(A) Creation. There is hereby established the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission") subject to and in accordance with the provisions of IC 36-7-11-4.
(B) Composition. The Commission shall consist of seven voting members. The voting members shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall be subject to the approval by Council before joining the Commission and shall be residents of the city who are interested in the preservation and development of historic areas. The members of the Commission should include professionals in the disciplines of architectural history, planning, and other disciplines related to historic preservation, to the extent that those professionals are available in the community. The credentials of appointees brought before Council shall be outlined as part of the approval process. Nonvoting, advisory member(s) may be appointed to the Commission by the Mayor, and shall be approved by Council before any activities may be completed. Commission members shall serve without compensation, except for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
(C) Term. Voting members shall serve for a term of three years; however, the initial terms of members shall be for one year, two years, and three years in order for the terms to be staggered. The term for nonvoting, advisory members shall be for one year. A vacancy shall be filled within 90 days for the duration of the term.
(D) Administrator. The City of Fort Wayne Planning Department shall designate a planner to serve as the Administrator of the Commission. The Administrator shall provide staff assistance to the Commission, act as secretary, and issue certificates of appropriateness as directed by the Commission.
(E) Officers. The commission shall elect from its membership a Chairperson, and Vice-Chairperson who shall serve for one year and who may be reelected.
(F) Rules. The Commission shall adopt rules consistent with this chapter for the transaction of its business. The rules must include the time and place of regular meetings and a procedure for the calling of special meetings.
(G) Meetings. Commission meetings must be open to the public in accordance with Indiana's Open Door Law and a public record shall be kept of the Commission's resolutions, proceedings, and actions. The Commission shall hold regular meetings, at least monthly, except when it has no business pending. Special meetings may be called in a manner determined by the Commission and its rules.
(H) Quorum. A quorum of four voting members of the Commission must be present at a meeting for the Commission to take action.
(I) Action. Any action of the Commission taken at a monthly meeting at which a quorum is present shall be determined by a majority of those actually voting.
(J) Legal counsel. The attorney for the city shall be the attorney for the Commission. However, the Commission may employ other legal counsel authorized to practice law in Indiana if it considers it to be necessary or desirable.
(Ord. G-06-08, passed 6-10-08; Am. Ord. G-5-23, passed 2-14-23)