(a) The Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County is a public body corporate and politic that:
(1) exercises public and essential governmental functions; and
(2) has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this Division II.
(b) (1) The Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County consists of seven members appointed by the Commissioners for St. Mary’s County.
(2) The term of a member is 5 years.
(3) The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms provided for members of the Commissioners of the Housing Authority of St. Mary’s County on October 1, 2006.
(4) A member who is appointed after a term has begun serves only for the rest of the term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies.