Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, whenever the members of a council of any city have been authorized to act as commissioners of a redevelopment and housing authority created under § 36-4 for such city, the council of any such city is hereby authorized to adopt a resolution appointing other commissioners for such authority in accordance with § 36-11, to serve as such in lieu of the members of council so acting. The provisions of this section shall not affect the provisions of the charter of any such city authorizing the governing body thereof to provide for the activation of such authority.