There is established the Sitka historic preservation commission which shall be composed of seven members appointed by the assembly.
(S.G.C. 2.58.010; Ord. 92-1075 § 4, 1992)
A.
Members of the commission shall, to the extent deemed advisable by the assembly, include professionals from among the fields of architecture or history, architectural history, planning, archeology or some historic preservation disciplines such as urban planning, American studies, American civilization, cultural geography or cultural anthropology. One member shall be a member of the assembly or its representative; one member shall be a member of the Sitka historical society; and the commission shall include at least two representatives of the Native community, one of whom shall be nominated by Sitka Tribes of Alaska; all other members shall be at-large members.
B.
The term of a member shall be for three years or until a successor is appointed; except, the term of the member who represents the assembly shall be for one year. The first members appointed to the commission shall, upon appointment, determine the length of the terms so that the terms of two members shall be for one year, the terms of two members shall be for two years and the terms of two members shall be for three years, resulting in staggered terms for members subsequently appointed. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled by appointment by the assembly for the remainder of an unexpired term.
(S.G.C. 2.58.020; Ord. 92-1075 § 4, 1992)
A.
The commission shall meet a minimum of two times per year at such times that the chair or, in his absence, the vice chair shall determine.
B.
The commission shall give reasonable public notice of its meetings and shall comply in all respects with the Alaska Open Meetings Law.
C.
The officers of the commission shall be a chairman, vice chairman, and secretary, each of whom shall be elected by the members of the commission at the first meeting each fiscal year and shall serve a term to expire upon election of officers at the first meeting of the following fiscal year. Should an officer resign his office prior to the expiration of his term, or be otherwise unable or unwilling to perform his duties as required of the office, the commission may elect an officer to serve out the remainder of his term of office. In addition to the above officers, the commission, by a majority vote of its members, may designate and elect or appoint such other officers, assistant officers and agents as it deems necessary at such time, in such manner and upon and for such terms as it shall prescribe. All officers and agents shall serve at the pleasure of the commission and may be removed, by a majority vote of the commission, whenever in its judgment the best interests of the commission will be served.
(S.G.C. 2.58.030; Ord. 92-1075 § 4, 1992)
The commission shall:
A.
Prepare and maintain an inventory of buildings and sites of historical, cultural, architectural, geographical and archeological significance located in the city and borough of Sitka. The inventory system will be compatible with the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey (AHRS). Data will be released on a need-to-know basis to planners, land managers, qualified researchers and other appropriate users; otherwise, site location information should be held confidential to protect sites from vandalism;
B.
Develop a local historic preservation plan including provision for identification, protection and interpretation of the area’s significant resources. Such plan is to be compatible with the Alaska Historic Preservation Plan, and to produce information compatible with and for the Alaska Heritage Resources Survey (AHRS). The plan shall be subject to review and approval by the assembly of the city and borough of Sitka;
C.
With prior approval of the property owner, review and develop nominations to the National Register of Historic Places for properties within the city and borough of Sitka;
D.
Review and make recommendations about local projects that might affect properties identified in the local historic preservation plan;
E.
Work toward the continuing education of citizens regarding historic preservation of the community’s history;
G.
Act in an advisory role to the Sitka historical society, the city and borough of Sitka planning commission and the Alaska Historic Sites Advisory Committee on all matters concerning historical districts and historic, prehistoric and archeological preservation in the city and borough of Sitka;
H.
Perform other activities which are necessary and proper to carry out the above duties and any other actions determined by the assembly to be beneficial to carrying out the historic preservation goals of the city and borough of Sitka;
I.
Coordinate with the Sitka Tribes of Alaska in historical matters involving Alaska Natives with the understanding that the commission shall defer to the tribe in matters concerning Alaska Natives in Sitka.
(S.G.C. 2.58.040; Ord. 92-1075 § 4, 1992; Ord. 93-1150 § 4, 1993)
The inventory is not a public document and the information it contains is exempt from requests under the federal and state Freedom of Information laws. The legal authority for withholding public access to this information is specified in AS 9.25.360, the Archaeological Resources Protection Act (16 USC 470 HH) and the National Historic Preservation Act (16 USC 470 W-3).
(S.G.C. 2.58.050; Ord. 97-1409 § 4, 1997; amended during 3/2015 supplement)