Sec. 17.01. - Severability of charter provisions.

In the event that any portion, section or provision of this Charter shall be declared illegal, invalid or unconstitutional by final judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall not invalidate any other portion, section or provision hereof, but all parts of the charter not expressly held to be invalid shall remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 17.02. - Maximum length of service for members and trustees of boards and commissions

No member or trustee of any board or commission of the city, no matter who the appointing authority, shall be eligible to serve more than:

A.

Eight consecutive terms if the term of office is one year.

B.

Four consecutive terms if the term of office is two years.

C.

Three consecutive terms if the term of office is three years.

D.

Two consecutive terms if the term of office is four years.

E.

Two consecutive terms if the term of office is for five years or more.

Notwithstanding the above limitations, no member or trustee of any board or commission of the city shall be appointed so as to serve more than ten years on a board or commission, except that a person who has served on a board or commission may be reappointed to that same board or commission if one year has elapsed since the expiration of his last appointment to the board or commission.

Council is hereby authorized and empowered, but not directed, to provide by ordinance for staggered terms of all members of boards and commissions of the city to the end that there will not result a complete board or commission membership turnover on the same date.

The portion hereof concerning limitations of terms shall apply to regional boards and commissions only in those cases in which all political subdivisions appointing members to such regional board or commission are bound by a like provision.

This section shall be in effect, notwithstanding any other provision in the city code or city charter to the contrary.

Sec. 17.03. - Authority to create library board.

There may be a Newport News Public Library Board, as provided by the council of the city of Newport News, which shall consist of such number of members or trustees as the council may provide. Vacancies on the library board shall be filled by the council for the unexpired portion of the term. The library board shall have such authority, powers and duties as may be provided by ordinance.

Sec. 17.04. - Power to contract with and receive aid from federal government.

In addition to the other powers conferred by this Charter, the city of Newport News shall have the power and authority to accept contributions, grants and other financial assistance from the federal government and other agencies and agency or instrumentality thereof for or in aid of the local federally assisted programs. To these ends, the city of Newport News shall have the power to comply with such conditions and to execute such agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable and not in conflict with any other provision of this Charter.

Sec. 17.05. - Continuance of Acts 1926, Chapter 530.

All of the provisions, obligations and directions of Chapter 530, Acts of Assembly, 1926, and all amendments thereto, except as otherwise changed by this chapter, concerning the waterworks system shall continue in full force and effect as though the consolidated city was in the original act the city set forth in such act.

Sec. 17.06. - Continuation of rights, powers, etc., in Regional Redevelopment and Housing Authority for Hampton and Warwick, Virginia, and the Newport News Housing and Redevelopment Authority.

All rights, powers, liabilities and benefits of the former city of Warwick resulting from agreement or arising by law in the Regional Redevelopment and Housing Authority for Hampton and Warwick, Virginia, shall inure to the consolidated city, and the representative of the former city of Warwick to such authority at the time of the effective date of the consolidation shall continue on the commission as if the consolidated city had originally been a party to the agreement and action creating the Regional Redevelopment and Housing Authority for Hampton and Warwick, Virginia; and all the rights, powers, liabilities and benefits of the former city of Newport News resulting from agreement or arising by law in the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority shall inure to the consolidated city and the representatives of the former city of Newport News on the authority at the time of the effective date of the consolidation shall continue as the representatives of the consolidated city as if the consolidated city had originally been a party to the agreement and action creating the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Sec. 17.07. - Courts not of record.

The City of Newport News shall provide suitable quarters for the general district court and its clerk, the juvenile and domestic relations court and its clerk, social services staff and a suitable room or rooms for the sessions of the courts at the places designated for such purpose. The City shall also provide all necessary furniture, filing cabinets and other equipment necessary for the efficient operation of the courts.

All fees, fines and commissions of every kind and character received or collected by the judges or clerks of such courts and from whatever source derived shall be paid promptly to the clerk of the circuit court. All fees, fines and commissions of every kind and character, whether payable by the Commonwealth, the United States, or private persons, firms or corporations, now or hereinafter made receivable by law or ordinances by such judge or clerk, shall continue to be paid to the clerk of the circuit court, except that the city aforesaid shall not be required to pay such judge or clerk any fees or commission for services performed for such city.

(Acts 1989, Ch. 654, § 1)