A. Creation of Commission; Members; Terms; Vacancies. The Historic Preservation Commission is hereby created, to consist of nine members who are residents of the City at large, to be appointed by the City Council within sixty days of the adoption of this ordinance. The members shall serve for terms of three years, except that the members of the first Commission shall serve as designated by the City Council for the following terms: three members for one year, three members for two years; and three members for three years. Any vacancy shall be filled by the City Council within a reasonable time after the vacancy occurs, for the unexpired term. Members shall serve until their successors are appointed. The members of the Commission shall serve without compensation.

B. Qualifications of Members. Members of the HP Commission shall be persons who have demonstrated special interest, knowledge or experience in historic preservation. At least one member shall be selected from each of the following: registered architect, real estate professional, archaeologist, historian.

C. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Rules. The HP Commission shall elect its chairman and vice-chairman who shall have the power to administer oaths and take testimony. The Historic Preservation Officer or his designee shall serve as secretary to the HP Commission. The HP Commission shall adopt rules of procedure for the conduct of its business.

D. Member’s Failure To Attend Meetings, Successor. If a member of the HP Commission fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the HP Commission, or fails to attend fifty percent or more of the regular meetings of the HP Commission during a calendar year, unless excused by the Chairman, the City Council may declare such member’s seat vacant and appoint a new member to serve the balance of the unexpired term.

E. Powers and Duties. The HP Commission shall work with City Council on matters of historic preservation; take the initiative in bringing people together on historic preservation issues; review proposed alterations to historic properties, historic districts and archaeological resources through the certificate of appropriateness process; and develop, maintain and from time to time amend, a plan for historic preservation in the City. The Commission shall establish and maintain a Phoenix Historic Property Register, survey historic properties including archaeological resources, recommend to the City Council designations for Historic Preservation Districts, and establish guidelines for evaluation of historic properties, districts including archaeological resources, provide public information and education on preservation, coordinate resources and provide technical assistance, develop criteria and review procedure, promote revitalization of the City through preservation and make recommendations to the City Council and citizens of the City regarding historic preservation. The HP Commission may also confer with other City, County, regional, State and national historic preservation boards and commissions. The HP Commission shall work with and assist departments of the City in matters affecting historic preservation. The HP Commission shall initiate plans for the restoration or rehabilitation of City-owned buildings, and shall advocate and recommend plans for the restoration or rehabilitation of privately owned buildings and the preservation of archaeological resources. The HP Commission shall discourage, and work with City departments to prevent, unwanted demolition of historic buildings and structures, and the destruction of archaeological resources.

F. Conflict of Interest. Conflict of interest of HP Commission members is controlled by the Arizona Revised Statutes and judicial decisions on conflict of interest.