By: Ellis S.B. No. 1943
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Montrose Museum Community
Improvement District; providing the authority to impose taxes and
issue bonds.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. CREATION OF DISTRICT. (a) The Montrose Museum
Community Improvement District is a special district created under
Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution.
(b) The board by resolution may change the name of the
district.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Board" means the board of directors of the
district.
(2) "District" means the Montrose Museum Community
Improvement District.
SECTION 3. DECLARATION OF INTENT. (a) The creation of the
district is essential to accomplish the purposes of Sections 52 and
52-a, Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution,
and other public purposes stated in this Act.
(b) The creation of the district is necessary to promote,
develop, encourage, and maintain employment, commerce,
transportation, housing, tourism, recreation, the arts,
entertainment, economic development, safety, and the public
welfare in the area of the district.
(c) This Act and the creation of the district may not be
interpreted to relieve Harris County or the City of Houston from
providing the level of services provided, as of the effective date
of this Act, to the area in the district. The district is created to
supplement and not to supplant the county or city services provided
in the area in the district.
SECTION 4. BOUNDARIES. The district includes all the
territory contained in the following described area:
All Boundary Descriptions, unless otherwise specified, assume the
Center point of the right of way line for all streets mentioned in
the description below.
THE MONTROSE MUSEUM COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOUNDARY LINE
COMMENCES:
At the northeast corner of the intersection of Shepard Street and
West Dallas, heading in an easterly direction along West Dallas to
the intersection of West Dallas and Taft streets; thence,
Heading in a southerly direction on Taft to the intersection of Taft
and Welch; thence, proceeding in an easterly direction on Welch to
the intersection of Welch and Gennesee; continuing in a
southeasterly direction on Welch to the intersection of Welch and
Boston, where the boundary line intersects with the approved
boundary line for the Midtown town management district; thence,
Proceeding from the intersection of Welch and Boston, the boundary
line parallels the Midtown Management district boundary line in a
southwesterly direction on Boston, as it proceeds in a
southeasterly direction on Tuam, and continues in a southerly
direction from Tuam to the intersection of Tuam and Bagby, and
continues in a southerly direction as Bagby turns into Spur 527;
thence, the boundary line continues to parallel the Midtown
Management district boundary line as the boundary line as it
proceeds from US Hwy 59, in an easterly direction until it
intersects with Main Street, then proceeds in a southwesterly
direction until the Midtown management district boundary line comes
to the intersection of Portland and Main; thence, the Boundary for
the Montrose Museum Community Improvement District proceeds in a
southwesterly direction along Main Street, paralleling the
boundary line for the Greater Southeast management district until
the intersection of Main and Bissonnet Street; thence the boundary
line proceeds in a Westerly direction along Bissonnet Street, until
Bissonnet intersects with Graustark street; thence, proceeding
north on Graustark to the intersection of Graustark street and US
Hwy 59; thence, proceeding in a southwesterly direction along the
eastern ROW line of US Hwy 59 from the intersection of Graustark and
US Hwy 59 to the intersection of South Shepard and US Hwy 59;
thence, proceeding in a northerly direction on South Shepard from
the intersection of South Shepard and US Hwy 59, to the intersection
of Shepard and Brentwood, where the boundary line will bear right
along the "s" curve of South Shepard to the intersection of Shepard
and West Dallas Street, the point and place of beginning.
SAVE AND EXCEPT all tracts or parcels of land, rights-of-way,
facilities and improvements owned by a utility.
SECTION 5. FINDINGS RELATING TO BOUNDARIES. The boundaries
and field notes of the district form a closure. A mistake in the
field notes or in copying the field notes in the legislative process
does not in any way affect the district's:
(1) organization, existence, or validity;
(2) right to issue any type of bond for a purpose for
which the district is created or to pay the principal of and
interest on a bond;
(3) right to impose or collect an assessment or tax; or
(4) legality or operation.
SECTION 6. FINDINGS OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE.
(a) The district is created to serve a public use and benefit.
(b) All land and other property included in the district
will benefit from the improvements and services to be provided by
the district under powers conferred by Sections 52 and 52-a,
Article III, and Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and
other powers granted under this Act.
(c) The creation of the district is in the public interest
and is essential to:
(1) further the public purposes of development and
diversification of the economy of the state;
(2) eliminate unemployment and underemployment; and
(3) develop or expand transportation and commerce.
(d) The district will:
(1) promote the health, safety, and general welfare of
residents, employers, employees, visitors, and consumers in the
district and of the public;
(2) provide needed funding to preserve, maintain, and
enhance the economic health and vitality of the district as a
community and business center; and
(3) promote the health, safety, welfare, and enjoyment
of the public by providing pedestrian ways and by landscaping and
developing certain areas in the district, which are necessary for
the restoration, preservation, and enhancement of scenic beauty.
(e) Pedestrian ways along or across a street, whether at
grade or above or below the surface, and street lighting, street
landscaping, and street art objects are parts of and necessary
components of a street and are considered to be a street or road
improvement.
(f) The district will not act as the agent or
instrumentality of any private interest even though the district
will benefit many private interests as well as the public.
SECTION 7. APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW. (a) Except as
otherwise provided by this Act, Chapter 375, Local Government Code,
applies to the district.
(b) Chapter 311, Government Code (Code Construction Act),
applies to this Act.
SECTION 8. CONSTRUCTION OF ACT. This Act shall be liberally
construed in conformity with the findings and purposes stated in
this Act.
SECTION 9. BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN GENERAL. (a) The
district is governed by a board of 13 directors appointed under
Section 11 of this Act.
(b) Directors serve staggered terms of four years, with five
directors' terms expiring June 1 of an odd-numbered year and eight
directors' terms expiring June 1 of the following odd-numbered
year.
SECTION 10. QUALIFICATIONS. (a) To be qualified to serve
as a director, a person must be at least 18 years old and:
(1) an owner of property subject to assessment by the
district;
(2) an owner of a beneficial interest in a trust that
owns property subject to assessment by the district; or
(3) an agent, employee, or tenant nominated by a
person described in Subdivision (1) or (2).
(b) Section 375.063, Local Government Code, does not apply
to the district.
SECTION 11. APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS. The mayor and
members of the governing body of the City of Houston shall appoint
directors from persons recommended by the board. A person is
appointed if a majority of the members of the governing body,
including the mayor, vote to appoint that person.
SECTION 12. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; ONE-TIME AFFIDAVIT.
(a) Except as provided by this section:
(1) a director may participate in all board votes and
decisions; and
(2) Chapter 171, Local Government Code, governs
conflicts of interest for directors.
(b) Section 171.004, Local Government Code, does not apply
to the district. A director who has a substantial interest in a
business or charitable entity that will receive a pecuniary benefit
from a board action shall file a one-time affidavit declaring the
interest. An additional affidavit is not required if the
director's interest changes. After the affidavit is filed with the
board secretary, the director may participate in a discussion or
vote on that action if:
(1) a majority of the directors have a similar
interest in the same entity; or
(2) all other similar business or charitable entities
in the district will receive a similar pecuniary benefit.
(c) A director who is also an officer or employee of a public
entity may not participate in the discussion of or vote on a matter
regarding a contract with that same public entity.
(d) For purposes of this section, a director has a
substantial interest in a charitable entity in the same manner that
a person would have a substantial interest in a business entity
under Section 171.002, Local Government Code.
SECTION 13. ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS. (a) The district
may acquire, operate, or charge fees for the use of the district
conduits for:
(1) another person's:
(A) telecommunications network;
(B) fiber-optic cable; or
(C) electronic transmission line; or
(2) any other type of transmission line or supporting
facility.
(b) The district may not require a person to use a district
conduit.
SECTION 14. ADDITIONAL POWERS OF DISTRICT. The district
may exercise the powers given to:
(1) a corporation created under Section 4B,
Development Corporation Act of 1979 (Article 5190.6, Vernon's Texas
Civil Statutes); and
(2) a housing finance corporation created under
Chapter 394, Local Government Code, to provide housing or
residential development projects in the district.
SECTION 15. AGREEMENTS; GRANTS. (a) The district may make
an agreement with or accept a gift, grant, or loan from any person.
(b) The implementation of a project is a governmental
function or service for the purposes of Chapter 791, Government
Code.
SECTION 16. LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES. To protect the
public interest, the district may contract to provide law
enforcement services in the district for a fee.
SECTION 17. NONPROFIT CORPORATION. (a) The board by
resolution may authorize the creation of a nonprofit corporation to
assist and act on behalf of the district in implementing a project
or providing a service authorized by this Act.
(b) The board shall appoint the board of directors of a
nonprofit corporation. The board of directors of the nonprofit
corporation shall serve in the same manner as the board of directors
of a local government corporation created under Chapter 431,
Transportation Code.
(c) The nonprofit corporation:
(1) has the powers of and is considered for purposes of
this Act to be a local government corporation created under Chapter
431, Transportation Code; and
(2) may implement any project and provide any service
authorized by this Act.
SECTION 18. REQUIREMENTS FOR FINANCING SERVICES AND
IMPROVEMENTS. The board may not finance a service or improvement
project with assessments under this Act unless a written petition
requesting that improvement or service has been filed with the
board. The petition must be signed by:
(1) the owners of a majority of the assessed value of
real property in the district that will be subject to the assessment
as determined by the most recent certified tax appraisal roll for
Harris County; or
(2) at least 50 owners of real property in the district
that will be subject to the assessment, if more than 50 persons own
real property subject to the assessment in the district as
determined by the most recent certified tax appraisal roll for
Harris County.
SECTION 19. ASSESSMENTS. (a) The board by resolution may
impose and collect an assessment for any purpose authorized by this
Act.
(b) An assessment, a reassessment, or an assessment
resulting from an addition to or correction of the assessment roll
by the district, penalties and interest on an assessment or
reassessment, an expense of collection, and reasonable attorney's
fees incurred by the district:
(1) are a first and prior lien against the property
assessed;
(2) are superior to any other lien or claim other than
a lien or claim for county, school district, or municipal ad valorem
taxes; and
(3) are the personal liability of and charge against
the owners of the property even if the owners are not named in the
assessment proceedings.
(c) The lien is effective from the date of the resolution of
the board imposing the assessment until the date the assessment is
paid. The board may enforce the lien in the same manner that the
board may enforce an ad valorem tax lien against real property.
SECTION 20. UTILITIES. The district may not impose an
impact fee or assessment on the property, including the equipment,
rights-of-way, facilities, or improvements, of an electric utility
or a power generation company as defined by Section 31.002,
Utilities Code, or a gas utility as defined by Section 101.003 or
121.001, Utilities Code, or a telecommunications provider as
defined by Section 51.002, Utilities Code, or a cable operator as
defined by 47 U.S.C. Section 522 and its subsequent amendments.
SECTION 21. BONDS. (a) The district may issue bonds or
other obligations payable in whole or in part from ad valorem taxes,
assessments, impact fees, revenue, grants, or other money of the
district, or any combination of those sources of money, to pay for
any authorized purpose of the district.
(b) The board may not issue bonds for a service or
improvement project under this Act unless a written petition
requesting that improvement or service has been filed with the
board. The petition must be signed by the owners of a majority of
the assessed value of real property in the district that will be
subject to the assessment as determined by the most recent
certified tax appraisal roll for Harris County.
(c) In exercising the district's borrowing power, the
district may issue a bond or other obligation in the form of a bond,
note, certificate of participation or other instrument evidencing a
proportionate interest in payments to be made by the district, or
other type of obligation.
SECTION 22. DISBURSEMENTS OR TRANSFERS OF MONEY. The board
by resolution shall establish the number of directors' signatures
and the procedure required for a disbursement or transfer of the
district's money.
SECTION 23. COMPETITIVE BIDDING LIMIT. Section 375.221,
Local Government Code, applies to the district only for a contract
that has a value of more than $25,000.
SECTION 24. EXCEPTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF DISTRICT WITH
OUTSTANDING DEBT. (a) The board may vote to dissolve a district
that has debt. If the vote is in favor of dissolution, the district
shall remain in existence solely for the limited purpose of
discharging its debts. The dissolution is effective when all debts
have been discharged.
(b) Section 375.264, Local Government Code, does not apply
to the district.
SECTION 25. INITIAL DIRECTORS. (a) The initial board
consists of the following persons: Pos.No. Name of Director
1 Clay Moore
2 Andrea Booker-Smith
3 Gayle Ramsey
4 Irving Phillips
5 Tom MacLennan
6 Claude Wynn
7 Brett Littel
8 Raju Adwaney
9 Al Leal
10 June Deadrick
11 William Paul Thomas
12 Karen Domino
13 Jeff Andrews
(b) Of the initial directors, the terms of directors
appointed for positions 1 through 5 expire June 1, 2005, and the
terms of directors appointed for positions 6 through 13 expire June
1, 2007.
(c) Section 11 of this Act does not apply to this section.
(d) This section expires September 1, 2007.
SECTION 26. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS. The legislature finds
that:
(1) proper and legal notice of the intention to
introduce this Act, setting forth the general substance of this
Act, has been published as provided by law, and the notice and a
copy of this Act have been furnished to all persons, agencies,
officials, or entities to which they are required to be furnished by
the constitution and laws of this state, including the governor,
who has submitted the notice and Act to the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality;
(2) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has
filed its recommendations relating to this Act with the governor,
lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives
within the required time;
(3) the general law relating to consent by political
subdivisions to the creation of districts with conservation,
reclamation, and road powers and the inclusion of land in those
districts has been complied with; and
(4) all requirements of the constitution and laws of
this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with
respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act have
been fulfilled and accomplished.
SECTION 27. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.