[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the City of
Aberdeen 3-23-1998 by Ord. No. 512-98 (Ch. 14 of the 1990 Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
A. The preservation of sites, structures and districts of historical,
archaeological or architectural significance together with their appurtenances
and environmental settings is a public purpose in Aberdeen.
B. It is the further purpose of this chapter to preserve and enhance
the quality of life and to safeguard the historical and cultural heritage
of Aberdeen by preserving sites, structures or the districts which
reflect elements of cultural, social, economic, political, archaeological
or architectural history; to strengthen the local economy; to stabilize
and improve property values of such sites, structures or districts;
to foster civic beauty; and to promote the preservation and appreciation
of such sites, structures and districts for the education and welfare
of the residents of the City of Aberdeen.
A. The Trust shall have the number of members as is approved from time
to time by action of the Mayor and City Council.
B. Membership. A majority of the members of the Trust shall be residents
of Aberdeen. Each member shall possess a special interest, specific
knowledge or professional or academic training in such fields as history,
architecture, architectural history, planning, archaeology, curation,
conservation, landscape architecture, historic preservation, urban
design or related disciplines.
[Amended 6-2-2014 by Ord.
No. 14-O-12]
C. Terms. Trust members shall be appointed for terms of three years,
except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be staggered
so that three members shall serve terms of three years, two members
shall serve terms of two years, and two members shall serve terms
of one year so that not more than three appointments shall expire
in a given year. Trust members may be reappointed.
D. Trust officers. The Trust shall elect, from its membership, a Chairperson
and Vice Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall serve
for one-year terms and shall be eligible for reelection.
E. Compensation. Trust members shall serve without compensation but
may be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance
of their duties, provided that said expenses are permitted and approved
in advance by the City of Aberdeen.
F. Meetings. The Trust shall hold such regular meetings as necessary
to discharge its duties.
G. Quorum. All meetings of the Trust, except executive sessions, shall
be open to the public. A majority of the Trust shall constitute a
quorum. No vacancy in the Trust shall impair the right of a quorum
to exercise all the rights or perform all of the duties of the Trust.
H. Staff. Consistent with the City of Aberdeen's policies and procedures,
employees may be assigned to the Trust and such services and facilities
shall be made available as the City deems necessary or appropriate
for the proper performance of its duties.
I. Resignation, removal and vacancy of members. In the event that a
member resigns, the Chairperson shall recommend to the Mayor and City
Council a qualified replacement for approval. Any member of the Trust
may be removed for good cause by the Mayor and City Council. Any vacancy
in the membership of the Trust shall be filled by the Mayor and City
Council; provided, however, that in the case of an unexpired term,
the term of the new member shall be only for the remainder of the
unexpired term for which his or her predecessor was appointed.
The Heritage Trust shall have the following powers, duties and
functions:
A. To acquire and preserve historic or cultural properties, buildings,
fixtures, furnishings, facilities, collections and appurtenances with
approval by the Mayor and City Council.
B. To acquire and hold real and personal property of historic or cultural
significance by purchase, gift, device or bequest and to preserve
and administer such properties, with approval by the Mayor and City
Council.
C. To accept gifts, grants, legacies, bequests and endowments on properties
located in or adjacent to a locally designated historic district upon
approval by the Mayor and City Council.
D. To direct studies, reports and surveys to identify historical, archaeological
or architecturally significant sites, structures and districts that
exemplify the cultural, social, economic, political or architectural
history of Aberdeen.
E. Consistent with the City of Aberdeen's Charter, ordinances,
resolutions, local public law, policies and procedures regarding the
acceptance and use of gifts by public officials, to accept and use
gifts for the exercise of its functions.
F. To prescribe appropriate rules and regulations for transaction of
its business.
G. To cooperate and work with the Aberdeen Planning Commission, Economic
Development Commission and other City volunteer organizations.
H. To undertake any other action or activity necessary or appropriate
to the implementation of its powers, duties and functions or the implementation
of the purpose of this chapter.
A. The Trust is authorized and empowered, after consultation with the
Department of Planning and Community Development for the City of Aberdeen,
upon making full and proper study, to recommend any area within the
limits of the City of Aberdeen as a proposed historic site, structure
or district and determine the boundary lines of any such site, structures
or district.
B. The Trust shall prepare a resolution setting forth that it recommends
designation of a site, structure or district of historic, archaeological
or architectural significance and cause such resolution to be introduced
to the Mayor and City Council for appropriate action. No area shall
be deemed to be a historic site, structure or district unless it has
been designated by a resolution of the Mayor and City Council.