The HPC shall consist of five (5) members appointed by the city council. All members shall have a known and demonstrated interest, competence, or knowledge of historic preservation within the city. The members shall serve at the pleasure of the city council and may be removed at the discretion of the city council.
(Ordinance 886-24 adopted 12/18/2024)
The HPC shall meet at least one (1) time per month if business is at hand. Special meetings may be called at any time as requested by the historic preservation officer. All meetings shall be held in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.
(Ordinance 886-24 adopted 12/18/2024)
Members of the HPC shall serve for staggered terms of two (2) years.
(Ordinance 886-24 adopted 12/18/2024)
The chairperson and vice chairperson of the HPC shall be elected by and from its membership.
(Ordinance 886-24 adopted 12/18/2024)
A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of not less than three (3) members the HPC to transact business.
(Ordinance 886-24 adopted 12/18/2024)
The HPC shall be empowered to:
(1) 
Review and take action on the application for the designation of landmarks and the delineation of districts, which shall be ratified by the city council.
(2) 
Recommend and confer recognition upon the owners of landmarks or properties within districts by means of certificates, plaques, or markers.
(3) 
Conduct public hearings and provide comment on buildings, objects, sites, structures, and districts for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places to the Texas Historic Commission. Such recommendations shall be guided by the criteria established in the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.
(4) 
Implement and maintain a system of survey or inventory of significant historic, architectural, and cultural landmarks and all properties located within designated districts located in the city. Such information shall be maintained securely, made accessible to the public and should be updated at least every ten (10) years.
(5) 
Monitor and report to the Texas Historical Commission all actions affecting any Recorded Texas Historic landmark, state archaeological landmark, National Register property and any locally designated landmark, as deemed necessary.
(6) 
Increase public awareness of the value of historic, cultural, and architectural preservation by developing and participating in public education programs.
(7) 
Review and take action on all certificates of appropriateness applications for compliance with adopted design guidelines pursuant to this chapter.
(8) 
Review and take action on all appeals on action taken by the HPO regarding the administrative review of certificates of appropriateness applications for compliance with adopted design guidelines pursuant to this chapter.
(9) 
Make recommendations to the city concerning the utilization of state, federal, or private funds to promote the preservation of landmarks and districts within the city.
(10) 
Recommend to city council the acquisition of endangered landmarks by demolition where its preservation is essential to the purpose of this chapter and where private preservation is not feasible.
(11) 
Provide comment to the Texas Historical Commission on any federal undertakings (projects utilizing federal funds or requiring a federal permit) pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended.
(Ordinance 886-24 adopted 12/18/2024)
The HPC shall maintain a record of its meetings and shall report to the city council at least once each year concerning its activities for the past year and its intended activity for the ensuing year.
(Ordinance 886-24 adopted 12/18/2024)
The city manager or its designee shall appoint a qualified city official, or staff person to serve as historic preservation officer (HPO). The HPO must have an interest, knowledge and a demonstrated background in the disciplines of architecture, history, urban planning, real estate, legal, archeology, or other disciplines related to historic preservation. In the absence of a qualified official or staff person of the municipality, a volunteer resident of the city may be appointed by city council as HPO. The HPO shall be empowered to:
(1) 
Administer this chapter and advise the HPC on matters submitted to it.
(2) 
To maintain and hold open for public inspection all documents and records pertaining to the provisions of this chapter.
(3) 
Receive and review all applications pursuant to this chapter to ensure their completeness.
(4) 
Review and take action on all certificates of appropriateness applications subject to administrative review pursuant to this chapter.
(5) 
Review and forward with any recommendations all applications for certificates of appropriateness subject to review by the HPC pursuant to this chapter.
(6) 
Ensure proper posting and noticing of all HPC meetings, schedule applications for HPC review, provide packets to its members prior to the meetings, record meeting minutes and facilitate all HPC meetings. Review and help coordinate the city's preservation and urban design activities with those of local, state and federal agencies and with local, state, and national preservation organizations in the private sector.
(Ordinance 886-24 adopted 12/18/2024)