Effective - 28 Aug 2010
184.509. Seal and bylaws — power to contract — borrowing of moneys, when — support for activities, considerations — annual report. — 1. The commission shall adopt a seal and suitable bylaws governing its management and procedure. The commission shall have the power to contract and to be contracted with, and to sue and to be sued. The commission may own and acquire, by gift, purchase, lease, or devise, zoological facilities within the territory of the district. The commission may plan, construct, operate, and maintain and contract for the operation and maintenance of zoological facilities within the territory of the district. The commission may sell, lease, donate, transfer, or otherwise dispose of zoological facilities within the territory of the district. The commission may receive for any of its purposes and functions any contributions or moneys appropriated by counties or cities and may solicit and receive any and all donations, and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services from any state or the United States or any agency thereof, or from any institution, foundation, organization, person, firm, or corporation, and may utilize and dispose of the same.
2. At any time following five years from the date of creation of the Kansas City zoological district, the commission may borrow moneys for the planning, construction, equipping, operation, maintenance, repair, extension, expansion, or improvement of any zoological facility by:
(1) Issuing notes, bonds or other instruments in writing of the commission in evidence of the sum or sums to be borrowed. No notes, bonds or other instruments in writing shall be issued pursuant to this subsection until the issuance of such notes, bonds or instruments has been submitted to and approved by a majority of the qualified electors of the district voting at an election called and held thereon. Such election shall be called and held in the manner provided by law;
(2) Issuing refunding notes, bonds or other instruments in writing for the purpose of refunding, extending or unifying the whole or any part of its outstanding indebtedness from time to time, whether evidenced by notes, bonds or other instruments in writing. Such refunding notes, bonds or other instruments in writing shall not exceed in amount the principal of the outstanding indebtedness to be refunded and the accrued interest thereon to the date of such refunding;
(3) Providing that all notes, bonds and other instruments in writing issued hereunder shall or may be payable, both as to principal and interest, from sales tax revenues authorized under this compact and disbursed to the district by counties comprising the district, admissions and other revenues collected from the use of any zoological facility or facilities constructed hereunder, or from any other resources of the commission, and further may be secured by a mortgage or deed of trust upon any property interest of the commission; and
(4) Prescribing the details of all notes, bonds or other instruments in writing, and of the issuance and sale thereof. The commission shall have the power to enter into covenants with the holders of such notes, bonds or other instruments in writing, not inconsistent with the powers granted herein, without further legislative authority.
3. The commission may provide donations, contributions, and grants or other support, financial or otherwise for, or in aid of, zoological activities in counties that are part of the district. In determining whether to provide any such support the commission shall consider the following factors:
(1) The commission's primary purpose is to support the maintenance and operation of the Kansas City zoo through donations, contributions, grants, and other financial support;
(2) The economic impact upon the district;
(3) The benefit to citizens of the district and to the general public;
(4) The contribution to the quality of life and popular image of the district;
(5) The breadth of popular appeal within and outside the district; and
(6) Any other factor deemed appropriate by the commission.
4. The commission may provide for actual and necessary expenses of commissioners incurred in the performance of their official duties.
5. The commission shall cause to be prepared annually a report on the operations and transactions conducted by the commission during the preceding year. The report shall be submitted to the governing bodies of the counties comprising the district, to the governing body of each county that appoints a commissioner, to the Kansas City, Missouri, board of parks and recreation, and to the executive board of Friends of the Zoo, Inc. The commission shall publish the annual report in the official county newspaper of each of the counties comprising the district.
6. The commission has the power to perform all other necessary and incidental functions and duties and to exercise all other necessary and appropriate powers not inconsistent with the constitution or laws of this state to effectuate the same.
7. Nothing in this section shall be construed as granting the commission authority or power to manage the Kansas City zoo or to retain title to, or control over, the lands occupied by the Kansas City zoo.
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(L. 2010 H.B. 1316 merged with H.B. 2297)