In accordance with the provisions of § 6D-1 of the Charter of the city, there shall be an Arts and Tourism Commission.
(A) Membership; recommendations. The Arts and Tourism Commission shall consist of seven members, no more than four of whom shall be members of the same political party. One member shall be a member of the Board of Aldermen, for a term corresponding to the member's immediate term as an Alderman.
(B) Appointments; term of office. No later than July 1, 2004, the Mayor shall appoint three members whose terms shall expire on December 31, 2007, and three members whose terms shall expire on December 31, 2005. At the expiration of their respective terms, their successors shall be appointed for a term of four years.
(C) No compensation. Members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties within the limitations of appropriations.
(D) Organization of the Arts and Tourism Commission. During July 2004, and January of each even-numbered year thereafter, the Commission shall select from among its members a chair and such other officers as it may desire.
(1) Secretary and record keeping. The Commission shall appoint a secretary to be responsible for all correspondence and record keeping. The Secretary shall forward copies of all goings on of the Commission to the City Clerk.
(2) Meeting schedule. The Commission shall meet on the second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
(3) Authority and actions of members. No member shall have any authority to act on behalf of the Commission except pursuant to an order regularly made at a meeting of the Commission.
(4) Quorum and voting requirements. Four members shall constitute a quorum and a concurrent vote of no fewer than four members shall be necessary for the transaction of business.
(5) Public meetings and public participation. All meetings, except executive sessions, as defined in the State Freedom of Information Act or any successor thereto, shall be public. At the start of each regularly scheduled public meeting, the Commission shall allot a minimum of 15 minutes for public speaking, with a minimum of three minutes per speaker.
(6) Bylaws. The Commission shall have the power to adopt its own bylaws for the conduct of its business in accordance with the foregoing.
(E) Duties of the Commission. The Commission shall have the powers, purposes, responsibilities and duties to take the steps necessary or proper for the encouragement of those activities which will enrich the cultural life of the city and contribute to the advancement of the several arts and sciences, including, but not limited to, the encouragement of the arts, the provision of adequate facilities for their proper function, and the provision of financial support of cultural activities within the community.
