Article 1. Constitution
Provisions for establishment of the Board of Historic Preservation, also known as the Board of Preservation (hereinafter BOP), are provided in Ordinance No. 14-86 as adopted by the Sioux Falls City Commission on February 10, 1986, as incorporated under the laws of the State of South Dakota.
Article 2. Membership and Appointment
Section 1. Membership is drawn from the community with due regard to proper representation of such fields as history, architecture, urban planning, archaeology, and law. Board members are appointed by the Mayor. The board shall consist of a maximum of ten members who serve three-year terms for a maximum of two terms.
Section 2. The board shall include at least two members who are professionals from the disciplines of history, architectural history, architecture, urban planning, American studies, American civilization, cultural geography, cultural anthropology, archaeology or law. The board shall include at least three members who are non-professional members and represent a demonstrated interest, experience, or knowledge in historic preservation. The board shall consist of not less than five and not more than ten members who serve three-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
Section 3. Any member may withdraw from the Board of Preservation by giving written notice to the Mayor or the chairperson of the board. The Mayor shall act within 75 days to fill any vacancy which may occur. Any vacancy in the membership of the Board of Preservation shall be filled in the same manner as for appointment.
Section 4. In the event that a member has three consecutive unexcused absences or five absences in a calendar year, the member's position on the board will be reviewed by the Mayor.
Article 3. Meetings
Section 1. The Board of Preservation shall schedule at least 12 meetings a year. The chairperson of the board may cancel or postpone a meeting. Meeting dates for the following year shall be set on the last meeting date of each calendar year.
Section 2. Five Board of Preservation members presently appointed shall constitute a quorum for transacting the official business of the board.
Section 3. Special meetings of the Board of Preservation may be called at any time by the chairperson or two members.
Section 4. The members of the Board of Preservation shall be notified at least five days in advance of the time and place of regular and special meetings.
Section 5. All regular and special meetings of the Board of Preservation shall be open to the public.
Section 6. Unless otherwise specified, Roberts Rules of Order revised shall guide the proceedings at meetings of the Board of Preservation.
Article 4. Officers and Committees
Section 1. The officers of the Board of Preservation shall consist of a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and recording secretary.
Section 2. The chairperson supervises the conduct of the Board of Preservation's business and activities; serves, ex officio, on all committees; presides at meetings; signs all acts or orders necessary to carry out the will of the board; and may act as the representative of the board to outside persons and other organized boards as necessary.
Section 3. The vice chairperson has the full powers of the chairperson in his (her) absence. In the absence of the chairperson, however, the vice chair cannot change rules and does not serve as an ex officio member of committees.
Section 4. The recording secretary serves as clerk for the Board of Preservation and carries out the official correspondence of the Board. The recording secretary may be the same individual as the official liaison person to Mayor.
Section 5. City Planning office staff shall serve as the liaison person between the Mayor and the Board of Preservation.
Section 6. If the chairperson and the vice chairperson are absent, City Planning office staff shall call the meeting to order and preside.
Section 7. Committees may be appointed by the chairperson as voted by the board, as needed. Upon receipt of a written request, the chairperson may appoint a crisis committee without a vote of the board to write a letter of advocacy for an endangered building or site.
Article 5. Election of Officers and Appointments
Section 1. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and recording secretary of the Board of Preservation shall be elected annually by Board of Preservation members at their May meeting and installed at the June meeting, assuming their duties immediately.
Section 2. No officer shall be elected for more than two consecutive years. After the lapse of one year, he (she) may be elected again to the same office.
Section 3. All appointed committees shall be appointed by the chairperson upon motion of the board. Their duties shall be specified in the motion. Their activities are limited to the purpose for which they were created, and after performing, their service ceases to exist.
Article 6. Special Circumstances
Section 1. If, during discussion or a vote on any agenda item, the topic is in conflict of interest with one of the Board members, that Board member will make the other Board of Preservation members aware of the possible conflict of interest, may remove himself (herself) from the discussion, and shall abstain from voting.
Section 2. All contracts between a Board member and the Sioux Falls Board of Preservation involving CLG funds shall be approved by the State Historical Preservation Center. In addition, all reports submitted by a Board member who is a contractor with the Board of Preservation shall be approved by the State Historical Preservation Center prior to payment.
Article 7. Letters of Advocacy
Section 1. Upon receipt of a written request, the chairperson of the Sioux Falls Board of Preservation may appoint a crisis committee to write a letter of advocacy for a building or site in need of immediate action.
Section 2. The committee shall consist of two to three board members, appointed by the chairperson, with staff and the chairperson serving as ex officio members. Section 3. The letter of advocacy will comment only on an issue as it pertains to preservation:
a. Provide information on the historical significance of the property to the City Commission or other local governmental bodies, or
b. Recommend to the Board of Appeals exemptions from the Uniform Building Code relating to exterior features of structures designated as having historical or architectural significance.
Section 4. The letter of advocacy will be signed by the chairperson of the Board of Preservation. If there is a conflict of interest, the chairperson shall designate the vicechairperson or recording secretary to sign the letter.
Section 5. The topic will be placed on the agenda, and a copy of the letter shall be presented to the board at the next monthly meeting.
Article 8. Amendment
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended or new by-laws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Preservation.
Section 2. An amendment or new by-law requires a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting.
Section 3. The amended or new by-laws shall go into effect after a period of thirty days has elapsed.
