There shall be a Cultural Heritage Commission ("Commission") to consist of five members. Unless otherwise required by law, any action by the Commission must be approved by a majority vote of the quorum of the Commission in attendance at a Commission meeting. A quorum of the Commission shall consist of at least three of the five members.
(O2015-15, 12/15/15)
A. 
Each member of the Commission shall be appointed by the City Council and shall hold office in accordance with the requirements and procedures established by resolution of the City Council.
B. 
Each member of the Commission shall be a full-time resident and registered voter of the city; except that, for either or both of the two "preservation professional" members (as defined by subsection D), the City Council may appoint a full-time resident and registered voter of any property within the county.
C. 
Each member of the Commission shall have a demonstrated knowledge, competence, or interest in: historic preservation or a preservation related field, the historic resources of the city, architecture, or urban design.
D. 
At least two members of the Commission shall be "preservation professionals" who demonstrate professional experience in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, history, architectural history, rehabilitation and construction, urban planning, American studies, cultural geography, pre-historic and historic archeology, folklore or cultural anthropology, conservation, or other historic preservation related disciplines to such extent available in the community.
E. 
When recruiting for each vacant position on the Commission, the recruitment and selection process shall be conducted in order to encourage adequate representation from the city's historic districts, including Alta Heights, Downtown Napa, Spencer's Addition/West Napa, Soscol Gateway/East Napa, and the Napa Abajo/Fuller Park National Register District.
(O2015-15, 12/15/15)
Each member of the Commission shall serve without compensation for their service. However, to the extent that costs of conferences or training for members of the Commission are covered by sufficient unencumbered funds appropriated in the adopted budget, the principal city staff manager (as defined by Section 2.70.040) is authorized to approve the payment or reimburse of the actual and necessary expenses reasonably incurred by a Commissioner attending the training, subject to the requirements established by resolution of the City Council.
(O2015-15, 12/15/15)
Unless otherwise designated by the City Manager, the Planning Manager shall be the principal city staff manager to the Commission, and the Planning Manager shall appoint a secretary to the Commission to comply with all procedural requirements.
(O2015-15, 12/15/15)
The Commission shall, by resolution, establish the time and place for regular meetings. Regular meetings shall be held no less than four times per calendar year. The Commission shall conduct its meetings in accordance with procedures established by resolution of the City Council. The Commission may establish its own rules of procedure or by-laws consistent with City Council resolutions and ordinances.
(O2015-15, 12/15/15)
In general, the Commission may provide recommendations to the City Council on matters related to preservation of historic resources, particularly related to the Historic Preservation Element of the city's General Plan. The Commission is the decision making body for specified actions set forth in this code, particularly related to the consideration of certificates of appropriateness pursuant to Chapter 15.52. The Commission is the recommending body to the City Council for consideration of landmark designations pursuant to Chapter 15.52. The scope of the Commission's role in providing policy recommendations to the City Council shall include the following:
1. 
Make recommendations regarding the Historic Preservation Element of the city's General Plan.
2. 
Make recommendations to encourage or facilitate the preservation of the city's historic resources, including programs for public information, educational and interpretive programs.
3. 
Make recommendations regarding real property that the city may acquire to facilitate the preservation of historic resources, whether the property interest is fee title, a conservation easement, or other property interest.
4. 
Make recommendations regarding the availability and use of various federal, state, local, or private funding sources and mechanisms for promoting the preservation of historic resources.
5. 
Make recommendations regarding adoption of economic programs and other incentives to support the preservation, maintenance and appropriate rehabilitation of the city's historic resources.
6. 
Make recommendations regarding the acceptance of preservation easements on cultural resources, including the interior of privately-owned buildings or structures.
7. 
Make recommendations regarding acceptance of applications for Mills Act contracts.
8. 
Make recommendations regarding adoption of Historic District Guidelines.
9. 
At the request of the City Council or the City Manager, provide comments or recommendations on policy decisions to be made by the city that may have an impact of historic resources, including decisions related to land use, housing, redevelopment, or any other similar action.
10. 
At the request of the City Council or the City Manager, provide comments or recommendations on design review actions that are final with another decision making body and do not require a certificate of appropriateness, but which involve a property or improvement listed on the Historic Resource Inventory.
11. 
At the request of the City Council, cooperate or participate with other governmental agencies at the local, county, state, or federal level to facilitate the preservation of historic resources.
12. 
Review necessary documentation and analysis prepared for compliance with requirements of the city's certified local government certification.
13. 
Promote the preservation and historic character of cultural resources, landmarks, and buildings or structures in landmark districts.
14. 
Participate in and conduct public information, educational and interpretive programs pertaining to cultural resources.
15. 
Comment on National Register nominations for submittal to state and/or federal government agencies.
(O2015-15, 12/15/15)