The port commission has authority to make certain long-term contracts and to sell, lease, or dispose of property, but it cannot grant an exclusive franchise to any carrier.
CHAPTER 50. PROVISIONS AFFECTING MORE THAN ONE PORT COMMISSION §3521. Additional rights and powers A. In addition to any other authority or power granted by law, the board of commissioners for a port authority in Natchitoches Parish shall have authority to make and enter into contracts, leases, and other agreements with railroads, trucking companies, bargelines, and with any and all companies interested in the transportation, storage, and shipping of goods and other products, whether by rail, truckline, bargeline, or otherwise, for the use of facilities administered by the commission or any part or portion thereof for a period of time not exceeding ninety-nine years. However, no exclusive franchise shall be granted to any carrier. B. The commission shall also have the authority to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of, by suitable and appropriate contract, to any enterprise locating or existing within its port area, all or any part of an industrial plant site, industrial plant building, or other property owned by the commission, subject only to the requirements of this Chapter. In determining the consideration for any contract to lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of lands, buildings, or other property of the commission, it may take into consideration the value of the lands, buildings, or other properties involved as well as the potential value of the economic impact of the industrial or business enterprise being induced to locate or expand within the port area. Such economic impact shall include increased employment, increased use of local labor, wages and salaries to be paid, consumption of local materials, products and resources and special tax revenues to be generated by the industrial or business enterprise acquiring or leasing lands, buildings, or other property from the commission. Any lease may be for a term not exceeding ninety-nine years and may contain an option to purchase by the lessee. C. The resolution or ordinance adopted by the commission authorizing any lease, sale, or other disposition of lands, buildings, or other property of the commission shall set forth, in a general way, the terms of the authorized lease, sale, or other disposition, and such resolution or ordinance shall be published as soon as possible in one issue of the official journal of the commission. For a period of thirty days from the date of publication of any such resolution or ordinance, any interested person may contest the legality of such resolution or ordinance or the validity of the authorized lease, sale, or other disposition of commission property, after which time, no one shall have any cause of action to contest the legality of the resolution or ordinance or to draw in question the legality of the authorized lease, sale, or other disposition of commission property for any cause whatsoever, and it shall be conclusively presumed thereafter that every legal requirement has been complied with, and no court shall have authority to inquire into such matters after the lapse of said thirty days. Acts 2008, No. 870, §1; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1.