This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Historical Commission Ordinance."
In order to advance the historical interests of the City of Royal Oak, there is hereby created the Royal Oak Historical Commission.
The Commission shall consist of seven members appointed by the City Commission who are residents of the City of Royal Oak and who shall serve without compensation.
A member shall be appointed by the City Commission for a term of three years, ending the last day of December of the third year after appointment, provided that the membership of the initial Commission shall be staggered with three members appointed for one year, two members appointed for two years, and two members appointed for three years. Members of the Commission shall be eligible for reappointment. Appointments may be terminated pursuant to applicable ordinance provisions, and vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the City Commission for the unexpired term of the original appointment.
A. 
The Commission shall at its first meeting in January each year elect from its membership a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, and such other officers as may be necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs.
B. 
The Commission shall meet at least quarterly and shall conform to all applicable rules and regulations governing the conduct of meetings promulgated by the City Commission. Special meetings may be called by the Secretary on the written request of the Chairman or any two members of the Committee, with at least two days' notice.
C. 
The business that the Commission may perform shall be conducted at a public meeting in compliance with the Open Meetings Act.[1] Public notice of the time, date and location of the meeting shall be given, and a meeting agenda shall be part of the notice.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 15.261 et seq.
D. 
At least four members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business. The concurring vote of a majority of the members present shall be necessary for the approval of motions.
E. 
The Commission shall keep a record of its resolutions, proceedings, and actions. A writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by the Commission in the performance of an official function shall be made available to the public in compliance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: See MCLA § 15.231 et seq.
F. 
The Commission shall on an annual basis make a report of its general activities for the preceding year at a regular meeting of the City Commission.
A. 
The Commission shall be a policy-making body advisory to the City Commission on any activity or project which advances the historical interests of the City.
B. 
It shall be the duty of the Commission to establish policy with regard to the collection, preservation, display and accessibility of historical material, including books, pamphlets, maps, charts, manuscripts, papers, records, archives, paintings, statuary, and other objects and materials related to the history of the City of Royal Oak and the surrounding area; procurement and preservation of narratives of the early residents of such area; the collection of materials relative to the history, literature, progress or decay of Indian tribes; collection, preparation and display of objects indicative of the customs, dress, and resources of the early residents of this area; and to make available from time to time source materials and historical studies relative to and illustrative of the history of the area.
C. 
The Commission shall set policies for the use of the Orson Starr House, 3123 North Main Street.
D. 
The Commission may, with the approval of the City Manager, collect reproductions of any records, files, documents, books, or papers in City offices that are of historic value.
E. 
The Commission may accept historical materials on behalf of the City to carry out the historical purposes provided in this article.
F. 
The Commission may recommend to the City Commission purchases of materials illustrative of the history of the City and the surrounding area.
G. 
The Commission may purchase materials necessary to record history, including but not limited to film, magnetic tape, and computer discs.
H. 
Items collected shall be the property of the City of Royal Oak and shall be stored at the Orson Starr House, 3123 North Main Street, or at any other City-owned building.
I. 
Not later than March 1 of each year, the Commission shall furnish the City Manager with recommendations regarding activities to advance the historical interests of the City in the ensuing fiscal year, which the Manager shall review and consider in preparation of the budget to be submitted to the City Commission.
J. 
The Commission may undertake such other studies or projects of an historical nature as may be requested by the City Commission.