CHAPTER 588k
LOWER FAIRFIELD COUNTY
CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY

      Sec. 32-204. Purposes and powers of the authority. The general purpose of the authority shall be to stimulate new spending in Connecticut and to encourage the diversification of the state economy through the construction, operation, maintenance and marketing of a conference or exhibition facility that will create new jobs, add to the benefits of the hospitality industry, broaden the base of the tourism effort and stimulate substantial surrounding economic development and corresponding increased tax revenues to the state. The primary purpose of the authority shall be to attract and service large conventions, tradeshows, exhibitions and conferences, preferably those whose attendees are predominantly from out-of-state; the secondary purpose of the authority, at times when its primary purpose cannot be fulfilled, shall be to attract and service local consumer shows, exhibitions and events which generate less new spending in Connecticut. For these purposes, the authority shall have the following powers: (1) To have perpetual succession as a body corporate and to adopt procedures for the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business as provided in subsection (f) of section 32-203; to adopt a corporate seal and alter the same at its pleasure; and to maintain an office at such place or places within the state as it may designate; (2) to sue and be sued; to contract and be contracted with, provided, if management, operating, or promotional contracts or agreements or other contracts or agreements are entered into with nongovernmental parties with respect to property financed with the proceeds of obligations the interest on which is excluded from gross income for federal income taxation, the board of directors will ensure that such contracts or agreements are in compliance with the covenants of the authority upon which such tax exclusion is conditioned; (3) to acquire, by gift, purchase, condemnation or transfer, lands or rights-in-land in connection therewith and to sell, lease as lessee or as lessor, provided such activity is consistent with all applicable federal tax covenants of the authority, transfer or dispose of any property or interest therein acquired by it, at any time; and to receive and accept aid or contributions, from any source, of money, labor, property or other things of value, to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of sections 32-200 to 32-212, inclusive, subject to the conditions upon which such grants and contributions are made, including, but not limited to, gifts or grants from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or this state for any purpose consistent with said sections; (4) to formulate plans for, acquire, finance and develop, lease, purchase, construct, reconstruct, repair, improve, expand, extend, operate, maintain and market the project, provided such activities are consistent with all applicable federal tax covenants of the authority; (5) to fix and revise from time to time and to charge and collect fees, rents and other charges for the use, occupancy or operation of the project, and to establish and revise from time to time, regulations in respect of the use, operation and occupancy of any such project, provided such regulations are consistent with all applicable federal tax covenants of the authority; (6) to employ such assistants, agents and other employees as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes and to fix their compensation; to establish and modify personnel procedures as may be necessary from time to time and to negotiate and enter into collective bargaining agreements with labor unions; (7) to engage architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, consultants and such other independent professionals as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes; to contract for construction, development, concessions and the procurement of goods and services and to establish and modify procurement procedures from time to time to implement the foregoing in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section; (8) to adopt procedures with respect to contractors and subcontractors engaged in the construction of the project which require such contractors or subcontractors (A) to take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity for employment without discrimination as to race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, lawful source of income, mental retardation, mental disability or physical disability, including, but not limited to, blindness or deafness, and (B) to ensure that the wages paid on an hourly basis to any mechanic, laborer or workman employed by such contractor or subcontractor with respect to the project shall be at a rate equal to the rate customary or prevailing for the same work in the same trade or occupation in the town and city of Stamford; (9) to engage in and contract for marketing and promotional activities to attract national, regional and local conventions, trade shows, exhibitions, banquets and other events in order to maximize the use of the project and to carry out the purposes of sections 32-200 to 32-212, inclusive; (10) to acquire, lease, hold and dispose of personal property for the purposes set forth in sections 32-200 to 32-212, inclusive; (11) to procure insurance against any liability or loss in connection with its property and other assets, in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems desirable and to procure insurance for employees; (12) to borrow money and to issue bonds, notes and other obligations of the authority to the extent permitted under sections 32-200 to 32-212, inclusive, to fund and refund the same and to provide for the rights of the holders thereof and to secure the same by pledge of assets, revenues, notes and state contract assistance as provided in said sections and such state taxes as the authority shall be entitled to receive pursuant to the provisions of said sections; (13) to invest any funds not needed for immediate use or disbursement in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America or the state of Connecticut and in other obligations which are legal investments for savings banks in this state and in time deposits or certificates of deposit or other similar banking arrangements secured in such manner as the authority determines; (14) to do anything necessary and desirable, including executing reimbursement agreements or similar agreements in connection with credit facilities, including, but not limited to, letters of credit or policies of bond insurance, remarketing agreements and agreements for the purpose of moderating interest rate fluctuations, to render any bonds to be issued pursuant to sections 32-200 to 32-212, inclusive, more marketable; (15) to do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of sections 32-200 to 32-212, inclusive, and the powers expressly granted by said sections.

      (P.A. 90-320, S. 5, 14; P.A. 11-55, S. 17.)

      History: P.A. 11-55 amended Subdiv. (8)(A) to prohibit discrimination on basis of gender identity or expression.