Historic commission names Salter acting chair while Sharon Gahagan recovers

The Natchitoches Historic District Commission voted to name Ms. Salter acting chair pending Chair Sharon Gahagan’s recovery after Gahagan disclosed a multi-week hospitalization and an upcoming procedure.

Commission members learned during the meeting that Gahagan ‘‘had an accident a couple of, several weeks ago’’ and returned to Houston for treatment and recovery, and ‘‘they did decide to put the house up for sale.’’ The commission discussed that Gahagan’s absence could last ‘‘about 6 months.’’

The commission debated how to handle leadership and quorum while Gahagan is absent. One member said the chair’s duties would normally ‘‘roll to me as the Vice Chair,’’ but said time constraints make it difficult to assume the full chair role. Commissioners raised the possibility that if Gahagan does not return, the city council would appoint a replacement to the commission and the commission would elect officers at the next appropriate meeting.

A motion ‘‘to name Ms. Salter as the acting chair for the Commission, pending Ms. Gahagan’s recovery’’ was placed, seconded, and approved by voice vote. The meeting record shows chair duties will be temporary ‘‘pending Ms. Gahagan’s recovery’’ and that the maker of the motion will remain vice chair; commissioners noted that officer elections typically occur at the start of a new term.

Commissioners also flagged quorum concerns during extended absences. One member said a quorum could be ‘‘a little hard’’ and that if more than one member is absent the commission ‘‘will have problems with making quorum.’’ Commissioners discussed relying on administrative approvals for routine items to avoid unnecessary delays while membership is reduced.

No statutory citations, ordinances, or formal appointment documents were presented during the meeting; the decision at the meeting was a commission motion recorded by voice vote. The commission noted this is a temporary arrangement unless Gahagan decides to step down and the city council is required to fill a vacant seat.

Less-critical procedural matters discussed included the earlier approval of minutes with a correction to an item about a demolition vote; commissioners instructed staff to correct the minutes where the record described granting a contract extension rather than the commission’s vote to pursue demolition.

The commission adjourned after carrying out the temporary chair appointment and other agenda items.