§ 18-123. Creation of a historic preservation commission.

(a)

Creation of the commission: There is hereby created a commission whose title shall be "Union Point Historic Preservation Commission" (hereinafter "commission").

(b)

Commission position within the city and county governments: The commission shall be part of the planning functions of the City of Union Point.

(c)

Commission members: Number, appointment, terms and compensation: The commission shall consist of five members appointed by the City Council of Union Point. All members shall be residents of Union Point and shall be persons who have demonstrated special interest, experience or education in history, architecture or the preservation of historic resources.

Members shall serve three-year terms and be reelected if they choose. Members shall not receive a salary, although they may be reimbursed for expenses.

(d)

Statement of commission's power:

(1)

The preservation commission shall be authorized to:

a.

Prepare and maintain an inventory of all property within the City of Union Point having the potential for designation as historic property;

b.

Recommend to the City Council of Union Point and the specific districts, sites, buildings, structures, or objects to be designated by ordinance as historic properties or historic districts;

c.

Review application for certificates of appropriateness, and grant or deny same in accordance with the provisions of this article;

d.

Recommend to the City Council of Union Point that the designation of any district, site, building, structure or object as a historic property or as a historic district be revoked or removed;

e.

Restore or preserve any historic properties acquired by the City of Union Point;

f.

Promote the acquisition by the City of Union Point of facade easements and conservation easements, as appropriate, in accordance with the provisions of the Georgia Uniform Conservation Easement Act of 1992 (O.C.G.A., Section 44-10.1 though 5);

g.

Conduct educational programs on historic properties located in the city and on general historic preservation activities;

h.

Make such investigation and studies of matters relating to historic preservation including consultation with historic preservation experts.

i.

Seek out local, state, federal or private funds for historic preservation, and make recommendations to the City of Union Point concerning the most appropriate uses of any funds acquired;

j.

Submit to the historic preservation division of the department of natural resources a list of historic properties of historic districts designated;

k.

Perform historic preservation activities as the official agency of the City of Union Point historic preservation program;

l.

Receive donations, grants, funds, or gifts of historic property and acquire and sell historic properties. The preservation commission shall not obligate the City of Union Point without prior consent.

m.

Review and make comments to the historic preservation division of the department of natural resources concerning the nomination of properties within its jurisdiction to the National Register of Historic Places; and

n.

Participate in private, state and federal historic preservation programs and with the consents of the City Council of Union Point, enter into agreements to do the same.

(e)

Commission's power to adopt rules and standards:

(1)

The preservation commission shall adopt rules and standards for the transaction of its business and for consideration of application for designation of certificates of appropriateness, such as by-laws, removal of membership provision, and design guidelines and criteria. The preservation commission shall have the flexibility to adopt rules and standards without amendment to this article. The commission shall provide for the time and place of regular meetings and a method for the calling of special meetings. The commission shall select such officers as it deems appropriate from among its members. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members.

(f)

Conflict of interest:

(1)

The commission shall be subject to all conflict of interest laws set forth in Georgia Statues.

(g)

Commission's authority to receive funding from various sources:

(1)

The commission shall have the authority to accept donations and shall ensure that these funds do not displace appropriated governmental funds.

(h)

Records of commission meetings: A public record shall be kept of the commission resolution, proceedings and actions.

(Ord. of 7-12-2005, § III)