(A) Creation. There is hereby established the Historic Preservation Commission of the City of Valparaiso, Indiana (hereinafter referred to as the "Commission").
(B) Composition. The Commission shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Mayor, who shall be residents of the city. The members of the Commission should include professionals in the disciplines of architecture history and planning, if such professionals are available in the community. Nonvoting advisory members may be appointed to the Commission by the Mayor as deemed appropriate. Commission members and nonvoting advisory members shall serve without compensation except for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, unless otherwise provided by the Common Council through the annual salary ordinance.
(C) Term. Voting members shall serve for a term of three years; however the initial term of members shall be one for a period of one year, two for a period of two years and three for a period of three years in order to provide for staggered terms. The term for any nonvoting advisory shall be three years. Any vacancy that occurs during the term of a member shall be filled within 90 days and shall be for the duration of the remaining term of such member.
(D) Commission administrator. The Office of the City Planner is designated to serve as ex-officio administrator of the Commission. The administrator shall perform such duties as may be required by the Commission and may call upon other members of the city administration for assistance in performing the duties directed by the Commission.
(E) Officers. The Commission shall elect from its membership a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer, who shall serve for one year and who may be re-elected.
(F) Rules. The Commission shall adopt rules consistent with this title for the transaction of its business. The rules must include the time and place of regular meetings and a procedure for the calling of special meetings.
(G) Meetings. Commission meetings must be open to the public in accordance with Indiana's Open Door Law and a public record shall be kept of the Commission's resolutions, proceedings and actions. The Commission shall hold regular meetings at least monthly, except when it has no business pending. Special meetings may be called in a manner determined by the Commission and its rules.
(Ord. 3-2006, passed 2-13-06)