Section 5: Special Message for Newly Appointed Commissioners

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Many newly appointed historic preservation commissioners know something about local history or historic preservation when they join a commission but may not fully understand what is expected of them as commission members. This information sheet was prepared to assist historic preservation members fulfill their responsibilities as commissioners.

  1. When you agree to serve on your city/county historic preservation commission, you become an unpaid governmental official. The commission is part of local government, serving at the pleasure of the mayor and city council or county board of supervisors. It is the commission's responsibility to keep these officials informed of their activities, actions, and plans. It is also important for the commission to solicit ideas and suggestions of local elected officials when developing plans and projects.
  2. The commission works under local enabling legislation, the historic preservation ordinance or resolution. The commission is expected to follow local and state codes regarding conduct of meetings and other commission business, e.g., Iowa Open Meetings Law, the Iowa Gift Law, and Conflict of Interest. The state attorney general’s office has some information to assist you in complying with state statutes.

As commission members, you should become familiar with the following laws and agreements. These guide commission operations and commissioners are responsible for seeing that all obligations are met on a yearly basis:

Certified local governments shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, and/or national origin in any of their activities in implementing the program.

All CLG commission members will refrain from voting in any activity in which they have a current or anticipated financial interest (either as owner, officer, trustee, fiduciary employee, part owner, or the recipient of any royalty, commission, contingency fee, professional services contract, brokerage fee, or other payment). It is required that any affected member indicates the existence of any such conflict of interest prior to the consideration of the subject.

  1. Historic Preservation Commissioners have a special charge in that they not only develop local historic preservation policy and programs but are also actively engaged in doing preservation activities. When you agree to become a commissioner, you need to have a strong, positive interest in historic preservation. You should be prepared to attend all commission meetings. If the commission undertakes a special project, such as a CLG grant project, you should be ready to work on the project and/or recruit volunteers and see that it is completed. You should be prepared to participate in historic preservation commission training workshops and conferences.
  2. Get to know the other commission members. Each member has a distinctive work style, gifts and skills, and special knowledge. When a commission can fully utilize its members as individuals and as a team, it can become a strong and productive organization. Be honest with one another about strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes. Then use this knowledge to the group's advantage. Do not make the shy, reclusive member the commission spokesperson (unless they are willing). Be good listeners. Stick to your agendas, schedules, and specific topics under discussion. Respect one another's time and use your time together effectively.
  3. Doing Grant Projects. Certified Local Government (CLG) and Historic Resource Development Program (HRDP) grant awards are contractual agreements between your local government and the State of Iowa to accomplish a particular objective. When you are awarded a grant, the State expects the local government and its historic preservation commission to fulfill its obligation to complete the project. So, if your commission wants to complete a grant project, all commissioners should be knowledgeable about all aspects of the project. Each commissioner should be aware of their project job responsibilities and willing to undertake them promptly.

If your commission has local designation and design review responsibilities, it is particularly important that commission members attend all commission meetings. Design review is a regulatory action; applicants for Certificates of Appropriateness are waiting for commission review and feedback before they can start their project. If a scheduled commission meeting includes a design review for a Certificate of Appropriateness, there must be a quorum present for the commission to review the project. It is unfair to the applicant and the property involved for the commission not to conduct the review at the officially scheduled time.

Effective commissioners are informed ones. If your commission has been operating for several years, review past minutes and annual reports to get a sense of what has been accomplished, what is planned, and the current goals and objectives. If your commission is newly formed, become informed and trained so that your local preservation program gets a good strong start.

In closing, CLG historic preservation commissioners belong to a unique group. There are preservationists throughout the state and region who are willing to share information, experience, and expertise with you. Feel free to contact them. Also, use the staff of the State Historic Preservation Office, your interests are their interests, and they wish to assist you. A good place to start is a call to the CLG Coordinator whose job is to support the work of the historic preservation commissions.