Section 4582.27. Organization of board of directors

A port authority created in accordance with section 4582.22 of the Revised Code shall be governed by a board of directors. Members of a board of directors of a port authority created by the exclusive action of a municipal corporation shall consist of the number of members it considers necessary and shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the council. Members of a board of directors of a port authority created by the exclusive action of a township shall consist of such members as it considers necessary and shall be appointed by the township trustees of the township. Members of a board of directors of a port authority created by the exclusive action of a county shall consist of such members as it considers necessary and shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners of the county. Members of a board of directors of a port authority created by a combination of political subdivisions shall be divided among the political subdivisions in such proportions as the political subdivisions may agree and shall be appointed by the participating political subdivisions in the same manner as this section provides for the appointment of members by a political subdivision creating its own port authority. If a participating political subdivision is not authorized by section 4582.22 of the Revised Code to create its own port authority, the political subdivision's elected legislative body, if the political subdivision has an elected legislative body, or the political subdivision's elected official or officials who appoint the legislative body of the political subdivision shall appoint the members of a board of directors of a port authority that are to be appointed by that political subdivision. If the electors of a participating political subdivision do not elect either the legislative body of the political subdivision or the official or officials who appoint the legislative body of the political subdivision, the participating political subdivision may not appoint any member of a board of directors of a port authority. When a port authority is created by a combination of political subdivisions, the number of directors comprising the board shall be determined by agreement between the political subdivisions, which number may be changed from time to time by amendment of the agreement. The appointing body may at any time remove a director appointed by it for misfeasance, nonfeasance, or malfeasance in office.

A majority of the directors shall have been qualified electors of, or shall have had their businesses or places of employment in, one or more political subdivisions within the area of the jurisdiction of the port authority, for a period of at least three years next preceding their appointment.

The directors of any port authority first appointed shall serve staggered terms. Thereafter each successor shall serve for a term of four years, except that any person appointed to fill a vacancy shall be appointed to only the unexpired term and any director is eligible for reappointment.

The board of directors by rule may provide for the removal of a director who fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the board. If a director is so removed, a successor shall be appointed for the remaining term of the removed director in the same manner provided for the original appointment.

The directors shall elect one of their membership as chairperson and another as vice-chairperson, and shall designate their terms of office, and shall appoint a secretary who need not be a director. A majority of the board of directors shall constitute a quorum for purpose of holding a meeting of the board. The affirmative vote of a majority of a quorum shall be necessary for any action taken by the port authority unless the board of directors determines by rule to require a greater number of affirmative votes for particular actions to be taken by the port authority. No vacancy in the membership of the board shall impair the rights of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the port authority.

Each member of the board of directors of a port authority shall be entitled to receive from the port authority such sum of money as the board of directors may determine as compensation for services as director and reimbursement for reasonable expenses in the performance of official duties.

Effective Date: 04-09-2003