Sec. 5. (a) The commission may do the following:

(1) Acquire by purchase, gift, grant, bequest, devise, or lease any real or personal property needed for carrying out any of the purposes of this commission. Title to or interest in any real property acquired or held by the commission must be in the name of the consolidated city for the use and benefit of the commission.

(2) Hold, use, sell, lease, rent, or otherwise dispose of any property acquired for use in the carrying out of any of the purposes of the commission at public or private sale and on terms and conditions as the commission considers best, notwithstanding any other law.

(3) Preserve and restore areas and structures of historic or architectural significance.

(4) Conduct research and prepare a countywide comprehensive survey and inventory, and review and evaluate areas, structures, and sites of historic importance in the county for use by planning agencies and governmental officials.

(5) Identify by declaratory resolution areas, structures, and sites in the county having historic or architectural significance, and prepare historic preservation plans for them. The commission may prepare proposed historic district zoning classifications, including proposals for controlling the use and development of any historic area or areas, including standards and restrictions regarding permitted uses, and development, performance, and maintenance standards for public and private structures and sites, and prepare criteria and architectural standards of historical significance.

(6) Submit proposed historic preservation plans to the metropolitan development commission for consideration for adoption as a segment of the comprehensive plan of the county.

(7) After adoption of a historic preservation plan, assist in the plan's administration and implementation, including the issuance of permits and licenses, together with other governmental agencies, and hear and determine applications for certificates of appropriateness as provided in this chapter.

(8) Manage and operate historic structures and areas for any purpose consistent with the applicable historic preservation plan, authorize necessary agents and employees to convey or lease any properties for any purpose or use to further the plan, and do all necessary acts and things incidental to operations, management, and leasing, including charging reasonable admission fees to any of these properties.

(9) Assist other governmental agencies regarding historic preservation, including the development of a state preservation plan as the plan relates to the county, and work with other governmental agencies in the development and carrying out of plans to preserve, restore, and rehabilitate any historic area, including the elimination of blight and deterioration, the demolition and removal of unsafe, unhealthful structures, and the repair and appropriate alteration of structures.

(10) Acquire any properties, structures, or sites for any purpose of the commission by conveyance from the redevelopment commission or from any other person or governmental agency, upon such terms and conditions, and with or without compensation, as may be agreed upon.

(11) Establish and maintain a register of historic properties in the county.

(12) Make any recommendation and reports the commission considers appropriate to the executive of the consolidated city, metropolitan development commission, or other governmental agency concerning historic preservation in the county.

(13) Prepare, publish, present, or distribute, with or without charge, any information, reports, graphic or audiovisual presentations, documents, or other materials relative to historic preservation.

(14) Conduct, attend, or participate in any conferences, presentations, seminars, or programs regarding historic preservation.

(15) Encourage and promote historic preservation, particularly preservation by private means, provide technical assistance to local preservation or historical associations, individuals, or groups, in accordance with the historic preservation plan, and recognize excellence in historic preservation efforts by awarding citations.

(16) Establish citizens advisory councils or special committees regarding historic preservation.

(17) Prescribe the duties and qualifications of its administrator and other staff in accordance with section 4 of this chapter.

(18) Contract with architects, engineers, attorneys, urban planners, or any other consultants in connection with any purpose of the commission, such as the conducting of a survey of historic properties, preparation of proposed plans, ordinances, reports, surveys, drawings, maps of historic areas, or any other project provided in this chapter.

(19) Appoint a hearing officer (who may be a commission member, a member of the staff, or any other person) to hear and determine, on behalf of the commission, applications for certificates of appropriateness.

(20) Prepare and submit an annual budget in the manner prescribed by section 4 of this chapter.

(21) Participate, in conjunction with the consolidated city, in a retirement system for commission employees.

(22) Accept or contract with the consolidated city or with other persons for the furnishing of professional staff or any other services, office facilities, equipment, and supplies to the extent and for compensation as may be agreed upon, with or without compensation, and to receive and expend any funds, grants, or gifts for carrying out any function of the commission under this chapter.

(23) Enter into and carry out contracts with federal or state agencies, subject to the approval of the city executive, regarding grants of financial or other assistance to the county, city, or commission, accept and expend grant money or other assistance, and enter into and carry out contracts with other persons or governmental agencies for any purpose of the commission.

(24) Exercise the powers of a board of zoning appeals in a historic area or historic zoning district, if authorized by a zoning ordinance adopted under IC 36-7-4.

(25) Conduct public hearings required to be held by the metropolitan development commission under the 600 series of IC 36-7-4 relative to territory included in a historic area or historic zoning district, if designated by the metropolitan development commission.

(b) The commission shall provide technical services and advice about historic preservation to the consolidated city when necessary or useful in connection with the planning, development, or redevelopment of the county.

(c) This subsection applies to the sale or disposal of real property by the commission. If the property is sold by acceptance of bids, a bid submitted by a trust (as defined in IC 30-4-1-1(a)) must identify each:

(1) beneficiary of the trust; and

(2) settlor empowered to revoke or modify the trust.

As added by Acts 1982, P.L.77, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.336-1989(ss), SEC.49; P.L.321-1995, SEC.6.