The Board of Historical Architectural Review is hereby created:
A. Membership and terms.
(1) The Board shall be composed of nine members, appointed by City Council; one of whom shall be a registered architect, one a licensed real estate broker, one a person with knowledge of the building trades, one who is either a resident of or owner of property within the Callowhill Historic District, one who is either a resident of or owner of property within the Prince Historic District, one who is either a resident of or owner of property in the Centre Park Historic District, one who is either a resident of or owner of property within the Penn's Common Historic District, one who is either a resident of or owner of property within the Heights Conservation District, and one who has knowledge of or interest in the preservation of historic buildings and districts. [Amended 6-25-2012 by Ord. No. 70-2012; 6-22-2015 by Ord. No. 29-2015]
(2) The terms of members shall be fixed so that no more than four terms shall expire during the same calendar year. Upon the expiration of the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed to serve for a term of three years.
(3) The term of any member of the Board who was appointed in his or her capacity as a registered architect, licensed real estate broker, a person with knowledge of the building trades, or a resident of or owner of property in the historical district shall automatically be considered vacant if in the case of the former three, the person ceases to be so engaged, or in the case of the latter, ceases to be either a resident of and/or owner of property in the historical district. An appointment to fill a vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the term.
B. Organization of the Board.
(1) The Board shall comply with the bylaws adopted by the Board December 16, 1986, by Res. 27-86.
(2) The Board shall establish offices and elect officers from its own membership. Nominations for various offices may be made by any member of the Reading Board of Historical Architectural Review. Elections shall be held annually. The chairperson shall fill by appointment any office prematurely vacated.
(3) Any action taken at any meeting shall require the affirmative vote of the majority of Board members present. Each Board member shall be entitled to one vote on any given issue. [Amended 6-22-2015 by Ord. No. 29-2015]
(4) An executive committee consisting of the elected officers (chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary) may be established to review applications for adequate content. The executive committee should convene a minimum of four working days before a regularly scheduled meeting.
(5) The number of standing or temporary committees shall be determined by the Board. The chairperson and members of such committees shall be appointed by the chairperson of the Board. Membership on said committees shall terminate automatically upon the expiration of the term of the appointing chairperson.
(6) The Board may form committees and develop policies regarding maintenance, rehabilitation, construction and demolition.
C. Obligation of members.
(1) Board members must attend a minimum of seven meetings per year. If a member is unable to attend three consecutive meetings, the Board as a whole may recommend to City Council that the said member be removed and replaced by a newly appointed member. [Amended 8-26-2013 by Ord. No. 35-2013]
(2) Board members are required to attend at least eight hours of informational or educational training per year as determined by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
D. Expenditure for service. City Council may appropriate funds for legal, secretarial, clerk, consultant and other technical assistance required to achieve the aims of this chapter. Board members shall serve without compensation, except that the City may reimburse Board members for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
E. Conflict of interest. No member of the Board shall be permitted to take part in the discussion or vote on the issuance of a certificate of appropriateness for any property in which such member has any interest, direct or indirect. Such member shall temporarily absent himself or herself from the table during any such discussion or vote.
F. Removal from office. Any member may be removed for misconduct or neglect of duty or for other just cause by a majority vote of Council taken after the member has received 15 days' advance notice of the intent to take such vote. Failure of a member to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the Board will constitute grounds for immediate removal from the Board by City Council. Failure of a member to attend at least 50% of the regular meetings of the Board in a calendar year will constitute grounds for immediate removal from the Board by City Council. The Chairperson of the Board shall inform the City Clerk in writing when a member has failed to comply with this attendance policy. Following such notification, City Council may vote to remove the member and seek applicants to fill the vacant position. [Amended 8-23-2010 by Ord. No. 57-2010]