§ 1-5. Powers of Authority.

Except as limited by the Enabling Legislation and this subtitle, the Authority shall possess the following powers:

(1) to acquire, hold, and use both real and personal property necessary to achieve its purposes, including the acquisition by purchase, lease, use, or other rights;

(2) to make contracts, including contracts to provide services for areas adjoining the District;

(3) to engage the services of an administrator, which may be an individual or an entity, including the Partnership, to administer the programs and undertakings of the Authority;

(4) to sue and be sued, provided that the District, the Authority, and the Administrator shall benefit, to the fullest extent allowable by law, from any provisions of federal, state, and local law limiting the liability of employees, officers, agents, and officials of governmental bodies;

(5) to accept grants;

(6) to borrow funds for purposes consistent with the public purposes of the Authority, provided that unless specific approval is provided by the Board of Estimates no borrowing shall be for a term beyond the date for renewal of the District under § 1-20 of this subtitle;

(7) to adopt an annual budget and impose, charge, and collect the taxes or charges on benefitted properties within the District authorized by the Enabling Legislation and this subtitle; provided, however, that no taxes shall be levied against (i) residential properties with fewer than 4 dwelling units, or (ii)properties which are exempt under state law from ordinary property taxes;

(8) to create and enter into partnerships between the Authority and various property owners otherwise exempt from ordinary property taxes, which partnerships may provide for the provision of permitted services and benefits by the Authority in exchange for payments arranged by contract, donation, gift, services in kind, or other mechanism by which funds or benefits are provided to the Authority;

(9) to establish and elect such officers as are not specified in this subtitle and provide for their terms and duties;

(10) to contract for and purchase goods and services, but as provided in the Enabling Legislation, such contracting shall not be subject to Baltimore City requirements regarding wage scales, competitive bidding, or other local procurement laws, but nonetheless shall be subject to applicable ordinances regarding City policy on encouraging and achieving goals for minority and women's business enterprises participation in the contracting activities of the Authority;

(11) to adopt, amend, and modify bylaws, consistent with the Enabling Legislation and this subtitle;

(12) to implement the programs and goals of the Authority directly through employees, or through 1 or more contracts, which contracts can be with independent contractors or contract employees;

(13) to assist the leasing, marketing, and promotion activities within the District, to the extent such activities are approved by the governing board of the Authority;

(14) to appoint, hire, or engage such auditors, accountants, attorneys, assistants, aides, employees, and advisors as may be deemed necessary for the proper performance of the duties of said Authority, but consistent with this subtitle; and

(15) to do all other things necessary or convenient to carry out its goals, objectives, and powers.