(A) Members. There is hereby created and established a City Heritage Preservation Commission (hereinafter, the “Commission”), which shall consist of no less than five, and no more than nine, voting members to be appointed by the Mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the City Council. The Chairperson of the city’s Planning Commission or his or her designees shall be ex officio non-voting members of the Commission. Any member appointed to serve on the Heritage Preservation Commission shall be a resident of the city and shall have a demonstrated interest and/or expertise in historic preservation.
(B) Term. The Mayor and City Council shall initially appoint one member to serve a term of one year, two members to serve a term of two years and two members to serve a term of three years. Terms of office shall expire on March 1 in the year following their last full year of appointment. All subsequent appointments shall be for a term of three years. Members may be re-appointed for consecutive terms. In the event of a vacancy, the vacancy for the unexpired term shall be filled in the same manner as the appointment is made. Members shall serve without compensation and, if a successor has not been appointed by the end of their term, shall continue to hold office until their successors have been appointed.
(C) Organization. The Commission, when formed, shall elect from its members such officers, as it may deem necessary. The Commission shall have the power to designate and appoint from its members various committees. The Commission shall make such by-laws as it may deem advisable and necessary for the conduct of its affairs and for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this chapter which are not inconsistent with the laws of the city and the state. The Commission shall prepare an annual report by October 31 of each year as required in accordance with M.S. § 471.193, Subd. 6, as it may be amended from time to time, for submission to the state’s Historic Preservation Office and shall file a copy with the City Administrator for distribution to the City Council.
(D) Program assistance. To accomplish the intent and purpose of this chapter, the city shall provide the Commission with staff support to perform the duties prescribed under this chapter, including supervised public access to the historical archives, records and files of the Commission and city.