(A) Creation.
(1) The Town Historical Commission was created on January 10, 1989, and is composed of seven members, appointed by the Mayor and Town Council, whose purpose shall be to promote local history and historical areas through educational programs and activities.
(2) It is the declared policy of Town Council that it will consider and approve only those persons who:
(a) Are residents of the town and have been so for a period of at least one year prior to the appointment; and
(b) Have demonstrated their general knowledge of the community and concern for the welfare of the total community and its citizens.
(B) Term of office.
(1) At the time of the creation of the Commission, members first to serve shall be appointed specific seats with staggered terms.
(2) The initial seat numbers shall be one through seven.
(a) The initial members were those individuals who were serving on the former Historical Commission at the time of the creation of this Commission pursuant to the Comprehensive Planning Act of 1994.
(b) The initial terms of the members first to serve were for the period of time that would have been required to complete their previously existing term on the former Historical Commission.
(3) After the initial term of office, specific seat assignments shall continue, and the term of office for all seats on the Commission shall be four years.
(4) All terms hereunder, including the initial terms, shall, however, continue until a successor is approved of and appointed by Town Council.
(5) The Council shall act promptly upon the expiration of a term to make appointments as soon as may be reasonably accomplished.
(6) The initial term at the creation of the Commission hereunder shall constitute a full term.
(7) Commission members may be appointed to succeed themselves for a maximum total of two successive terms.
(8) Any service on the former Historical Commission prior to the creation of this Commission shall be included in determining eligibility for future service.
(9) While serving on the Commission, none of the members shall hold any other public office or position in the municipality or county.
(C) Vacancy, absence, and removal.
(1) A vacancy in a term of office shall occur whenever it is found that a member has resigned, is unable to serve for whatever reason, or is removed in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) Neglect of duty, no longer being a resident of the town, or misconduct in office shall constitute just cause.
(a) Each member is required to attend 75% of called meetings per year on a rolling-year basis which shall be measured on the first of every month for the preceding year. Each member shall be afforded one excused absence which shall not be counted towards the attendance requirement.
(b) Excused and unexcused absences are to be determined by the Chairperson or, in his or her absence, the acting Chairperson, and are to be stated on the record at each meeting.
1. EXCUSED ABSENCES are generally defined as medical or family emergencies or unavoidable business/personal conflicts.
2. Each member is responsible for notifying the Chairperson or the appropriate staff at least two full working days prior to the meeting, if he or she will not be in attendance.
3. The member shall also state a reason for the anticipated absence.
4. Emergency situations that arise within this 48-hour period can be considered excused by the Chairperson.
(3) If removal for cause, except due to attendance, appears imminent, the Chairperson shall contact the member and ascertain whether removal should be considered by the Mayor and Town Council. The Chairperson shall then make a recom- mendation to Council, prior to Council action on the matter.
(4) If removal due to attendance is necessary, the Town Administrator shall remove the member from the Commission prior to the next scheduled meeting and shall notify Town Council.
(5) Any vacancy in the membership shall be filled for the unexpired term, as soon as may reasonably be accomplished by the Mayor and Town Council, in the same manner as the original appointment.
(6) In determining eligibility for future service, appointments to a vacant term with 24 months or more in duration left under the four-year term of office shall constitute a full term of service.
(7) Appointments to a vacant term with less than 24 months in duration left under the four-year term of office shall be eligible for two subsequent, successive four-year terms of office.
(D) Chairperson; Secretary; rules of procedure.
(1) The Commission shall organize itself, electing by secret ballot and majority vote a Chairperson from among its members.
(a) The election shall be held at the first meeting in the creation year of the Commission, and at the first meeting of each calendar year thereafter.
(b) In the creation year, the term of office of the Chairperson shall be from the date on the vote until the end of that calendar year, and thereafter for a period of one year.
(c) If a vacancy occurs in an office prior to the expiration of the full term, another election to fill the remainder of the term of office shall be conducted at the first meeting thereafter.
(d) The election procedures stated herein shall be followed in filling an unexpired term of office.
(2) A staff member of the town shall serve as Secretary of the Commission.
(3) The Commission shall adopt rules of procedure at the first meeting in the creation year, and at the first meeting of each calendar year thereafter.
(a) The Commission shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question.
(b) Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of meetings except as otherwise provided by the Commission.
(E) Meetings and quorums.
(1) Four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for conducting business.
(2) Meetings of the Commission must be held at the call of the Chairperson, and at such other times as the Commission may determine.
(3) Public notice of all meetings of this Commission shall be accomplished.
(4) All meetings shall be open to the public.
(5) Members of the Commission shall:
(a) Regularly attend meetings; and
(b) Serve without compensation, except for reimbursement for authorized expenses attendant to the performance of their duties.
(6) Absences by members shall be declared excused or unexcused at each meeting by the Chairperson or, in his or her absence, the acting Chairperson.
('81, § 155.66(A)) (Am. Ord. passed 1-10-89; Am. Ord. passed 12-11-90; Am. Ord. passed 6-9-92; Am. Ord. passed 1-12-93; Am. Ord. 99012, passed 4-21-99; Am. Ord. 2024, passed 6-11-02; Am. Ord. 05005, passed 2-8-05; Am. Ord. 09053, passed 8-12-09; Am. Ord. 11083, passed 1-10-12; Am. Ord. 13003, passed 2-12-13; Am. Ord. 13016, passed 4-9-13; Am. Ord. 14047, passed 8-12-14; Am. Ord. 16055, passed 8-10-16; Am. Ord. 18035, passed 6-14-18)