Presenter/Contact
Presenter
Patrick Aten, City Secretary, and Amy McWhorter, Historic Preservation Officer
Contact Info
(830) 221-4010 - paten@nbtexas.org
Subject Header
SUBJECT:
Title
Update and possible direction to staff regarding amending the membership requirements of the Heritage Commission and the Historic Landmark Commission.
Body
BACKGROUND / RATIONALE:
The Historic Museums Association (HMA) is a private non-profit group created in the early 1990s with the charge of promoting the local museums (the Sophienburg Museum and Archives, the New Braunfels Historic Railroad and Modelers Society, the New Braunfels Conservation Society, and the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture). Per City ordinances, the HMA also has members on the City’s Heritage Commission and the Historic Landmark Commission.
In a December 2018 HMA meeting, the members voted to dissolve the HMA for various reasons. This is an opportunity for the museums to have more flexibility on their promotional efforts and budgets, particularly with the availability of social media that did not exist when the HMA was founded.
Presently, the Code of Ordinances reserves three of the seven positions on the Heritage Commission for HMA representatives, and the other four are at-large positions. Staff recommends amending the ordinance to change the three HMA positions to three at-large positions.
Presently, the Code reserves three of the nine positions on the Historic Landmark Commission for HMA representatives; and the other six are for one property owner in a historic district, one representative from the Comal County Historical Commission, and four members at-large. Staff recommends amending the ordinance to remove the three HMA positions and add one additional space for property owners in a historic district and two additional at-large members.
Staff is seeking direction on revising the two ordinances relating to the HMA; the memberships of the Heritage Commission and the Historic Landmark Commission.
Based upon City Council’s direction, staff will bring back ordinance revisions at a future City Council meeting.
ADDRESSES A NEED/ISSUE IN A CITY PLAN OR COUNCIL PRIORITY:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
Recommendation
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends amending Chapter 66 of the Code of Ordinances for the Heritage Commission to strike the language about members being submitted by the Historic Museums Association.