Section 36-61-16. Assistance by public bodies generally; powers of public bodies; powers of municipalities and counties

   (a) For the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of an urban redevelopment project located within the area in which it is authorized to act, any public body, upon such terms, with or without consideration, as it may determine, may:

   (1) Dedicate, sell, convey, or lease any of its interest in any property or grant easements, licenses, or other rights or privileges therein to a municipality or county;

   (2) Incur the entire expense of any public improvements made by such public body in exercising the powers granted in this Code section;

   (3) Do any and all things necessary to aid or cooperate in the planning or carrying out of an urban redevelopment plan;

   (4) Lend, grant, or contribute funds to a municipality or county;

   (5) Enter into agreements (which may extend over any period, notwithstanding any provision or rule of law to the contrary) with a municipality or county or other public body respecting action to be taken pursuant to any of the powers granted by this chapter, including the furnishing of funds or other assistance in connection with an urban redevelopment project; and

   (6) Cause public buildings and public facilities, including parks, playgrounds, recreational, community, education, water, sewer, or drainage facilities, or any other works which it is otherwise empowered to undertake, to be furnished; furnish, dedicate, close, vacate, pave, install, grade, regrade, plan, or replan streets, roads, sidewalks, ways, or other places; plan, replan, zone, or rezone any part of the public body or make exceptions from building regulations; and cause administrative and other services to be furnished to the municipality or county.

If at any time title to or possession of any urban redevelopment project is held by any public body or governmental agency, other than the municipality or county, which is authorized by law to engage in the undertaking, carrying out, or administration of urban redevelopment projects, including any agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the provisions of the agreements referred to in this subsection shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by such public body or governmental agency. As used in this subsection, the terms "municipality" and "county" shall also include an urban redevelopment agency or a housing authority vested with all of the urban redevelopment project powers pursuant to Code Section 36-61-17.

(b) Any sale, conveyance, lease, or agreement provided for in this Code section may be made by a public body without appraisal, public notice, advertisement, or public bidding.

(c) For the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of an urban redevelopment project of an urban redevelopment agency or a housing authority under this chapter, a municipality or county may, in addition to their other powers and upon such terms, with or without consideration, as they may determine, do and perform any or all of the actions or things which, by subsection (a) of this Code section, a public body is authorized to do or perform, including the furnishing of financial and other assistance.

(d) For the purposes of this Code section or for the purpose of aiding in the planning, undertaking, or carrying out of an urban redevelopment project of a municipality or county, such municipality or county may, in addition to any authority to issue bonds pursuant to Code Section 36-61-12, issue and sell its general obligation bonds. Any bonds issued by a municipality or county pursuant to this Code section shall be issued in the manner and within the limitations prescribed by the laws of this state for the issuance and authorization of bonds by such municipality and county for public purposes generally.

Ga. L. 1955, p. 354, § 13; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 36.