The Commission shall have power and authority within the jurisdictional limits of the city and within the limits of available funds, to:
(A) Make a survey of, and designate as historic landmarks, buildings, structures and sites which constitute the principal historical and architectural sites which are of local, regional, statewide or national significance. No building, structure or site shall be deemed to be an historic one unless it has been prominently identified with, or best represents, some major aspect of the cultural, political, economic, military or social history of the locality of the city; the region, the state or nation, or has had a major relationship with the life of an historic personage or event representing some major aspect of, or ideals related to, the history of the locality of the city, region, state of nation. In the case of buildings or structures which are to be so designated, they shall embody the principal or unique features of an architectural type or demonstrate the style of a period of our history or method of construction, or serve as an illustration of the work of a master builder, designer or architect whose genius influenced the period in which he or she worked or has significance in current time;
(B) Prepare a register of buildings, structures and sites which meet the requirements of division (A) above, publish lists of such properties and, with the consent of the property owners, inspect such properties from time to time and publish a register thereof from time to time setting forth appropriate information concerning the registered buildings, structures and sites;
(C) With the consent of the property owners, certify and mark with appropriately designed markers, buildings, structures and sites which it has registered;
(D) Establish standards for care and management of certified landmarks and withdraw such certification for failure to maintain the standards so prescribed;
(E) Acquire by purchase, gift or lease and administer registered landmarks and easements, and interests therein, both real and personal;
(F) Lease or sell property so acquired under terms and conditions designed to ensure the proper preservation of the landmark in question;
(G) Establish historic districts for registered landmarks, utilizing the same guidelines set forth in said division (A) above, and designate the area thereof by appropriate marker;
(H) Identify historical districts for registered landmarks and aid and encourage the municipality and county in which the district or landmark is located to adopt rules and regulations for the preservation of historical or architectural values;
(I) Prepare and place historical markers on or along the highway or street closest to the location which is intended to be identified by such markers;
(J) Seek the advice and assistance of individuals, groups and departments and agencies in the government who or which are conducting historical preservation programs and coordinate the same insofar as possible;
(K) Seek and accept gifts, bequests, endowments and funds from any and all sources for the accomplishment of the functions of the commission;
(L) Adopt rules and regulations concerning the operation of the Commission, the functions and responsibilities of its officers, employees, assistants and other personnel and such other matters as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this section;
(M) Adopt such other rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section, but no such rules and regulations shall be inconsistent with the provisions of this section or with any plan of the Planning Commission of the city;
(N) To employ, within the limits of funds available therefor, such employees, assistants, technical personnel and consultants as are necessary to discharge the duties and responsibilities of the Commission;
(O) Keep an accurate and complete record of all Commission proceedings;
(P) Make an annual report to the Council of the city concerning the operation of the Commission and the status of the Commission’s activities in all matters pending before it; and
(Q) Exercise such additional powers, authority and duties as may be provided by the provisions of W.Va. Ch. 8, Art. 26a.
(1991 Code, § 2-56e) (Ord. passed 1-5-1984)