There is created and established the Cultural Heritage Board
of the City which shall consist of seven members appointed by the
City Council.
(A) Qualifications of Members of the Board. It is desirable, but not
required, that the Board include:
(1) One member who is a State licensed architect;
(2) One member who is a State licensed general contractor;
(3) One member who is a State licensed structural engineer or civil engineer;
(4) One member who is a practicing architectural historian, historian
or archaeologist; and
All members should have a demonstrated knowledge or interest
in the history and architectural and cultural development of the City
and be interested in the preservation of historic structures and sites.
Members shall have such additional qualifications as the City Council,
by resolution, may require. A member of the Board shall serve at the
pleasure of the City Council and may be removed by the affirmative
vote of four members of the City Council.
(B) Terms. The members of the Board shall be appointed to terms of four
years and may serve thereafter until their successors are appointed,
qualify and are seated; provided, however, that of the first Board
appointed, in order to achieve staggered terms, two members shall
be appointed to initial terms of two years, three members shall be
appointed to initial terms of three years, and two members shall be
appointed to terms of four years.
(C) Director of Community Development. The City's Director of Community
Development, or designated representative, shall attend meetings of
the Board and serve as the principal advisor to the Board. The Director
of Community Development, or his or her designated representative,
shall also serve as secretary to the Board and in such capacity, among
other things, shall prepare and keep the minutes of its meetings and
all other records of the Board.
(D) Quorum. Four members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. The
Board may not transact any business unless a quorum is present and
voting. Any Officer of the Board or its Secretary shall have the power
to adjourn a meeting of the Board if a quorum is lacking.
(E) Organization. The Board shall elect from among its members a Chairman
and a Vice Chairman who shall serve for a period of one year and thereafter
until their successors are elected. The Chairman shall preside at
meetings of the Board and shall represent the Board at functions and
perform such other duties as are appropriate or as may be assigned
by the Board or the City Council. The Vice Chairman shall preside
at meetings and perform the duties of the Chairman in the Chairman's
absence.
(F) Meetings. The Board shall meet at least monthly and shall meet as
often as the Board determines is necessary in order to expeditiously
carry out its duties and responsibilities under this chapter.
(G) Procedures, Rules and Regulations. The Board may adopt such procedures,
rules and regulations for the purposes of scheduling and conducting
its meetings, transacting its business, and exercising its functions
and powers as it deems appropriate, provided the same do not violate
the procedures set forth in this chapter or applicable State statutes
or the State or Federal constitutions.
(Ord. 2668 § 1, 1988; Ord. 2919 § 1, 1991; Ord. 3114 § 5, 1994)
(A) The Cultural Heritage Board shall:
(1) Conduct surveys, as needed, of structures, buildings, sites, neighborhoods,
places and objects within the City that may qualify or be eligible
for designation as a landmark or preservation district under the provisions
of this chapter;
(2) Recommend designations of landmarks and preservation districts to
the City Council pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and as
to each recommended designation:
(a) Recommend the environmental determination that should be made for
the designation.
(b) Recommend the determination that should be made with respect to the
designation's consistency with the general plan.
(3) Review and make determinations on restoration, rehabilitation, alteration,
development and demolition proposals for landmarks and preservation
districts pursuant to the provisions of this chapter;
(4) Compile and maintain a current register of all landmarks and preservation
districts designated as such under the provisions of this chapter;
(5) Work for the continuing education of the citizens of the City about
the heritage of the City and the landmarks and preservation districts
designated pursuant to this chapter;
(6) Seek means for the protection, retention and preservation of any
landmark and preservation district, including, but not limited to,
suggesting appropriate legislation, seeking financial support from
individuals and local, State and Federal governments, and establishing
a private funding organization;
(7) Coordinate its activities, where practical and advantageous to do
so, with the Sonoma County, the State and Federal Governments;
(8) Consult with and advise the City Council in connection with the exercise
of the Board's duties and functions.
(B) The Cultural Heritage Board may:
(1) Prepare and adopt plans for the preservation of landmarks and preservation
districts;
(2) Recommend zoning and general plan amendments to the Planning Commission
and City Council for the purpose of preserving landmarks and preservation
districts.
(Ord. 2668 § 1, 1988; Ord. 2897 § 1, 1991)