Municipal Parking Authority.

Ala. Code tit. 11, tit. 2, ch. 61A

in effect

Ala. Code § 11-61A-1 Declarations.

11-61A-1. Declarations. The history of municipalities and the course of legislatures throughout America, including the Legislature of Alabama, confirm that public welfare requires that Class 2 municipalities be authorized to provide off-street parking facilities through parking authorities. The Legislature makes each of the following declarations: (1) The free circulation of traffic on the streets of Class 2 municipalities is necessary to the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. (2) The greatly increased use of motor vehicles has caused serious traffic congestion on the streets of the Class 2 municipalities. (3) The parking of motor vehicles has contributed to the congestion. (4) The congestion prevents the free flow of traffic through the municipalities, impedes effective firefighting and the disposition of police forces, and threatens irreparable loss in the values of urban property, which can no longer be readily reached by vehicular traffic. (5) Parking facilities in Class 2 municipalities are grossly inadequate. (6) Private enterprise has been unable to solve the problem, because private parking lots are frequently temporary in nature, located without regard for actual parking requirements, with vacant land being used for parking purposes in a haphazard fashion in order to earn minimal revenue from the land pending construction. (7) The inadequacy of parking space is harmful to the public convenience, health, safety, and welfare. (8) The inadequate off-street parking spaces now existing must be supplemented by off-street parking facilities provided by public undertaking. (9) The enactment of this law is declared to be a public necessity which the public welfare and convenience require. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §1.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-2 Definitions.

11-61A-2. Definitions. Unless the context plainly indicates otherwise, the following words and terms have the meanings ascribed to them: (1) AUTHORITY. A public corporation organized under this chapter. (2) BOARD. The board of directors of an authority organized under this chapter. (3) BOND. Any bond authorized to be issued under this chapter. (4) COUPON. Any interest coupon evidencing an installment of interest payable with respect to a bond. (5) DIRECTOR. A member of a board. (6) GOVERNING BODY. The body in which the general legislative powers of the municipality are vested. (7) INDENTURE. A mortgage, an indenture of mortgage, deed of trust, trust agreement, or trust indenture executed by an authority as security for its bonds. (8) MUNICIPALITY. A Class 2 municipality subject to this chapter. (9) PARKING FACILITY. Any building, structure, land, right-of-way, equipment, or instrumentality used or useful in either of the following ways: a. In connection with the construction, enlargement, development, maintenance, or operation of an area or building for off-street or on-street parking of motor vehicles. b. In connection with the exercise of any power of the authority. (10) STATE. The State of Alabama. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §2.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-3 Application for Permission to Incorporate.

11-61A-3. Application for Permission to Incorporate. A municipal parking authority may be organized as a public corporation in any Class 2 municipality of the state. Three or more natural persons may file with the governing body of the municipality an application in writing for permission to incorporate a public corporation to function as a municipal parking authority. The applicants shall attach to the application a proposed form of certificate of incorporation for the corporation. If the governing body receiving the application adopts a resolution approving the form of the certificate of incorporation and authorizing the formation of a public corporation, the applicants shall become the incorporators. The resolution does not have to be published or posted. The applicants shall incorporate the authority as a public corporation as provided in this chapter. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §3.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-4 Certificate of Incorporation.

11-61A-4. Certificate of Incorporation. The certificate of incorporation of the authority shall state all of the following: (1) The name of each person forming the authority, the residence of each person, a statement that each person is a duly qualified elector of the municipality, and a statement that each is the owner of property in the municipality. (2) The name of the authority (which shall include the words “Parking Authority”). (3) The duration that the authority will exist. If the duration is to be perpetual, that fact shall be stated. (4) The name of the municipality authorizing the incorporation of the authority and the date the authorization was granted. (5) The proposed location of the principal office of the authority, which shall be within the boundaries of the municipality. (6) Any other matters that are not inconsistent with this chapter or other laws of the state that the authority chooses to insert. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §4.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-5 Attachments to Certificate.

11-61A-5. Attachments to Certificate. (a) The certificate of incorporation of the authority shall be signed and acknowledged by the incorporators before an officer authorized by the laws of the state to take acknowledgments to deeds. (b) The certificate shall have each of the following attached: (1) A certified copy of the resolution required in Section 11-61A-3. (2) A certificate by the Secretary of State that the name proposed for the authority is not identical to that of any other corporation organized under the laws of the state or so nearly similar as to lead to confusion and uncertainty. (c) The incorporators shall file the certificate of incorporation of the authority, together with the attachments in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the principal office of the authority is located. The judge of probate shall immediately receive and record the certificate and attachments. (d) When the certificate of incorporation and attachments have been filed, the authority shall come into existence and shall constitute a public corporation under the name set forth in the certificate. The authority shall be vested with the rights and powers granted in this chapter. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §5.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-6 Changes and Amendments.

11-61A-6. Changes and Amendments. (a) The board, by resolution, may change the name of the authority and may amend the certificate of incorporation if each of the following requirements are satisfied: (1) The governing body adopts a resolution that is entered upon the minutes of the body approving the change of name or amendment of the certificate. (2) If the board adopts a resolution changing the name of the authority, the board shall obtain from the Secretary of State a certificate stating that the change of name is not identical to that of any other corporation in the state or so nearly similar as to lead to confusion and uncertainty. (b) The board shall file in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the principal office of the authority is located each of the following: (1) The resolution of the board changing the name of the authority or amending the certificate. (2) A certified copy of the resolution of the governing body approving the action of the board. (3) The required certificate prepared by the Secretary of State when the name of the authority is changed. (c) The changes contained in the resolution of the board shall become effective at the time of filing. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §6.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-7 Board of Directors.

11-61A-7. Board of Directors. (a) The authority shall be governed by a board of directors of seven members. The board shall be elected by the governing body of the municipality. Each member of the board shall be a qualified elector of the municipality. No elected official of the state, of a county, or a municipality shall, while holding office, be eligible to serve as a director. The directorships shall be numbered one to seven, inclusive. The initial term for directorships one and two shall be two years. The initial term for directorships three and four shall be three years. The initial term for directorships five, six, and seven shall be four years. The initial terms shall commence April 1, 1994. All subsequent terms of directorships shall be for four years. (b) If a directorship is vacant, a successor shall be elected by the governing body to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Directors shall be eligible for reelection. (c) A majority of the members of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. No vacancy in the membership of the board of directors shall impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the powers and duties of the authority. (d) A meeting of the board may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of the directors present or may be adjourned by a single director if the director is the only director present at the meeting. (e) The board of directors shall hold regular meetings on the second Tuesday in each month and at other times as may be provided in the bylaws of the authority. A special meeting of the board may be held upon call of the chair of the authority or any four directors. Any matter on which the board of directors is authorized to act may be acted upon at any regular, special, or called meeting. (f) At the request of any director, the vote on any question before the board shall be taken by yeas and nays and entered upon the record. (g) All proceedings of the board shall be reduced to writing by the secretary of the authority, recorded in a well-bound book and may be inspected by each director and by the public during business hours. Copies of the proceedings, when certified by the secretary of the authority under its seal, shall be received in all courts as evidence of the matters and things certified. (h) Each director shall receive fifty dollars ($50) for each regular or special meeting of the board attended. No director shall receive more than one hundred dollars ($100) in any one month for attending meetings. Each director shall be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of duties. Compensation and expenses shall be paid from funds of the authority. (i) The governing body may remove a director from office in the same manner and for the same reasons as provided by law for removal of officers appointed by the city council. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §7.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-8 Officers.

11-61A-8. Officers. The board shall elect a chair, a vice-chair, a secretary, a treasurer, and other necessary officers to accomplish the purposes of the authority. The tenure of service as chair, vice-chair, and secretary shall be one year. The tenure of service as treasurer and other officers shall be determined by the board. Subject to the certificate of incorporation, the authority may employ all necessary personnel and set the terms and conditions of their employment. The duties of the chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer shall be the same as are customarily performed by those officers and as may be prescribed by the board. The duties of any other officer of the authority shall be prescribed by the board. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §8.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-9 Powers.

11-61A-9. Powers. The authority shall have the following powers, together with all incidental powers necessary: (1) To have succession by its corporate name for the duration of time (which may be in perpetuity) specified in its certificate of incorporation. (2) To sue and be sued in its own name in civil suits and actions. (3) To adopt and make use of a corporate seal and to alter the seal at pleasure. (4) To adopt and alter bylaws for the regulation and conduct of its affairs and business. (5) To acquire, receive, take, and hold, whether by purchase, gift, lease, devise, eminent domain, or otherwise, property of every description, whether real, personal, or mixed, and to manage the property, and to develop any undeveloped property owned, leased, or controlled by it. An authority may not acquire or lease real property located outside the boundaries of the municipality. An authority created under this chapter may not exercise any power of eminent domain without a concurring resolution from the governing body authorizing the power. (6) To execute contracts and other instruments and to take other necessary or convenient actions to carry out the purposes of this chapter or the exercise of any power granted by this chapter. (7) To plan, establish, develop, acquire, construct, enlarge, improve, maintain, equip, operate, regulate, and protect parking facilities. (8) To lease or let the facilities or any of the facilities to a tenant or tenants for periods of time and compensation or rental and on such conditions as the authority may prescribe, subject to the limitations stated in Section 11-61A-10. (9) To issue interest-bearing revenue bonds payable from the limited sources prescribed in this chapter. (10) To pledge for payment of the bonds any revenues and funds from which the bonds are made payable. (11) To make and enter into contracts, leases, and agreements incidental to or necessary for the accomplishment of any purpose for which the authority was organized. (12) To appoint, employ, contract with and provide compensation of officers, employees, and agents, including engineers, attorneys, consultants, fiscal advisers, and other employees as the business of the authority may require, including the power to fix working conditions by general rule and other conditions of employment, and, at its option, to provide a system of disability pay, retirement compensation, and pensions, or any of them, and to employ and discharge servants, agents, employees, and officers at will. (13) To fix, establish, collect, and alter parking fees, tolls, rents, and other charges for the use of any parking facility or other property owned or controlled by the authority, and to fix, establish, collect, and alter on-street metered parking fees within the municipality. (14) To make and enforce rules and regulations governing the use of any parking facility owned or controlled by the authority. (15) To secure insurance, including use and occupancy insurance. (16) To invest any funds of the authority that the board may determine are not presently needed for its corporate purposes in any obligations which are direct general obligations of the United States of America or which are unconditionally guaranteed as to both principal and interest by the United States of America, or in bonds of this state or any county or municipality of the state. (17) To cooperate with the state, any county, municipality, public corporation, agency, department, or political subdivision of the state, and to enter necessary contracts with them to accomplish the purposes for which the authority is established. (18) To sell and convey any of its obsolete or unneeded properties. (19) To receive and accept grants for or in aid of the construction, extension, improvement, maintenance, or operation of any parking facility from the United States of America or any agency thereof, and from the state, any political subdivision, department, or agency thereof, and to receive and accept money, property, labor, or other things of value from any source. (20) To purchase necessary or convenient equipment and supplies for the exercise of any power of the authority. Powers exercised by the authority shall only be for those purposes necessary or incidental to the development, acquisition, construction, enlargement, maintenance, or operation of facilities for parking motor vehicles. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §9.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-10 Operation of the Facility.

11-61A-10. Operation of the Facility. (a) As used in this section, the word “person” means a natural person, a corporation, a partnership, or an unincorporated association. (b) The authority shall carefully consider and decide whether it is in the public interest for the authority to operate the facility, enter into a contract with a person to operate the facility for the authority, or lease the facility. The authority shall consider all the following factors in making this determination: (1) The relative efficiency of the alternate operations. (2) The relative economy of the alternate operations. (3) The overall advantage and benefit to the authority and the public of the alternate operations. In order to make this determination, the authority shall ascertain each of the following: (1) The amount necessary in each year to pay the principal and interest on the bonds proposed to be issued to finance the parking facility. (2) The amount necessary to be paid each year to any reserve fund which the board deems advisable to establish in connection with the retirement of the bonds and the maintenance of the parking facility or facilities. (3) Unless the terms under which the project is to be leased provide that the lessee shall maintain the project and carry all proper insurance, including liability insurance, the estimated cost of maintaining the parking facility in good repair and keeping it properly insured. (c) The board may not enter into any lease of the parking facility unless the lease provides for both of the following: (1) The lessee to pay to the authority a sufficient amount to meet the amortization requirements during the term of the lease. (2) The lessee to pay the cost of keeping the parking facility in good repair and properly insured. These requirements shall not apply if the lease obligates the lessee, at lessee’s expense, to keep the facility in good repair and properly insured. (d) The lease agreement may, at the discretion of the board, contain provisions describing minimum operating hours, maximum charges to be collected by the lessee, and other terms the lessee will be required to observe in operating the parking facility. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §10.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-11 Funds.

11-61A-11. Funds. The authority may accept, receive, receipt for, disburse, and expend federal and state moneys and other moneys, public or private, made available by grant or loan or both, to accomplish, in whole or in part, any of the purposes of this chapter. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §11.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-12 Permitted Activities.

11-61A-12. Permitted Activities. For the purpose of aiding and cooperating with the authority in the planning, development, undertaking, construction, extension, improvement, or operation of parking facilities, a county, municipality, political subdivision, public corporation, agency, or instrumentality of this state may, upon such terms, and with or without consideration as it may determine, engage in any of the following activities: (1) Lend or donate money to the authority. (2) Donate, transfer, assign, sell, or convey to the authority any right, title, or interest which it may have in any lease, contract, agreement, license, or property. (3) Take any lawful action necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate with the authority in the planning, undertaking, construction, or operation of parking facilities. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §12.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-13 Bonds.

11-61A-13. Bonds. (a) The authority may issue and sell its interest-bearing revenue bonds for any corporate purpose at any time or times. The principal of and the interest on the bonds shall be payable solely from, and may be secured by a pledge of, the revenues derived by the authority from the operation of any or all of its parking facilities and other property, or by mortgage of any property of the authority. The bonds issued or contracts entered by the authority shall not constitute or create an obligation, debt, or charge against the credit or taxing power of the state, any county, or municipality within the state. (b) The board may provide for each of the following regarding the bonds: (1) Issuance time or times. (2) Form and denominations. (3) Tenor. (4) Payment installments, which shall be at a time or times not exceeding 40 years from their date. (5) Place or places of payment, whether within or without the state. (6) Interest rate or rates payable and evidenced in a specified manner. (c) Any bond having a stated maturity more than ten years after its date shall be made subject to redemption, at the option of the authority, not later than the expiration of ten years from its date and on any interest payment date thereafter at the price or prices and after notice or notices and on the terms and in the manner as may be provided by the board. (d) Bonds of the authority may be sold at public or private sale in the manner and at times as may be determined by the board. (e) The authority may pay all reasonable expenses, premiums, fees, and commissions in connection with the authorization, sale, and issuance of the bonds. (f) All bonds shall contain a recital that they are issued pursuant to this chapter, which recital shall be conclusive that they have been duly authorized under this chapter. (g) Neither a public hearing nor consent of the Department of Finance shall be a prerequisite to the issuance of bonds by any authority. Notwithstanding the fact that the bonds are payable solely from a specified source, all bonds issued under this chapter shall be deemed negotiable instruments within the meaning of the negotiable instruments law of the state if they otherwise possess all the characteristics of negotiable instruments under the laws of the state. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §13.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-14 Signature on Bonds.

11-61A-14. Signature on Bonds. All bonds shall be signed by the chair or vice-chair and the secretary or treasurer of the authority and the seal of the authority shall be affixed. A facsimile of the signature of one, but not both, of the officers whose signatures will appear on the bonds may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the bond in lieu of his or her manually signing. A facsimile of the seal of the authority may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the bonds in lieu of being manually affixed. Coupons shall be signed by the chair or vice-chair and the secretary or treasurer of the authority. A facsimile of the signature of the chair or vice-chair and the secretary or treasurer may be impressed or otherwise reproduced on any interest coupon in lieu of their manually signing. Delivery of executed bonds shall be valid notwithstanding any changes in officers or in the seal of the authority after the signing and sealing of the bonds. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §14.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-15 Issuance of Bonds.

11-61A-15. Issuance of Bonds. (a) The authority may issue bonds under and secured by an indenture between the authority and a trustee. The trustee may be a private person or corporation, including, but not limited to, any trust company or bank having trust powers, whether the bank or trust company is located within or without the state. (b) In any indenture or resolution providing for the issuance of bonds, the authority may pledge, for payment of the principal of and the interest on the bonds, any of its revenues to which its right then exists or may subsequently come into existence and may assign, as security for the payment, any of its leases, franchises, permits, and contracts. In any such indenture the authority may mortgage any of its properties, including any properties subsequently acquired by it. Any pledge of revenues shall be valid and binding from the time it is made, and the revenues pledged and subsequently received by the authority, and any property of the authority mortgaged shall immediately become subject to the lien of the pledge without any physical delivery or further act. The lien of the pledge shall be valid and binding against all parties having claims of any kind in tort, contract, or otherwise against the authority, irrespective of whether the parties have actual notice thereof, from the time a statement is filed in the office of the judge of probate of the county in which the principal office of the authority is located. The notice shall state only the date on which the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds was adopted by the board, the principal amount of bonds issued, a brief description of the revenues so pledged, and a brief description of any property mortgaged or any property from which the revenue is pledged. (c) In any indenture or resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds and pledging for the benefit thereof revenues from any one or more of its parking facilities, the authority may include provisions customarily contained in instruments securing evidence of indebtedness. These provisions may include, but shall not be limited to, each of the following: (1) Collection, segregation, and application of any rental or other revenues due to or to become due to the authority. (2) The terms to be incorporated in any lease agreement respecting any property of the authority. (3) The maintenance and insurance of any building or structure owned by the authority. (4) The creation and maintenance of special funds from any revenue of the authority. (5) The rights and remedies available in the event of default to the holder of the bonds or the trustee under the indenture. (d) In case of default by the authority in payment of the principal of, or the interest on the bonds, or in any of the agreements on the part of the authority that may properly be included in any indenture securing the bonds, any holder of any of the bonds or any of the coupons, or the trustee under any indenture if so authorized in the indenture, may, in addition to any other available remedies, either at law or in equity, by suit, action, mandamus, or other proceedings, enforce payment of the principal or interest and compel performance of all duties of the board and officers of the authority. The holder shall be entitled as a matter of right and regardless of the sufficiency of any security to the appointment of a receiver in equity with all the powers of the receiver for the operation and maintenance of the property of the authority covered by the indenture and the collection, segregation, and application of revenues therefrom. The indenture may also contain provisions restricting the individual rights of action of the holders of the bonds and coupons. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §15.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-16 Proceeds from Sale of Bonds.

11-61A-16. Proceeds from Sale of Bonds. (a) The proceeds derived from the sale of any bonds, other than refunding bonds, may be used exclusively to pay the cost of acquiring, constructing, improving, enlarging, and equipping the parking facilities or property with respect to which they were issued, as may be specified in the proceedings in which the bonds are authorized to be issued. The cost includes any of the following: (1) The cost of any land forming a part of the facilities. (2) The cost of labor, materials, and supplies used in any construction, improvement, or enlargement, including architects’ and engineers’ fees and the cost of preparing contract documents and advertising for bids. (3) The purchase price of and the cost of installing equipment for the facilities. (4) The cost of landscaping the lands forming a part of the facilities and of constructing and installing roads, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and utilities in connection with the facilities. (5) Legal, fiscal, and recording fees and expenses incurred in connection with the facilities. (6) Interest on the bonds for a reasonable period before and during the time required for the construction and equipment and for not exceeding 18 months after completion of the construction and equipment. (b) If any of the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds remains undisbursed after completion of the work and payment of all of the costs and expenses, the balance shall be used for retirement of the principal of the bonds of the same issue. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §16.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-17 Refunding Bonds.

11-61A-17. Refunding Bonds. The authority may at any time and from time to time issue refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding the principal of and the interest on any bonds of the authority issued under this chapter and then outstanding. The refunding bonds may be issued regardless if the principal and interest have matured at the time of the refunding. The refunding bonds may be issued for the payment of any expenses incurred in connection with the refunding and any premium necessary to be paid in order to redeem, retire, or purchase for retirement the bonds to be refunded. The proceeds derived from the sale of any refunding bonds shall be used only for the purposes for which the refunding bonds were issued. Any refunding may be effected either by sale of the refunding bonds and the application of the proceeds, or by exchange of the refunding bonds for the bonds or interest coupons to be refunded. The holders of any bonds or coupons to be refunded shall not be compelled to surrender their bonds or coupons for payment or exchange prior to the date on which they may be paid or redeemed by call of the authority under their respective provisions. All provisions of this chapter pertaining to bonds of the authority that are not inconsistent with this section shall, to the extent applicable, also apply to refunding bonds issued by the authority. The authority may issue bonds for the purpose of refunding the principal of and the interest on any of its bonds and for any other purpose for which it is authorized to issue bonds. The provisions of this chapter respecting refunding bonds shall apply only to the portion of the combined issue authorized for refunding purposes and the provisions respecting other financing shall apply to the remaining portion of the combined issue. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §17.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-18 Tax Exemption.

11-61A-18. Tax Exemption. The bonds issued by the authority and the income from the bonds shall be exempt from all taxation in the state. All property and income of the authority shall be exempt from all state, county, municipal, and other local taxation, including license, privilege, or excise taxes. This exemption shall not be construed to exempt concessionaires, licensees, tenants, operators, or lessees of or on any parking facility owned by any authority from the payment of any taxes levied by the state, the county, or any municipality in the state. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §18.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-19 Investment by Governing Body.

11-61A-19. Investment by Governing Body. The governing body of any county or municipality within this state may invest any idle or surplus money held in its treasury in bonds of the authority. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §19.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-20 Bonds Deemed Legal Investment.

11-61A-20. Bonds Deemed Legal Investment. Bonds issued under this chapter are deemed legal investments for executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries, unless otherwise directed by the court having jurisdiction of the fiduciary relation or by the document that is the source of the fiduciary’s authority. The bonds shall be legal investments for savings banks and insurance companies organized under the laws of the state. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §20.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-21 Publication of Notice.

11-61A-21. Publication of Notice. Upon the adoption by the board of any resolution providing for the issuance of bonds, the authority may cause to be published once a week for two consecutive weeks, in a newspaper that is customarily published in this state not less than five days in each calendar week and distributed in the county in which the principal office of the authority is located, a notice in substantially the following form (the blanks being properly filled in) at the end of which there shall be printed the name and title of either the chair or secretary of the authority: “_____ a public corporation of the State of Alabama, on the _____ day of _____,_____, authorized the issuance of $ _____ principal amount of revenue bonds of the corporation for purposes authorized in the act of the Legislature of Alabama under which the corporation was organized. Any action or proceeding questioning the validity of the bonds, or the pledge and any instruments securing the bonds, or the proceedings authorizing the bonds, must be commenced within 30 days after the first publication of this notice.” Any action or proceeding in any court to set aside or question the proceedings for the issuance of the bonds referred to in the notice or to contest the validity of any bonds or the validity of the pledge and any instruments made to secure the bonds must be commenced within 30 days after the first publication of the notice. After the expiration of the period, no right of action or defense questioning or attacking the validity of the proceedings, the bonds, or the pledge or instruments shall be asserted, nor shall the validity of the proceedings, bonds, pledge, or instruments be open to question in any court on any ground whatsoever except in an action commenced within the period. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §21.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-22 Advertising and Award Laws Are Applicable.

11-61A-22. Advertising and Award Laws Are Applicable. Laws, regulations, and ordinances relating to the advertising and award of construction contracts and purchase contracts made by or in behalf of the authorizing subdivision shall be applicable to any authority granted permission to incorporate by the authorizing subdivision. Nothing herein shall exempt the authorities from laws relating to surety bond requirements for such contracts. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §22.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-23 Examination and Audit of the Records.

11-61A-23. Examination and Audit of the Records. (a) At least once every 12 months after the date an authority is created pursuant to this chapter, the municipality shall appoint an expert accountant who shall make an examination and audit of the records, books, and accounts of the authority and shall make a report of the audit in writing to the municipality and the authority. The accountant’s compensation shall be payable out of the funds of the authority. (b) The records of the authority shall constitute public records. Every citizen shall have the right to inspect the records. The officer having custody of the records shall be obligated to furnish to any citizen a certified copy of any record on the citizen’s demand and payment to the authority of the same fee as is payable to the judge of probate of the county for furnishing certified copies of records of the probate court. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §23.)

Ala. Code § 11-61A-24 Dissolution.

11-61A-24. Dissolution. When no bonds of the authority are outstanding, the authority may be dissolved upon the filing with the judge of probate, in the county in which is filed the certificate of incorporation, an application for dissolution. The application for dissolution shall be subscribed by each member of the board and sworn to by each member before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments to deeds. Upon the filing of an application for dissolution, the authority shall cease to exist. The judge of probate shall receive and record the application for dissolution in an appropriate book of record in his or her office. Upon dissolution, all rights, title, and interest of the authority in property shall be vested in the municipality. (Acts 1994, No. 94-254, p. 470, §24.)

Source: Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us)URL: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabamaFetched: 10/20/2026