(A) (1) There is hereby created the Elizabethtown Historic Preservation Commission (EHPC), an administrative body of the city. Hereafter to be known as “the Commission” or the “Commission”.
(2) The Commission shall consist of the following: five qualified persons, competent and informed on historical, architectural and cultural traditions of the city. The five qualified persons shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council. One member of the City Council shall sit as an ex officio non-voting liaison member of the Commission.
(3) At least two Commission members are required by state law to be in preservation-related professions. This includes the professions of historic preservation, architectural history, architecture, history, archaeology, historic preservation planning or related disciplines, such as American studies, urban planning, American civilization, cultural geography or anthropology. When one or two professional members are not available, the Mayor may appoint other persons interested in historic preservation to serve. When the Commission reviews an issue that is normally evaluated by a professional member and that field is not represented by the Commission, the Commission shall seek expert advice before rendering its decision. All members must have a demonstrated interest in historic preservation.
(B) (1) Of the original members, one shall be appointed for a term of one year; two shall be appointed for a two-year term and two for a three-year term. Terms commence on July 1 of each year and conclude on June 30 of the following year. Thereafter, members shall serve for three-year staggered terms. Members shall be exempt from any provision of any other ordinance of the city limiting the number of terms that a member of any board or commission may hold. Commission members may serve for as many succeeding terms as such member may be appointed to by the Mayor.
(2) The Commission shall select from among its members a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be citizen members. The officers shall serve for one-year terms. At the first regularly scheduled meeting of each calendar year, officer elections shall be held. Officers may be elected for succeeding terms. The Chairperson shall preside at meetings and the Vice-Chairperson shall preside in the absence of the Chairperson. The Secretary shall be appointed a member of the city staff designated by the Mayor and shall record the proceedings of each meeting.
(C) Vacancies on the Commission shall be filled within 60 days. When a vacancy occurs during a term of office, it shall be filled within 60 days, and the person selected shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.
(D) No member of the Commission shall vote on any matter that may affect the property, income or business interest of that member.
(Ord. 16-2012, passed 8-6-2012)