Article 5. Historical Society

12-501.      Society established.

The city has established an administrative board within the government of the city to be known as “The Clearwater Historical Society” to be governed by the historical society board established in this article.

12-502.      Board established; membership; officers; meetings; vacancies.

(a)   The board of the historical society shall consist of seven members who shall be appointed by the mayor with the approval of the city council. At least four members of the board shall be residents of the City of Clearwater, and all other members of the board shall be residents of Ninnescah, Ohio, Illinois, Viola or southern half of Waco Townships in Sedgwick County or Illinois and London Townships in Sumner County, or the City of Clearwater.

(b)   The first member appointed shall be the chairperson of the board and shall serve a term expiring April 30, 1983; the second of the appointments shall serve a term expiring April 30, 1983; the third and fourth of the appointments shall serve terms expiring April 30, 1982; the remainder of the appointments shall serve terms which shall expire April 30, 1984. Thereafter, the members of such board shall be appointed to hold their offices for a term of four years and until their successors shall have been appointed and qualified.

(c)   The board shall elect a vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer and shall meet at such times as the chairperson shall designate. All meetings of the board shall be open to the public.

(d)   Vacancies on the board shall be filled by appointment by the mayor with the approval of the city council and shall be filled for the unexpired term.

12-503.      Powers and duties.

(a)   The board shall have the general supervision and administration in the name of the city of historical monuments, buildings, personal or other historical property which may be tendered to and accepted by the city through deeds, gifts or otherwise.

(b)   The board will, from time to time, make recommendations to the city council relative to the city’s acceptance of title to historic monuments, buildings and other historical property which may be tendered to the city through deeds, gifts or otherwise. Such recommendations shall include a general plan for the administration and maintenance of such gifts to the city.

(c)   The board is made the agent of the city for the purpose of examining the proposed gifts or acquisitions and determining the suitability of preservation of the same for the historical society and is specifically authorized, in the execution of this authority, to adopt rules and regulations for the administration of such historical monuments, buildings, personal property or other historical property as may come within this jurisdiction and within budgetary limitations.

(d)   The board is authorized to employ such caretakers and employees as the board may deem necessary to maintain such historic properties and to remove such employees and to fix their compensations; to receive and administer private funds donated for the purposes stated in this article; and to receive and administer any money appropriated or granted by the city, state or federal government or any agency thereof, for the purpose of aiding the execution of powers granted in this article.

(e)   The board shall make annual reports not later than April 1 of each year covering the preceding calendar years; such reports, to be filed with the city clerk, shall cover all financial transactions. One section of such report shall cover transactions involving tax funds, another section of the report shall cover all financial transactions involving funds other than tax funds, and an inventory list will be included.

12-504.      Budget.

The board shall prepare an annual budget for its anticipated expenditures and receipts. Such budget is to be filed with the city clerk on or before May 1 of the year preceding the year covered by such proposed budget. Such budget shall be subject to the supervision, amendment and final adoption by the city council.

12-505.      Employees of the board.

The society, through its board, shall employ such persons as may be deemed necessary to carry out the function of the program of the board and shall be authorized by resolution of the city council.

12-506.      Disbursements and receipts; minutes of meetings; compensation of the members.

(a)   Disbursements shall be in accordance with the city procedure on accounting, reporting and expenditures. The treasurer shall keep a record of all receipts and disbursements and such other financial records as the board may direct.

(b)   The secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings and handle all correspondence and perform such other duties as the board may direct.

(c)   No member of the board shall receive any compensation for his services, but the board may allow actual expenses in attending meetings and carrying out the duties and functions of his office.

12-507.      Appropriation of funds.

The city council may from time to time, under the statutes of the state, provide for and pay from the general funds of the city the expense of preserving, maintaining and protecting such historical monuments, buildings and historical property that may come in the jurisdiction of the historical society.