§ 3.104. Historic Preservation Commission.

A.

Purpose. The Historic Preservation Commission shall work with the Planning Commission and City Council on matters of historic preservation; take the initiative in bringing people together on historic preservation issues; review proposed alterations to historic properties, historic districts and archaeological resources through the Certificate of Appropriateness process; and develop, maintain and from time to time amend, a plan for historic preservation in the city. The Historic Preservation Commission shall survey historic properties including archaeological resources, recommend to the Planning Commission and City Council designations for Historic Preservation Districts, initiate designations for historic preservation districts and amendments, and establish guidelines for evaluation of historic properties, including archaeological resources; provide public information and education on preservation, coordinate resources and provide technical assistance, promote revitalization of the City through preservation, and make recommendations to the Planning Commission, City Council and citizens of the City regarding historic preservation. The Commission may also confer with other city, county, regional, state and national historic preservation boards and commissions. The Commission shall initiate plans for the restoration or rehabilitation of privately owned buildings and the preservation of archaeological resources. The Commission shall work with City departments to discourage and prevent unwanted demolition of historic buildings and structures and the destruction of archaeological resources.

B.

Organization. A Historic Preservation Commission shall consist of seven (7) members who are residents of the city. The members shall serve for terms of two (2) years, except that members of the first Historic Preservation Commission shall serve as designated by the City Council for the following terms: four (4) members for two (2) years and three (3) members for one (1) year. Any vacancy shall be filled by the City Council within a reasonable time after the vacancy occurs, for the unexpired term. The members of the Historic Preservation Commission shall serve without compensation.

C.

Officers. The City Council shall select a Chairman of the Historic Preservation Commission who shall serve as Chairman for a term of one (1) year, and who shall preside at all meetings and be the head of the Historic Preservation Commission. The City Council shall select for a one (1) year term, a Vice-Chairman to act in the absence of the Chairman. The Planning Director or designee shall act as Secretary to the Historic Preservation Commission, whose duties will be to record accurate minutes of the proceedings and any such other duties as may be assigned by the Historic Preservation Commission.

D.

Rules.

1.

The Historic Preservation Commission shall adopt guidelines to establish rules of procedure for its governance consistent with provisions of this ordinance, laws of this State, and the City Charter.

2.

A quorum consisting of four (4) members shall be present to do business. A concurring vote of the majority of the appointed members present shall be required to approve or deny any motion on any public hearing item.

3.

Historic Preservation Commission Members shall be subject to all applicable conflict of interest provisions of State law and the City Charter.

E.

Qualifications. Members of the Historic Preservation Commission are preferred to be persons who have demonstrated special interest, knowledge or experience in historic preservation. At least five (5) members are preferred to have a background in the following disciplines: architecture, history, architectural history, planning, archaeology, or related historic preservation disciplines, such as cultural geography or cultural anthropology.

(Ord. No. 1772, 6-23-93; Ord. No. 1805, 5-10-94; Ord. No. 2590, § 1, 10-9-07)