(A) There is hereby established the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Hammond, Indiana. The Commission shall consist of 9 voting members. The voting members shall be appointed by the Mayor of the City of Hammond, Indiana, subject to the approval of the Common Council of the City of Hammond, Indiana. Voting members shall serve for a term of 3 years; however, the initial terms of members shall be for 1 year, 2 years and 3 years in order for the terms to be staggered. A vacancy shall be filled within 90 days for the duration of the term of the member who is being replaced.
(B) Voting members shall be residents of the City of Hammond, Indiana, who are interested in the preservation and development of historic buildings and areas. Of the 9 members appointed, the Commission shall attempt to reflect representation from 1 of each of the following categories:
(1) One member who is an architect with Indiana architectural certification or a contractor licensed in the city or a professional engineer licensed by the State of Indiana;
(2) One member who owns or leases property in a designated local historic district or landmark;
(3) One member who is an historian; and
(4) One member who is a licensed real estate broker or a member of the local banking or development community.
(C) The Mayor may, with the approval of the Common Council, appoint such advisory members as the Common Council considers appropriate. Advisory members will be non-voting members and need not be Hammond residents. The term of the advisory members shall be for one year commencing on January 1 and expiring on December 31. The advisory members may be reappointed for consecutive terms.
(D) The City Planner shall serve as the ex-officio administrator of the Commission. The City Planner shall provide staff assistance to the Commission and issue certificates of appropriateness as directed by the Commission. The Planning Department’s Administrative Secretary shall act as the Commission’s Secretary.
(E) Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation but may be paid for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duty as the Planning Department’s budget will allow.
(F) The Commission shall elect from its member ship at their first meeting of the calendar year a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson who shall serve for 1 year and who may be reelected. The Commission shall adopt rules for the transaction of its business not inconsistent with this chapter. The rules must include the time and place of regular meetings. Meetings of the Commission must be open to the public in accordance with the Open Door law and a public record shall be kept of the Commission’s resolutions, proceedings and actions.
(G) The Commission shall hold regular meetings, at least monthly except when it has no business pending.
(H) The Commission shall adopt by-laws for carrying out the powers and duties set forth in this chapter.
(I) The Commission shall hold at least one publicized public hearing per year to provide the public with an opportunity to become aware of the Commission’s business and to make their views known.
(J) Each official of the city who has responsibility for building inspections, building permits, planning and zoning shall provide such technical, administrative and clerical assistance as may be requested by the Commission.
(Prior Code, § 160.04) (Ord. 4769, passed 6-14-1982; Am. Ord. 7099, passed 12-12-1988)