N.Y. Arts and Cultural Affairs Law § 59.05: The American Museum of Natural History Planetarium Authority

§ 59.05. The American Museum of Natural History Planetarium Authority.

The trustees of The American Museum of Natural History, a corporation

created by chapter one hundred and nineteen of the laws of eighteen

hundred sixty-nine, and their successors in such office shall appoint no

less than three nor more than five individuals to serve as members of

the board of directors of the Planetarium Authority for terms of one to

three years (as determined by the trustees of the American Museum of

Natural History), and which is hereby continued as a body corporate by

the name of "The American Museum of Natural History Planetarium

Authority," to be located in the city of New York, for the purpose of

establishing and maintaining in such city a planetarium upon a site

provided by the authorities of such city adjacent to The American Museum

of Natural History in such city; of encouraging and developing the study

of astronomical science; of advancing the general knowledge of kindred

subjects, and to that end, of furnishing popular instruction. Such

authority shall constitute a public benefit corporation.

Each member of the board of the Planetarium Authority shall be

independent of the Planetarium Authority and of the American Museum of

Natural History as described in the public authorities law; and the

American Museum of Natural History shall not be considered an affiliate

of the Planetarium Authority.

The board of the Planetarium Authority may appoint an executive

director. The members of the board and the executive director of the

Planetarium Authority shall serve pro bono and shall be entitled to no

compensation for their services or reimbursement for expenses incurred

or to be incurred in connection with the planetarium hereby authorized.

A majority of the members of the board of the Planetarium Authority

shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the board, and a majority of

the members present at a meeting of the board at which there is a quorum

may exercise the powers of the authority. The board of the Planetarium

Authority may delegate to one or more of its members or to its officers,

any such powers and duties as it may deem proper. The Planetarium

Authority shall continue the lease with the American Museum of Natural

History for the exclusive occupancy, operation and use of the

planetarium by the American Museum of Natural History for the purpose of

carrying out the purposes set forth above and related purposes, all upon

the obligation of the American Museum of Natural History to keep the

planetarium in reasonable repair, and to maintain and operate the

planetarium, which lease may be of indefinite duration terminable only

upon surrender of the lease by the direction and authorization of the

board of trustees of the American Museum of Natural History.

The existence of the Planetarium Authority shall continue until

dissolved by its board, provided that all its liabilities have been met

and its bonds have been paid in full or such liabilities or bonds have

been discharged and provided further that the Planetarium Authority's

lease to the American Museum of Natural History shall have been

surrendered by the American Museum of Natural History. Notwithstanding

the foregoing, the Planetarium Authority shall be dissolved when the

American Museum of Natural History surrenders its lease of the

planetarium to the Planetarium Authority, provided that all its

liabilities have been met and its bonds have been paid in full or such

liabilities or bonds have been discharged or assumed by the American

Museum of Natural History. Upon its ceasing to exist, all of its real

property shall pass to the city of New York and all of its personal

property shall pass to The American Museum of Natural History for its

corporate purposes. Thereupon, such real property shall be maintained

and operated in the same manner and subject to the same provisions,

restrictions and authorities and by the same corporation as the other

property of the city of New York which is now occupied by The American

Museum of Natural History.