Board hears annual training and discusses Certified Local Government status and preservation ordinance

City staff led the Historic Preservation Advisory Board through an annual training on Feb. 6 that reviewed chair and member responsibilities, public comment procedures, Sunshine Law limits on private communications among board members, public-records retention and conflict-of-interest rules.

Staff emphasized the Sunshine Law and public-records obligations: "Non disruptive or silent videotaping of a public meeting cannot be banned," and staff repeatedly warned that sidebar conversations on board business risk Sunshine Law violations. Staff also reviewed the attendance policy (forfeiture on a member’s fourth absence in a rolling 12 months and appeal to city council) and explained telephone participation does not count toward quorum under current city practice.

Board members then focused on a possible preservation ordinance and whether the city should pursue Certified Local Government (CLG) status. One member asked that staff provide a comparison showing what CLG requirements are and how they overlap with the city’s land-development regulations so the board can avoid duplicative or conflicting provisions. Staff agreed to distribute electronic copies of the current and prior LDRs and any redline comparisons ahead of the joint meeting and noted the agenda deadline for materials is March 17.

Board members discussed practical needs for decision-making, including whether the board should become a regulatory decision-making body rather than strictly advisory, and noted that CLG requirements often drive certain duties. Staff said city procurement and planning resources will provide the necessary documents and that the board should prioritize meeting CLG requirements first to ensure coherent ordinance drafting.