BYLAW NO. 2451

A bylaw to establish a Heritage Commission, pursuant to s. 953 of the Municipal Act, R.S.B.C. 1997, c. 323

The Council of the City of Port Moody in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows:

1.Title

This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as "Heritage Commission Bylaw, 2000”, No. 2451

2.Repeal

Bylaw No. 2250 “City of Port Moody Heritage Commission Bylaw, 1995”, is hereby repealed.

3. Commission Establishment

There is hereby established a commission known as the Heritage Commission hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”.

4. Definitions

In this Bylaw

“Administrative Representative” means a staff member assigned by the City Administrator to assist the Commission in a non-voting advisory and resource capacity.

“Alternate” means a Council member appointed to serve in the capacity of the Council representative on the Commission in the absence of the Commission’s Council representative.

“Council” means the Council of the City of Port Moody.

“Member” or “Members” means a duly appointed member or members of the Commission.

“Meeting” or “Meetings” means a meeting or meetings of the Commission.

5. Composition and Membership of Commission

5.1 The Commission shall be composed of a minimum of nine (9) members appointed by the Mayor as follows:

• one (1) member of Council (and Council alternate) who shall be the Chair;
• a minimum of seven (7) members from the City at large who shall be residents of the City and who may have knowledge of local history, local architecture, landscape architecture or building conservation and restoration;
• one (1) member recommended by the Port Moody Heritage Society from its membership.

5.2 The term of appointment is one year.

5.3 All members shall hold office until their successors are appointed and individuals can serve for up to four consecutive one year terms.

5.5 Any member who is absent from two (2) consecutive regular meetings without leave of absence from the Commission or without reason satisfactory to the Commission shall forthwith cease to be a member and Council shall be advised by the Commission.

5.6 Any member may resign upon sending a written notice to the Chair or Commission administrative representative.

5.7 At the request of the Commission or on Council’s initiative, Council may remove or request the resignation of any member for malfeasance in office, or any other good and sufficient cause.

5.8 No member shall receive compensation for services to the Commission, other than allowances for actual expenses incurred in the discharge of official duties for the Commission pursuant to current City policies.

6. Purpose of Commission

The Commission shall act as an advisory body to Council on matters relating to Port Moody’s natural and cultural heritage resources including, heritage buildings, sites and neighbourhoods.

7. Duties and Powers of Commission

7.1 The Commission shall:

• submit an annual report to Council that summarizes activities over the past year;
• develop and implement educational and public awareness programmes around issues of Heritage and Heritage Conservation which Council has approved for implementation; and
• review issues and provide recommendations on matters relating to the conservation of local heritage resources when requested by Council.

7.2 With the approval of Council the Commission may raise funds for local conservation projects.

7.3 The powers delegated to the Commission do not include:

• the authority to authorize expenditures or to control budget funds except those provided for in the annual budget as approved by Council and in accordance with procedures approved by Council.
• the authority to officially represent the City to outside agencies, bodies, or other governments unless approved by Council.
• the authority to pledge the credit of, or indebt the City.
  

8. Procedures

8.1 Meetings of the Commission shall be held on an as-required basis at a time agreeable to the members, generally on a monthly basis, with a minimum of four meetings annually, and at such other times as deemed necessary.

8.2 Special meetings may be called by the Chair, or by a majority of members, giving at least twenty four (24) hours written notice to each member and the Administrative Representative which states the date, time, location, and purpose for which the meeting is being called.

8.3 A majority of members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings.

8.4 The minutes of the proceedings of all meetings shall be legibly recorded in a minute book. The minutes shall be certified as correct by the Administrative Representative and Secretary, and shall be signed by the Chair, or other member presiding at such meeting, following their adoption. Copies of the minutes shall be forwarded to Council and circulated to all members.

8.5 Subject to the provisions of this Bylaw and the Municipal Act, the Commission shall have the power to prescribe its own rules of procedure which shall not be inconsistent with the rules of procedure or policies of Council.

8.6 All members, including the Chair, shall have a vote on any question before it, and in all cases in the event of a tie, the motion shall be negatived. Any member who abstains from voting shall be deemed to have voted in the affirmative.

8.7 The Chair shall preserve order and decide all points of order which may arise, subject to an appeal by other members present. All such appeals shall be decided without debate.

8.8 No act or other proceeding of the Commission shall be valid unless it is authorized by resolution at a regular or special meeting of the Commission.

8.9 The Commission may establish sub-committees and shall advise Council of their purpose and composition.

8.10 Should the Commission wish to appoint from among its members a representative to an external organization, prior approval of Council is required.

9. Personal Liability

No member of the Commission shall be liable in the member’s personal capacity for any debt or liability of the Commission. It is the responsibility of the City to insure the members against all liabilities related to fulfilling their responsibilities as a member.