All members of the historical commission shall be resident electors for their prescribed terms of office. Such residency requirement may be waived as provided in the Charter. Any member of the council, employee of the city or officer thereof may serve on the commission. The mayor with the advice and consent of the city council, or the council acting on its own motion, may appoint members to staggered terms of office of the commission as provided by the bylaws thereof.  No member of the historical commission shall receive compensation as such, but the city council may authorize payment of reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by any such member in the performance of authorized business of the historical commission.