(A) Specific powers. In addition to the powers and duties stated elsewhere, the Commission shall take action necessary and appropriate to accomplish the purpose of this chapter. These actions may include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Conducting or causing to be conducted a continuing survey of cultural resources in the community according to the guidelines established by the State Heritage Council. Local review commissions may receive copies of the State Heritage Council inventory of historic buildings for their community;
(2) Recommending to the City Council the designation of Historic Preservation Districts and individual landmarks;
(3) Establishing and using written guidelines for the conservation of designated local landmarks and historical districts in decisions on requests for permits for alterations, demolition or additions to listed landmarks and buildings within Historic Districts; regulating alterations; regulating demolitions, relocations, maintenance and repairs and new construction involving designated property;
(4) Acting in an advisory role to other officials and departments of local government regarding the protection of local cultural resources, advising the federal, state and county governments and other parts of city government;
(5) Acting as a liaison on behalf of local government by advising and assisting individuals and organizations concerned with historic preservation;
(6) Conducting educational programs including the preparation of publications and the placing of historical markers;
(7) Attending at least one informational/educational meeting per year, approved by the State Historic Preservation Officer; and/or
(8) May receive regular assistance in the performance of its responsibilities from the city staff. In addition, the city shall, by contract, obtain assistance on preservation matters from a professional with expertise in historic preservation or a closely related field.
(B) Rehabilitation of buildings. The Commissions may initiate and encourage plans for the preservation and rehabilitation of individual historic buildings. The Commission shall, on a regular basis, give special recognition by way of awards or press releases, to owners and tenants who maintain or rehabilitate their historic buildings with care and thus contribute to the preservation of the history of the city.
(C) Survey of historic buildings. In making its survey of historic buildings and areas, the Commission shall conduct this work in accordance with the guidelines of the State Heritage Council. The Commission shall provide its survey and preservation plan to assist the city and the county in their overall planning efforts.
(D) Meetings of the Commission. The Commission shall adopt and make public rules for the transaction of its business and shall hold monthly public meetings, when necessary. All meetings shall require a quorum of three members, the Chairperson reserving the right to vote. All meetings shall have a previously available agenda and shall comply with the State Open Meetings Statute, KRS 61.805. A simple majority of the membership attending shall be required for decisions involving Historic Districts and landmarks.
(E) Annual report. The Commission shall prepare and keep on file, available for public inspection, a written annual report of its activities, cases, decisions, qualifications of members and other work.
(F) Right to receive and spend funds. The Commission, in addition to any appropriations made by the city, shall have the right to receive, hold and spend funds which it may legally receive from any and every source both in and out of the commonwealth for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
(G) Other duties under the certified local government program. In the development of the certified local government program, the city may ask the Commission to perform other responsibilities that may be delegated to the city under the National Historic Preservation Act.
(Prior Code, § 156.04) (Ord. passed 8-19-1996; Ord. passed 8-9-1999)