HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-27-2015 Item 4b - Bylaws Memo & Attachment (final)Memorandum
TO: Cultural Heritage Committee
FROM: Brian Leveille, Senior Planner
DATE: April 27, 2015
SUBJECT: Review of Cultural Heritage Committee Bylaws
______________________________________________________________________
On June 2, 2015, the City Council will review all the Advisory Body Bylaws and approve
any changes through a Resolution. The Advisory Body Handbook will then be updated
as necessary.
There are no proposed changes at this time to the Bylaws. The Commission should
review the Bylaws and offer any desired updates to staff to carry forward for Council
consideration.
Attached:
1. Cultural Heritage Committee Bylaws
Sincerely,
Brian Leveille, AICP
Senior Planner
Long Range Planning
City of San Luis Obispo, Community Development Department
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Cultural Heritage Committee Summary
PURPOSE
The Cultural Heritage Committee (CHC) promotes the preservation of architectural,
archaeological, historical and cultural resources in San Luis Obispo by: a) helping the public
pursue cultural resource preservation projects; b) sponsoring educational programs and
research that improves our understanding of the community’s history and archaeology; c) on
request, commenting on the effects of public and private actions on community cultural
resources; and d) helping with the administration of City-sponsored benefit programs.
FUNCTIONS
1. Collect, consolidate, and make available information about historical resources and
historical resource sites, and promote, participate in, or sponsor educational and
interpretive programs.
2. Provide advice and guidance for the restoration, alteration, decoration, landscaping, or
maintenance of historical resources or properties within Historical Preservation Districts.
3. Review the Inventory of Historical Resources and recommend to the Council any
amendments.
4. Assist property owners with the preparation of National Register applications for
historical resource sites.
5. Help to administer benefit programs approved by the Council that are directed at
preserving historical resources or resources within Historical Preservation Districts.
6. Publish and maintain Historical Preservation Program Guidelines which present, a)
benefit programs sponsored by the City; b) procedures for adding properties to the
Inventory of Historical Resources or for establishing a historical district; and c) other
information concerning historical preservations.
7. Review actions proposed by public agencies and provide information on how such
actions may affect designated or eligible properties within or adjacent to historical
districts.
8. Cooperate with local, state and federal agencies in the pursuit of historical preservation.
9. Provide direction on the application of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
on specific development proposals where possible impacts of development on historic
resources are uncertain.
10. Function within the guidelines and policies of the Advisory Bodies Handbook and
perform other duties as assigned by the Council.
STATUS
The CHC was established in 1981 as a technical committee and is staffed by a Planner from the
Community Development Department. This committee became permanent in February 1987
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when Council adopted Resolution No. 6158 (1987 Series) that establishes CHC functions and
duties. (Bylaws amended by Resolution No. 9468 [2003 Series]). See also SLOMC Chapter
17.54, Ordinance No. 1086 (1987 Series) establishing Historical Preservation Districts, and
Resolution No. 8004 (1992 Series) allowing members to reside outside the three Historical
Preservation Districts.
MEMBERS
The CHC is a seven-member committee. Members must be residents and registered voters of
the City. When possible, membership includes a person knowledgeable in local history, a
person with training or experience in structural rehabilitation, a person with knowledge of
architecture, and, when possible, a person knowledgeable in local archaeology. The
membership also includes a resident from each of the City’s three Historical Preservation
Districts, when possible.
Cultural Heritage Committee members are designated as Conflict of Interest filers under the
City’s Conflict of Interest Code. Newly appointed members must file an “Assuming Office
Statement” within 30 days of assuming office, and will be required to file an annual statement
which will be due no later than April 1st of each year. Upon leaving their appointment, each
member will be required to file a “Leaving Office Statement” within 30 days of leaving. The
original statements are filed with the City Clerk.
TERMS/LIMITS
Members of the Committee serve a term of four years. Members are eligible for re-appointment
for an additional four years. Members are subject to a term limit of eight years, or two
consecutive four-year terms.
MEETINGS
Meets the fourth Monday of the month at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Hearing Room at City Hall.
BYLAWS
Bylaws follow on the next page.
Attachment 1
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Cultural Heritage Committee Bylaws
ARTICLE 1. PURPOSE
The Cultural Heritage Committee promotes the preservation of architectural, archaeological,
historical and cultural resources in San Luis Obispo, by:
A. Helping the public pursue cultural resource preservation projects.
B. Sponsoring educational programs and research which improves our understanding of
the community’s history and archaeology.
C. On request, commenting on the effects of public and private actions on community
cultural resources.
D. Helping with the administration of City-sponsored benefit programs.
ARTICLE 2. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The functioning of the Cultural Heritage Committee and all of its actions and decisions shall be
in compliance with the provisions of the Advisory Body Handbook and with the provisions of City
Resolution 6593 (1989 Series).
ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP
A. The CHC will have seven members appointed by the City Council. Members must be
residents and registered voters of the City. If possible, membership of the committee
should include a person knowledgeable in local history, a person with training or
experience in structural rehabilitation, a person knowledgeable in local archaeology, and
a person with knowledge of architecture.
B. If possible, the committee should include one resident from each of the five Historical
Preservation Districts created but the Council is not limited to this district residency
requirement when making appointments.
ARTICLE 4. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
Members shall be appointed by the City Council for an initial term of a maximum of four years
and may be reappointed for additional terms, not exceeding a total of eight years.
ARTICLE 5. OFFICERS
A. A Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson shall be elected by the committee at its first
meeting in April for one-year terms. No person may serve in the office of Chairperson or
Vice-Chairperson for more than two consecutive terms.
B. The Chairperson shall preside over all committee meetings, vote on all matters, appoint
all subcommittees, call special meetings, and submit an annual report and budget to the
committee for approval and presentation to the City Council.
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C. The Vice-Chairperson shall serve in the absence or incapacity of the Chairperson and
perform such other duties as requested by the Chair.
ARTICLE 6. MEETINGS
A. The committee shall hold a regular meeting each month. All meetings shall be open to
the public. Regular meetings shall be held at 5:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each
month in the City Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo,
California.
B. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the established members.
C. All action of the committee shall be decided by a majority vote or consensus of the
quorum directed through the Chairperson.
D. Minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded to the City Council and be available as a
public record.
E. The Chairperson or a quorum majority of the committee may call a special meeting,
provided that all public notice requirements are met.
F. All committee meetings shall be conducted according to City practices, customs, and
policies.
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, may be used as a guideline.
G. All members present must vote, except when a member declares a conflict of interest.
Any member declaring a conflict of interest shall not vote or participate in any related
deliberations or action of the committee.
ARTICLE 7. ABSENCES AND RESIGNATIONS
A. If a member fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings or a total of six regular
meetings within any 12 months, the member shall automatically be considered for
replacement. The Chairperson of the committee shall inform the Council of such a
situation and explain any special circumstances.
B. Committee members are responsible for notifying the Chairperson or the Secretary in
advance when an absence is anticipated.
C. If a member needs to resign from the committee, the member shall immediately direct a
letter to the City Council with copies forwarded to the committee Chairperson and City
Clerk.
ARTICLE 8. SUBCOMMITTEES
A. Subcommittees shall be appointed, as needed, by the Chairperson. Subcommittees may
include non-committee members who shall have no voting power.
ARTICLE 9. AMENDMENTS
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Bylaw amendments shall be submitted for Council approval by an affirmative vote of the
members present at a regular meeting of the committee, provided that such amendments shall
have been discussed by the committee on the agenda of at least two meetings prior to the vote.
The members shall receive the proposed amendments at least 10 days prior to the first meeting.
(LAST REVISED XX/XX/XXXX)
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