Chapter 247
2016 -- S 3049
Enacted 07/01/2016

A N   A C T
RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- CITY HOUSING AUTHORITIES

Introduced By: Senators Picard, and Cote
Date Introduced: May 26, 2016

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 45-25-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-25 entitled "City
Housing Authorities" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     45-25-10. Appointment and terms of commissioners -- Compensation, organization,
and personnel. -- (a) An authority consists of five (5) commissioners appointed by the mayor and
he or she shall designate the first chairperson; provided, that the housing authority of the city of
Providence consists of eleven (11) commissioners who are residents of the city of Providence,
and the housing authority of the city of Woonsocket shall consist of seven (7) members, two (2)
of whom shall be occupants of public housing. At all times, three (3) of the commissioners must
be occupants of public housing, which commissioners shall be appointed from a list of nominees
chosen yearly by the occupants of public housing in open elections, each housing project
choosing three (3) nominees from among its occupants. Upon the determination of the appointing
authority that any commissioner has not been an occupant of public housing or not a resident of
the city of Providence for a period of six (6) consecutive months, the appointing authority shall
remove the commissioner and designate a person to fill the resultant vacancy; provided, that the
mayor choose the replacement from the list of nominees chosen yearly by the occupants of public
housing when appropriate. No commissioner may be a city or state official; provided, that
members of the housing authority of the city of Providence may serve on the city council.
      (b) The commissioners who are first appointed shall be designated by the mayor to serve
for terms of one, two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) years, respectively, from the date of their
appointment. Four (4) additional commissioners for the housing authority for the city of
Providence shall be designated by the mayor to serve terms of one, two (2), three (3), and four (4)
years, respectively, from the date of their appointment. The two (2) additional commissioners for
the city of Woonsocket shall be designated by the mayor to serve terms of one and two (2) years
respectively. Thereafter, the term of office shall be five (5) years. Two (2) additional
commissioners for the housing authority of the city of Providence shall be members of the city
council elected by the city council from its councilmanic members to serve for a term ending the
first Monday in January, 1975, and, thereafter, elected for a term of four (4) years. A
commissioner shall hold office until his or her successor has been appointed, or elected, and has
qualified. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. Three (3) commissioners constitute a
quorum except that six (6) commissioners of the housing authority of the city of Providence
constitute a quorum and four (4) commissioners of the housing authority of the city of
Woonsocket shall constitute a quorum.
      (c) The mayor shall file with the city clerk a certificate of the appointment or
reappointment of any commissioner, and the certificate is conclusive evidence of the due and
proper appointment of the commissioner. A commissioner of the city of Providence shall only
receive twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per meeting, but not in excess of twelve hundred dollars
($1,200) per year as compensation for his or her services, and the commissioner is entitled to the
necessary expenses, including traveling expenses, incurred in the discharge of his or her duties,
the compensation and expenses to be paid by the municipality of Providence; provided, that a
commissioner of the city of Pawtucket receives one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) per
year and is entitled to the necessary expenses including traveling expenses incurred in the
discharge of his or her duties, to be paid by the city of Pawtucket; provided, that a commissioner
of the city of Central Falls receives twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per meeting, but not in excess of
five hundred dollars ($500) per year, as compensation for his or her services, and the
commissioner is entitled to the necessary expenses, including traveling expenses, incurred in the
discharge of his or her duties, to be paid by the city of Central Falls.
      (d) Effective January 1, 1988, and thereafter, a commissioner of the city of Warwick
receives one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per year, and the chairperson of the Warwick
housing authority receives one thousand seven hundred dollars ($1,700) per year for their services
to be paid by the city of Warwick.
      (e) When the office of the first chairperson of the authority becomes vacant, the authority
shall select a chairperson from among its members. An authority shall select from its members a
vice chairperson, and it may employ a secretary (who shall be executive director), technical
experts, and other officers, agents, and employees, permanent and temporary, that it may require,
and shall determine their qualifications, duties, and compensation. An authority may call upon the
city solicitor or chief law officer of the city for legal services, as it may require, or it may employ
its own counsel and legal staff. An authority may delegate to one or more of its agents or
employees the powers or duties that it deems proper.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC006084
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