Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Gillen

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ray Gillen <RGillen@schenectadymetroplex.org>
Date: Mon, Sep 13, 2010 at 9:29 AM
Subject: project
To: Greg S


Hi Greg. With regard to Arthur’s market site, Metroplex is not able to help.  When Metroplex was created by statute via the State legislature (before my time) a specific exemption/prohibition was put in place with regard to doing projects in the Stockade.  I guess the concern was that Metroplex might try and do something that would not be helpful to the Stockade and for that reason a prohibition was put in place on us doing Metroplex projects.

Good luck with your efforts!

Ray Gillen
Chair
Schenectady County
Metroplex Development Authority
433 State Street- 4th Floor
Schenectady, NY    12305
Phone- (518) 377-1109 ext.101
Fax- (518) 382-2575
 
 
Apparently, knowledge of Metroplex Law, Metroplex powers and Metroplex history is 
not Ray Gillen's strength, it is a good thing he only paid himself $151,282 last 
year, because if he paid himself any more I might feel we were not getting our 
money’s worth. 
 

New York Public Authorities Law  TITLE 28-B
 
§2654 
 
3. The  Stockade  Historic  District  shall  be  included  within  the Schenectady 
Metroplex  Service District for the purposes of the design, development, 
planning,  financing,  creation, siting, construction, renovation, administration,
operation, management, and/or maintenance of facilities,  structures or parks as 
defined in paragraphs (e), (f), (g),(h), (i), (j), (k) and (l) of subdivision eight
of  section  twenty-six hundred fifty-five of this title.
4.  Any municipality located within the county shall have the power to increase the
boundaries of the Schenectady  metroplex  service  district within  the 
municipality.  To  increase  the  boundaries of the service district within a 
municipality, the municipality must conduct  a  public
  hearing  and  enact  by  a  two-thirds  vote  a  local  law defining the 
additional boundaries of such district.
 
§2655
8.  To  design,  develop,  plan,  finance,  create,  site,  construct, renovate, 
administer,  operate,  manage and/or maintain such buildings, parks,  structures, 
and  other  facilities  as  may  be  necessary   or convenient, specifically, but
not limited to:
    (a) trade exhibition facilities;
    (b) public show facilities;
    (c) public entertainment facilities and parks;
    (d) hotel and overnight accommodation facilities;
    (e) transportation and parking facilities;
    (f) historic preservation facilities and parks;
    (g) tourism facilities and parks;
    (h) sporting event facilities and parks;
    (i) special entertainment facilities and parks;
    (j) educational facilities and parks;
    (k) cultural and social facilities and parks;
    (l) infrastructure facilities;
    (m) industrial and manufacturing facilities and parks; and/or
    (n)  business,  commercial,  retail,  and/or  government office space,
  buildings and/or facilities;

If the Stockade Association or a private individual or business in the Stockade wanted to develop an enterprise related to (e) through (l), then Metroplex could provide assistance.  Furthermore, Metroplex did give grants/loans to the previous owner of the VanDyke.  

I do not know of any instance where Metroplex has developed parks, playgrounds or educational facilities.  I heard from a friend that the Hamilton Hill Arts Center approached them with a project and they rejected their proposal.  If you examine the two years of projects that are available on their website you will find only one instance -in my recollection- where they did not support a for-profit business.  The Board is unelected and they have a narrow vision of development.  A regressive tax distributed regressively is their game. 

LIPA the Long Island Power Authority had their law changed this past year to eliminate their unelected board and replace it with an elected board.  In NYS we have too many unelected and unaccountable Authorities.  Their origin is Robert Moses  NY's ultimate power broker.  He created Authorities to escape governmental and democratic oversight and execute his vision of transportation and recreation over widespread opposition from the communities he radically transformed.

Metroplex would be better, and more transparent, if the people it taxes had a direct choice of who represented them on the Metroplex board.  Taxation and expenditures should not occur by a government / authority that does not represent the people.



Thursday, June 17, 2010

NYS Comptroller's Audit of Metroplex - July 2009

http://www.osc.state.ny.us/localgov/audits/publicauth/2009/schenectadymetroplex.pdf

From the Executive Summary

Audit Results
As of December 31, 2007, the Metroplex showed no signs of  fi scal solvency problems. Sales tax
revenues, bond proceeds, restricted cash and other sources of funds
were sufficient to finance current operations, existing economic development projects, and long-term debt redemption. Its ability to accomplish its mission was enhanced by an increase in bonding authority approved by the New York
State Legislature.

However, we noted certain practices that Metroplex officials should carefully review. Non-capital
operations are drawing signifi cant moneys away from economic development projects. From 2006 to
2007, Metroplex expenses increased by over $628,000. At the same time, revenues decreased almost
$529,000. Parking lot operating expenses exceeded budgets every year we reviewed, and continue
to exceed operating revenues. Therefore, the parking operations require Metroplex funds that might
otherwise be available for economic development.
In addition, Metroplex has not updated its long-term capital project plan for economic development
since 2003. We also found that Metroplex officials could improve its application process for, and oversight of, economic development projects. Acceptable cost-benefit or return-on-investment ratios have not been established for objectively judging the cost-effectiveness of proposed projects and their funding.
Although guidelines have been developed to cap Metroplex participation at 50 percent of total project
costs; there is no guidance to help determine the amount, or mix, of fi nancial participation (up to the
cap) that is most benefi cial to the public. The limited guidelines that were in place were not adhered
to in all cases. For example, one project received assistance that exceeded 75 percent of the total
project cost. When the funding limit is exceeded, the public assumes more of the project risk than was
intended. Finally, we found that the rationale for project fi nancing decisions was not documented in
Board minutes or otherwise made available to the public.
Performance measures are included in project applications and reporting requirements are part of the
approved project plans. However, the Metroplex is not effectively monitoring project performance
against these measures. For example, there was only limited evidence that steps were taken by
Metroplex offi cials to ensure that sponsored projects reasonably met their employment projections as
indicated in their approved project plans. None of the 16 projects we reviewed had current employment
information on fi le as of December 31, 2007. The most current information reported to Metroplex was
through June 30, 2006 and that was only for fi ve of the 16 projects. The employment information was
out-dated and showed that none of the projects met their job projection goals. Although Metroplex
guidelines called for the imposition of penalties for non-compliance with award terms, the approved
project plans had no penalty provisions for non-compliance, and the Metroplex did not impose any
penalties in cases where projects failed to create or retain jobs as projected.

Finally, Metroplex procured the services of six professional service providers for almost $1.4
million during 2007.  Metroplex paid three of the providers a total of $750,900, without the benefi t
of competition. For two of the providers tested, Metroplex offi cials failed to obtain current written
agreements. Without current contracts in place, there is an increased risk of inaccurate or unauthorized
payments being made for these professional services.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

SCHENECTADY METROPLEX DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Public Authorities Law  TITLE 28-B
SCHENECTADY METROPLEX DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
  Section 2650.   Short title.
          2651.   Statement of legislative findings.
          2652.   Definitions.
          2653.   Schenectady metroplex development authority.
          2654.   Schenectady metroplex service district.
          2655.   General purposes and powers of the authority.
          2655-a. Bylaws of the authority.
          2655-b. Public hearings of the authority.
          2655-c. Capital plan of the authority.
          2655-d. Reports of the authority.
          2656.   Contracts.
          2657.   Employees, civil service.
          2658.   Code of ethics.
          2659.   Acquisition of land.
          2660.   Request for state assistance.
          2661.   Request for municipal assistance.
          2662.   Private donations.
          2663.   Monies of the authority.
          2664.   Return of moneys to the county of Schenectady.
          2665.   Bonds or notes of the authority.
          2666.   Bonds; legal investment for fiduciaries.
          2667.   Tax exemption and tax contract by the state.
          2668.   Remedies of bondholders.
          2669.   State, county and municipalities not liable on bonds.
          2669-a. Agreement with state.
          2669-b. Agreement with county.
          2670.   Actions against authority.
          2671.   Limitation of liability; indemnification.
          2672.   Assistance  by  state  officers, departments, boards and
                    commissions.
          2673.   Audit,  annual  report,  county  approval   of   certain
                    projects.
          2674.   Separability.
 
    §  2650.  Short title.   
This title shall be known and may be cited as
  the "Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority Act".
§  2651.  Statement  of  legislative  findings.    
It is hereby found,
  determined and declared that there is an immediate need to  institute  a
  comprehensive, coordinated program of economic development activities in
  the  Route  5 and Route 7 corridors of Schenectady county, especially in
  the downtown region of the city of Schenectady.
    It is further found, determined and declared to be desirable to create
  a Schenectady metroplex development authority to provide  the  state  of
  New  York,  and  the  county  of  Schenectady,  with  the  capability to
  effectively and efficiently develop, renovate and optimize the  economic
  and  social  activities  of  the  Route  5  and  Route  7  corridors  of
  Schenectady county.
    It is  also  hereby  found,  determined  and  declared  that  existing
  facilities  in  the Route 5 and Route 7 corridors of Schenectady county,
  for conventions, trade exhibitions, public shows, public  entertainment,
  hotel  accommodations,  transportation,  historic preservation, tourism,
  sporting events, social and educational centers, and  retail,  business,
  commercial  and  government  office  space,  including  services for the
  operation and maintenance thereof, are inadequate.
    It is further found, determined and declared that the construction and
  operation  of  such  new  facilities  to  adequately  accommodate   such
  activities would generate new business, create employment opportunities,
  provide  new  sources  of tax revenue, and promote effective and orderly
  redevelopment in the vicinity of the Route 5 and Route  7  corridors  of
  Schenectady  county, all of which would serve the interests of the state
  of New York, and the county of Schenectady.
    It is also found,  determined  and  declared  that  the  area  in  the
  vicinity  of  the Route 5 and Route 7 corridors of Schenectady county is
  an  area  characterized  by  deteriorated  industrial   and   commercial
  structures,  uncoordinated  and incompatible commercial uses, inadequate
  public  facilities,  and  substandard  conditions,  all  of  which   are
  detrimental  to  the  economic and social well-being of residents of the
  state  of  New  York  and  the  county  of  Schenectady,  and  that  the
  construction  and  operation  of  such  new facilities in such area will
  serve as a catalyst for redevelopment, and a rejuvenation of civic pride
  and accomplishment.
    It is further found, determined and declared that the construction and
  operation of such new facilities will provide significant  economic  and
  social benefits to the state of New York, the county of Schenectady, and
  the  entire  capital  district region, and that, consistent with social,
  economic, environmental and  other  essential  considerations  of  state
  policy,  locating  these  new  facilities  in  the  Route  5 and Route 7
  corridors of Schenectady county is in the  public  interest,  given  the
  convenience  and  accessibility  of  the  location,  the  elimination of
  substandard conditions,  the  nature  and  economic  characteristics  of
  various  other  sites  considered, and the immediacy of the needs of the
  people of the state for the realization of the significant economic  and
  social benefits to be derived from this development.
    It  is also found, determined and declared that the development of the
  Route 5 and Route 7 corridors of  Schenectady  county  is  a  matter  of
  essential  state  and  county  concern,  and  that the establishment and
  creation of a Schenectady metroplex development authority  is  necessary
  to  provide  for  the  economic  prosperity,  health, safety and general
  welfare of the people of the county of Schenectady and the state of  New
  York,  through  the construction, development, location and operation of
  these new facilities.
    It is further found, determined and declared that is the intent of the
  legislature that the Schenectady metroplex development  authority  shall
  carry  out  its  purposes  and  responsibilities  directly  and  through
  agreements with federal, state and local entities and  authorities,  and
  that the Schenectady metroplex development authority shall be created as
  a  public benefit corporation and that the corporate programs and powers
  conferred  under  this  title  and  the  expenditures  of  public moneys
  pursuant thereto, are in furtherance of  a  valid  public  interest  and
  public purpose.
    § 2652.  Definitions. 
 As  used or referred to in this title, unless a
  different meaning clearly appears from the context:
    1. The term "authority" shall  mean  the  public  benefit  corporation
  created by section twenty-six hundred fifty-three of this title.
    2. The term "board" shall mean the members of the authority created in
  section twenty-six hundred fifty-three of this title.
    3.  The  term  "person"  shall  mean  any natural person, partnership,
  limited liability company, association, joint  venture  or  corporation,
  exclusive of a public corporation.
    4.  The  term  "service district" shall mean the Schenectady metroplex
  service district created by section  twenty-six  hundred  fifty-four  of
  this title.
    5. The term "bonds" shall mean bonds and notes issued by the authority
  pursuant to this title.
    6. The term "state" shall mean the state of New York.
    7.  The  term  "governor"  shall mean the governor of the state of New
  York.
    8. The term "comptroller" shall mean the comptroller of the  state  of
  New York.
    9.  The  term  "director of the budget" shall mean the director of the
  budget of the state of New York.
    10. The term "municipality"  shall  mean  a  county,  town,  city,  or
  village.
    11. The term "county" shall mean the county of Schenectady.
    12.  The  term  "county legislature" shall mean the Schenectady county
  legislature.
    13. The term "city" shall mean the city of Schenectady.
    14. The term "mayor" shall mean the mayor of the city of Schenectady.
    15. The term "city council" shall mean the city council of the city of
  Schenectady.
    16. The term "metroplex facility" shall mean any  facility,  building,
  structure,  park  or  other  real  property  owned, leased, constructed,
  created, designed, developed, planned,  financed,  operated,  renovated,
  administered, managed and/or maintained by the authority.
    17.  The  term  "park  district" shall mean any area designated by the
  authority, within the service district, to be an  historic  preservation
  district, a special entertainment district, an educational entertainment
  district, or a recreational park district.
    18.  The  term  "construction"  shall  mean the acquisition, erection,
  building, alteration,  improvement,  increase,  enlargement,  extension,
  reconstruction,  renovation  or  rehabilitation  of any project financed
  under the provisions of  this  title;  the  inspection  and  supervision
  thereof;  and the engineering, architectural, legal, fiscal and economic
  investigations and studies, surveys, designs, plans,  working  drawings,
  specifications,  procedures  and other actions preliminary or incidental
  thereto.
    19. The term "real property" shall mean lands, waters, rights in lands
  or waters, structures, franchises and interests in land, including lands
  under water, riparian  rights,  property  rights  in  air  space  and/or
  subsurface  space  and  any  and  all  other  things  and rights usually
  included within such term and includes also any  and  all  interests  in
  such  property  less  than  full  title,  such as easements permanent or
  temporary,  rights-of-way,  uses,  leases,  licenses   and   all   other
  incorporeal  hereditaments  and every estate, interest or right legal or
  equitable.
    20. The  term  "personal  property"  shall  mean  chattels  and  other
  tangible things of a movable or removable nature.
    21.  The  term  "cost" as applied to any project, includes the cost of
  construction, the cost of the acquisition of  all  property,  rights  in
  property, rights-of-way, easements, franchises, and interests, including
  real  property  and  other  property,  both  real,  personal  and mixed,
  improved and unimproved, the cost of demolishing, removing or relocating
  any  buildings or structures on lands so acquired, including the cost of
  acquiring any lands to which such buildings or structures may  be  moved
  or  relocated,  the  cost  of  all  machinery,  apparatus and equipment,
  financing charges, interest prior to, during and after  construction  to
  the  extent not paid or provided for from revenues or other sources, the
  cost of engineering and architectural surveys, plans and specifications,
  the cost of consultant and legal services, the cost of  guarantee,  bond
  insurance or other credit support devices and the cost of other expenses
  necessary  or incidental to the construction of any such project and the
  financing of the construction thereof, including the  amount  authorized
  in  the  resolution of the authority providing for the issuance of bonds
  to be paid into any reserve or other special funds from the proceeds  of
  such bonds and the financing of the placing of any project in operation,
  including  reimbursement  to  any municipality, state agency, the state,
  the United States government, or any other person for expenditures  that
  would  be  costs of the project hereunder had they been made directly by
  the authority.
    22. The term "project" shall mean  a  facility,  building,  structure,
  park  or  other  real  property,  or  any  portion  thereof,  which  the
  ownership, lease, transfer, design,  development,  planning,  financing,
  creation,  siting,  construction, renovation, administration, operation,
  management and/or maintenance is authorized to be undertaken,  in  whole
  or in part, by the authority pursuant to this title.
    23.  The  term  "revenues"  shall mean all monies, funds, rates, fees,
  tolls, rents, charges or other income derived by the authority from  its
  planning,  development,  financing, construction, operation, management,
  or maintenance functions, or any monies or  funds  appropriated  to  the
  authority  from  the  state  or  a  municipality, or any monies or funds
  obtained from public or private donations to the authority  or  the  tax
  revenues  payable  to  the  authority pursuant to section twelve hundred
  ten-C of the tax law.
    24. The term "United States" shall mean the United States  of  America
  or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof acting on behalf of
  the United States of America.
 
§   2653.   Schenectady   metroplex   development  authority. 
 1.  The
  Schenectady metroplex development  authority  is  hereby  created.  Such
  authority  shall  be  a body corporate and politic constituting a public
  benefit corporation. The governing body of  the  authority  shall  be  a
  board.  The  authority shall consist of eleven members who are residents
  of Schenectady county, appointed  by  a  majority  vote  of  the  county
  legislature. Nominations for appointment by the county legislature shall
  be submitted as follows: one upon the recommendation of the mayor of the
  city  of  Schenectady,  one upon the recommendation of the city council;
  one upon the recommendation of the supervisor of the town of  Niskayuna,
  one  upon the recommendation of the supervisor of the town of Glenville,
  one upon the joint recommendation of the supervisors  of  the  towns  of
  Princetown and Duanesburg, one upon the recommendation of the supervisor
  of  the  town  of Rotterdam, one upon the recommendation of the minority
  leader of the county legislature, two upon  the  recommendation  of  the
  chairman  of  the county legislature and two by the joint recommendation
  of the county legislature. The members appointed upon the recommendation
  of the chair of the county  legislature,  the  minority  leader  of  the
  county   legislature   and   the  joint  recommendation  of  the  county
  legislature shall serve for a term of five years each, and  the  members
  appointed  by the county legislature upon the recommendation of the city
  or  town  officers  shall  serve  for  a  term  of  four   years   each,
  respectively,  with  each  term commencing from the first day of January
  next succeeding their appointment. Each member unless removed  for  good
  cause  by  a two-thirds vote of the county legislature shall hold office
  until a successor has been appointed and qualified.
    2. No person  holding  an  elected  or  management/confidential-exempt
  position  in  any  county  government  may be appointed to the authority
  except for the Schenectady county commissioner of  economic  development
  and planning. No member of the state legislature may be appointed to the
  authority.  No  person holding, or who has held within the previous four
  years, the position of chairperson of a village, town,  city  or  county
  political  party  as defined by article two of the election law shall be
  appointed to the authority.
    3. A member of the board shall be designated as chairman by a majority
  vote of all the members of the county legislature and shall be  chairman
  of  such  board until his or her term as member expires. A member of the
  board shall also be so designated as vice-chairman of  the  board  until
  his  or  her  term  as  member  expires. The chairman shall be the chief
  executive officer of the authority and shall  be  primarily  responsible
  for  the discharge of the administrative functions of the authority. The
  chairman may appoint an executive director of the authority, upon advice
  and consent of the board, to which such administrative functions may  be
  delegated.  The  executive  director  shall be deemed an employee of the
  authority, and as such be an exempt  management  confidential  employee,
  who  is a public officer and entitled to an annual salary as established
  by the authority board.
    4. The power of such corporation shall be vested in and  exercised  by
  the  board. Such board may delegate to one or more of its members or its
  officers, agents and employees such powers and duties  as  it  may  deem
  proper.
    5.  Such  board  and  its corporate existence shall continue until its
  existence shall be terminated  by  law.  Upon  the  termination  of  the
  existence  of  the authority all its rights and properties shall pass to
  and be vested in the county of Schenectady.
    6. Six members  of  the  board  shall  constitute  a  quorum  for  the
  transaction  of business. A majority of the members of the board present
  at any meeting at which a quorum shall be present, shall  be  sufficient
  to pass any resolution, except as otherwise specified in this title. All
  propositions  requiring  the  expenditure of money or affecting contract
  rights or property, shall be presented  to  the  board  in  writing.  No
  resolution  containing  such a proposition shall pass unless it receives
  approval of at least six board members in office.
    7. The board shall hold at least one regular meeting every month.  The
  chairman,  or in his absence the vice-chairman, or any five members, may
  call a special meeting by notice as specified by the board. All meetings
  of the board shall be subject to article seven of  the  public  officers
  law.
    8. Members of the board shall be entitled to no compensation for their
  services,  but  shall  be entitled to reimbursement for their actual and
  necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.
    9. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of any general,  special
  or  local  law,  no  officer  or  employee  of  the  state,  or  of  any
  municipality, as defined in the public officers law, the county  law  or
  the  town  law,  shall  be deemed to have forfeited or shall forfeit his
  public office or any benefits provided under the retirement  and  social
  security  law  or  under  any public retirement system maintained by the
  state or any  of  its  subdivisions  by  reason  of  his  acceptance  of
  membership  on  or  chairmanship  or vice-chairmanship of the authority;
  provided, however, a member or chairman  who  holds  such  other  public
  office  shall  receive  no additional compensation for services rendered
  pursuant to this title, but  shall  be  entitled  to  reimbursement  for
  actual  and  necessary  expenses  incurred  in  the  performance of such
  services.
    10. The principal office of the authority  shall  be  located  in  the
  county of Schenectady.
    11.  The  comptroller may conduct periodic audits of the authority and
  report the results of such audits to the governor, the chairman  of  the
  senate  finance  committee,  and  the  chairman of the assembly ways and
  means committee.
    12. Subject to the provisions of this title, members of the  authority
  may engage in private employment, or in a profession or business.
 
§  2654.  Schenectady  metroplex service district. 
 1. The Schenectady
  metroplex service district shall include all real  property  within  the
  county  of Schenectady, from the Albany county/Schenectady county border
  to  the  Montgomery  county/Schenectady  county   border,   and   within
  thirty-five  hundred  feet  of  Route 5, except from the intersection of
  Route 5/State Street and Brandywine Avenue to the intersection of  Route
  5/Mohawk  Avenue and Route 147/Sacandaga Road, whereupon the Schenectady
  metroplex service  district  shall  include  all  real  property  within
  eighty-seven  hundred  fifty feet of Route 5. The service district shall
  also include all real property within Schenectady county from  the  town
  of    Rotterdam/city    of   Schenectady   border   to   the   Schoharie
  county/Schenectady  county  border  and  within   the   boundaries   and
  accompanying right of way of state Route 7; and all real property within
  two hundred feet of Chrisler Avenue in the city of Schenectady except as
  excluded by subdivision two of this section.
    2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, unless amended pursuant
  to  local  law,  the  Schenectady  metroplex  service district shall not
  include any parcel of real property upon which a  non-multiple  dwelling
  residence  is  located  in  the  city  of  Schenectady  and  within  the
  boundaries of the historic GE realty plot district,  the  Union  College
  Triangle,  the  Mont  Pleasant  neighborhood association, or any defined
  neighborhood within the Schenectady united neighborhood associations.
    3. The  Stockade  Historic  District  shall  be  included  within  the
  Schenectady  Metroplex  Service District for the purposes of the design,
  development,  planning,  financing,  creation,   siting,   construction,
  renovation, administration, operation, management, and/or maintenance of
  facilities,  structures or parks as defined in paragraphs (e), (f), (g),
  (h), (i), (j), (k) and (l) of subdivision eight  of  section  twenty-six
  hundred fifty-five of this title.
    4.  Any municipality located within the county shall have the power to
  increase the boundaries of the Schenectady  metroplex  service  district
  within  the  municipality.  To  increase  the  boundaries of the service
  district within a municipality, the municipality must conduct  a  public
  hearing  and  enact  by  a  two-thirds  vote  a  local  law defining the
  additional boundaries of such district.  In  the  event  a  municipality
  elects to increase the boundaries of the service district, two certified
  copies  of  the local law increasing the service district, together with
  two certified maps designating such increased boundaries shall be  filed
  with the office of the chairman of the Schenectady metroplex development
  authority.  Within  ten  days of the filing of such certified copies and
  maps with the office  of  the  chairman  of  the  Schenectady  metroplex
  development  authority,  such  chairman shall file one certified copy of
  such local law and one certified copy of such map with the  commissioner
  of  the New York state department of taxation and finance. The territory
  and boundaries of the Schenectady metroplex development service district
  shall not be required to be contiguous.
§  2655.  General  purposes  and powers of the authority.  
The general
  purposes of the authority shall be to design,  develop,  plan,  finance,
  create,  site,  construct,  renovate,  administer,  operate, manage, and
  maintain all metroplex facilities and metroplex parks within the service
  district defined in section twenty-six hundred fifty-four of this title.
  To carry out such purposes the authority shall have the power:
    1. To sue and be sued;
    2. To acquire, hold and dispose of real and personal property for  its
  corporate purposes;
    3. To have a seal and alter the same at pleasure;
    4.  To  borrow money and issue bonds for any of its corporate purposes
  or its projects, or to refund the same, and to provide for the rights of
  the holders thereof;
    5. To make, subject to the provisions of  section  twenty-six  hundred
  fifty-five-a of this title, by-laws for the management and regulation of
  its affairs and, subject to agreements with bondholders, for the design,
  development,  planning,  construction, financing, operation, management,
  siting and maintenance of all metroplex facilities and  metroplex  parks
  within the service district;
    6.  To  appoint  officers, agents and employees; and to describe their
  qualifications and fix their  compensation;  subject,  however,  to  the
  provisions of the civil service law as provided in this title;
    7.  To  make  contracts  and  leases,  and  to execute all instruments
  necessary or convenient;
    8.  To  design,  develop,  plan,  finance,  create,  site,  construct,
  renovate,  administer,  operate,  manage and/or maintain such buildings,
  parks,  structures,  and  other  facilities  as  may  be  necessary   or
  convenient, specifically, but not limited to:
    (a) trade exhibition facilities;
    (b) public show facilities;
    (c) public entertainment facilities and parks;
    (d) hotel and overnight accommodation facilities;
    (e) transportation and parking facilities;
    (f) historic preservation facilities and parks;
    (g) tourism facilities and parks;
    (h) sporting event facilities and parks;
    (i) special entertainment facilities and parks;
    (j) educational facilities and parks;
    (k) cultural and social facilities and parks;
    (l) infrastructure facilities;
    (m) industrial and manufacturing facilities and parks; and/or
    (n)  business,  commercial,  retail,  and/or  government office space,
  buildings and/or facilities;
    9. To collect revenues, dues, costs, assessments,  rentals,  fees  and
  other charges for the use of real or personal property and/or facilities
  and  parks  of  the  authority  subject  to  and in accordance with such
  agreements with bondholders as may be provided in this title;
    10.  To  contract  for  the   services   of   architects,   engineers,
  consultants,   lawyers,   financial  and  other  professional  advisors,
  developers,  contractors,  vendors,  concessioners,  tenants,   facility
  and/or  park  users,  occupants  and  managers  and  other  professional
  consultants and service providers, and to fix their compensation;
    11. To declare, designate, establish, design, create, site, construct,
  develop, plan, finance, operate,  renovate,  administer,  manage  and/or
  maintain  parks  and park districts within the service district so as to
  establish  parks  and/or  park  districts  for  historic   preservation,
  educational entertainment, and/or recreation;
    12.  Upon  the  resolution  of a municipality, to avoid, and be exempt
  from, zoning  and/or  planning  requirements,  laws  and/or  regulations
  established, created or enacted by the municipality;
    13. To designate the depositories of its money;
    14. To establish its fiscal year;
    15.  To  appoint  such officers, employees and agents as the authority
  may require for the performance of its duties and to fix  and  determine
  their qualifications, duties, and compensation subject to the provisions
  of  the  civil  service  law  and  any  applicable collective bargaining
  agreement, and to retain or  employ  counsel,  auditors,  engineers  and
  private  consultants  on  a  contract  basis  or otherwise for rendering
  professional, management or technical services and advice;
    16. To receive and  consider  reports  and  recommendations  from  any
  advisory  councils  or  boards  as  may  be  established  by  local law,
  ordinance, or resolution; and
    17. To do all things necessary,  convenient  or  desirable,  including
  ancillary  and  incidental activities, to carry out its purposes and for
  the exercise of the powers granted in this title.
§  2655-a.  Bylaws of the authority.
1. The board shall draft proposed
  bylaws for the organization and procedure of the authority. Such  bylaws
  shall  be  consistent  with  the  provisions of this title and all other
  state and federal laws, and shall contain a provision that  such  bylaws
  may only be amended after final adoption by a two-thirds vote of all the
  voting  members of the board. Upon the drafting of such proposed bylaws,
  the board shall conduct a public hearing on  such  proposed  bylaws  and
  solicit public comment on the same. After the public hearing and comment
  has  been  conducted  and solicited, the board shall adopt such proposed
  bylaws, with any amendments made  thereto  in  response  to  the  public
  hearing  and  comment,  and  shall  thereafter file the adopted proposed
  bylaws with the clerk of the county legislature.
    2. Within thirty days of the filing of such  adopted  proposed  bylaws
  with the clerk of the county legislature, the county legislature may, by
  a  two-thirds  vote of all the members of the county legislature, reject
  the proposed bylaws so filed  and  return  them  to  the  authority  for
  possible  amendment  and  redrafting. If the county legislature does not
  reject the proposed bylaws by such two-thirds vote within thirty days of
  the filing of the same, then such proposed  bylaws  so  filed  shall  be
  deemed  adopted  and in full force and effect. If the county legislature
  rejects the proposed bylaws by such two-thirds vote, then the  authority
  shall  amend  the  proposed  bylaws  as deemed appropriate. Such amended
  bylaws shall  be  filed  with  the  clerk  of  the  county  legislature,
  whereupon  the  county legislature may again consider the amended bylaws
  as in the same manner as  if  such  bylaws  had  been  originally  filed
  pursuant to subdivision one of this section.
    3. In the absence of bylaws which are deemed adopted and in full force
  and  effect,  the  authority  shall  operate  and  be  governed  by  the
  provisions of this title  and  the  most  recently  revised  edition  of
  Roberts Rules of Order.
§  2655-b.  Public hearings of the authority. 
Prior to the adoption of
  any project where the authority would:
    1. expend more than five hundred thousand dollars;
    2. borrow money or issue bonds pursuant to subdivision four of section
  twenty-six hundred fifty-five of this title; or
    3. condemn  real  property  pursuant  to  section  twenty-six  hundred
  fifty-nine of this title;
    the  board shall schedule and hold a public hearing and solicit public
  comment on such project. After the conclusion of the public hearing  and
  comment,  the board shall consider the results of the public hearing and
  comments with respect to the adoption  of  the  proposed  project.  Such
  consideration by the board shall include the accommodation of the public
  interest  with  respect to such project, if such accommodation is deemed
  in the best interest of the community and the  authority's  purposes  as
  expressed  in  section  twenty-six hundred fifty-five of this title, the
  proposal and resolution may be amended.
§ 2655-c. Capital plan of the authority. 
On or before the first day of
  March,  the  authority  shall  annually produce, and present at a public
  hearing for public comment, a five-year capital projects plan, outlining
  the vision of its intended capital projects for  the  next  five  years.
  With  respect  to each project proposed in the plan, the authority shall
  provide a detailed description of the:
    1. overall nature, purpose and extent of the project;
    2. proposed amount and sources of  capital  funding  to  complete  the
  project;
    3.  proposed  amount  and  sources  of  operating funding necessary to
  operate the project;
    4. urban and  community  planning  performed  or  which  needs  to  be
  performed;
    5. economic development potential of the project;
    6. financial feasibility of the project;
    7. geographic location and impact of the project;
    8. impact of the project on the community's natural resources;
    9.  tourism,  entertainment  and  arts  development  potential  of the
  project;
    10. human and physical infrastructure requirements and impact  of  the
  project; and
    11.  other  factors  which  have  been  considered  for the purpose of
  enhancing the viability of the county.
    An annual presentation of this five-year capital plan shall further be
  made to the county legislature. After  the  presentation  of  the  first
  five-year capital plan, any subsequent plan presented shall describe any
  changes  from,  modifications  to,  and  the current status of, projects
  included in the previous plans. In developing and maintaining such plan,
  the authority shall, from time to time, enter into  contracts  with  any
  and  all outside experts it may deem necessary for the plan's successful
  production, presentation and development.
 
§  2655-d.  Reports  of  the  authority.  
 1. In addition to any other
  report required by this title,  the  authority,  through  its  chairman,
  shall annually deliver, in oral and written form, a report to the county
  legislature.  Such  report shall be presented by March fifteenth of each
  year  to  the  county  legislature's  standing  committee  on   economic
  development. The report shall describe in detail the projects undertaken
  by  the  authority  during  the  past  year,  the monies expended by the
  authority during the past year, the  administrative  activities  of  the
  authority  during the past year, and the authority's compliance with the
  provisions of subdivision three of section twenty-six hundred  fifty-six
  of  this  title.  At  the  conclusion of the report, the chairman of the
  authority board shall be prepared to answer the questions of the  county
  legislators  with  respect  to  the projects undertaken by the authority
  during the past year, the monies expended by the  authority  during  the
  past year, and the administrative activities of the authority during the
  past year.
    2.  In addition to any other report required by this title, each board
  member appointed upon the recommendation of a  municipality  other  than
  the  county,  shall annually deliver, in oral and written form, a report
  to the municipality from which such board member was appointed.  In  the
  case of the city of Schenectady, both members so appointed shall jointly
  deliver  such  report.  Such  report  shall be presented at a meeting as
  designated by the municipality's town board or city council. The  report
  shall describe in detail the projects undertaken by the authority during
  the  past  year,  the  monies  expended by the authority during the past
  year, and the administrative activities of the authority during the past
  year. At the conclusion of the report, the board member or members shall
  be prepared to answer the questions of the supervisor, mayor, town board
  and/or city council with respect  to  the  projects  undertaken  by  the
  authority  during  the  past  year, the monies expended by the authority
  during the past year, and the administrative activities of the authority
  during the past year, or any other activities  of  the  authority  which
  have  been  conducted  or which may be proposed for performance with the
  municipality.
 
§  2656.  Contracts. 
 1.  Construction  contracts let by the authority
  shall be in conformity with the applicable  provisions  of  section  one
  hundred thirty-five of the state finance law.
    2.  The  authority  may,  in  its  discretion,  assign  contracts  for
  supervision  and  coordination  to  the  successful   bidder   for   any
  subdivision   of  work  for  which  the  authority  receives  bids.  Any
  construction contract awarded by the authority shall contain such  other
  terms  and conditions as the authority may deem desirable. The authority
  shall not award any construction contract except to  the  lowest  bidder
  who,  in  its opinion, is qualified to perform the work required and who
  is responsible and reliable. The authority may, however, reject  any  or
  all  bids  or  waive  any  informality  in a bid if it believes that the
  public interest will be promoted thereby. The authority may  reject  any
  bid,  if,  in  its  judgment,  the  business and technical organization,
  plant, resources,  financial  standing,  or  experience  of  the  bidder
  justifies such rejection in view of the work to be performed.
    3.  Each contract to which the authority is a party including, but not
  limited to, any contract, lease, grant, bond, covenant,  or  other  debt
  agreement entered into directly or indirectly by the authority financing
  in  whole  or  in  part,  the  construction, demolition, reconstruction,
  excavation,  rehabilitation,  repair,  renovation  or  alteration  of  a
  building  or  an  improvement  to property shall require that employers,
  contractors and sub-contractors shall  comply  with  the  provisions  of
  section two hundred twenty of the labor law.
    4.  For  the  purposes of article fifteen-A of the executive law only,
  the authority shall be deemed a state agency as that  term  is  used  in
  such  article,  and all contracts for procurement, design, construction,
  services and materials  shall  be  deemed  state  contracts  within  the
  meaning of that term as set forth in such article;
 
 
§  2657. Employees, civil service. 
1. The appointment and promotion of
  all non-exempt/non-management confidential employees  of  the  authority
  shall  be made in accordance with the civil service law and the rules of
  the Schenectady county civil service commission.
    2. In accordance with the provisions of section seventy of  the  civil
  service  law, any officer or employee of a municipality, school district
  or special district in the service area, may,  at  the  request  of  the
  authority,  be  transferred  to  the authority and shall be eligible for
  such  transfer  and  appointment,  without   further   examination,   to
  applicable  offices,  positions  and employment under the authority. Any
  such officers or employees so transferred to the authority  pursuant  to
  this  section,  who are members of or benefit under any existing pension
  or retirement fund  or  system,  shall  continue  to  have  all  rights,
  privileges,  obligations  and status with respect to such fund or system
  as are now prescribed by law, but during the period of their  employment
  by  the authority, all contributions to such funds or systems to be paid
  by the employer on account of such officers or employees shall  be  paid
  by the authority.
    3.  A  transferred  employee  shall  remain  in  the  same  collective
  bargaining unit as was the case prior to his or her transfer.  Successor
  employees  to  the  positions  held by such transferred employees shall,
  consistent with the provisions of article fourteen of the civil  service
  law,  be  included  in  the  same  unit as their predecessors. Employees
  serving in positions in newly created titles shall be  assigned  to  the
  same collective bargaining unit as they would have been assigned to such
  unit  were  such  titles  created  prior  to  the  establishment  of the
  authority.  Nothing contained in this title shall be  construed  (a)  to
  diminish  the  rights  of  employees pursuant to a collective bargaining
  agreement or (b) to affect existing law with respect to  an  application
  to  the  public  employment relations board seeking a designation by the
  board that certain persons are managerial or confidential.
§  2658.  Code  of  ethics. 
 1.    As  used  in  this section the term
  "authority employee" shall mean any member, officer or employee  of  the
  authority.
    2.  No  authority  employee  shall  have  any  interest,  financial or
  otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or  transaction
  or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature, which is
  in  substantial  conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties
  in the public interest.
    3. (a) No authority employee shall accept other employment, which will
  impair his or her independence of judgment in the exercise of his or her
  official duties.
    (b) No authority employee shall accept employment  or  engage  in  any
  business  or  professional  activity  which will require the employee to
  disclose confidential information which he or she has gained  by  reason
  of his or her official position or authority.
    (c)  No  authority  employee  shall  disclose confidential information
  acquired by the employee in the course of his or her official duties nor
  use such information to further his or her personal interests.
    (d) No authority employee shall use or  attempt  to  use  his  or  her
  official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for him
  or herself or others.
    (e)   No  authority  employee  shall  engage  in  any  transaction  as
  representative or agent of the authority with  any  business  entity  in
  which  he  or she has a direct or indirect financial interest that might
  reasonably tend to conflict with the proper  discharge  of  his  or  her
  official duties.
    (f)  An  authority  employee  shall  not  by  his  or her conduct give
  reasonable basis for the  impression  that  any  person  can  improperly
  influence  such  employee  or  unduly  enjoy  his  or  her  favor in the
  performance of his or her official duties, or that he or she is affected
  by the kinship, rank, position or influence of any party or person.
    (g)  An  authority  employee  shall  abstain  from   making   personal
  investments  in enterprises which he or she has reason to believe may be
  directly involved in decisions to be made by the employee or which  will
  otherwise  create  substantial  conflict  between his or her duty in the
  public interest and his or her private interest.
    (h) An authority employee shall endeavor to pursue a course of conduct
  which will not raise suspicion among the public that he or she is likely
  to be engaged in acts that are in violation of his or her trust.
    (i) No authority employee employed on a full-time basis nor  any  firm
  or  association  of which such an employee is a member nor corporation a
  substantial portion of  the  stock  of  which  is  owned  or  controlled
  directly or indirectly by such employee, shall sell goods or services to
  any  person, firm, corporation or association which is licensed or whose
  rates are fixed by the authority in which such  employee  serves  or  is
  employed.
    (j)  If any authority employee shall have a financial interest, direct
  or indirect, having a value of ten  thousand  dollars  or  more  in  any
  activity which is subject to the jurisdiction of a regulatory agency, he
  or  she  shall file with the secretary of state a written statement that
  he or she has such a financial interest in such activity which statement
  shall be open to public inspection.
    4. In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of  law
  any  such  authority  employee  who  shall  knowingly  and intentionally
  violate any of the provisions of this section may be fined, suspended or
  removed from office or employment.
    5. The authority shall ensure that all  employees  or  applicants  for
  employment   are   afforded   equal   employment   opportunity   without
  discrimination.
    6. All board members and employees of the authority shall be deemed to
  be   public  officers  and  shall,  notwithstanding  any  other  ethical
  requirements  established  by  state  or  local  law,   and   when   not
  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of this title, comply with sections
  seventy-three, seventy-three-a and seventy-four of the  public  officers
  law.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  law,  the  filing of a
  Schenectady county financial disclosure statement with  the  Schenectady
  county  board of ethics by a board member shall constitute and be deemed
  in compliance with the financial disclosure requirements imposed by this
  section and section seventy-three-a of the public officers law.
§  2659.  Acquisition  of  land. 
 The  authority,  upon  the terms and
  conditions approved by resolution of the authority, shall have the power
  to  acquire  real  property  located  within  the  service  district  by
  purchase,  lease  or  condemnation to accomplish its lawful purposes. It
  shall also have the power to sell, lease or otherwise  dispose  of  real
  property and shall retain and have the power to use the proceeds of such
  sale,  rentals  or other monies derived from the disposition thereof for
  its lawful purposes.   A resolution of the  authority  to  condemn  real
  property shall require a two-thirds majority of the board for approval.
    Claims  for  the  value  of  the real property condemned and for legal
  damages caused by any such condemnation shall be adjusted and determined
  by the chairman with the approval of the board, or by the supreme  court
  of  Schenectady county as provided in section twenty-six hundred seventy
  of this title. When a claim has been filed with the supreme  court,  the
  claimant  shall  cause  a  copy  of  such  claim  to  be served upon the
  authority and the authority shall have the right to be  represented  and
  heard  before  said  court.  All  awards and judgments arising from such
  claims shall be paid out of moneys of the authority.
 
§  2660.  Request for state assistance.  
1. Should the chairman of the
  authority determine that state assistance is necessary for the authority
  to achieve its lawful goals,  powers  and  purposes,  the  chairman  may
  annually  may  make  and  deliver  to  the  director  of the budget, the
  chairman of the  senate  finance  committee  and  the  chairman  of  the
  assembly  ways  and  means committee a request for financial support for
  the operation of the authority for the forthcoming fiscal  year  of  the
  state.  The  request  for  financial  support  shall delineate the total
  amount needed by the authority from the  state  to  achieve  its  lawful
  goals,  powers  and purposes, the source of all funds that the authority
  expects to receive from all other sources, and such other information as
  the director of the budget, the chairman of the senate finance committee
  and the chairman of the assembly ways and means committee shall require.
    2. The state may appropriate and provide to the authority an amount of
  money it deems necessary to provide the authority to assist  it  in  its
  successful  operation  and  achievement  of its lawful goals, powers and
  purposes.
    3. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the
  contrary, no part of such appropriations  shall  be  available  for  the
  purposes  designated  until  a  certificate  of approval of availability
  shall have been issued by the director of the budget and a copy of  such
  certificate  is  filed  with the comptroller, the chairman of the senate
  finance committee and the  chairman  of  the  assembly  ways  and  means
  committee.    Such certificate may be amended from time to time, subject
  to the approval of the director of the budget, and a copy of  each  such
  amendment  shall  be  filed  with  the  comptroller, the chairman of the
  senate finance committee and the chairman of the assembly ways and means
  committee.
§  2661.  Request  for  municipal  assistance.  
1. Notwithstanding the
  provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the county  of
  Schenectady may transfer to the authority from funds appropriated by the
  county  legislature  for  the  fiscal  year  beginning  nineteen hundred
  ninety-eight, and each fiscal year thereafter,  the  amount  the  county
  deems  necessary to assist the authority in its successful operation and
  achievement of its lawful goals, powers and purposes.
    2. On or before August fifteenth, nineteen hundred ninety-nine, and on
  each August fifteenth thereafter, the chairman of  the  authority  shall
  make  and  deliver  to the chairman of the county legislature's ways and
  means committee for his  approval  and  for  submission  to  the  county
  legislature  a  request  for  financial support for the operation to the
  authority for the forthcoming fiscal year of the county. The request for
  financial support  shall  delineate  the  total  amount  needed  by  the
  authority  from  the  county  to  achieve  its  lawful goals, powers and
  purposes, the source of all funds that the authority expects to  receive
  from  all  other  sources, and such other information as the chairman of
  the county legislature's ways and means  committee  shall  require.  The
  chairman  of  the  county  legislature's  ways  and  means committee may
  recommend the request for financial support by  the  authority  for  the
  annual  county budget appropriations to the authority if the chairman of
  the county legislature's ways and means committee  determines  that  the
  request  for  financial support will assist the authority to achieve its
  lawful goals, powers and purposes for the upcoming year. The chairman of
  the county legislature's ways  and  means  committee  shall  notify  the
  chairman  of  the  authority  not  later than October first of each year
  whether or not he has recommended to the county legislature the  request
  for financial support to the authority.
    3.  The  county may appropriate and provide to the authority an amount
  of money it deems necessary to provide the authority to assist it in its
  successful operation and achievement of its  lawful  goals,  powers  and
  purposes.
    4. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the
  contrary,  no  part of such county appropriations shall be available for
  the purposes designated until a certificate of approval of  availability
  shall  have been issued by the chairman of the county legislature's ways
  and means committee and a copy of such certificate  is  filed  with  the
  county director of finance. Such certificate may be amended from time to
  time,   subject   to   the  approval  of  the  chairman  of  the  county
  legislature's ways  and  means  committee,  and  a  copy  of  each  such
  amendment shall be filed with the county director of finance.
    5. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the
  contrary,  a town, city or village of Schenectady county may transfer to
  the authority from funds appropriated by the town, city or  village  for
  the fiscal year beginning nineteen hundred ninety-eight, and each fiscal
  year thereafter, the amount the town, city or village deems necessary to
  assist  the authority in its successful operation and achievement of its
  lawful goals, powers and purposes.
    6. On or before August fifteenth, nineteen hundred ninety-nine, and on
  each August fifteenth thereafter, the chairman of  the  authority  shall
  make  and  deliver  to  the  supervisor  or  mayor of such town, city or
  village for his approval and for submission  to  the  town  board,  city
  council  or  village  board  a  request  for  financial  support for the
  operation of the authority for the forthcoming fiscal year of the  town,
  city  or  village. The request for financial support shall delineate the
  total amount needed by the authority from the town, city or  village  to
  achieve  its  lawful goals, powers and purposes, the source of all funds
  that the authority expects to receive from all other sources,  and  such
  other  information  as  the  supervisor  or  mayor  shall  require.  The
  supervisor or mayor may recommend the request for financial  support  by
  the authority for the annual town, city or village budget appropriations
  to  the authority if the supervisor or mayor determines that the request
  for financial support will assist the authority to  achieve  its  lawful
  goals,  powers  and  purposes  for  the upcoming year. The supervisor or
  mayor shall notify the chairman of the authority not later than  October
  first  of each year whether or not he has recommenced to the town board,
  city council or village board the request for financial support  to  the
  authority.
    7.  A  town, city or village of Schenectady county may appropriate and
  provide to the authority an  amount  of  money  it  deems  necessary  to
  provide  the  authority  to  assist  it  in its successful operation and
  achievement of its lawful goals, powers and purposes.
    8. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the
  contrary, no part of such town, city or village appropriations shall  be
  available for the purposes designated until a certificate of approval of
  availability  shall  have  been issued by the supervisor or mayor of the
  town, city or village and a copy of such certificate is filed  with  the
  town,  city  or  village's  director of finance. Such certificate may be
  amended from time to time, subject to the approval of the supervisor  or
  mayor,  and  a copy of each such amendment shall be filed with the town,
  city or village's director of finance.
    9. The county of Schenectady shall dedicate net collections from sales
  and compensating use taxes imposed pursuant to the authority of  section
  twelve  hundred  ten-C  of  the  tax  law at the rate of one-half of one
  percent, during the period beginning September first,  nineteen  hundred
  ninety-eight, and ending August thirty-first, two thousand thirty-three,
  or,  if  the  county  does not impose taxes pursuant to the authority of
  section twelve hundred ten-C of the tax law, the county  shall  dedicate
  net  collections  from  sales  and compensating use taxes imposed during
  such period at the rate of one-half  of  one  percent  pursuant  to  the
  authority  of  section  twelve  hundred  ten  of  the tax law, and shall
  quarterly deposit such net  collections  in  the  Schenectady  metroplex
  development  authority  support  fund  established  in  accordance  with
  subdivision (b) of section twelve hundred  ten-C  of  the  tax  law.  On
  January   first,   nineteen  hundred  ninety-nine,  and  then  quarterly
  thereafter, the director of finance of Schenectady county shall transfer
  seventy percent of such net collections  deposited  in  the  Schenectady
  metroplex  development  authority  support  fund  to  the  authority for
  deposit in the authority's general fund.  The  authority  may  use  such
  portion  of  such  dedicated  net  collections  received  for any lawful
  purpose or power of the authority. On January  first,  nineteen  hundred
  ninety-nine,  and  then quarterly thereafter, the director of finance of
  Schenectady county, after  transferring  seventy  percent  of  such  net
  collections  to  the  authority  for  deposit in the authority's general
  fund, shall transfer all remaining monies in the  Schenectady  metroplex
  development  authority  support  fund  to  the  Schenectady  county real
  property tax abatement and economic development fund.
§  2662.  Private  donations.   
 Notwithstanding the provisions of any
  general or special law to the contrary, any  person  may  donate,  give,
  tender  or  provide,  and  the  authority may receive, private monies to
  assist the authority in its successful operation and achievement of  its
  lawful goals, powers and purposes.
§  2663.  Monies of the authority. 
1. All monies of the authority from
  whatever source derived shall be paid to the treasurer of the  authority
  and  shall  be  deposited forthwith in a bank or banks designated by the
  authority. The monies in such accounts shall be paid out or withdrawn on
  the order of such person or persons as the authority  may  authorize  to
  make  such requisitions. All deposits of such monies shall be secured by
  obligations of the United States or of the state or of any  municipality
  of  a  market  value equal at all times to the amount on deposit and all
  banks and trust companies are authorized to give such security for  such
  deposits.   To   the   extent  practicable,  consistent  with  the  cash
  requirements of the authority, all such monies  shall  be  deposited  in
  interest   bearing   accounts.      The   authority  shall  have  power,
  notwithstanding the provisions of this section,  to  contract  with  the
  holders of any bonds as to the custody, collection, security, investment
  and  payment  of any monies of the authority or any monies held in trust
  or otherwise for the payment of bonds or any way to  secure  bonds,  and
  carry  out  any  such contract notwithstanding that such contract may be
  inconsistent with the provisions of this section. Monies held  in  trust
  or  otherwise for the payment of bonds or in any way to secure bonds and
  deposits of such monies may be secured in the same manner as  monies  of
  the  authority  and all banks and trust companies are authorized to give
  such security for  such  deposits.  Any  monies  of  the  authority  not
  required for immediate use or disbursement may, at the discretion of the
  authority,  be  invested pursuant to section ninety-eight-a of the state
  finance law in accordance with guidelines established by the authority's
  board and amended from time to time. Subject to the  provisions  of  any
  contract   with   bondholders   and  with  the  approval  of  the  state
  comptroller, the authority shall prescribe a system of accounts.
    2. Tax revenues received by the authority pursuant to  section  twelve
  hundred ten-C of the tax law, shall be applied in the following order of
  priority:  first pursuant to the authority's contracts with bondholders,
  then to pay the authority's operating  expense  not  otherwise  provided
  for, and then the balance of such taxes not required to meet contractual
  or  other obligations of the authority shall be deposited in the general
  fund of the authority.
§  2664.  Return  of  moneys  to the county of Schenectady. 
 1. In the
  event that the revenues of the authority exceed its current  liabilities
  by  more  than  fifty percent at the end of its first fiscal year, or by
  more than ten percent at the end of its fiscal year of each fiscal  year
  after  its first fiscal year, after a lawful deposit in its reserve fund
  of not less than five percent  of  its  revenues,  and  after  a  lawful
  deposit  into  its  construction  and  development account in the amount
  necessary to provide payment for the anticipated projects  of  the  next
  fiscal   year,  then  the  authority  shall  return  to  the  county  of
  Schenectady seventy-five percent of such surplus amount.
    2. In the event that the revenues of the authority do not  exceed  its
  current  liabilities  by more than fifty percent at the end of its first
  fiscal year, or by more than ten percent at the end of its  fiscal  year
  of  each fiscal year after its first fiscal year, after a lawful deposit
  in its reserve fund of not less than five percent of  its  revenues  and
  after  a lawful deposit into its construction and development account in
  the amount necessary to provide payment for the anticipated projects  of
  the next fiscal year, or that sufficient funds are not available for the
  authority  to make a lawful deposit in its reserve fund of not less than
  five percent of its revenues, and a lawful deposit into its construction
  and development account, then the authority shall  not  be  required  to
  return any funds to the county of Schenectady for that fiscal year.
    3.  The  authority  shall  not  return  any  funds  to  the  county of
  Schenectady that have been received by the authority from sources  other
  than the dedicated one-half of one percent of the sales tax.
§  2665.  Bonds or notes of the authority. 
1. The authority shall have
  the power and is hereby authorized from time to  time  to  issue  bonds,
  notes  or  other obligations in conformity with applicable provisions of
  the uniform commercial  code  to  pay  the  cost  of  any  project,  the
  establishment  of reserves to secure the bonds, the payment of principal
  of, premium, if any, and interest  on  the  bonds  and  the  payment  of
  incidental  expenses  in  connection  therewith. The aggregate principal
  amount of such  bonds  or  notes  of  the  authority  shall  not  exceed
  seventy-five  million  dollars  ($75,000,000),  excluding bonds or notes
  issued to refund or repay bonds  or  notes  therefore  issued  for  such
  purposes;  provided,  however, that upon any such refunding or repayment
  the total aggregate principal amount of outstanding bonds or  notes  may
  be  greater than seventy-five million dollars ($75,000,000), only if the
  present value  of  the  aggregate  debt  service  of  the  refunding  or
  repayment  of  bonds  or notes to be issued shall not exceed the present
  value of the aggregate debt service of the  bonds  or  notes  so  to  be
  refunded  or  repaid. For the purpose of this section, the present value
  of the aggregate debt service of the refunding  or  repayment  bonds  or
  notes  and  the aggregate debt service of the bonds or notes refunded or
  repaid shall be calculated by utilizing the effective interest  rate  of
  the  refunding  or repayment of bonds or notes, which shall be that rate
  arrived  at  by  doubling  the  semi-annual  interest  rate  (compounded
  semi-annually)  necessary  to  discount the debt service payments on the
  refunding or repayment of bonds or notes from payment of  dates  thereof
  to the date of issue of the refunding or repayment of bonds or notes and
  to  the  price  bid  including  estimated accrued interest from the sale
  thereof. The authority shall have the power and is hereby authorized  to
  enter  into  such  agreements  and  perform such acts as may be required
  under any applicable federal legislation to secure a  federal  guarantee
  to any bonds.
    2. The authority shall have the power from time to time to renew bonds
  or to issue renewal bonds for such purpose, to issue bonds to pay bonds,
  and,  whenever  it  deems refunding expedient, to refund any bond by the
  issuance of new bonds, whether the bonds to be refunded have or have not
  matured, and may issue bonds, partly to refund  bonds  then  outstanding
  and  partly  for  any  other  purpose of the authority. Bonds issued for
  refunding purposes shall  be  sold  and  the  proceeds  applied  to  the
  purchase, redemption or payment of the bonds or notes to be refunded.
    3. Bonds issued by the authority may be general obligations secured by
  the  faith  and  credit  of  the authority or may be special obligations
  payable solely out of particular revenues or  other  monies  as  may  be
  designated  in  the  proceedings  of the authority under which the bonds
  shall be authorized to be issued, subject as to  priority  only  to  any
  agreements with the holders of outstanding bonds pledging any particular
  property,  revenues  or  monies.  The authority may also enter into loan
  agreements, lines of credit and other security agreements and obtain for
  or on its behalf letters  of  credit,  insurance,  guarantees  or  other
  credit  enhancements  to  the extent now or hereafter available, in each
  case for securing its bonds or to provide direct payment  of  any  costs
  which the authority is authorized to pay.
    4. (a) Bonds shall be authorized by resolution of the authority, be in
  such  denominations  and bear such date or dates and mature at such time
  or times, as such  resolution  may  provide,  provided  that  bonds  and
  renewals  thereof  shall  mature  within  thirty  years from the date of
  original issuance of any such bonds.
    (b) Bonds shall be subject to such terms of redemption, bear  interest
  at such rate or rates, be payable at such times, be in such form, either
  coupon or registered, carry such registration privileges, be executed in
  such  manner,  be  payable  in  such  medium of payment at such place or
  places, and be subject to such terms and conditions as  such  resolution
  may  provide.  Notwithstanding  any other provision of law, the bonds of
  the  authority  issued  pursuant  to  this  section shall be sold to the
  bidder offering the lowest true interest cost, taking into consideration
  any premium or discount not less than four nor more than  fifteen  days,
  Sunday excepted, after a notice of such sale has been published at least
  once  in  a  newspaper  of general circulation in the area served by the
  authority, which shall state the terms of the sale.  The  terms  of  the
  sale  may  not  change unless notice of such change is published in such
  newspaper at least one day prior to the date of the sale as set forth in
  the original notice of sale. Advertisements shall contain a provision to
  the effect that the authority, in its discretion, may reject any or  all
  bids  made  pursuant  to  such  advertisements, and in the event of such
  rejection, the authority is authorized to negotiate a private or  public
  sale  or  readvertise for bids in the form and manner above described as
  many times as, in its judgment, may be necessary to effect  satisfactory
  sale.
    (c)   Notwithstanding  the  provisions  of  the  preceding  paragraph,
  whenever in the judgment of the authority the interests of the authority
  will be served thereby, the members of the  authority,  on  the  written
  recommendation  of  the chairperson may authorize the sale of such bonds
  at private or  public  sale  on  a  negotiated  basis  or  on  either  a
  competitive  or  negotiated  basis.  The  authority shall set guidelines
  governing the terms and conditions of any such private or public  sales.
  The  private  or  public bond sale guidelines set by the authority shall
  include, but not be limited to, a requirement that where  the  interests
  of  the  authority  will be served by a private or public sale of bonds,
  the authority shall select underwriters taking into account, among other
  things, qualifications of underwriters as to experience,  their  ability
  to  structure  and  sell authority bond issues, anticipated costs to the
  authority, the prior experience of the authority with the firm, if  any,
  the  capitalization  of  such firms, participation of qualified minority
  and women-owned business enterprise firms  in  such  private  or  public
  sales  of bonds of the authority and the experience and ability of firms
  under consideration to  work  with  minority  and  women-owned  business
  enterprises   so   as  to  promote  and  assist  participation  by  such
  enterprises.
    (d) The authority shall have the power from time to time to amend such
  private bond sale guidelines in accordance with the provisions  of  this
  subdivision.
    (e)  No  private  or  public  bond sale on a negotiated basis shall be
  conducted  by  the  authority  without  prior  approval  of  the   state
  comptroller.  The  authority  shall  annually prepare and approve a bond
  sale report  which  shall  include  the  private  or  public  bond  sale
  guidelines   as  specified  in  this  subdivision,  amendments  to  such
  guidelines since the  last  private  or  public  bond  sale  report,  an
  explanation  of the bond sale guidelines and amendments, and the results
  of any sale of bonds conducted during the fiscal year.  Such  bond  sale
  report  may  be  a part of any other annual report that the authority is
  required to make.
    (f) The authority shall annually submit its bond sale  report  to  the
  state comptroller and copies thereof to the senate finance committee and
  the assembly ways and means committee.
    (g)  The  authority  shall  make available to the public copies of its
  bond sale report upon reasonable request thereof.
    (h) Nothing contained in this subdivision shall be  deemed  to  alter,
  affect  the  validity of, modify the terms of, or impair any contract or
  agreement made or entered into in violation of,  or  without  compliance
  with, the provisions of this subdivision.
    5.  Any  resolution  or  resolutions authorizing bonds or any issue of
  bonds by the authority may contain provisions which may be a part of the
  contract with the holders of the bonds thereby authorized as to:
    (a) Pledging all or part of the  revenues,  together  with  any  other
  monies  or property of the authority to secure the payment of the bonds,
  or any costs of issuance thereof, including  but  not  limited  to,  any
  contracts,  earnings  or proceeds of any grant to the authority received
  from any private or  public  source  subject  to  such  agreements  with
  bondholders as may then exist;
    (b)  The  setting  aside of reserves and the creation of sinking funds
  and the regulation and disposition thereof;
    (c) Limitations on the purpose to which the proceeds from the sale  of
  bonds may be applied;
    (d) The rates, rents, fees and other charges to be fixed and collected
  by  the  authority  and the amount to be raised in each year thereby and
  the use and disposition of revenues;
    (e) Limitations on the right of the authority to restrict and regulate
  the use of the project or part thereof in connection  with  which  bonds
  are issued;
    (f)  Limitations  on  the issuance of additional bonds, the terms upon
  which additional bonds may be issued and secured and  the  refunding  of
  outstanding or other bonds;
    (g)  The  procedure,  if  any, by which the terms of any contract with
  bondholders may be amended or abrogated,  including  the  proportion  of
  bondholders  which  must  consent  thereto, and the manner in which such
  consent may be given;
    (h) The creation of special funds into which any  revenues  or  monies
  may be deposited;
    (i) The terms and provisions of any trust, mortgage, deed or indenture
  securing the bonds under which the bonds may be issued;
    (j)  Vesting  in a trustee or trustees such properties, rights, powers
  and duties in trust as the authority may determine which may include any
  or all of the rights, powers and duties of the trustees appointed by the
  bondholders pursuant to this title or limiting the  rights,  duties  and
  powers of such trustee;
    (k)  Defining  the  acts  or  omissions  to act which may constitute a
  default  in  the  obligations  and  duties  of  the  authority  to   the
  bondholders and providing for the rights and remedies of the bondholders
  in the event of such default, including as a matter of right appointment
  of  a  receiver,  provided,  however, that such acts or omissions to act
  which may constitute a default and such rights and remedies shall not be
  inconsistent with the general laws of the state and other provisions  of
  this title;
    (l)  Limitations  on  the  power of the authority to sell or otherwise
  dispose of any project or any part thereof or other property;
    (m) Limitations on the amount of  revenues  and  other  monies  to  be
  expended   or   operating,  administrative  or  other  expenses  of  the
  authority;
    (n) The payment of the proceeds of bonds, revenues and other monies to
  a trustee or other  depository,  and  for  the  method  of  disbursement
  thereof  with  such  safeguards  and  restrictions  as the authority may
  determine; and
    (o) Any other matters of like or different character which in any  way
  affect  the  security  or  protection  of  the  bonds  or the rights and
  remedies of the bondholders.
    6. In addition to the powers herein conferred upon  the  authority  to
  secure  its bonds, the authority shall have the power in connection with
  the issuance of bonds to adopt resolutions and  enter  into  such  trust
  indentures,  agreements  or  other instruments as the authority may deem
  necessary,  convenient or desirable concerning the use or disposition of
  its revenues or other monies or property, including  the  mortgaging  of
  any  property  and  the  entrusting,  pledging  or creation of any other
  security interest in any such revenues, monies or property and the doing
  of any act, including refraining from doing any act which the  authority
  would  have  the  right  to do in the absence of such resolutions, trust
  indentures, agreements or other instruments. The  authority  shall  have
  power   to   enter  into  amendments  of  any  such  resolutions,  trust
  indentures, agreements or other instruments within the powers granted to
  the authority by this title  and  to  perform  such  resolutions,  trust
  indentures,  agreements or other instruments. The provisions of any such
  resolutions, trust indentures, agreements or other  instruments  may  be
  made a part of the contract with the holders of bonds of the authority.
    7.  Any  provision  of  the  uniform  commercial  code to the contrary
  notwithstanding, any pledge of or other security interest  in  revenues,
  monies, accounts, contract rights, general intangibles or other personal
  property  made  or  created by the authority shall be valid, binding and
  perfected from the time when such  pledge  is  made  or  other  security
  interest  attaches  without  any  physical delivery of the collateral or
  further act, and the lien of any such pledge or other security  interest
  shall  be valid, binding and perfected against all parties having claims
  of any kind  in  tort,  contract  or  otherwise  against  the  authority
  irrespective  of  whether  or  not  such parties have notice thereof. No
  instrument by which such a pledge or security interest  is  created  nor
  any financing statement need be recorded or filed.
    8.  Whether  or  not  the  bonds of the authority are of such form and
  character as to be negotiable instruments under the terms of the uniform
  commercial code, the bonds are hereby made negotiable instruments within
  the meaning of and for all the purposes of the uniform commercial  code,
  subject only to the provisions of the bonds for registration.
    9.  Neither  the  members  nor  the  officers of the authority nor any
  person executing its bonds shall be liable personally on its bonds or be
  subject to any personal liability or accountability  by  reason  of  the
  issuance thereof.
    10. Subject to such agreements with bondholders as may then exist, the
  authority  shall  have  power  out  of  any  funds available therefor to
  purchase bonds of the authority, in lieu of redemption, at a  price  not
  exceeding,  if  the bonds are then redeemable, the redemption price then
  applicable plus accrued interest to the next interest payment date,  or,
  if the bonds are not then redeemable, the redemption price applicable on
  the  first  date after such purchase upon which the bonds become subject
  to redemption plus accrued interest to the next interest  payment  date.
  Bonds so purchased shall thereupon be canceled.
    11.  The  authority shall have power and is hereby authorized to issue
  negotiable  bond  anticipation  notes  in  conformity  with   applicable
  provisions of the uniform commercial code and in accordance with section
  21.00 of the local finance law, as amended from time to time.
    §  2666.    Bonds; legal investment for fiduciaries.  
The bonds of the
  authority are hereby made securities in which all  public  officers  and
  bodies  of the state and all municipalities, all insurance companies and
  associations and other persons carrying on an  insurance  business,  all
  banks,  bankers, trust companies, savings banks and saving associations,
  including savings and loan associations, building and loan associations,
  investment companies and other persons carrying on a  banking  business,
  and administrators, guardians, executors, trustees and other fiduciaries
  and  all  other  persons  whatsoever,  who  are  now or may hereafter be
  authorized to invest in bonds or other  obligations  of  the  state  may
  properly  and legally invest funds including capital in their control or
  belonging to them.  The bonds are also hereby made securities which  may
  be  deposited with and may be received by all public officers and bodies
  of the state and all municipalities  for  any  purposes  for  which  the
  deposit  of bonds or other obligations of this state is now or hereafter
  may be authorized.
§  2667.  Tax exemption and tax contract by the state. 
1. It is hereby
  determined that the creation of the authority and the  carrying  out  of
  its  corporate purposes is in all respects for the benefit of the people
  of the state of New York and  is  a  public  purpose.  Accordingly,  the
  authority  shall  be  regarded  as  performing an essential governmental
  function in the exercise of the powers conferred upon it by this  title.
  The property of the authority, its income and operations shall be exempt
  from  taxation,  assessments, special assessments and special ad valorem
  levies; the authority shall not be required  to  pay  any  fees,  taxes,
  special  ad  valorem levies or assessments of any kind, whether state or
  local, including but not limited to  fees,  taxes,  special  ad  valorem
  levies  or assessments on real property, franchise taxes, sales taxes or
  other taxes, upon or with respect to any property owned by it  or  under
  its  jurisdiction,  control or supervision, or upon the uses thereof, or
  upon or with respect to its activities or operations in  furtherance  of
  the  powers  conferred upon it by this title, or upon or with respect to
  any fares, tolls, rentals,  rates,  charges,  fees,  revenues  or  other
  income received by the authority.
    2.  Bonds  issued  pursuant  to  this  title  together with the income
  therefrom shall at all times be exempt from taxation.
    3. The state  hereby  covenants  with  the  purchasers  and  with  all
  subsequent  holders  and  transferees  of  bonds issued by the authority
  pursuant to this title,  in  consideration  of  the  acceptance  of  and
  payment  for  the bonds, that the bonds of the authority issued pursuant
  to this title and the income therefrom and  all  revenues,  monies,  and
  other  property  pledged  to  pay or to secure the payment of such bonds
  shall at all times be free from taxation.
    4. The authority may pay, or may enter into agreements with the county
  or any municipality to pay, a sum or sums annually or  otherwise  or  to
  provide  other considerations with respect to the real property owned by
  the authority located within the county or such municipality.
    5. Notwithstanding subdivision  four  of  this  section,  any  project
  authorized  by  paragraphs  (d),  (m)  and  (n)  of subdivision eight of
  section twenty-six hundred fifty-five of this  title  except  government
  office  space, building or facilities shall be exempt from real property
  taxation, calculated not to exceed the  following:  ten  years  of  full
  exemption  followed by one year of exemption from eighty percent of such
  taxation, followed by one year of exemption from sixty percent  of  such
  taxation,  followed  by one year of exemption from forty percent of such
  taxation, followed by one year of exemption from twenty percent of  such
  taxation.
§  2668.  Remedies  of  bondholders. 
 Subject  to  any  resolution  or
  resolutions adopted pursuant to this title:
    1. In the event that the authority shall default  in  the  payment  of
  principal  of  or  interest  on  any issue of bonds after the same shall
  become due, whether at maturity or upon call for  redemption,  and  such
  default shall continue for a period of thirty days, or in the event that
  the authority shall fail or refuse to comply with the provisions of this
  title  or  shall  default  in any agreement made with the holders of any
  issue  of  bonds,  the  holders  of  twenty-five  percent  in  aggregate
  principal  amount  of  the  bonds  of  such  issue  then outstanding, by
  instrument or instruments filed in the office of the clerk of the county
  in which the principal office of the authority is located and proved  or
  acknowledged  in the same manner as a deed to be recorded, may appoint a
  trustee to represent the holders of such bonds for  the  purpose  herein
  provided.
    2.  Such  trustee  may,  and  upon  written  request of the holders of
  twenty-five per centum in principal amount  of  such  bonds  outstanding
  shall, in its own name:
    (a)  By action or proceeding in accordance with the civil practice law
  and rules, enforce all rights of the bondholders, including the right to
  require the authority to collect rents, rates, fees and charges adequate
  to carry out any agreement as to, or pledge of, such rents, rates,  fees
  and  charges  and  to  require  the  authority  to  carry  out any other
  agreements with the holders of such bonds to perform  its  duties  under
  this title;
    (b) Bring an action or proceeding upon such bonds;
    (c) By action or proceeding, require the authority to account as if it
  were the trustee of an express trust for the holders of such bonds;
    (d)  By  action  or proceeding, enjoin any acts or things which may be
  unlawful or in violation of the rights of the holders of such bonds; and
    (e) Declare all such bonds due and payable, and if all defaults  shall
  be  made  good,  then with the consent of the holders of the twenty-five
  per centum of the principal amount of such bonds  then  outstanding,  to
  annul such declaration and its consequences.
    3.  Such  trustee  shall in addition to the foregoing have and possess
  all of the powers necessary or  appropriate  for  the  exercise  of  any
  functions  specifically  set  forth  herein  or  incident to the general
  representation of bondholders in the enforcement and protection of their
  rights.
    4. The  supreme  court  shall  have  jurisdiction  of  any  action  or
  proceeding  by  the  trustee on behalf of such bondholders. The venue of
  any such action or proceeding shall be laid in the county.
    5. Before declaring the  principal  of  bonds  due  and  payable,  the
  trustee shall first give thirty days notice in writing to the authority.
    6.  Any such trustee, whether or not the issue of bonds represented by
  such trustee has been declared due and payable, shall be entitled as  of
  right  to  the  appointment  of any receiver of any part or parts of the
  project, the revenues of which are pledged for the security of the bonds
  of such issue, and such receiver may enter and take possession  of  such
  part  or  parts  of  the project and, subject to any pledge or agreement
  with the holders of such bonds, shall take possession of all monies  and
  other  property  derived  from  such  part  or  parts of the project and
  proceed  with  any  construction  thereon  or  the  acquisition  of  any
  property,  real  or personal, in connection therewith that the authority
  is under obligation to do, and to operate, maintain and reconstruct such
  part or parts of the  project  and  collect  and  receive  all  revenues
  thereafter  arising  therefrom  subject  to any pledge or agreement with
  bondholders relating thereto and perform the public duties and carry out
  the agreements and obligations of the authority under the  direction  of
  the  court.  In any suit, action or proceeding by the trustee, the fees,
  counsel fees and expenses of the trustee and of the  receiver,  if  any,
  shall  constitute  taxable disbursements and all costs and disbursements
  allowed by the court shall be a first charge  on  any  revenues  derived
  from the properties.
§  2669. State, county and municipalities not liable on bonds.
 Neither
  the state, the county nor any municipality therein shall  be  liable  on
  the bonds or notes of the authority and such bonds or notes shall not be
  a  debt of the state, the county or of any municipality therein and such
  bonds and notes shall contain on the face thereof a  statement  to  such
  effect.
§  2669-a.  Agreement  with state. 
The state does hereby pledge to and
  agree with the holders of any bonds issued by the authority pursuant  to
  this  title  and  secured  by a pledge, and with those persons or public
  authorities who may enter into contracts with the authority pursuant  to
  the  provisions  of  this  title that the state will not alter, limit or
  impair the rights hereby vested in the authority to purchase, construct,
  own and  operate,  maintain,  repair,  improve,  reconstruct,  renovate,
  rehabilitate,  enlarge,  increase and extend, or dispose of any project,
  or any part or parts thereof for which bonds of the authority shall have
  been issued, to establish and  collect  rates,  rents,  fees  and  other
  charges referred to in this title, to fulfill the terms of any contracts
  or  agreements  made  with or for the benefit of the holders of bonds or
  with any person or public authority with reference to  such  project  or
  part  thereof,  or  in  any way to impair the rights and remedies of the
  holders of bonds, until  the  bonds,  together  with  interest  thereon,
  including interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs
  and expenses in connection with any action or proceeding by or on behalf
  of the holders of bonds, are fully met and discharged and such contracts
  are  fully  performed  on  the  part  of the authority. The authority is
  authorized to include this pledge and agreement  of  the  state  in  any
  agreement  with  the  holders  of bonds. Nothing contained in this title
  shall be deemed to restrict the right of the  state  to  amend,  modify,
  repeal or otherwise alter statutes imposing or relating to taxes or fees
  or  appropriations  relating thereto. The authority shall not include in
  any resolution, contract or agreement with the holders of its bonds,  or
  such persons or public authorities who may enter into contracts with the
  authority,  any  provision  stating  that,  as  a  result  of  the state
  exercising its right to amend, repeal, modify  or  otherwise  alter  any
  such  tax,  fee  or  appropriation a default will occur. Nothing in this
  title shall be deemed to obligate the state to make additional  payments
  or  impose  any  taxes  to  satisfy  the debt service obligations of the
  authority.
    § 2669-b. Agreement with county. 
1. The county is authorized to pledge
  to  and  agree  with  the  holders  of any bonds issued by the authority
  pursuant to this title and secured by such  a  pledge,  and  with  those
  persons  or  public  authorities  who  may enter into contracts with the
  authority pursuant to the provisions of this title that the county  will
  not  alter, limit or impair the rights hereby vested in the authority to
  purchase,  construct,  own  and  operate,  maintain,  repair,   improve,
  reconstruct,  renovate,  rehabilitate,  enlarge, increase and extend, or
  dispose of any project, or any part or parts thereof, for which bonds of
  the authority shall have been issued, to establish, collect  and  adjust
  rates,  rents,  fees  and  other  charges  referred to in this title, to
  fulfill the terms of any agreements made with the holders of  the  bonds
  or with any public authority or person with reference to such project or
  part  thereof,  or  in  any  way  impair  the rights and remedies of the
  holders of bonds, until  the  bonds,  together  with  interest  thereon,
  including interest on any unpaid installments of interest, and all costs
  and expenses in connection with any action or proceeding by or on behalf
  of the holders of bonds, are fully met and discharged and such contracts
  are fully performed on the part of the authority.
    2. (a) Nothing contained in this title shall be deemed to restrict the
  right  of  the  county  to  repeal  the sales and compensating use taxes
  imposed pursuant to the authority of section twelve hundred ten-C of the
  tax law, provided such county imposes sales and compensating  use  taxes
  pursuant  to  the authority of section twelve hundred ten of the tax law
  at a rate not less than one-half of one percent, or, if the county  does
  not  impose  such  taxes  pursuant  to  the  authority of section twelve
  hundred ten-C of the tax law, to reduce the rate of such  taxes  imposed
  pursuant  to the authority of such section twelve hundred ten of the tax
  law to a rate not less than one-half of one percent, or to amend, modify
  or otherwise alter such taxes or appropriations relating thereto  or  to
  amend,  modify,  repeal  or  otherwise  alter  other  taxes  or  fees or
  appropriations relating thereto.
    (b) The authority shall not include in  any  resolution,  contract  or
  agreement  with  the  holders  of  its  bonds, or such persons or public
  authorities who  may  enter  into  contracts  with  the  authority,  any
  provision  stating  that, as a result of the county exercising its right
  to reduce, as described in paragraph (a) of this subdivision,  the  rate
  of,  amend,  modify  or  otherwise alter such sales and compensating use
  taxes or related appropriations, or its right to amend,  repeal,  modify
  or  otherwise  alter  any such other tax, fee or appropriation a default
  will occur.
    3. Nothing in this title shall be deemed to  obligate  the  county  to
  make additional payments or impose any taxes to satisfy the debt service
  obligations of the authority.


§ 2670. Actions against authority. 
1. Except in an action for wrongful
  death, no action or special proceeding shall be prosecuted or maintained
  against  the  authority, its members, officers or employees for personal
  injury or damage to real or  personal  property  alleged  to  have  been
  sustained  by  reason  of  the  negligence,  tort or wrongful act of the
  authority or of any member, officer, agent or employee  thereof,  unless
  (a)  notice  of claim shall have been made and served upon the authority
  within the time limit set by and in compliance with section  fifty-e  of
  the  general  municipal law, (b) it shall appear by and as an allegation
  in the complaint or moving papers that at least thirty days have elapsed
  since the service of such notice and that adjustment or payment  thereof
  has  been  neglected  or  refused,  (c) the action or special proceeding
  shall be commenced within one year and ninety days after  the  happening
  of  the  event upon which the claim is based, and (d) an action, against
  the authority for wrongful death shall be commenced in  accordance  with
  the  notice  of  claim and time limitation provisions of title eleven of
  article nine of this chapter.
    2. Whenever a notice of claim is served upon the authority,  it  shall
  have  the right to demand an examination of the claimant relative to the
  occurrence and extent of the injuries or  damages  for  which  claim  is
  made,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  section fifty-h of the
  general municipal law.
    3. The authority may require any person presenting for  settlement  an
  account  or  claim  for any cause whatsoever against the authority to be
  sworn before a member, counsel or an attorney, officer  or  employee  of
  the  authority  designated  for such purpose, concerning such account or
  claim and, when so sworn, to answer orally as to any facts  relative  to
  such  account  or  claim.  The  authority  shall have power to settle or
  adjust all claims in favor of or against the authority.
    4. Any action or proceeding to which the authority or  the  people  of
  the  state  may  be  parties,  in  which  any  question arises as to the
  validity of this title, shall be preferred over all other  civil  causes
  of  action  or  cases, except election causes of action or cases, in all
  courts of the state and shall be heard and determined in  preference  to
  all  other  civil  business  pending  therein  except  election  causes,
  irrespective of position on the calendar. The same performance shall  be
  granted  upon  application of the authority or its counsel in any action
  or proceeding questioning the  validity  of  this  title  in  which  the
  authority  may  be allowed to intervene. The venue of any such action or
  proceeding shall be laid in the supreme court of the county.
    5. The rate of interest to be paid by the authority upon any  judgment
  for which it is liable, other than a judgment on its bonds, shall be the
  rate  prescribed by section five thousand four of the civil practice law
  and rules. Interest on payments of principal or interest on any bonds in
  default shall accrue at the rate borne by such bonds from the  due  date
  thereof until paid or otherwise satisfied.
    6. All actions or proceedings against the authority of whatever nature
  shall be brought in the supreme court of Schenectady county.
§  2671.  Limitation  of  liability; indemnification.   
1. Neither the
  members of the authority nor any person  acting  in  its  behalf,  while
  acting  within  the  scope  of  their authority, shall be subject to any
  personal liability  resulting  from  carrying  out  any  of  the  powers
  expressly given in or authorized by this title.
    2.  The  board  shall  elect the provisions of section eighteen of the
  public officers law to apply to the  members,  officers,  employees  and
  agents  of the authority in connection with any and all claims, demands,
  suits, actions or proceedings which may be made or brought  against  any
  of  them  arising  out  of  any  determinations made or actions taken or
  failed to be taken in compliance with any obligations under or  pursuant
  to the terms of this title.
§   2672.  Assistance  by  state  officers, departments,  boards  and commissions. 
 The department of audit and control,  department  of  law,
  and  all  other state officers, agencies, departments, boards, divisions
  offices, and commissions may  render  such  services  to  the  authority
  within their respective functions as may be requested by the authority.
    Notwithstanding  the  provisions of any other law to the contrary, the
  commissioner of the office of general services is  authorized  to  enter
  into  a contract, from time to time, on behalf of and in the name of the
  state of New  York,  upon  terms  and  conditions  which  are  fair  and
  equitable,  for  the  conveyance of unappropriated state lands and lands
  under water which  the  authority  shall  certify  to  be  necessary  or
  desirable for the corporate purposes of the authority.
§  2673. Audit, annual report, county approval of certain projects. 
1.
  The accounts of the authority shall be subject to the supervision of the
  state  comptroller  and  an  annual  audit  shall  be  performed  by  an
  independent  certified  public  accountant. The authority shall annually
  submit  to  the  county  legislature,   governor,   state   comptroller,
  chairperson  of  the  senate  finance  committee, and chairperson of the
  assembly ways and means committee a  detailed  report  pursuant  to  the
  provisions  of  section twenty-eight hundred of this chapter, and a copy
  of such report shall be filed with the clerk of the county legislature.
    2. The authority shall not undertake any project unless it shall  have
  first  been  approved  by a majority vote of the county legislature. The
  provisions of this subdivision shall not apply, and no approval  of  the
  county  legislature shall be necessary, when: (a) the direct expenditure
  of funds used to complete such project is not anticipated to exceed  ten
  million  dollars  in  funds  derived  from  the authority's share of the
  dedicated net collections  described  in  subdivision  nine  of  section
  twenty-six  hundred  sixty-one  of  this  title,  and  the  interest  on
  one-third or less of bonds or  notes  that  shall  be  issued  for  such
  project  pursuant  to  this  title shall be includable, under the United
  States Internal Revenue Code of 1986,  as  amended,  or  any  subsequent
  corresponding internal revenue law of the United States, in gross income
  of  the holders of the bonds or notes to the same extent and in the same
  manner that the interest on bills, bonds, notes or other obligations  of
  the  United  States  is  includable  in  the gross income of the holders
  thereof  under  the  code  or  any  of  the  subsequent  laws;  or   (b)
  notwithstanding  the provisions of paragraph (a) of this subdivision, no
  bonding is necessary; or (c) notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph
  (a) of this subdivision, solely where the action  of  the  authority  is
  site acquisition, site preparation or infrastructure development.
    §  2674. Separability.   
If any provision of any section of this title
  or the application thereof  to  any  person  or  circumstance  shall  be
  adjudged  invalid  by  a  court of competent jurisdiction, such order or
  judgment shall be confined in its operation to the controversy in  which
  it was rendered, and shall not affect or invalidate the remainder of any
  provision  of  any  section of this title or the application of any part
  thereof to any  other  person  or  circumstance  and  to  this  end  the
  provisions  of  each  section  of  this  title are hereby declared to be
  severable.
    Insofar as the provisions of this  title  are  inconsistent  with  the
  provisions  of  any other law, general, special or local, the provisions
  of this title shall be controlling.