Historical Commission Bylaws
BYLAWS
FORTUNA HISTORICAL COMMISSION BYLAWS
ARTICLE I - Name of the Commission
The name of this commission shall be the Fortuna Historical Commission as defined by the Fortuna Municipal Code 2.24 (FMC 2.24).
ARTICLE II - Purpose of the Commission
Section 1 - Preservation
The commission will implement strategies and activities to ensure preservation of the Northwestern Pacific Depot building and as further delineated in FMC 2.24.
Section 2 - Administration
The commission shall recommend the Museum's regular operating hours.
The commission shall determine the types of artifacts to be displayed in the museum.
The commission shall accept display items of local historical significance either as gifts or loans (loans will be on a short term basis not to exceed three months for the duration the loaned items are on display) and shall determine how such items will be marked, identified, and displayed.
The commission shall promote and publicize the Fortuna Depot Museum.
The commission shall act as a support group for the activities of the Museum's attendants and/or curator.
The commission shall set both short and long term goals and objectives for the improvement of the Museum.
ARTICLE III - Members
Section 1 - Composition
Membership shall be as set forth in the Fortuna Municipal Code 2.24) Section 2 - Terms of Commissioners
Terms of commissioners shall be set forth in the Fortuna Municipal Code 2.24.
Section 3 - Voting Procedures
Each member shall be entitled to one vote on matters submitted to the commission. Absentee ballots shall not be permitted. Neither the City Council representative nor City Staff are voting members of the Commission.
Section 4 - Vacancies
Vacancies occurring on the commission shall be filled as set forth in the Fortuna Municipal Code 2.24.
Section 5 - Resignation
Resignation will be accepted upon written notice to the Mayor and City Council members.
Historical Commission Bylaws
Section 6 - Meeting Attendance
Meeting attendance shall be mandatory as set forth in the Fortuna Municipal Code 2.24.
ARTICLE IV - Officers
Section 1 - Officers
In accordance with FMC 2.20.070 A., the chair and vice-chairperson of the Fortuna Historical Commission will be elected from its membership in January each year.
In accordance with FMC 2.20.70 B., the City Manager shall designate city staff to provide administrative services, assistance and advisor to the Commission. The City Manager has designated the Recreation Office Supervisor to be responsible for the Museum staffing, operating budget, and facility.
Section 2 - Elections and Terms of Office
The officers of the Fortuna Historical Commission shall be elected annually at the January meeting and shall serve until a successor has been elected.
Section 3- Executive Committee
The executive committee shall consist of the chairperson, vice-chairperson and the Director of Parks and Recreation.
ARTICLE V - Meetings - Rules, Regulations and Quorums
Section 1 - Regular Meetings
The Fortuna Historical Commission shall meet in the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November at 6:00pm on the second consecutive Wednesday at the Fortuna Depot Museum, at a time and location to be chosen by the Fortuna Historical Commission and City staff. All meetings and rules of the Commission will conform to the provisions of the FMC 2.20.080 A. and B.
Section 2 - Special Meetings
The chairman may call special meetings of the Commission from time to time as needed.
Section 3 - Quorums
A quorum of the Commission and voting procedure is delineated in FMC 2.20080 C.
Section 4 - Conduct of Meetings
All meetings of the Fortuna Historical Commission shall be governed by parliamentary procedure and conducted in accordance with the laws of the state and the Fortuna Municipal Code.
All regular and special meetings of the Fortuna Historical Commission and its special committees shall be open public meetings.
ARTICLE VI - Amendments
Any amendments of the bylaws may be recommended at any regular meeting by four affirmative votes of the Commission. The bylaws and any amendment are subject to the approval of the City Council in accordance Historical Commission Bylaws
with FMC 2.20.080 B.
ARTICLE VII - Duties of Officers
Section 1 - Chairman
It shall be the duty of the chairman to preside at all regular and special meetings.
Section 2 - Vice-Chairman
In the absence of the chairman, the vice-chairman shall assume and perform all such duties of the chairman.
City staff is responsible for meeting notices, agendas, copies of minutes, and notices to Historical Commission and City Council members.
ARTICLE VIII - Duties of Commission Members
It shall be the duty of all Commissioners to:
1. Attend all meetings.
2. Serve as officers and sub-committee member.
3. Participate in special events and/or benefits.
4. Create and implement a 3, 5 & 10 year master plan for the collection, storage and display practices of the Depot Museum.
ARTICLE IX - Committees
The chairman shall appoint such necessary committees as directed by a majority of the members present.
ARTICLE VII – Approval and Amendments of Bylaws
The Fortuna Historical Commission By-Laws have been approved and amended on the following dates:
Historical Bylaws were amended on July 19, 2010 and July 10, 2013.
Amendment of the Fortuna Historical Commission Bylaws pertaining to meeting times and locations recommended by the Fortuna Historical Commission on July 8, 2026.
All persons present know that the undersigned Chair of the Fortuna Historical Commission does hereby certify that at the properly convened meeting of the Commission held on July 8, 2026, the forgoing Bylaws were duly adopted by affirmative vote of the Commission and approved by the City Council on July 20, 2026 by Minute Order 2026- (TBD).
ATTEST: Alex Service, Fortuna Historical Commission Secretary __________________________________________________________ Fortuna Historical Commission Chairperson, Susan O’Hara