Article 1. Constitution
Provisions for establishment of the Visual Arts Commission (hereinafter Commission), are provided in Ordinance No. 72-00 as adopted by the Sioux Falls City Commission on August 14, 2000, as incorporated under the laws of the State of South Dakota.
Article 2. Membership and Appointment
Section 1. Membership is drawn from the Sioux Falls community. Commission members are appointed by the Mayor. The Commission shall consist of a maximum of seven members who serve three-year terms for a maximum of two terms.
Section 2. Any member may withdraw from the Commission by giving written notice to the Mayor or the chairperson of the Commission. The Mayor shall act within 75 days to fill any vacancy that may occur. Any vacancy in the membership of the Commission 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 Commission will be reviewed by the Mayor.
Article 3. Meetings
Section 1. The Visual Arts Commission shall schedule at least 4 meetings a year, with one during each calendar quarter. The chairperson of the Commission 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. Four Commission members presently appointed shall constitute a quorum for transacting official business.
Section 3. Special meetings of the Commission may be called at any time by the chairperson or two members.
Section 4. The members of the Commission 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 Commission shall be open to the public.
Section 6. Unless otherwise specified, Roberts Rules of Order revised shall guide the proceedings at meetings of the Commission.
Article 4. Officers and Committees
Section 1. The officers of the Visual Arts Commission shall consist of a chairperson, a vice chairperson, and recording secretary.
Section 2. The chairperson supervises the conduct of the Commission’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 Commission; and may act as the representative of the Commission to outside persons and other organized boards as necessary.
Section 3. The vice chairperson has the full powers of the chairperson in his or 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 Commission and carries out the official correspondence of the Commission. The recording secretary may be the same individual as the official City staff liaison.
Section 5. City Planning office staff shall serve as the liaison between the Mayor, the City and the Commission.
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 Commission, as needed. Upon receipt of a written request, the chairperson may appoint an emergency committee without a vote of the Commission to write a letter of advocacy or prepare a recommendation.
Article 5. Election of Officers and Appointments
Section 1. The chairperson, vice chairperson, and recording secretary of the Commission shall be elected annually by Commission members at a meeting during the first calendar quarter of each year, and be installed and assume their duties immediately.
Section 2. No officer shall be elected for more than two consecutive years. After the lapse of one year, he or she may be elected again to the same office.
Section 3. All appointed committees shall be appointed by the chairperson upon motion of the Commission. 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 Commission members, that member will make the other Commission members aware of the possible conflict of interest, may remove himself or herself from the discussion, and shall abstain from voting.
Article 7. Letters of Advocacy
Section 1. Upon receipt of a written request, the chairperson of the Sioux Falls Visual Arts Commission may appoint an emergency committee to write a letter of advocacy or determination for a project or proposal in need of immediate action.
Section 2. The committee shall consist of two to three Commission members, appointed by the chairperson, with staff and the chairperson serving as ex officio members.
Section 4. The letter of advocacy or determination will be signed by the chairperson of the Commission. If there is a conflict of interest, the chairperson shall designate the vice-chairperson or recording secretary to sign the letter.
Section 5. The topic will be placed on the next meeting agenda, and a copy of the letter shall be presented to the Commission.
Article 8. Amendment
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended or new by-laws adopted at any regular or special meeting of the Commission.
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.
