Article IX — Historic Preservation Commission

There is hereby established a historic preservation commission, which shall administer the provisions of Article 30 of the City Code, and the other responsibilities as set forth in this Code.

(Ord. No. 473, § 5, 3-20-2012)

The historic preservation commission shall consist of five members, who shall serve at the pleasure of the city council. Historic preservation commissioners shall be residents of the city or residents of Colusa County if they live within two miles of the city limits at the time of appointment and during his/her term, and shall not be officers nor employees of the city.

(Ord. No. 473, § 5, 3-20-2012)

A.

The members of the historic preservation commission shall be appointed by the city council and shall serve individual terms of four years. The city council shall ensure that the members terms are staggered so that no more than three commissioner's terms expire in any single calendar year. Each member, unless sooner terminated, may serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified.

B.

No limit is established on the number of terms an individual may serve as a commissioner.

C.

A commissioner may be removed from office by majority vote of the city council without cause, notice or hearing.

D.

In the event of a vacancy, the city council shall appoint a new commissioner to fill the unexpired portion of the existing term.

(Ord. No. 473, § 5, 3-20-2012)

A.

The historic preservation commission shall hold regular meetings during each calendar year at such time and place in the city as the city council may fix by resolution.

B.

The historic preservation commission may adopt, consistent with applicable laws and subject to city council approval, rules of procedure which shall govern the conduct of hearings and other business of the historic preservation commission.

C.

Three members of the five-member historic preservation commission shall constitute a quorum, and a quorum is required for the historic preservation commission to take action on any item on its agenda.

(Ord. No. 473, § 5, 3-20-2012)

The historic preservation commission shall compile and approve a quarterly report that is forwarded to the city council. The report shall inform the city council of the number of meetings held that quarter, the attendance record for each historic preservation commissioner and a brief report on the activity of the historic preservation commission. The commission may delegate the drafting and approval of the report to city staff. The quarterly report should list the accomplishments of the commission that quarter, including a brief list of those permits or projects approved or denied, as well as any other information that would be of importance to the city council.

(Ord. No. 473, § 5, 3-20-2012)

At its regular meeting in April of each year, or as soon thereafter as possible, the members of the historic preservation commission shall appoint one of its members as a chairperson and one of its members as a vice-chairperson for the commission. The city clerk or his/her designee shall serve as secretary to the historic preservation commission. Vacancies in the position of chairperson and/or vice-chairperson shall be filled at the historic preservation commission's next regularly scheduled meeting, or as soon thereafter as possible.

(Ord. No. 473, § 5, 3-20-2012)

The historic preservation commission shall have the duties and functions specified herein, and may make recommendations to the planning commission or city council as specified, on the following topics:

A.

Recommend to the city council the designation of landmarks and historic districts.

B.

Establish and maintain a list of structures or other landmarks deserving recognition by the city, even if such structures or landmarks are not formally designated as historic, and take steps to recognize those such structures or landmarks deserving of recognition.

C.

Shall hear and determine permit applications for construction, alteration, demolition and remedial work on landmark sites and historic districts.

D.

May take steps to encourage or bring about preservation of structures or other features on historic structures or landmarks. This includes taking steps to encourage or preserve those structures covered by the heritage preservation commission's decision to suspend action on a permit, as set forth in Section 30.05(e) of this Code.

E.

Advise, upon the request of a property owner, on improvements not requiring the issuance of a city permit. For example, advise on paint, roofing, landscaping, installation of lighting or repainting of exterior surfaces or fixtures. In advising, the heritage preservation commission shall be guided by the purposes and standards set forth in Article 30.

F.

The heritage preservation commission may formulate, fundraise and develop financial procedures in order to establish and maintain a fund for the purpose of heritage preservation.

G.

Perform such duties that are set forth in Article 30 of this Code and any other duties the city council or City Code may prescribe.

(Ord. No. 473, § 5, 3-20-2012)

Historic preservation commissioners shall serve without compensation.

(Ord. No. 473, § 5, 3-20-2012)