Senate Bill text for SB0401

SENATE BILL 401

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Steven P. Neville

AN ACT

RELATING TO DEVELOPMENT; REPEALING SECTIONS OF THE URBAN DEVELOPMENT LAW; REPEALING THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LAW; REMOVING THE ABILITY TO CONDEMN PROPERTY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE METROPOLITAN REDEVELOPMENT CODE; AMENDING AND REPEALING SECTIONS OF THE NMSA 1978.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

Section 1. Section 3-46-43 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1965, Chapter 300, Section 14-47-19, as amended) is amended to read:

"3-46-43. ORDINANCES RELATING TO REPAIR, CLOSING AND DEMOLITION OF DWELLINGS UNFIT FOR HUMAN HABITATION--COMPLAINT--SERVICE OF COMPLAINT--APPEAL.--

A. Whenever [any] a municipality finds that there exist dwellings that are unfit for human habitation due to dilapidation; defects increasing the hazards of fire, accidents or other calamities; lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities; or [due to] other conditions, including those set forth in Subsection C of this section, rendering the dwellings unsafe and unsanitary or dangerous or detrimental to the health, safety or morals or otherwise inimical to the welfare of the residents of the municipality, power is conferred upon the municipality to require or cause the repair, closing or demolition or removal of the [dwelling] dwellings in the manner provided in this section. [A] "Dwelling" means [any] a building or structure or part thereof used and occupied for human habitation or intended to be so used and includes any appurtenances usually enjoyed in the dwelling.

B. Upon the adoption of an ordinance finding that dwelling conditions of the character described in Subsection A of this section exist, the governing body of the municipality [is authorized to] may adopt ordinances relating to the dwellings within the municipality that are unfit for human habitation. The ordinances shall include the following provisions:

(1) a public officer shall be designated or appointed to exercise the powers prescribed by the ordinances;

(2) whenever it appears to the public officer, on [his] the officer's own motion, that [any] a dwelling is unfit for human habitation, [he] the officer shall, if [his] the officer's preliminary investigation discloses a basis for the charges, issue and cause to be served on the owner, every mortgagee of record and all parties in interest in the dwelling, including persons in possession, a complaint stating the charges in that respect. The complaint shall contain a notice that a hearing will be held before the public officer or [his] the officer's designated agent at a place fixed in the complaint not less than ten days nor more than thirty days after the serving of the complaint; that the owner, mortgagee and parties in interest shall be given the right to file an answer to the complaint and to appear in person or otherwise and give testimony at the place and the time fixed in the complaint; and that the rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not be controlling in hearings before the public officer;

(3) if after the notice and hearing the public officer determines that the dwelling under consideration is unfit for human habitation, [he] the officer shall state in writing [his] findings of fact in support of that determination and shall issue and cause to be served upon the owner an order in writing that advises the owner of [his] the owner's rights under Subsection E of this section and that:

(a) if the repair, alteration or improvement of the dwelling can be made at a reasonable cost in relation to the value of the dwelling, the ordinance of the municipality shall fix a certain percentage of the cost as being reasonable for that purpose and require the owner, within the time specified in the order, to repair, alter or improve the dwelling to render it fit for human habitation or to vacate and close the dwelling as a human habitation; or

(b) if the repair, alteration or improvement of the dwelling cannot be made at a reasonable cost in relation to the value of the dwelling, the ordinance of the municipality shall fix a certain percentage of the cost as being reasonable for the purpose, and require the owner, within the time specified in the order, to remove or demolish the dwelling;

(4) if the owner fails to comply with an order to repair, alter or improve or to vacate and close the dwelling, the public officer may cause the dwelling to be repaired, altered or improved or to be vacated and closed;

(5) if the owner fails to comply with an order to remove or demolish the dwelling, the public officer may cause the dwelling to be removed or demolished; and

(6) the amount of the cost of the repairs, alterations or improvements or the vacating and closing or the removal or demolition by the public officer shall be a lien against the real property upon which the cost was incurred. If the dwelling is removed or demolished by the public officer, [he] the officer shall sell the materials of the dwelling and shall credit the proceeds of the sale against the cost of the removal or demolition. Any balance remaining shall be deposited in the district court by the public officer and shall be secured in the manner as may be directed by the court and shall be disbursed by the court to the persons found to be entitled to the balance by final order or decree of the court.

C. An ordinance adopted by a municipality pursuant to this section shall provide that the public officer may determine a dwelling is unfit for human habitation if [he] the officer finds that conditions exist in the dwelling that are dangerous or injurious to the health, safety or morals of the occupants of the dwelling, the occupants of neighboring dwellings or other residents of the municipality or that have a blighting influence on properties in the area. The conditions may include the following without limitations: defects increasing the hazards of fire, accident or other calamities; lack of adequate ventilation, light or sanitary facilities; dilapidation; disrepair; structural defects; uncleanliness; overcrowding; inadequate ingress and egress; inadequate drainage; or any violation of health, fire, building or zoning regulations or any other laws or regulations relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements. The ordinance may provide additional standards to guide the public officer or [his] the officer's agents or employees in determining the fitness of a dwelling for human habitation.

D. Complaints or orders issued by a public officer pursuant to an ordinance adopted under the provisions of [the Urban Development Law] this section shall be served upon persons either personally or by registered mail. If the whereabouts of the persons are unknown and cannot be ascertained by the public officer in the exercise of reasonable diligence and the public officer makes an affidavit to that effect, [then] the serving of the complaint or order upon the persons may be made by publishing the complaint or order once each week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper printed and published in the municipality or, in the absence of a newspaper, in one printed and published in the county and circulating in the municipality in which the dwellings are located. A copy of the complaint or order shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the premises affected by the complaint or order. A copy of the complaint or order shall also be filed with the clerk of the county in which the dwelling is located. Filing of the complaint or order shall have the same force and effect as other lis pendens notices provided by law.

E. [Any] A person affected by an order issued by the public officer may file an appeal pursuant to the provisions of Section 39-3-1.1 NMSA 1978.

F. An ordinance adopted by the governing body of the municipality may authorize the public officer to exercise powers as may be necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of [the Urban Development Law] this section, including the following powers [in addition to others granted in the Urban Development Law]:

(1) to investigate the dwelling conditions in the municipality in order to determine which dwellings are unfit for human habitation;

(2) to administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses and receive evidence;

(3) to enter upon premises for the purpose of making examinations, provided that the entries shall be made in a manner as to cause the least possible inconvenience to the persons in possession, and to obtain an order for this purpose from a court of competent jurisdiction in the event entry is denied or resisted;

(4) to appoint and fix the duties of any officers, agents and employees as [he] the officer deems necessary to carry out the purposes of the ordinances; and

(5) to delegate any [of his] functions and powers under the ordinance to officers, agents and employees [he] that the public officer may designate.

G. The governing body of a municipality adopting an ordinance under this section shall, as soon as possible thereafter, prepare an estimate of the annual expenses or costs to provide the equipment, personnel and supplies necessary for periodic examinations and investigations of the dwellings in the municipality for the purpose of determining the fitness of the dwellings for human habitation and for the enforcement and administration of its ordinance or ordinances adopted under this section.

H. Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate or impair the powers of the courts or of a department of a municipality to enforce any provisions of its charter or its ordinances or regulations or to prevent or punish violations thereof. The powers conferred by this section shall be in addition and supplemental to the powers conferred by any other law.

I. Nothing in this section shall be construed to impair or limit in any way the power of the municipality to define and declare nuisances and to cause their removal or abatement by summary proceedings or otherwise."

Section 2. Section 3-60A-2 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1979, Chapter 391, Section 2) is amended to read:

"3-60A-2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS OF NECESSITY.--

A. It is [hereby] found and declared that there [exists] exist in municipalities of the state slum areas and blighted areas [which] that constitute a serious and growing menace, injurious to the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of the state; that the existence of these areas contributes substantially to the spread of disease and crime, constitutes an economic and social burden, substantially impairs or arrests the sound and orderly development of municipalities and retards the maintenance and expansion of necessary housing accommodations; that economic and commercial activities are lessened in those areas by the slum or blighted conditions, and the effects of these conditions include less employment in the area and municipality, lower property values, less gross receipts tax [revenues] revenue for the state and municipalities and reduces the use of buildings, residential dwellings and other facilities in the area that the prevention and elimination of slum areas and blighted areas and the prevention and elimination of conditions [which] that impair the sound and orderly development of municipalities is a matter of state policy and concern in order that the state and its municipalities shall not continue to be endangered by these areas [which] that contribute little to the tax income of the state and its municipalities and that consume an excessive proportion of its revenues because of the extra services required for police, fire, accident, hospitalization or other forms of public protection, services and facilities.

B. Certain slum areas and blighted areas or portions thereof may require land acquisition and clearance by the municipality, since prevailing conditions may make impracticable their reclamation or development; other areas or portions of the slum or blighted area may be suitable for conservation or rehabilitation efforts and the conditions and evils [hereinbefore] enumerated in Subsection A of this section may be eliminated, remedied or prevented by those efforts; and to the extent feasible, salvageable slum and blighted areas should be conserved and rehabilitated through voluntary action, the regulatory process and, when necessary, by government assistance.

C. The powers conferred by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code regarding the use of public money are for public uses or purposes for which public money may be expended [and the power of eminent domain exercised]. The individual benefits accruing to persons as the result of the powers conferred by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code and projects conducted in accordance with its provisions are [hereby] found and declared to be incidental to the objectives of that code and are far outweighed by the benefit to the public as a whole. Activities authorized and powers granted by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code are hereby declared not to result in a donation or aid to any person, association or public or private organization or enterprise. The necessity for these provisions and the power is declared to be in the public interest as a matter of legislative determination.

D. The legislature finds that the problems of the large metropolitan areas are unique in this state because of the size and magnitude of the problems when such large numbers of people are affected. The legislature further finds and declares that the strategies and methods for solving these problems in the large metropolitan areas differ from those in the smaller cities and towns and villages of the state, and it is necessary to authorize those home rule metropolitan areas additional powers and flexibility because of the nature and size of their problems and because the governments of such metropolitan areas have sufficient staff to meet and deal with those problems. Further, these authorizations are merely explanations of the powers of home rule communities in these metropolitan areas that can be exercised under home rule authority notwithstanding any limitations contained in the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code."

Section 3. Section 3-60A-3 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1979, Chapter 391, Section 3) is amended to read:

"3-60A-3. LEGISLATIVE INTENT.--

A. It is the intent of the legislature by the passage of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code to authorize municipalities to acquire, own, lease, improve and dispose of properties in a metropolitan redevelopment area to the end that such municipalities may be able to promote industry and develop trade or other economic activity by inducing profit or nonprofit corporations, federal governmental offices, hospitals and manufacturing, industrial, commercial or business enterprises to locate, expand or remain in such area, to mitigate the serious threat of extensive unemployment in a metropolitan redevelopment area and to secure and maintain a balanced and stable economy in an area declared to be a slum or blighted area.

B. It is the further intent of the legislature to authorize municipalities to acquire, own, lease, improve and dispose of properties so that adequate medical care, residential housing and facilities for the disposal of sewage and solid waste may be provided; and industrial, manufacturing, commercial or business activities may be begun or expanded in these areas; furnishing water, energy and gas may be provided; more adequate facilities for sports events and activities and recreation activities, conventions and trade shows may be provided; more parking facilities or storage or training facilities may be provided; and more adequate research, product-testing and administrative facilities may be provided, all of which promote the public health, welfare, safety, convenience and prosperity.

C. It is, therefore, the intention of the legislature to vest municipalities with all powers, other than the power of eminent domain, that may be necessary to enable them to accomplish such purposes, which powers shall in all respects be exercised for the benefit of the inhabitants of this state and municipalities of the state for the promotion of their health, safety, welfare, convenience and prosperity.

D. It is not intended by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code to authorize any municipality to operate any manufacturing, industrial, commercial or business enterprise or any research, product-testing or administrative facilities of such enterprise. Nor is it the intent of that code to prohibit the operation by a municipality of residential housing facilities, health care facilities, sewage or solid waste disposal facilities or the furnishing of water, sports or recreation facilities, convention or trade show facilities, airports, public transportation facilities or operations, parking facilities or storage or training facilities by any municipality."

Section 4. Section 3-60A-10 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1979, Chapter 391, Section 10) is amended to read:

"3-60A-10. POWERS OF MUNICIPALITY.--[Every] A municipality shall have all the powers, other than the power of eminent domain, necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code, including but not necessarily limited to the following powers:

A. to undertake and carry out metropolitan redevelopment projects within its area of operation, including clearance and redevelopment, rehabilitation, conservation and development activities and programs; to make, enter into and execute contracts and other agreements and instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of its powers under the Redevelopment Law; and to disseminate information regarding slum clearance, prevention of blight and the metropolitan redevelopment projects and areas;

B. to provide, arrange or contract for the furnishing or repair by [any] a public or private person or agency for services, privileges, works, streets, roads, public utilities, public buildings or other facilities for or in connection with a metropolitan redevelopment project; to, within its area of operation, install, acquire, construct, reconstruct, remodel, rehabilitate, maintain and operate streets, utilities, parks, buildings, playgrounds and public buildings, including but not limited to parking facilities, transportation centers, public safety buildings and other public improvements or facilities or improvements for public purposes, as may be required by the municipality, the state or a political subdivision of the state; to agree to [any] conditions that it may deem reasonable and appropriate [which] that are attached to federal financial assistance and imposed pursuant to federal law, including conditions relating to the determination of prevailing salaries or wages or compliance with federal and state labor standards, compliance with federal property acquisition policy and the provision of relocation assistance in accordance with federal law in the undertaking or carrying out of a metropolitan redevelopment project; and to include in [any] a contract let in connection with the project provisions to fulfill [any of] these conditions as it may deem reasonable and appropriate; provided, however, that all purchases of personal property shall be in accordance with the [Public Purchases Act] Procurement Code;

C. within its area of operation, to inspect any building or property in [any] a metropolitan redevelopment area in order to make surveys, appraisals, soundings or test borings and to obtain an order for this purpose from a court of competent jurisdiction in the event inspection is denied by the property owner or occupant; to acquire, by purchase, lease, option, gift, grant, bequest, devise [eminent domain] or otherwise, any real property or personal property for its administrative or project purposes, together with any improvements thereon; to hold, improve, clear or prepare for redevelopment any such property; to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber or dispose of any real property; to insure or provide for the insurance of [any] real or personal property or operations of the municipality against [any] risks or hazards, including the power to pay premiums on [any such] that insurance; and to enter into [any] contracts necessary to effectuate the purposes of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code;

D. to invest [any] metropolitan redevelopment project funds held in reserve, sinking funds or other project funds [which] that are not required for immediate disbursement in property or securities in which municipalities may legally invest funds subject to their control; to redeem bonds as have been issued pursuant to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code at the redemption price established [therein] in the bonds or to purchase the bonds at less than redemption price. [All] Bonds so redeemed or purchased shall be canceled;

E. to borrow or lend money subject to those procedures and limitations as may be provided in the constitution of New Mexico or the Municipal Code and to apply for and accept advances, loans, grants, contributions and [any] other [form] forms of financial assistance from the federal government, the state, the county or other public body or from [any] sources, public or private, for the purposes of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code; and to give security as may be required and subject to the provisions and limitations of general law except as may otherwise be provided by the Redevelopment Law and to enter into and carry out contracts in connection [therewith] with that law. A municipality may include in [any] a contract for financial assistance with the federal government for a metropolitan redevelopment project conditions imposed pursuant to federal law [which] that the municipality may deem reasonable or appropriate and [which] that are not inconsistent with the purposes of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code;

F. within its area of operation, to make [all] plans necessary for the carrying out of the purposes of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code and to contract with any person, public or private, in making and carrying out such plans and to adopt or approve, modify and amend the plans. The plans may include without limitation:

(1) a general plan for redevelopment of the metropolitan area as a whole;

(2) redevelopment plans for specific areas;

(3) plans for programs of voluntary or assisted repair and rehabilitation of buildings and improvements;

(4) plans for the enforcement of state and local laws, codes and regulations relating to the use of land and the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements and to the compulsory repair, rehabilitation, demolition or removal of buildings and improvements; and

(5) appraisals, title searches, surveys, studies and other preliminary plans and work necessary to prepare for the undertaking of metropolitan redevelopment projects; [The municipality is authorized]

G. to develop, test and report methods and techniques and carry out demonstrations and other activities for the prevention and elimination of slums and urban blight and to pay for, accept and [utilize] use grants of funds from the federal government for [such] those purposes;

[G.] H. to prepare plans for the relocation of families displaced from a metropolitan redevelopment area to the extent essential for acquiring possession of and clearing the area or its parts or permit the carrying out of the metropolitan redevelopment project;

[H.] I. to appropriate under existing authority the funds and make expenditures necessary to carry out the purposes of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code and under existing authority to levy taxes and assessments for such purposes; to close, vacate, plan or replan streets, roads, sidewalks, ways or other places; in accordance with applicable law or ordinances, to plan or replan, zone or rezone any part of the municipality or make exceptions from building regulations; and to enter into agreements with a metropolitan redevelopment agency vested with metropolitan redevelopment project powers, which agreements may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary, respecting action to be taken by [such] the municipality pursuant to [any of] the powers granted by the Redevelopment Law;

[I.] J. within its area of operation, to organize, coordinate and direct the administration of the provisions of the Redevelopment Law as they apply to the municipality in order that the objective of remedying slum areas and blighted areas and preventing the causes of [same] those areas within the municipality may be most effectively promoted and achieved and to establish any new office [or offices] of the municipality or to reorganize existing offices as necessary;

[J.] K. to acquire real property [in addition to power elsewhere conferred herein, which] that is appropriate for the preservation or restoration of historic sites; the beautification of urban land; the conservation of open spaces, natural resources and scenic areas; or the provision of recreational opportunities; or that is to be used for public purposes;

[K.] L. to engage in [any or all of] the following activities as part of a metropolitan redevelopment project:

(1) acquisition, construction, reconstruction or installation of public works, facilities and site or other improvements, including but not limited to neighborhood facilities, senior citizen centers, historic properties, utilities, streets, street lights, water and sewer facilities, including connections for residential users, foundations and platforms for air-rights sites, pedestrian malls and walkways, parks, playgrounds and other recreation facilities, flood and drainage facilities, parking facilities, solid waste disposal facilities and fire protection or health facilities [which] that serve designated areas;

(2) special projects directed to the removal of materials and architectural barriers [which] that restrict the mobility and accessibility of elderly and [handicapped] disabled persons;

(3) provision of public services in the metropolitan redevelopment area [which] that are not otherwise available in the area, including but not limited to the provisions of public services directed to the employment, economic development, crime prevention, child care, health, drug abuse, welfare or recreation needs of the people who reside in the metropolitan redevelopment area;

(4) payment of the nonfederal share of any federal grant-in-aid program to the municipality [which] that will be a part of a metropolitan redevelopment project;

(5) if federal funds are used in the project to provide for payment of relocation costs and assistance to individuals, families, businesses, organizations and farm operations displaced as a direct result of a metropolitan redevelopment project in accordance with applicable law governing such payment;

(6) payment of reasonable administrative costs and carrying charges related to the planning and execution of plans and projects;

(7) economic and marketing studies to determine the economic condition of an area and to determine the viability of certain economic ventures proposed for the metropolitan redevelopment area;

(8) issuance of bonds, grants or loans as authorized by the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code in accordance with the requirements of that code; and

(9) grants to nonprofit corporations, local development corporations or entities organized under Section 301 (d) of the federal Small Business Investment Act of 1958 for the purposes of carrying out the provisions of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code;

[L. provided that all] M. if payments are to be made by the municipality or metropolitan redevelopment agency under the terms of a contract for reconstruction or rehabilitation of private property payments shall be made from a special fund created for that purpose and shall not be paid directly to [such] the property owner but shall instead be paid to the contractor by the municipality or agency from such fund upon proper authorization of the property owner and notification that the terms of the contract have been fulfilled. However, [all such] those rehabilitation contracts shall be between the property owner and the contractor after a sealed bidding procedure and award of contract approved by the municipality has taken place;

[M. the municipality is empowered] N. in a metropolitan redevelopment project or rehabilitation or conservation undertaking or activity, to exercise the following powers in one or more metropolitan redevelopment areas to include the elimination and prevention of the development or spread of slums or blight and may involve slum clearance and redevelopment in [any such] that area or rehabilitation or conservation in [any such] that area or any combination or part [thereof] of those areas in accordance with a metropolitan redevelopment [area] plan and for undertakings or activities of a municipality in [any] a metropolitan redevelopment area to eliminate the conditions [which] that caused an area to be so designated [such an area] and may include [any or all of] the following:

(1) acquisition of real property within the metropolitan redevelopment area pursuant to any powers and for purposes enumerated in the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code;

(2) clearing the land, grading the land and replatting the land in accordance with the metropolitan redevelopment plan; installation, construction or reconstruction of roads, streets, gutters, sidewalks, storm drainage facilities, water lines or water supply installations, sewer lines and sewage disposal installations, steam, gas and electric lines and installations, airport facilities and construction of any other needed public facilities or buildings whether on or off the site if deemed necessary by the local governing body to prepare the land in the metropolitan redevelopment area for residential, commercial, industrial and public use in accordance with the metropolitan redevelopment plan; and

(3) making the land available for development by private enterprise or public agencies, including sale, initial leasing, leasing or retention by the municipality itself, at its fair market value for uses in accordance with the metropolitan redevelopment plan for the area;

[N.] O. the municipality is empowered in a metropolitan redevelopment area to undertake slum clearance and redevelopment [which] that includes:

(1) acquisition of a slum area or a blighted area or portion thereof;

(2) demolition and removal of buildings and improvements;

(3) installation, construction, reconstruction, maintenance and operation of streets, utilities, storm drainage facilities, curbs and gutters, parks, playgrounds, single- or multi-family dwelling units, buildings, public buildings, including but not limited to parking facilities, transportation centers, safety buildings and other improvements, necessary for carrying out in the area the provisions of an approved plan for the area; and

(4) making the real property available for development or redevelopment by private enterprise or public agencies, including sale, leasing or retention by the municipality itself, [as] at its fair value for uses in accordance with the metropolitan redevelopment area plan; and

[O. the municipality is empowered] P. to engage in rehabilitation or conservation [which] that includes the restoration and renewal of a slum or blighted area or portion thereof in accordance with any approved plan, by:

(1) carrying out plans for a program of voluntary or compulsory repair and rehabilitation of buildings or other improvements;

(2) acquisition of real property and demolition or removal of buildings and improvements thereon where necessary to eliminate unhealthful, unsanitary or unsafe conditions, lessen or increase density, eliminate obsolete or other uses detrimental to the public welfare or to otherwise remove or prevent the spread of blight or deterioration or to provide land for needed public facilities;

(3) installation, construction or reconstruction of streets, utilities, parks, playgrounds and other improvements necessary for carrying out in the area the provisions of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code;

(4) the disposition of any property acquired in such an area, including sale, leasing or retention by the municipality itself, for uses in accordance with such an approved plan;

(5) acquisition of real property in the area which, under a plan, is to be repaired or rehabilitated;

(6) repair or rehabilitation of structures within the area;

(7) power to resell repaired or rehabilitated property;

(8) acquisition, without regard to any requirement that the area be a slum or blighted area, of air-rights in an area consisting principally of land on which is located a highway, railway, bridge or subway tracks or tunnel entrance or other similar facilities [which] that have a blighting influence on the surrounding area and over which air-rights sites are to be developed for the elimination of such blighting influences; and

(9) making loans or grants or authorizing the use of the proceeds of bonds issued pursuant to the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code for the purpose of repairing, remodeling, modifying or otherwise reconstructing a building or buildings located in the metropolitan redevelopment area. Such rehabilitation or conservation with use of funds expended by authority of the Metropolitan Redevelopment Code or by metropolitan revenue bonds authorized by that code shall be authorized only after approval by the local governing body and after it has been determined that such expenditure is in accordance with the metropolitan redevelopment plan for that area."

Section 5. Section 3-60A-15 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1979, Chapter 391, Section 15) is amended to read:

"3-60A-15. EXERCISE OF POWERS IN CARRYING OUT PROJECTS.--

A. The local governing body may directly exercise its metropolitan redevelopment project powers or it may, by ordinance if it determines such action to be in the public interest, elect to delegate the exercise of such powers to the metropolitan redevelopment agency created pursuant to the Redevelopment Law. If the local governing body so determines, the agency shall be vested with all of the powers in the same manner as though all the powers were conferred on the agency or authority instead of the municipality.

B. As used in this section, the term "redevelopment project powers" includes any rights, powers, functions and duties of a municipality authorized by the Redevelopment Law except the following, which are reserved to the local governing body; the power to:

(1) declare an area to be a slum or a blighted area or combination thereof and to designate the area as appropriate for a redevelopment project;

(2) approve or amend redevelopment plans;

(3) approve a general plan for the municipality as a whole;

(4) make findings of necessity prior to preparation of a metropolitan redevelopment plan as provided in the Redevelopment Law and the findings and determinations required prior to approval of a metropolitan redevelopment plan or project as provided in the Redevelopment Law;

(5) issue general obligation bonds and revenue bonds authorized in the Municipal Code;

(6) approve loans or grants;

(7) approve leases of more than one year's duration;

(8) issue municipal redevelopment bonds; and

(9) appropriate funds [to] and levy taxes and assessments [and

(10) exercise the power of eminent domain]."

Section 6. REPEAL.--Sections 3-46-1 through 3-46-42, 3-46-44, 3-46-45, 3-60-1 through 3-60-37 and 3-60A-11 NMSA 1978 (being Laws 1965, Chapter 300, Section 14-47-1, Laws 1971, Chapter 200, Section 2, Laws 1969, Chapter 221, Sections 1 through 20, Laws 1971, Chapter 200, Sections 5 through 7, Laws 1965, Chapter 300, Sections 14-47-3 through 14-47-9, Laws 1969, Chapter 279, Section 1, Laws 1965, Chapter 300, Sections 14-47-10 through 14-47-18, Laws 1971, Chapter 200, Section 22, Laws 1975, Chapter 333, Section 2, Laws 1975, Chapter 341, Sections 1 through 37 and Laws 1979, Chapter 391, Section 11, as amended) are repealed.

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