mayor of the City of West Palm
56	Beach.
57	Section 3. Downtown area description.--The Downtown area
58	includes all lands lying within boundaries described as:
59
60	A parcel of land lying within the limits of the City
61	of West Palm Beach, Florida, being more particularly
62	described as follows:
63	BEGINNING at a point formed by the intersection of the
64	centerline of the Intracoastal Waterway channel in
65	Lake Worth and the Easterly extension of the
66	centerline of Okeechobee Boulevard; thence from said
67	POINT OF BEGINNING Westerly along said centerline of
68	Okeechobee Boulevard to its intersection with the
69	centerline of South Dixie Highway, as shown on
70	PHILLIPS POINT ADDITION OF WEST PALM BEACH, as
71	recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 52, Public Records of
72	Palm Beach County, Florida; thence Northerly along
73	the centerline of South Dixie Highway to its
74	intersection with the centerline of Hibiscus Street,
75	as shown on POTTER ADDITION to West Palm Beach, as
76	recorded in Plat Book 2, Page 42, Public Records of
77	Palm Beach County, Florida; thence Westerly along the
78	centerline of Hibiscus Street to its intersection with
79	the main line track of the Florida East Coast
80	Railroad; thence Northerly along the centerline of
81	the main line track of the Florida East Coast Railroad
82	to its intersection with a 14 foot alley, lying North
83	of and adjacent to Block 62, Plat of MODEL LAND
84	COMPANY ADDITION, as recorded in Plat Book 1, Page
85	106, Public Records of Palm Beach County, Florida;
86	thence Westerly along said centerline of the 14 foot
87	alley, to its intersection with the centerline of
88	Georgia Avenue, as shown on HIGHLAND PARK LAND COMPANY
89	ADDITION, as same as recorded in Plat Book 1, Page
90	122, Public Records of Palm Beach County, Florida;
91	thence Southerly along the centerline of Georgia
92	Avenue to its intersection with the centerline of Iris
93	Street; thence Westerly along the centerline of Iris
94	Street, to a point 62.00 feet West of the West line of
95	Lot 9, Block 75, said HIGHLAND PARK LAND COMPANY
96	ADDITION; thence Southerly along the line parallel to
97	and 62.00 feet West of as measured at right angles to
98	the West line of said Lot 9, Block 75, to its
99	intersection with the centerline of an existing paved
100	road, lying East of the location of the existing
101	Connie Mack Ballfield, said existing paved road being
102	the Northerly extension of Lake Avenue; thence
103	Southerly along the centerline of said Lake Avenue, to
104	its intersection with the centerline of Jasmine
105	Street, as same as shown on said HIGHLAND PARK LAND
106	COMPANY ADDITION; thence Southerly along the
107	centerline of said Lake Avenue to its intersection
108	with the centerline of Okeechobee Boulevard, said
109	centerline also being the South line of Section 21,
110	Township 43 South, Range 43 East, Palm Beach County,
111	Florida; thence Westerly along said centerline of
112	Okeechobee Boulevard to its intersection with the
113	centerline of the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad main
114	line track; thence Northerly along the centerline of
115	said Seaboard Coast Line Railroad to its intersection
116	with the Easterly extension of the South line of a
117	commercial Tract “A”, as shown on CLEARWATER PARK, as
118	recorded in Plat Book 33, Pages 120 and 121, Public
119	Records of Palm Beach County, Florida; thence from
120	said point of intersection, Southwesterly to a point
121	formed by the intersection of the centerline of the
122	existing Australian Avenue and the centerline of
123	Okeechobee Boulevard; thence from said point of
124	intersection, continue Northerly and Northwesterly
125	along the centerline of Australian Avenue, as shown on
126	the Plats of said CLEARWATER PARK and CLEARLAKE PARK,
127	as same as recorded in Plat Book 30, Pages 149 and
128	150, to its intersection with the centerline of First
129	Street, as shown on said Plat of CLEARLAKE PARK;
130	thence easterly along the centerline of said First
131	Street, to its intersection with the centerline of the
132	Seaboard Coast Line Railroad main line track; thence
133	Northerly along the centerline of said Seaboard Coast
134	Line Railroad main line track to its intersection with
135	the centerline of the Florida East Coast spur track,
136	as shown on the PLAT OF THE ORIGINAL TOWN SITE OF WEST
137	PALM BEACH, recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 2, Public
138	Records of Palm Beach County, Florida; thence
139	Easterly along the centerline of said Florida East
140	Coast Railroad spur track, to its intersection with
141	the centerline of Rosemary Avenue; thence Northerly
142	along the centerline of Rosemary Avenue, to its
143	intersection with the centerline of Third Street;
144	thence Easterly along the centerline of Third Street
145	to its intersection with the centerline of the Florida
146	East Coast main line track; thence Northerly along
147	the centerline of the Florida East Coast Railroad main
148	line track, to its intersection with the centerline of
149	Seventh Street; thence Easterly along the centerline
150	of Seventh Street to its intersection with the
151	centerline of North Railroad Avenue, as shown on
152	BRELSFORD PARK, recorded in Plat Book 8, Page 21,
153	Public Records of Palm Beach County, Florida; thence
154	Northerly along the centerline of North Railroad
155	Avenue to a point formed by the Westerly extension of
156	the centerline of an alley, lying in Block 4, of said
157	PLAT OF BRELSFORD PARK; thence Easterly along the
158	centerline of said alley through Block 4, to a point
159	formed by the intersection of the centerline of the
160	North/South alley running through said Block 4 of said
161	Plat of BRELSFORD PARK; thence Northerly along the
162	centerline of said alleyway, to its intersection with
163	the centerline of Eighth Street; thence Easterly along
164	the centerline of Eighth Street, to its intersection
165	with the centerline of North Flagler Drive; thence
166	Northerly along the centerline of North Flagler Drive,
167	to its intersection with the Easterly extension of the
168	North line of Lot 21, Block 8, revised Plat of GROVER
169	CARLBERG ADDITION, as recorded in Plat Book 9, Page
170	16, Public Records of Palm Beach County, Florida;
171	thence Easterly along the line being the Easterly
172	extension of the North line of said Lot 21, to its
173	intersection with the centerline of the Intracoastal
174	Waterway channel in Lake Worth; thence Southerly
175	along the centerline of the Intracoastal Waterway
176	channel to the POINT OF BEGINNING.
177
178	The annual tax levy made by section 8 shall hereafter apply to
179	and extend to the entire area hereinabove described.
180	Section 4. Creation of the Authority, composition, and
181	provisions relating to members.--There is hereby created a board
182	composed of seven members to be known officially as the “West
183	Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority.” It is hereby
184	constituted a body corporate and an agency of the City; and
185	performance by the Authority of its duties and exercise of its
186	powers are hereby designated municipal functions and shall be so
187	construed.
188	(a) The Mayor shall appoint the members of the Authority
189	subject to the ratification of the City Commission by vote of
190	three-fifths of its entire voting membership. By vote of four-
191	fifths of its entire membership, after notice specifying the
192	charges and a hearing held not earlier than 10 days after
193	personal delivery of notice or mailing thereof by registered or
194	certified mail addressed to the member at his or her latest
195	known residence, the City Commission may remove a member of the
196	Authority for good cause, including willful neglect of duty,
197	incompetence or unfitness to perform his or her duty, or
198	conviction of an offense involving moral turpitude. A member so
199	removed shall be entitled to review by the circuit court of the
200	action taken.
201	(b) Of the initial members, one shall be appointed for a
202	term expiring July 1, 1968, two for terms expiring July 1, 1969,
203	two for terms expiring July 1, 1970, and two for terms expiring
204	July 1, 1993; and thereafter each member shall be appointed for
205	a term of 3 years beginning July 1.
206	(c) To qualify for appointment to the Authority, and to
207	remain qualified for service on it, a prospective member or a
208	member already appointed shall reside in or have his or her
209	principal place of business in the City, shall not be serving as
210	a City officer or employee, and shall be an owner of realty
211	within the Downtown area, a lessee thereof required by the lease
212	to pay taxes thereon, or a director, officer, or managing agent
213	of an owner or of a lessee thereof so required to pay taxes
214	thereon. The membership of the Authority shall be reasonably
215	representative of property owner, residential, retail,
216	professional, and financial interests in the District.
217	(d) Vacancy in office, which shall be filled within 10
218	days after its occurrence for the remainder of the unexpired
219	term, shall occur whenever a member is removed from office,
220	becomes disqualified or otherwise unable to serve, resigns, or
221	disappears without explanation for a period of 6 months. The
222	Mayor shall fill any vacancy in office for the unexpired term,
223	in accordance with subsection(a).
224	(e) Each member of the Authority shall serve without
225	compensation for services rendered as a member but shall be
226	reimbursed by the Authority for necessary and reasonable
227	expenses actually incurred in the performance of duty. The
228	Authority need not but may require that all its members or any
229	or all of its officers or employees be required to post bond for
230	faithful performance of duty, and the Authority shall pay
231	bonding costs. No member of the Authority shall be personally
232	liable for any action taken in attempting in good faith to
233	perform his or her duty, or for a decision not to act, except in
234	instances of fraud or willful neglect of duty.
235	Section 5. Authority bylaws and internal governance.--The
236	Authority shall formulate and may amend its own rules of
237	procedure and written bylaws not inconsistent herewith. A
238	majority of its entire membership shall constitute a quorum for
239	the transaction of business, but fewer than a quorum may adjourn
240	from time to time and may compel the attendance of absent
241	members. Except as otherwise provided herein or in the
242	Authority bylaws or rules of procedure, all action shall be
243	taken by vote of a majority of those present and voting, and
244	each member present shall vote on each matter unless barred from
245	voting as herein provided. The Authority shall select one of
246	its members as Chair and another as Vice Chair and shall
247	prescribe their duties, powers, and terms of serving. It shall
248	hold regular meetings at least once a month and shall provide in
249	its bylaws for holding special meetings. All meetings shall be
250	open to the public.
251
252	The bylaws may provide for the Mayor of the City, or his or her
253	representative, to attend meetings of the Board as an ex officio
254	member, but he or she shall not have any vote or power over the
255	Board except that he or she shall be entitled to speak on any
256	issue or question before the Board.
257	Section 6. Functions of the Authority.--The Authority
258	shall perform the following functions:
259	(a) Prepare an analysis of the economic conditions and
260	changes occurring in the Downtown area, including the effect
261	thereon of such factors as metropolitan growth, traffic
262	congestion, lack of adequate parking and other access
263	facilities, and structural obsolescence and deterioration.
264	(b) Formulate long-range plans for improving the
265	attractiveness and accessibility to the public of Downtown
266	facilities, promoting efficient use thereof, remedying the
267	deterioration of Downtown property values, and developing the
268	Downtown area.
269	(c) Recommend to the Mayor and to Downtown businesspersons
270	and residents the actions deemed most suitable for implementing
271	the Downtown development plans, including removal, razing,
272	repair, renovation, reconstruction, remodeling, and improvement
273	of existing structures, addition of new structures and
274	facilities, relocation of any of those existing, and changes in
275	patterns of and facilities for getting thereto and therefrom.
276	(d) Participate actively in the implementation and
277	execution of Downtown development plans, including
278	establishment, acquisition, construction, ownership, financing,
279	leasing, licensing, operation, and management of public
280	facilities deemed feasible and beneficial in effecting
281	implementation, but this paragraph shall not give the Authority
282	any power or control over any City property unless and until
283	assigned to it by the City Commission under the provisions of
284	paragraph(e) of this section.
285	(e) Carry on all projects and undertakings authorized by
286	law and within the limits of the powers granted to it by law,
287	such additional public projects and undertakings related to the
288	Downtown area as the Mayor may assign to it with its consent.
289	Section 7. Powers of the Authority.--In the performance of
290	the functions vested in or assigned to the Authority, it is
291	hereby granted the following powers:
292	(a) To enter into contracts and agreements, and to sue and
293	be sued as a body corporate.
294	(b) To have and use a corporate seal.
295	(c) To acquire, own, convey or otherwise dispose of, lease
296	as lessor or lessee, construct, maintain, improve, enlarge,
297	raze, relocate, operate, and manage property and facilities of
298	whatever type, and to grant or acquire licenses, easements, and
299	options with respect thereto.
300	(d) To accept grants and donations of any type of
301	property, labor, or other thing of value from any public or
302	private source.
303	(e) To receive the proceeds of the tax hereby imposed.
304	(f) To receive the revenues from any property or facility
305	owned, leased, licensed, or operated by it or under its control,
306	subject to the limitations imposed upon it by trusts or other
307	agreements validly entered into by it.
308	(g) To have exclusive control of all funds legally
309	available to it, subject to limitations imposed upon it by law
310	or by any agreement validly entered into by it.
311	(h) To cooperate and enter into agreements with any
312	governmental agency or other public body.
313	(i) To make or receive from the City or Palm Beach County
314	conveyances, leasehold interests, grants, contributions, loans,
315	and other rights and privileges.
316	(j) To request by resolution that the City exercise its
317	municipal power of eminent domain in specific instances for the
318	use and benefit of the Authority and, if the City complies with
319	the request and the property involved is acquired, the Authority
320	shall take over and assume control of such property on terms
321	mutually agreed upon between the City and the Authority, but the
322	Authority shall not thereafter be authorized to sell, lease, or
323	otherwise dispose of such property so acquired without the
324	formal consent of the City Commission.
325	(k) To issue and sell revenue certificates as hereinafter
326	provided, or in any other manner permitted by law and not
327	inconsistent with the provisions hereof, and to take all steps
328	deemed by it necessary or expedient for efficient preparation
329	and marketing of the certificates at public or private sale at
330	the best price obtainable, including the entry into binding
331	agreements with corporate trustees, underwriters, and the
332	holders of the certificates, and the employment and payment, as
333	a necessary expense of issuance, for the services of consultants
334	on valuations, costs and feasibility of undertaking, revenues to
335	be anticipated and other financial matters, architecture,
336	engineering, legal matters, accounting matters, and any other
337	fields in which expert advice may be needed to effectuate
338	advantageous issuance and marketing.
339	(l) To fix, regulate, and collect rates and charges for
340	facilities and services furnished by it or under its control and
341	to pledge the revenue to the payment of revenue certificates
342	issued by it.
343	(m) To borrow money on its unsecured notes, for a period
344	not exceeding 9 months, in an aggregate amount for all
345	outstanding unsecured notes not exceeding 50 percent of the
346	proceeds received during the immediately prior fiscal year from
347	the tax hereby imposed, and at an annual rate of interest not
348	exceeding the rate being charged at the time of the loan by
349	banks in the City on unsecured short-term loans to local
350	businesses.
351	(n) To acquire by rental or otherwise and to equip and
352	maintain a principal office for the conduct of its business and
353	such branch offices as it may from time to time deem expedient.
354	(o) To employ and prescribe the duties, authority,
355	compensation, and reimbursement of expenses of the Director of
356	the Authority, who shall act as its chief executive officer, a
357	general counsel, who shall be an attorney with at least 5 years
358	of experience in active Florida practice and so engaged at the
359	time of appointment, and such other personnel as it may, after
360	consultation with the Director, deem necessary from time to
361	time, provided that its personnel shall not be under civil
362	service regulations, may be employed to serve at its pleasure,
363	shall not in any event be contracted with for a term of
364	employment longer than 5 years, shall not while employed by it
365	serve as City officers or employees, and, with the exception of
366	its Secretary, shall not while employed by it serve as a member
367	of it.
368	(p) To exercise all powers incidental to the effective and
369	expedient exercise of the foregoing powers to the extent not in
370	conflict herewith or inconsistent herewith.
371	Section 8. Levy of ad valorem tax.--For the fiscal year of
372	the Authority beginning within the calendar year 1967, and for
373	each fiscal year thereafter, an ad valorem tax in addition to
374	all other ad valorem taxes is hereby levied annually for the
375	purpose of financing the operation of the Authority on all
376	property in the Downtown area that is subject to ad valorem
377	taxation for City operating expenses. The tax base shall be
378	assessed valuation made annually by the property appraiser. The
379	rate shall be 2 mills on each dollar of tax base in 1967 and
380	each year thereafter, provided that, for each year after the
381	first year of levy, the Authority may set a millage rate of less
382	than 2 mills for the ensuing fiscal year. The tax collector
383	shall collect the tax when and in the same manner in which he or
384	she collects the City ad valorem taxes, with the same discounts
385	for early payment, and shall pay the proceeds to the Authority.
386	Section 9. Authority records and fiscal management.--The
387	fiscal year of the Authority shall coincide with that of the
388	City.
389	(a) All funds of the Authority shall be received, held,
390	and secured like other public funds by the appropriate fiscal
391	officers of the DDA. The funds of the Authority shall be
392	maintained under a separate account, shall be used for only the
393	purposes herein authorized, and shall be disbursed only by
394	direction of or with the approval of the Authority pursuant to
395	requisitions signed by the Director or other designated chief
396	fiscal officer of the Authority and countersigned in such
397	instances and manner as the Authority bylaws may prescribe. The
398	Authority may pay the City as an operating expense a reasonable
399	amount for the services rendered by the City to it at its
400	request.
401	(b) The Authority bylaws shall provide for maintenance of
402	minutes and other official records of its proceedings and
403	actions, for preparation and adoption of an annual budget for
404	each ensuing fiscal year, for internal supervision and control
405	of its accounts, which function the appropriate City fiscal
406	officers may perform for it at its request, and for an external
407	audit at least annually by an independent certified public
408	accountant who has no personal interest, direct or indirect, in
409	its fiscal affairs. The bylaws shall specify the means by which
410	each of these functions is to be performed and, as to those
411	functions assigned to Authority personnel, the manner and
412	schedule of performance.
413	(c) No member or employee of the Authority shall
414	participate by vote or otherwise on behalf of the Authority in
415	any matter in which he or she has a direct financial interest or
416	an indirect financial interest other than that of the benefits
417	to be derived generally from the development of the Downtown
418	area. Participation with knowledge of such interest shall
419	constitute malfeasance and shall result, as regards a member, in
420	automatic forfeiture of office or, as regards an employee, in
421	prompt dismissal.
422	Section 10. Tax exemption of Authority property.--All
423	income, property, and facilities of the Authority are hereby
424	dedicated to the effectuation of essential municipal purposes,
425	and their use is declared an essential municipal function; and
426	they are granted the same exemptions from taxation as are
427	afforded to income, property, and facilities of the City.
428	Section 11. Provisions governing issuance of
429	certificates.--Issuance of revenue certificates by the Authority
430	shall be governed by the following general provisions:
431	(a) Revenue certificates for purposes hereof are limited
432	to obligations that are secured solely by pledge of revenues
433	produced by the facility or facilities for the benefit of which
434	the certificates are issued and the sale proceeds used, that do
435	not constitute a general debt of the Authority, that are not
436	secured directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by pledge
437	of taxing powers, and that do not constitute a lien or
438	encumbrance, legal or equitable, on any real property of the
439	Authority or on any of its personal property other than the
440	revenues pledged to secure payment of the certificates.
441	(b) The faith and credit of the City shall not be pledged
442	and the City shall not be obligated directly or indirectly to
443	make any payments on or appropriate any funds for certificates
444	issued by the Authority.
445	(c) The rate or rates of interest and the sale price of
446	the certificates by the Authority shall be such that the net
447	interest cost to it on the proceeds received from the sale shall
448	not exceed an average annual rate of 6 percent, computed with
449	relation to the absolute maturity of the certificates in
450	accordance with standard tables of bond values and excluding
451	from the computation the amount of any premium to be paid on
452	redemption of the certificates prior to maturity.
453	(d) Before issuing any revenue certificates, the Authority
454	shall as to each issue:
455	(1) Prepare or procure from a reputable source detailed
456	estimates of the total cost of the undertaking for which the
457	certificates are contemplated and of the annual revenues to be
458	obtained therefrom and pledged as security for payment of the
459	certificates.
460	(2) Determine that the anticipated net proceeds from their
461	sale, together with any other funds available and intended for
462	the purposes of the issue, will be sufficient to cover all costs
463	of the undertaking and of preparing and marketing the issue or
464	connected therewith.
465	(3) Determine that the annual revenues anticipated from
466	the undertaking will be sufficient to pay the estimated annual
467	cost of maintaining, repairing, operating, and replacing to any
468	necessary extent not only the undertaking but also the punctual
469	payment of the principal of and interest on the contemplated
470	certificates.
471	(4) Shall specify these determinations in and include the
472	supporting estimates as parts of the resolution providing for
473	the issue.
474	(e) The Authority may, as to any issue of revenue
475	certificates, engage the services of a corporate trustee for the
476	issue and may treat any or all of the costs of carrying out the
477	trust agreement as part of the operating costs of the
478	undertaking for which the certificates are issued.
479	(f) The Authority shall from time to time establish such
480	rentals, rates, and charges, or shall by legally binding
481	agreement maintain such control thereof, as to meet punctually
482	all payments on the certificates and also the costs of operation
483	of the undertaking and its maintenance and repair, including
484	reserves therefor and for depreciation, replacement, and any
485	necessary extensions.
486	(g) Revenue certificates may be issued for the purposes of
487	funding, refunding, or both.
488	(h) All revenue certificates issued pursuant hereto shall
489	be negotiable instruments for all purposes.
490	Section 12. Transfer upon cessation of the
491	Authority.--Should the Authority cease to exist or to operate
492	for whatever reason, all its property of whatever kind shall
493	forthwith become the property of the City, subject to the
494	outstanding obligations of the Authority, and the City shall use
495	this property to the maximum extent then practicable for
496	effectuating the purposes hereof and shall succeed to and
497	exercise all powers of the Authority insofar as such exercise is
498	not in conflict with or inconsistent with the provisions of the
499	City charter or other law applicable to the City.
500	Section 13. Act cumulative; no notice required.--Neither
501	this Act nor anything herein contained shall be construed as a
502	restriction or limitation upon any powers which the Authority
503	might otherwise have under any laws of this State, but shall be
504	construed as cumulative of such powers. The foregoing sections
505	of this Act shall be deemed to provide a complete, additional,
506	and alternative method for the doing of the things authorized
507	thereby and shall be regarded as supplemental and additional to
508	powers conferred by other laws, provided that the issuance of
509	revenue certificates and revenue refunding certificates under
510	the provisions of this Act need not comply with the requirements
511	of any other law applicable to the issuance of certificates and
512	bonds, including, particularly, chapters 670-680 of Florida
513	Statutes 2002 (also known as Uniform Commercial Code, Title
514	XXXIX), as same may be amended. No proceedings, notice, or
515	approval shall be required for the organization of the
516	Authority or the issuance of any certificates or any instrument
517	as security therefor, except as provided herein or pursuant
518	hereto, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, provided that
519	nothing herein shall be construed to deprive the State and its
520	governmental subdivisions of their respective police powers over
521	any properties of the Authority.
522	Section 14. Establishment and Amendment of Charter.--The
523	West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority was established
524	by special act of the Legislature. The Charter of the West Palm
525	Beach Downtown Development Authority may be amended by special
526	act of the Legislature.
527	Section 15. Liberal construction and severability.--The
528	provisions of this Act, being necessary for the welfare of the
529	City and its inhabitants, shall be liberally construed to
530	effectuate the purposes herein set forth and are severable.
531	Should any portion hereof be finally held invalid by a court of
532	competent jurisdiction, each other portion shall remain
533	effective to the maximum practicable extent.
534	Section 4. The provisions of this act, being necessary for
535	the welfare of the City and its inhabitants, shall be liberally
536	construed to effectuate the purposes herein set forth and are
537	severable. Should any portion hereof be finally held invalid by
538	a court of competent jurisdiction, each other portion shall
539	remain effective to the maximum practicable extent.
540	Section 5. Chapters 67-2170, 77-664, 83-534, 84-540, 90-
541	460, and 93-381, Laws of Florida, are hereby repealed.
542	Section 6. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
543
544