Chapter 8. Organization And Powers Of The Board And The Executive Officers of California Streets And Highways Code >> Division 16. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 8.

The board shall be the governing body of the district and shall outline rules of policy, approve plans, and vote or withhold appropriations to carry the same into effect.

Within two weeks after the Secretary of State has received certified copies of the resolutions of the board of supervisors of each county in the district, appointing the members of the board of directors from that county, he shall call the first meeting of the board of directors and shall designate an appropriate time, which shall be within that two week period, and place at which the meeting shall be held.

At the first meeting the board shall organize by choosing one of its members as president, and choosing a secretary, who shall not be a member of the board. At its first meeting the board shall also provide for the time and place of holding its meetings, and the manner in which its special meetings may be called.

All meetings of the board, whether regular or special, shall be open to the public. A majority of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

The board shall adopt rules to govern its proceedings, including the use of motions in connection with such proceedings.

The board shall select an office and place of business within the district.

For the purpose of considering questions relating to the bridge and highway district generally or local questions affecting a particular county or group of counties, the board or any of its committees may hold meetings in the chambers of the boards of supervisors of any county in the group, if suitable for that purpose, or at any other suitable place which the board or any of its committees may designate.

All official action of the board shall be by ordinance or resolution. The ayes and noes shall be taken upon the passage of all ordinances and resolutions, and entered upon the journal of the proceedings of the board. No ordinance or resolution shall be passed or become effective without the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the members of the board.

The enacting clause of all ordinances passed by the board shall be "Be it ordained by the board of directors of ____ bridge and highway district as follows:" All resolutions and ordinances shall be signed by the president of the board and attested by the secretary.

Each member of the board shall receive the sum of fifty dollars ($50) for attending each meeting of the board and each committee meeting on different days, but no member shall receive this compensation in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) in any one year, except the president who shall not receive this compensation in excess of seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) in any one year. Each member of the board shall receive a sum equal to the necessary traveling expenses incurred by him or her in the performance of board duties.

The board shall at its first meeting, or as soon thereafter as practicable, appoint by a majority vote a general manager, an auditor and a secretary. No director shall be eligible for appointment to any district office except president or vice president of the board. The compensation of the general manager, auditor, and secretary shall be fixed by the board, and such officers shall serve during the pleasure of the board.

The general manager shall be the executive officer of the district. He shall employ and discharge at pleasure all subordinate officers, employees and assistants, prescribe their duties, and subject to the approval of the board, he shall fix their compensation. He shall have full charge and control of the construction, maintenance and operation of all works of the district. The general manager shall report to the board in accordance with such rules and regulations as the board may adopt.

The board shall appoint an attorney and all subordinate officers not provided to be appointed by the general manager, and shall fix their salaries. Subordinate officers appointed by the board shall serve at its pleasure.

The board may change the name of the district by resolution, which shall become effective upon the filing of a certified copy of the resolution with the Secretary of State and with the clerk of the board of supervisors of each county included in the district.

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of law, or any limitation or restriction contained in any law, the board may:
  (a) Invest and reinvest all or any part of lapsed, unallocated, unappropriated or other surplus moneys belonging to any fund of which the board has custody or control in bonds and other obligations for which the faith and credit of the United States of America are pledged or in any obligation, bond or security approved by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions as legal for investment by savings banks. All such investments heretofore made are legalized.
  (b) Use all or any part of lapsed, unallocated, unappropriated or other surplus or reserve moneys of the district for the refunding or partial refunding or purchase of any existing bonded indebtedness against the district. The interest or income from any funds invested under this section may be made a part of the fund from which the investment was made and may itself be so invested. Any investment previously made in bonds and other obligations for which the faith and credit of the United States of America are pledged or in any obligation, bond or security which under the Financial Code is legal for investment by savings banks is hereby validated and made legal investments for the purposes of this section, whether such bonds or obligations are negotiable or not.