Statute Text
Powers
and duties of authority.
(1) Except as may otherwise be provided by law, the Willamette Falls Locks
Authority may, within or outside the state:
(a) Adopt, alter,
amend or repeal policies, procedures or bylaws for the organization,
administration, development and management of the authority.
(b) Enter into
contracts and agreements involving property, goods or services with any public
or private entity as the authority deems reasonable to carry out the mission
and purposes of the authority or to execute any duties, functions or powers of
the authority, including but not limited to:
(A) Contracts and
agreements related to the operation of the Willamette Falls Locks project and
associated properties and facilities;
(B) The carrying
out of the business operations of the authority;
(C) The
construction, repair, maintenance, seismic stabilization, rehabilitation,
upgrade or insurance of authority properties and facilities; and
(D) The
coordination of activities as needed with the owner of the dam and power plant
licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
(c) Establish
advisory or technical committees and otherwise consult, cooperate or coordinate
with any public or private entity as the authority deems necessary or expedient
to broaden opportunities for public input on or to carry out the mission and
purposes or duties of the authority.
(d) Acquire,
purchase, receive, hold, control, convey, sell, manage, operate, lease,
license, lend, invest, improve, develop, use, dispose of and hold title in the
name of the authority to property constituting the Willamette Falls Locks
project and associated lands, buildings, easements and museum facilities, and
any other real or personal property of any nature.
(e) Obtain any
permits, approvals or permissions needed in connection with the activities of
the authority.
(f) Exercise the
power of eminent domain under ORS chapter 35 to acquire any right or interest
in real property as necessary or expedient to ensure the repair, upgrade,
operation, maintenance or access to the Willamette Falls Locks project and any
associated properties and facilities.
(g) Sue and be
sued in its own name.
(h) Encourage and
accept grants, gifts and donations for the benefit of the authority, and
subject to the terms of the gift, retain, invest and use such gifts as deemed
appropriate by the authority.
(i) Acquire,
receive, hold, keep, pledge, control, convey, manage, use, lend, expend and
invest funds, appropriations, grants, gifts, bequests, stock and revenue from
any source.
(j) Borrow money
for the needs of the authority, in such amounts and for such time and upon such
terms as may be determined by the authority.
(k) Purchase any
and all insurance, operate a self-insurance program or otherwise arrange for
the equivalent of insurance coverage of any nature and for the indemnity and
defense of the members of the authority or any officers, agents, employees or
other persons designated by the authority to carry out or to further the
mission and purposes of the authority.
(L) Establish
charges and fees, including but not limited to charges and fees for services by
the authority and for the use, lease or rental of authority properties and
facilities.
(m) Contract for
law enforcement or security services for authority properties and facilities.
(n) Establish and
exercise broad operational authority over the Willamette Falls Locks project
and associated properties and facilities, including but not limited to
establishing days and times of service and a certification program to enable
self-operation of the navigation canal and locks by certified users.
(o) Establish an
operations training program that provides education for all operators of the
locks, including but not limited to employees and volunteers of the authority,
contractors or commercial operators, to operate the locks in conformance with
all safety and operational requirements.
(p) Perform any
other acts that in the judgment of the authority are necessary or expedient in
accomplishing the public mission and purposes described in ORS 196.205 or
carrying out the powers granted by ORS 196.200 to 196.240 and 196.993.
(2) The
Willamette Falls Locks Authority shall at all times cooperate with owners of
real property that adjoins the locks, particularly the owner of the dam and
power plant licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The authority
shall make all reasonable efforts to operate the locks in a manner that does
not unreasonably interfere with, impair or disturb the owners rights to the
full use and enjoyment of the owners real property that adjoins the locks. [2021
c.229 §6]
Note:
See note under 196.200.