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To amend City Code §§ 2-1187, concerning the creation of the History and Culture Commission, 2-1188, concerning composition, 2-1189, concerning qualifications, 2-1191, concerning duties, and 2-1192, concerning administration.
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THE CITY OF RICHMOND HEREBY ORDAINS:
§ 1. That sections 2-1187, 2-1188, 2-1189, 2-1191, and 2-1192 of the Code of the City of Richmond (2020) be and are hereby amended and reordained as follows:
Sec. 2-1187. Created.
There is hereby created a commission of the City of Richmond with indefinite duration to be known as the History and Culture Commission for the purpose of providing to the Mayor [and], the Department of Planning and Development Review, and City Council information and advice concerning matters of historical and cultural significance.
Sec. 2-1188. Composition.
The Commission shall be composed of [13] nine members, subject to the conditions set forth in this section, as follows:
(1) [Nine voting] Five members appointed by the Mayor who shall be residents of the City and who are not officers or employees of the City.
(2) Four [non-voting] members [as follows:
a. One employee of the Department of Planning and Development Review appointed by the Mayor.
b. One member of the City Council] appointed by the City Council.
[c. Two youth members who, during their entire tenure on the Commission, shall be students of public schools administered by the School Board of the City of Richmond, Virginia, enrolled in the ninth, tenth, 11th, or 12th grades appointed by a majority vote of the voting members of the Commission.]
(3) The Mayor and City Council shall coordinate an interview and appointment process to ensure the Commission’s members are appropriately appointed.
(4) All appointments shall be otherwise governed by Sections 2-767 and 2-768.
Sec. 2-1189. Qualifications.
[Except for the two youth members appointed in accordance with Section 2-1188, all] All members of the Commission should reflect the diversity of the city of Richmond and represent a range of expertise in one or more fields, including, but not limited to, architecture, archaeology, history, art, culture, and economic development.
Sec. 2-1191. Duties.
The Commission shall serve as an advisory body to the Mayor and the Department of Planning and Development Review. The Commission shall monitor, evaluate, and provide advice and recommendations to the Mayor and the Department of Planning and Development Review concerning issues of historical, cultural, and economic significance within the City of Richmond. In addition, the Commission shall perform the following duties:
(1) Provide the Mayor, the Department of Planning and Development Review, and the public with information and recommendations regarding the preservation of or interpretive signage for any areas, structures, sites, and objects that are significant elements of the cultural, social, economic, political, or architectural history of the City of Richmond.
(2) Establish a formal historical marker program, following state guidance, design the City’s historical markers, in collaboration with the Department of Planning and Development Review, the Public Arts Commission, and the Department of Public Works. The City historical marker program shall include a formal historical marker application and procedures for nominating a historical marker. All information about historical markers and the associated process shall be publicly available on the City’s website and include a regularly updated list of all historical markers in the city of Richmond.
(3) Facilitate public awareness of the City of Richmond’s history, culture, and undertakings involving historic or cultural sites.
(4) Prepare a report listing a full inventory of street, bridge, or public space names associated with the Confederate States of America or enslavers and outline a process, working with the City administration and the City Attorney, for the renaming of such locations.
[(3)] (5) Comply with the provisions of Sections 8-7 through 8-10 when making any recommendations to name or rename any City facility as defined in Section 8-7.
Sec. 2-1192. Administration.
(a) Quorum. Five voting members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
(b) Officers. The Commission shall select from among voting members a Chair, Vice-Chair, and such other officers as it may deem necessary to discharge its functions.
(c) Meetings. The Commission shall meet at least once every two months and as often as the Commission may deem necessary.
(d) Reporting. [Within 15 days after the end of] In October of each [quarter] year, the Commission shall provide the Mayor, City Council, and the Director of Planning and Development Review with a report on the Commission’s activities and accomplishments for the preceding [quarter] year.
(e) Freedom of Information. The Commission shall keep minutes of its meetings in accordance with the requirements of the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia, § 2.2-3700 et seq.).
(f) Procedures. The Commission may adopt rules of procedure or bylaws, approved as to form and legality by the City Attorney and not inconsistent with this division or other applicable law, to govern the conduct of its meetings and affairs. For purposes of Section 2-773, the Commission is classified as "advisory."
(g) Staff and resources. The Director of Planning and Development Review shall assign one or more employees of the Department of Planning and Development Review to provide the necessary support for the Commission subject to the appropriation of sufficient funds therefor. One of the employees assigned shall be a full-time employee with expertise in public history and culture who shall manage the Commission and coordinate efforts across various City departments and offices, including, but not limited to, the Department of Planning and Development Review and the Department of Public Works.
§ 2. This ordinance shall be in force and effect upon adoption.