(A) Establishment. There is hereby created a Galena Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) for the purposes of carrying out the objectives and provisions enumerated in this section and to review and advise the Building Official on site plans and construction proposals in the Historic District and to review and advise the Building Official on the issuance of certificates of appropriateness in the Historic District.
(B) Powers and duties. The HPC shall:
(1) Assist and advise the Building Official, the City Council, other city officials and departments and county and state agencies as may be necessary in matters involving the Historic District and sites, structures and improvements therein.
(2) Advise owners of property in the Historic District on methods of preservation as per the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation and Illustrated Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings.
(3) Upon request, review and make recommendations to the Building Official regarding variations and amendments in the Historic District.
(4) Promote the preservation of the historic sites, improvements and structures in the Historic District and make recommendations to the City Council on methods to accomplish same.
(5) Assist the Building Official in maintaining an ongoing survey of potential local landmarks and adopt procedures to nominate them.
(C) Composition of the HPC. The HPC shall consist of at least five members nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the City Council. All members shall be qualified by training, education, experience or activity in historic preservation matters generally and with the Historic District designated by the City Council specifically. The term of service of members of the HPC shall be two years. Initially, however, three members shall be appointed for a two-year term and two members for a one-year term. Any vacancies shall be filled by the Mayor, subject to conformation by the City Council, for the unexpired term. Members may be removed by the City Council for cause after written charges have been filed and after a hearing has been held, if requested by the member so charged. One of the members of the HPC shall be designated by the Mayor as chairperson and shall hold the office until a successor is appointed. A quorum shall be one more than half of the HPC. Decisions shall be by majority vote of the members present. A member of the HPC may not vote on a matter involving property in the Historic District in which the member has a legal or equitable ownership interest.
(D) Meetings. Meetings shall be held at regularly scheduled times or at any time upon the call of the chairperson. Meetings may be cancelled at the discretion of the chairperson when there are no items of business. Written notice must be given to all applicants with the notice to state time and place of the meeting in which their application will be reviewed by the HPC.
(Ord. O.23.07, passed 4-24-23)