(A) The Common Council may establish, by ordinance, one or more historic districts. The Common Council shall give written notification of the designation to the owners and occupants of the property in the historic district. The Common Council shall file a copy of the designation ordinance in the office of the Register of Deeds for the county and shall notify the Director of Equalization of the county. An ordinance establishing a historic district may be amended by following the procedures of this subchapter and by having the Historic District Commission study and report on the proposed amendment.
(B) Whenever a historic district is established, the Common Council shall also establish a Historic District Commission. The Historic District Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the Common Council with due regard to proper representation of fields such as history, architecture, architectural history, urban planning, archaeology, paleontology, and law. Where possible, the members shall be selected from residents of the proposed district. Members of the HPC may comprise all or part of the Historic District Commission. The appointments to membership on the Historic District Commission shall be arranged so that the term of at least one member will expire each year, and their successors shall be appointed in like manner for terms of three years. Persons appointed to fill an unexpired term shall serve for the remainder of the term. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings without presenting an explanation accepted by the Historic District Commission may be deemed to have abandoned the office and may be replaced as provided herein.
(C) The Historic District Commission shall elect annually a Chair and Vice Chair from its own membership. In addition to other duties, the Chair shall be the spokesperson for the Historic District Commission and shall represent the Historic District Commission in its work with other city departments. The Historic District Commission shall meet monthly at a regular time and place to be established by the Commission. The Chair may cancel a scheduled meeting when there is no business to transact. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Commissioners in office and shall be required in order for the Historic District Commission to take action. In addition, a simple majority of the current membership shall be required for decisions involving property in the historic district.
(D) The Historic District Commission shall prepare a biennial report for the Common Council, and it shall include information about any property in the historic district that is threatened. The Historic District Commission may, subject to appropriation by the city, employ consultants to help in carrying out its responsibilities under this subchapter. Persons on the city staff may be asked to assist the Historic District Commission, including through the provision of clerical help that is needed. The Historic District Commission may adopt rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this subchapter and state law.
(E) No member of the Historic District Commission shall participate in the discussion about any matter or vote on any matter that may affect the property, income, or business interest of that member.
(Prior Code, § 153.22)