(A) The Board may exercise the following powers:
(1) Enter into contracts and leases for facilities and services;
(2) Contract with persons for the joint use of facilities for the operation of Department programs and services;
(3) Contract with another board, a unit or school corporation for the use of parks and recreation facilities or services, and the township or school corporation may contract with the Board for the use of parks and recreation facilities or services;
(4) Acquire and dispose of real and personal property, either within or outside Indiana;
(5) Exercise the power of eminent domain (under applicable statutes);
(6) Sell, lease or enter into a royalty contract for the natural or mineral resources of land that it owns, the money received to be deposited in nonreverting capital fund of the Board;
(7) Engage in self-supporting activities pursuant to I.C. 36-10-3-22;
(8) Contract for special and temporary services and for professional assistance;
(9) Delegate authority to perform ministerial acts in all cases except where final action of the Board is necessary;
(10) Prepare, publish and distribute reports and other materials pertaining to Department activities;
(11) Sue and be sued collectively as the “Lawrence Board of Parks and Recreation,” with service of process being had upon the President of the Board, but costs may not be taxed against the Board or its members in any action;
(12) Invoke any legal, equitable or special remedy for the enforcement pursuant to I.C. 36-10-3-11;
(13) Release and transfer, by resolution, a part of the area over which it has jurisdiction for park and recreational purposes to park authorities of another unit for park and recreational purposes upon petition of the park or recreation board of the acquiring unit; and
(14) Exercise any other power provided by law.
(B) The Board may also lease any buildings or grounds belonging to the unit and located within a park to a person for a period not to exceed 50 years. The lease may authorize the lessee to provide upon the premises educational, research, veterinary or other proper facilities for the exhibition of wild or domestic animals in wildlife parks, dining facilities, amusement rides generally found in amusement parks or other recreational facilities. A lease may be made for more than one year only to the highest and best bidder, after notice that the lease will be made has been given by publication in accordance with I.C. 5-3-1.
(C) Notwithstanding division (B) above, the Board may lease buildings or grounds belonging to the unit for a period of more than one year without soliciting the highest and best bidder or providing notice under I.C. 5-3-1 if:
(1) The buildings or grounds are leased to an Indiana nonprofit corporation;
(2) The buildings or grounds are operated as a public golf course; and
(3) The golf course remains subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Board.