The Commission shall be authorized within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Mannington and within the limits of available funds to:
(a) Make a survey of, and designate as local 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, region, State or nation, or has had a major relationship with the life of a historic personage. 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 worked or has significance in current times. A property may be registered if it represents a significant distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction, a property may be registered if it was yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history (an archaeological resource);
(b) Prepare a register of buildings, structures, and sites which meet the requirements of Section 137.01 of this Article, publish lists of such properties and, with the consent of the property owner(s), 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 appropriately designed markers, buildings, structures, and sites which have been registered;
(d) Establish standards for the 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 interest therein, both real and personal;
(f) Lease or sell property so acquired under terms and conditions designed to insure the proper preservation of the landmark in question;
(g) Establish historic districts for registered landmarks, and designate the area thereof by appropriate markers;
(h) Identify historical districts for registered landmarks and aid and encourage the Municipality in which the district or landmark is located to adopt rules and regulations for the preservation of 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 of 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 order; and
(m) Adopt such other rules and regulations as may be deemed necessary to effectuate the purpose of this order, but no such rules and regulations shall be inconsistent with the provisions of any plan of any planning commission of a municipality or county. (1978 Code Sec. 2.1-2)