Louisiana § RS 34:204.1 - Port director

§ RS 34:204.1. Port director

A.  The board shall contract with and employ a port director.

B.(1)  Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, the port director shall meet both of the following minimum qualifications:

(a)  A bachelor's degree from a college or university that was, at the time the degree was granted, accredited by a regional or national higher education accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(b)  At least five years of experience in port operations, trade or industrial development, or business or public administration.

(2)  Subject to approval by the board, alternative minimum qualifications for the port director shall be ten or more years of experience in port operations, trade or industrial development, or business or public administration, with such experience to include a minimum of five years of employment in a senior management position at a port.

C.  The board may fix the compensation of the port director.  The term of the employment contract with the port director shall not exceed three years.  The board shall conduct, at least once each year, a written performance review of the port director in accordance with an evaluation procedure to be established by the board.  Within ten days of its completion, such written evaluation shall be sent to the members of the state legislative delegation who represent any part of the district.

D.  The port director shall be the chief administrative officer of the district.  He shall be responsible for the efficient administration of the district and shall oversee its day-to-day operations.  The port director shall:

(1)  Supervise enforcement and execution of the broad, directional policies and other procedures of the board.

(2)  Attend all meetings of the board of commissioners.

(3)  Recommend to the board any measures necessary or expedient for the good governance and welfare of the port.

(4)  Supervise the official conduct of all officers of the district appointed by the director.

(5)  Supervise the performance of all contracts for work to be done for the district, make all purchases of material and supplies, and see that such material and supplies are received and are of the quality and character called for by the contract.

(6)  Supervise the construction, improvement, repair, maintenance, and management of all district property, capital improvements, and undertakings of the district, including the making and preservation of all surveys, maps, plans, drawings, specifications, and estimates for capital improvements.

(7)  Cooperate with any city and parish officials in the operations of the district.

(8)  Keep the state legislators who represent any part of the district fully advised of the financial and other conditions of the district and of its future needs.

(9)  Prepare and submit to the board annual operating and capital budgets.

(10)  Conduct the business affairs of the district and cause accurate records to be kept by modern and efficient accounting methods.

(11)  Make to the board, not later than the fifteenth day of each month, an itemized financial report, in writing, showing the receipts and disbursements for the preceding month.

(12)  Contract with superintendents, stevedores, and other agents and employees and fix their compensation and terms of employment as deemed appropriate.  However, the port director shall enter into an agreement with stevedores that extends for a period of more than one year only with the approval of the board.

(13)  In accordance with applicable law and without approval of the board, employ, reclassify, fix the compensation of, or discharge or impose other disciplinary action on all employees who do not directly contract with or report to the board.

(14)  Summarily and without notice to the board or otherwise, investigate the affairs and conduct of any department, agency, officer, or employee who does not directly contract with or report to the board and who is under the director's supervision.  The director may compel the production of evidence and attendance of witnesses relative to such investigation.  Based on such investigation, the port director may take, in accordance with applicable law, any action he deems appropriate and in the best interest of the district.

(15)  Hold an annual orientation session for board members which includes ethics training, information on audits of the district, responsibilities of members, policies and procedures, and the current financial condition of the district.

(16)  Perform all such other duties as may be necessary to carry on the day-to-day business affairs of the district within the broad, directional policies established by the board of commissioners.

(17)  Perform all other actions and duties as authorized by the board.

Acts 2003, No. 149, §1, eff. May 29, 2003; Acts 2005, No. 8, §1, eff. May 27, 2005.