(A) Establishment.
(1) There is hereby established the City Historic Preservation Commission. The Commission shall consist of five members appointed by the Mayor and approved by City Council. The members shall have demonstrated interest in historic preservation, community development, entrepreneurship, and civic involvement. At least two members shall have training or experience in a preservation-related profession: architecture; history; archaeology; architectural history; planning; or related fields.
(2) When one or two professional members are not available, the Mayor may appoint other persons interested in historic preservation to serve. When the Commission reviews an issue that is normally evaluated by a professional member and that field is not represented on the Commission, the Commission shall seek expert advice before rendering its decision. In making appointments, the Mayor shall seek to include a member who is active in real estate and two members who own property within the city.
(3) Members of the Commission shall serve without compensation, but they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties in accordance with the rules adopted by the Commission.
(4) Each member shall attend at least one educational meeting on historic preservation per year approved by the Commonwealth Historic Preservation Officer.
(B) Terms of office. The terms of office of the members shall be three years, except the terms of two members of the original Commission shall expire after two years and the terms of two members of the original Commission shall expire after one year. Each member shall serve until the appointment and qualification of his or her successor. When a vacancy occurs during a term of office, it shall be filled within 60 days, and the person selected shall be appointed for the unexpired portion of the term.
(C) Officers.
(1) The Commission shall elect each year a member to serve as Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary. The Chairperson shall preside at the meetings of the Commission and shall be the spokeperson for the Commission. In his or her absence, the Vice-Chairperson shall perform these duties.
(2) The Secretary shall prepare the minutes of the Commission’s meetings which shall be available for public inspection. Regular monthly meetings shall be scheduled by the Chairperson and special meetings may be called at the request of the Chairperson or any two other Commission members.
(3) All Commission decisions shall be by majority vote of the entire Commission.
(D) Conflict of interest. No member of the Commission shall vote on any matter that may affect the property, income, or business interests of that member.
(Ord. 648B-01, passed 9-10-2001; Ord. 734-06, passed 11-13-2006)