D.__Prepare and maintain a comprehensive regional plan.

2. Authority. The council, on behalf of one or more member municipalities and upon appropriate action of the legislative bodies of one or more member municipalities, may exercise any power, privilege or authority capable of exercise by a member municipality and necessary or desirable for dealing with problems of local or regional concern, except essential legislative powers, taxing authority or eminent domain power. This authority is in addition to any other authority granted to municipalities by the general laws and includes, but is not limited to, the formation of transit, solid waste and other services operations.

Sec. 3. 30-A MRSA §2315, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, is further amended to read:

§2315. Staff

The council may employ any staff and consult and retain any experts that it considers necessary. Staff employed for the joint provision of services are deemed to be municipal officials.

Sec. 4. 30-A MRSA §2316, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 1991, c. 512, is amended to read:

5. Guarantees. Notwithstanding any law, charter, ordinance or limitation to the contrary, any one or more member municipalities of the Greater Portland Council of Governments a regional council may guarantee notes or other indebtedness or obligations of the Greater Portland Council of Governments regional council.

Sec. 5. 30-A MRSA §2321, sub-§2, ¶¶C and D, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 and Pt. C, §106 and amended by PL 1989, c. 6; c. 9, §2; and c. 104, Pt. C, §§8 and 10, are further amended to read:

C. Coordinate with state and federal planning and development programs; and

D. Provide planning assistance and advisory services to municipalities.; and

Sec. 6. 30-A MRSA §2321, sub-§2, ¶E is enacted to read: