Croissant Park Civic Association Bylaws--Revised version 2014

Croissant Park Civic Association Bylaws

ARTICLE I: NAME, BOUNDARIES, AND PURPOSE

SECTION I

The name of this corporation shall be Croissant Park Civic Association, Inc., hereinafter referred to as the “Association.”

SECTION II

The boundaries of the Association shall be the east side of SW 9th Avenue to the west; the south side of Davie Boulevard to the north; FEC railroad tracks to the east; and the north side

of SR 84 to the south.

SECTION III

The mission of the Croissant Park Civic Association is to promote and facilitate community awareness through communication with our neighbors and local government to enhance the quality of life while protecting our property values.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS

SECTION I

The full and ultimate responsibility and authority for the direction of this Association shall be vested in the general membership. Every voting member in good standing, who has attained the legal voting age, shall be entitled to vote and participate.

SECTION II

A member in good standing shall be defined as any resident and/or property owner of the association who are, and/or the designated representative of a business membership who has paid their dues as set forth in these bylaws.

Non-discrimination Law

The Croissant Park Civic Association does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability.

SECTION III

The agenda for all general and Board Meetings is suggested to be as follows:

1. Call to Order. Call the roll of the officers. Determination of a quorum.

2. Introduction of program and/or speaker.

3. Reading of the minutes of the preceding Board and general meetings Approval of minutes.

4. Reports of officers.

5. Reports of committees.

6. Old business. Nomination and election of officers shall be conducted under this heading.

7. New business.

8. Adjournment.

SECTION IV

The annual fee of $20.00 per household and the annual business membership fee of $50.00 per business are due upon joining and cover the remainder of the calendar year. Dues shall not be prorated for any time frame. Dues shall be due and payable the first of each calendar year.

SECTION V

Any member who acts in a way that is detrimental to the goals and objectives of the Association are liable to expulsion by a two-thirds majority vote of the members present at a general meeting. Said member shall be given written notice at least thirty days prior to such vote and an opportunity to address the general membership before such vote is taken.

SECTION VI

General meetings shall take place on the last Tuesday of each month at Croissant Park Elementary School of designated months. Notice of any change shall be published in the newsletter to be distributed prior to the meeting.  Time and location will be announced on Nextdoor.com.

SECTION VII

The Board, at their first meeting in January each year, shall determine dates and times for regular meetings of the Board of Directors. City Commission or other governmental body meetings may necessitate changes in this date. At the December Board meeting, the outgoing Board shall meet with the Board Elect to effect an orderly transfer of Association affairs.

SECTION VIII

Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President or by the request of three members of the Board.

SECTION IX

In order to conduct business at any general meeting, a quorum shall be present. A quorum shall be defined as twelve members in good standing, a majority of the sitting board members plus such other general members. 

A quorum of the Board of Directors meetings shall be 5 a majority of the board members.

A quorum can be established by electronic means. 

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

SECTION I

The officers of the Association shall include a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and up to five  Directors-at-large. These ten four(4) elected officers and five (5) Directors at Large shall constitute the Board.

A quorum, of five members a majority of the Board, shall be required to conduct any business. Only members in good standing are eligible to run and be elected to any office. Any officer who moves out of Association boundaries will be required to resign their office.

SECTION II

President: The duties of the President shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. To preside over all general meetings, special meetings, and Board meetings.

2. Prepare an agenda for the general meeting.

3. Secure a venue for the general meeting.

4. Make arrangement for guest speakers relevant to the community.

5. Coordinate for meeting: refreshments, sound system and the 50/50 raffle.

6. New board member development.

7. Conduct meeting with proper decorum.

8. Attend all committee board meetings.

9. Communicate with board members between meetings.

10. Represent the Association at public functions.

11. Establish special committees and make appointments to said committees from the general membership when deemed necessary to support the objectives of the Association.

SECTION III

Vice-President: The duties of the Vice-President shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. To assist the President as may be required.

2. To preside over any meeting in the absence of the President.

3. Check Treasurer and Secretary reports.

4. Demonstrate willingness to share responsibility with the President.

SECTION IV

Secretary: The duties of the Secretary shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. To keep the minutes of the general and Board meetings.

2.  To keep tape recordings and bring to meetings, general and Board.

3. 2. To bring the sign-in sheet to the general meetings.

4. 3. To be the custodian of current Association records.

5. 4. To present any and all correspondence addressed to the Association to the Board for appropriate consideration.

6. 5. To collect and sort mail from the mailbox.

7. 6. To prepare and mail any and all correspondence authorized by the Board or the general membership.

SECTION V

Treasurer: The duties of the Treasurer shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. To have custody, care, and responsibility for moneys, securities and funds of the Association.

2. To deposit such funds in the name of the Association in such bank, trust company, safe deposit box, or financial institution, as the Board shall designate.

3. To make appropriate bank deposit at least once a month.

4. To be familiar with computer software program for bookkeeping.

5. To be able to reconcile a bank statement and have it prepared for monthly general and

Board meetings.

6. To prepare negotiable drafts for payment under the direction of the Board.

7. To exhibit the books to any member in good standing of the Association, such requests being made during reasonable hours.

8. To render a report of all activity along with beginning and ending balances to be submitted and made available at all general meetings and Board meetings.

1. Copy and distribute Make available bank statement to each Board member on a monthly basis upon request by a member of the Association.

SECTION VI

Directors-at-large: The duties of the directors-at-large shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

1. To assist the officers in carrying out the objectives and goals of the Association.

2. To chair committees set up by the President or Board.

SECTION VII

The Board of Directors has the duty and authority to act on behalf of the general membership between general meetings, without abridging the responsibility and authority set forth in Article II, Section I.

SECTION VIII

Any officer or director, who fails to attend three consecutive meetings without justifiable cause, shall be asked to resign their office can be voted off the board by a majority vote.

SECTION IX

Should any vacancy occur on the Board for any reason, said Board shall appoint a replacement for the balance of the term of office. The appointment shall be voted on and approved by a majority of the membership present and voting at the next general meeting.

SECTION X

Any and all members must receive a consensus of affirmation from the Board and be so designated as an official representative of the Association, prior to saying or holding themselves out as an official representative of the Association.

ARTICLE IV

SECTION I

An announcement must be published in the September newsletter and made at the made at the September general meeting that:

● A nominating committee will be formed at the September meeting, consisting of two voluntary members of the current Board and two members of the general membership. In the absence of sufficient volunteers, a lottery will be held.

● All parties must be present to accept.

● This committee will present its slate of candidates at the October general meeting.

● Additional nominations will be taken from the floor at the October general meeting.

● The slate will be voted/approved by simple majority.

SECTION II

Elections shall be held at the November general meeting and shall be by secret ballot prepared and distributed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall count the ballots and report

the results.

● Verification of these results shall be the privilege of any member voting.

● Election shall be by simple majority.

● In the event of a tie-vote, a run-off election shall be held immediately between those who tied.

ARTICLE V: ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

SECTION I

The President shall appoint a Chairperson of the Bylaws committee who, in turn, will appoint a committee of three members who shall review these bylaws. They shall report to the Board for approval before submitting their recommendations to the general membership.

SECTION II

The bylaws may also be amended or revised as follows:

1. Proposed changes shall be submitted in writing to the Bylaws committee, and must bear the signed approval of a minimum of ten members.

2. Notice of the proposed changes must be published in the newsletter and made available to each member prior to the general meeting when it is to be voted on.

3. The amendment or revision must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the members voting at the general meeting.

ARTICLE VI: EXPENDITURES

SECTION I

Any officer of the Association may spend up to $100 on any project, function, purchase or transaction without the approval of the Board, provided the expenditure is within the purview of his/her office.

SECTION II

Expenditures between $100 and $200 must be approved by the Board prior to incurring the obligation.

SECTION III

Expenditures in excess of $200 shall be presented to the general membership for approval prior to incurring the obligation. At the time of approval the membership shall decide if the obligation shall go out to bid.

SECTION IV

The individual responsible for any function must submit to the Treasurer, at the Board meeting immediately following such function, an accounting of expenses and income as to overage or loss. The Treasurer shall make a complete and final report at the next regular Board meeting.

ARTICLE VII

Adoption of these Bylaws shall render null and void, any and all previous Association Bylaws and any rules or regulations in conflict herewith.

Approved and Adopted:   ____________________________

                                        SECRETARY

                       Date___________________________

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http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Rio-Vista-Car-Show--New-River-Raft-Race---more---.html?soid=1101870827549&aid=CtSY4pXl7Ts

Croissant Park General Meeting-February 2014

Happy Mardi Gras Neighbors,

Our Mardi Gras February meeting started at 7:05pm with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Board members in attendance were President Pat Rathburn, Michelle DiMaria, Joe Russell, Rhonda Kramer, Heather Cunniff, Manny Carrera, and Virginia Russell.  We had a great turnout of 35 neighbors.

FLPD Officers Stevens and Lee were here to give us our crime statistics for January.  There were 3 residential burglaries, one of which involved the theft of 2 bicycles and a TV from a front porch.  Another house had a motor scooter stolen.  A stolen vehicle on SW 17th Street involved a Chevy passenger van.  All in all, Ofc. Stevens reports that our crime was somewhat reduced this past period and that we are doing well in comparison to other neighborhoods.  FLPD will be using our neighborhood social media site Nextdoor.com to communicate with us in the near future.  There will be flyers going out to explain more.  Starting April 1st the Citizen on Patrol Forum will be initiated for residents who are interested in being additional “eyes” for the neighborhood, driving around the area in an official car (not a police cruiser).  More information can be found online at www.fortlauderdale.gov Check it out, it’s a great website full of all sorts of valuable and interesting info about our city and upcoming events.

Our next speaker was a neighbor from the Citrus Isles, Mary Sessions, who came to inform us about the All Aboard Florida (AAF) passenger train from Miami to Orlando that will be starting up in 2015.  Concerned groups such as the marine industry and the real estate industry are troubled by the number and frequency of the trains that will be transiting through the center of Fort Lauderdale on the FEC tracks. The New River FEC Railroad Bridge will be required to close to river traffic an additional 32 times per day, tying up traffic on the river. There will also be 32 more closings at each railroad street crossing, specifically SR 84, SW 22nd, 17th, 15th Streets and Davie Bl.  Another issue is the added noise from whistle signals the trains are required to make when they pass those intersections.  Quiet zones to eliminate the need for horn blowing have been recommended but they will have to be funded by our taxes, not FEC.  Mary maintains that AAF will detrimentally impact those of us on the west side of the tracks with additional noise, decrease in property values and increased congestion on the roadways and river. Watch for articles in various publications as this is a hot button issue.  

So, now for the Mardi Gras doings:  neighbors brought several different versions of chilis, and beans & rice, including some with meat, without meat and even a vegan version. We topped our chili bowls with a handful of Fritos (yum).  Our King’s Cake contest winner was Diane Scully with her scrumptious King’s Cake cupcakes that won her the $25 Publix gift card prize.  Suzy Brown brought a luscious bread pudding with Bourbon lemon sauce.  Coffee was generously provided by our favorite coffee drive-thru Expresso on Andrews Ave. Thanks again, Suzy Ludlum.

This month’s 50/50 raffle prize was won by Paul Ruble who donated it back to the Association. Thanks, Paul. Trees provided by Michelle DiMaria were won by Amy Miller and Ted Sanderson.

Our next Croissant Park General  Meeting will be Tuesday, April 29th.  See you then.

Minutes by Virginia-Sec’y

Neighborhood Meeting - Tuesday, February 25

I almost forgot the BIG PRIZE for tomorrow night.  In order to make the evening a truly Mardi Gras evening, we need King Cake.  So...... there will be a $25 Publix gift certificate to the best (or only) home-made King Cake that you bring to the meeting.  I went on-line to find a recipe and decided it was definitely something my Mom could make, but maybe not me.  Oh geez she's looking down from that cloud saying "just do it".  So - game on - can you make a King cake?  I know for sure there will be lots of chili (chile?).  We will have membership applications for those of you who would like to get your dues in for 2014 ($20 per household).  Come on by - 7:00 in the Community Center.

And - discussion about All Aboard Florida and how it will affect our area & neighborhood crime report from our local Police Officers.

See you there.

HELPFUL CONTACTS

Building Services 954-828-6520 700 NW 19th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311-7834

City Manager's Office 954-828-5013

Code Enforcement 954-828-5207

A citizen can report a code complaint by calling the Code Enforcement Division at 954-828-5207 or sending an e-mail to code@fortlauderdale.gov .  Please provide information regarding the location and nature of the violation. The inspector assigned to the area will conduct an inspection of the property and if it is determined that a violation exists, will enforce accordingly. Residents are encouraged to report possible code violations (such as overflowing dumpsters, overgrown lawns, tenants living in housing that fails to meet minimum housing standards), other municipal code violations that affect the health, safety, or aesthetics of the community, and criminal code violations.

Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau 954-765-4466

City of Fort Lauderdale Customer Service Center (24-hour) 954-828-8000

For inquiries regarding water, sewer, storm repairs, maintenance, solid waste/trash, and recycling. The City provides 65-gallon garbage carts for all household garbage, 90-gallon carts for yard waste, and recycling bins for newspapers and other recyclables. This is also the number for Public Works.

Dogs/Canine Beach Permits 954-828-7275

Driver's Licenses (State of Florida) 954-497-1570

E M E R G E N C I E S Dial 9-1-1

EMS (For Non-Emergency Medical Services) 954-828-7421

Graffiti Hotline 954-828-6402 Contact the FLPD graffiti hotline to report graffiti.

Information (City of Fort Lauderdale): City Hall 954-828-5000 Public Information Office 954-828-4746

Mayor's Office/City Commission Office 954-828-5003

Parking Services 954-828-3700

Parking Services provides: Resident Beach Parking Cards to residents for free and reduced cost beach parking, information on Sun Trolley which runs every 10 minutes and costs 50 ¢ and citation payment.

Police Department (Non-Emergency) 954-828-5700

Property Appraiser's Office (Broward County) 954-357-6830

Sewer Repairs (24 Hours) 954-828-8000

Call to report sewer problems, backups, sewage in the roadway, or emergency repairs.

Street Lights  954-828-8000

You no longer have to call FPL to report problems with Street Lights, you can call the City of Fort Lauderdale.

Croissant Park General Meeting- January 2014

Happy New Year, Croissant Park neighbors,

We kicked off the new year with a huge turn out for the January Potluck Supper meeting.  The meeting began at 7:05 with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Board VP Michelle.  Other Board members present were our President Pat, Heather, Joe, Beth, Virginia, and our new Board member Manny.  We were glad to see our ex-President John McNamara and his wife Shakira here for the first meeting of 2014. 

Fort Lauderdale police Officers Stevens and Dejo gave us our crime report.  Starting with the November figures, there were 2 home burglaries and two vehicle break-ins.  December had 4 home burglaries, 2 vehicle break-ins.  January (to date) has had 2 home burglaries, 1 vehicle break-in and 1 business burglary.  According to Ofc. Stevens, our crime numbers are down, and when asked how we are doing in comparison to other local civic associations, she tells us we are doing really well, that our crime numbers are low in comparison.  One neighbor asked how FLPD goes about responding to a 911 call.  Ofc. Dejo tells us that they park their cruiser a few houses away, so as not to scare off the perpetrator, and then they surround the premises.  Homeowners are asked to stay back, never enter your house if you believe there might be someone inside.  Let the police do their job without interference.  Neighbors asked what we can do to prevent break-ins:  close and lock any gate that leads to side and backyards, don’t leave any valuables outside.  The same goes for cars: keep valuables out of sight and always lock your car.  Regarding the helicopter activity and police street blockage at 11pm last Wednesday night, neither officer had any infomation to offer.

After the FLPD report we chowed down at the long buffet table full of all sorts of casseroles, stews and chilies, noodle, quinoa and caesar salads, assorted interesting items and lovely desserts.  Once we had our fill, we got down to business and talked about a few things that affect our neighborhood.

First up was the 15th Street near 6th Ave project that is going to be on the Planning and Zoning Board agenda in March.  Pat will let us know exactly when that is so that those of us interested in attending and putting in our 2 cents‘ worth, can do so.  

The Monitor lizards are back!!  A few have been spotted and it is their egg laying season, so be on the lookout.  They can be nasty when protecting their territory.  If you happen to get bitten, treat with antibiotics right away.

A neighbor brought up the issue of trains and how we will be dealing with many more trains once the commuter starts from Miami to Orlando.  There is concern that we need to have the types of gates that eliminate the train horns from blowing though out the night.  The Board will look into this and see what can be done.

A discussion ensued about speed humps on certain streets that create more traffic for the adjacent streets. More discussion to follow.

The age-old issue of dog owners who don’t pick up after their dogs has raised its ugly head yet again.  We will be posting signs that include the enforcement code that addresses this problem.  A question was asked about what other neighborhoods do and we believe it is a universal problem in the area, judging by the numerous different types of signs spotted in all the neighborhoods. 

It has been suggested that if you have abundant fruit from your fruit trees, put a notice on Nextdoor to share with your neighbors.  This could discourage people from taking fruit that doesn’t belong to them.  One neighbor on 17th Street had a man climb her coconut tree to help himself to the coconuts, without her permission.  Or you could do what Jack Timmins, owner of T&T Realty did, he dropped off a huge basket of avocados from his trees to share with everyone. Thanks, Jack.

Let’s all make an effort to try a little kindness towards our neighbors on the Nextdoor website.  There has been a rash of snarky comments flying around, causing at least one longtime resident to remove herself from the site.  The purpose of this website is to share information. 

For the 50/50 raffle we had some extra bonus items to give away, thanks to the generosity of Ralph Clark.  Mary Lou won a wall clock, Bob Simac won a “Baby Cakes Mini-Cupcake Maker” (we might see some mini-cupcakes from Bob in the future),  Joy Stafford had the winning tickets for a camera and a set of garden tools, Norm Kublin and Jo Bowker each won a Ft Lauderdale License tag thing-a-ma-bob, and our Grand Prize winner was Alan McClung who won the 50/50 cash of $46 and promptly donated it back to the Association. Thank you, Alan.   And thanks to Ralph for all the fun raffle prizes.

Suzy from Expresso on Andrews Avenue supplied the coffee, as she always does at our meetings.  Thanks again, Suzy.

And a big thank you to all of you who contributed and participated in our Pot Luck Supper.  The food was great and it was a terrific way to see old friends and meet new neighbors!

All the best for 2014.

Virginia Dill Russell-Secretary CPCA

Minutes of the Croissant Park Neighborhood Meeting 11/19/2013

Croissant Park Civic Association

General Membership Meeting Minutes

Novembere 19, 2013 

Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m.

Board Members Present:  Patricia Rathburn, Heather Cuniff, Rhonda Kramer, Michelle Di Maria

Motion was made and carried to appove September meeting minutes as posted on the blog.  

Treasurer’s Report was made to the membership at hand.

Police Report: None

Motion was made and carried to approve the slate for Board of Directors for the 2014 year.  (Manny Carrera, Loren Colburn, Heather Cuniff, Michelle Di Maria, Beth Falkenhagen, Rhonda Kramer, Patricia Rathburn, Joe Russell, Virgina Russell)

Old Business: None

New Business: 

Suggestions were requested by the Board for future speakers.  Manny Carrera suggested we have a “refresher” course on how to keep your home safe. 

Lauren Colburn stated she is starting a committee to look in to what we, as a neighborhood want in terms of zoning and creating a plan for the neighborhood.

Discussion of the Neighborhood Yard Sale included great feedback, and the suggestion that we hold another one in the Spring.  The Gore-Betz Park was suggested as a possible location.  

A concern was brought up by a neighbor regarding the traffic in front of the elementary school.  It was recommended that she contact the principal.

Carlos, a local firefighter, stated that he is seeing a lot of crime in the neighborhood.  He inquired if there was an officer assigned to the area that we could call directly.  He suggested that we all be diligent and call the police when we see suspicious person in the neighborhood.  There is generally a fast response time to these types of calls.

Pat Rathburn stated that there are only 4 officers assigned to our district, although we do not get dedicated coverage, we do get coverage.

A suggestion was made that we request an off duty car be parked in the neighborhood as many other neighborhoods have done.  

Next General Membership Meeting Tuesday, January 28, 2014.

MIchelle Di Maria