Punta Gorda HPAB to receive vacancy notices and pursue possible shift to decision‑making board

Deputy City Clerk Jennifer Faulkner told the Historic Preservation Advisory Board that when vacancies occur the city announces them to City Council and that the clerk's office can duplicate that information for the board. Faulkner said the board can receive email notices if timing issues mean a vacancy may be filled before the board's next monthly meeting.

Faulkner also said, "The resolution officially changing the composition of this board, that will go before council for adoption at their January 14 council meeting," and that updated bylaws will be provided to the board and posted after council action.

Member Teresa said she has been consulting with other Florida communities where preservation boards are decision‑making bodies and asked staff how HPAB might evolve from advisory to decision‑making. Members agreed to research language and present options at their January meeting so the topic can be raised at a joint meeting with council (members referenced Feb. 10 at 5 p.m.).

Board members also discussed administrative details: alerting alternates to vacancies, confirming Sunshine Law compliance for out‑of‑meeting communications, and clarifying the six‑month validity period for certificates of appropriateness and extension procedures handled through the building or zoning departments.

Next steps: staff will confirm procedures and Sunshine Law compliance for vacancy communications, provide updated bylaws after council adoption, and the board will prepare proposed language ahead of the joint meeting with council.