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By-Laws

ARTICLE I – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1

The members of the Casanova Oak knoll Neighborhood Association (C.O.N.A.) shall consist of those persons either owning property or residing within the boundries of the Area of Primary Interest as described in Article II. Membership is open to both homeowners and renters of the area. A member in good standing shall be defined as any person of voting age residing within a household whose dues are paid in full for the current year.

Section 2

No member shall make representation to any public official or body, or speak, or act publicly in the name of this association without prior approval of either the Board of Directors or the membership. Directors of the Board are, by their election as Board Members, authorized to represent this association. They may speak and act publicly in the name of this association, as limited by both Article IX, Section 3 and Article XI, Sections 1 and 2.

ARTICLE II – AREA OF PRIMARY INTEREST

That area which falls within the following: beginning at the intersection of Fairground Road and Garden Road, proceeding southerly along Garden Road to the Airport boundary, thence easterly along the Airport boundary to the City Limit Line, thence northerly along the City Limit Line to Fremont Street, thence westerly along Fremont Street to Garden Road, thence southerly along Garden Road to the point of origin.

ARTICLE III – PURPOSE

The purpose of this association is to preserve and maintain both the quality of life and residential character of both our area of primary interest and the City of Monterey.

ARTICLE IV – GOALS

Section 1

Establish communication channels within this association so that members will feel at ease contacting any of the Directors to either lodge a complaint, ask for information, provide advance information of the filing of a Use Permit – rezone – variance, or discuss any topic which falls within the general purpose of this association.

Section 2

To both establish and maintain a close working relationship with the City Council, Planning Commission, and other Boards and Commissions of both the City of Monterey and the City Staff in order to minimize adversary confrontation at either the Planning Commission or City Council level.

Section 3

To cooperate with other property owner and neighborhood associations for the benefit of the City of Monterey, in general, and the Casanova Oak Knoll area, in particular.

Section 4

To keep all members informed of pending actions, current status, and decisions on items that come before either the Planning Commission or City Council; as well as, things of a general nature that are of interest to the general membership. This may be accomplished through a phone call, a newsletter, or a general meeting.

Section 5

To both nominate and support qualified candidates for election to the City Council* for appointments to various Commissions and Boards, and for placement on any other governing bodies.

ARTICLE V – VOTING

Section 1

All members in good standing shall have an equal vote on all business conducted by this association at all general meetings.

ARTICLE VI – DUES

Section 1

Dues initially shall be six dollars (6.00) per year per household payable in January of each calendar year. Dues may only be changed by majority vote of the members at the Annual General meeting.

Section 2

No part of any funds or earnings of this association shall be used to the benefit of either any member or individual, nor shall any officer receive a remuneration for their services as such except for expenses incurred. These actual expenses are to be approved by the Board of Directors before they are incurred.

Section 3

Other than printing and mailing costs necessary to keep the membership informed, any funds disbursed must have the approval of a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 4

The Association shall make no distribution of remaining funds to members upon dissolution; but, shall upon dissolution, distribute such remaining funds to the Monterey Parks and Recreation Department to be used exclusively for park improvements within the area of primary interest.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

Section 1

There shall be an Annual General meeting during the month of January each year for the installation of officers; and, for such other purposes as may be deemed necessary. There shall be such other meetings as may be called by the President, by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors, or upon request in writing of any twenty (20) members.

Section 2

The President shall not allow over ninety (90) days to elapse without calling a general meeting.

Section 3

A quorum shall consist of twenty-five (25) members in good standing or twenty percent (20%) of the membership. A quorum must be present to hold an official meeting.

Section 4

The membership shall be properly notified of any general meeting.

ARTICLE VIII – OFFICERS OF THIS ASSOCIATION

Section 1

There shall be five (5) elected officers. These officers will be President, Vice President, Secretary, Information & Publication, and Treasurer.

Section 2

Nomination of officers shall be from the floor with election by ballot at the final general meeting of each calendar year. If there is but one candidate for each office, the ballot may be dispensed with and the election held by either voice or show of hands.

Section 3

Newly elected officers shall be installed at the Annual General Meeting and shall serve a term of one year or until their successors are appointed. Vacancies will be filled by appointment by the President following approval by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1

The Board of Directors shall consist of both the five (5) elected officers and chairpersons of all standing committees. Two persons residing within the same household may jointly hold one position on the Board of Directors; however, they shall jointly have only one vote, They shall transact all necessary business between regular meetings of the membership; and, such other business as may be referred to it by either the President or the membership. It may authorize expenditures for necessary purchases or services not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each purchase or service. It shall present a report thereon at the next general meeting.

Section 2

The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President and/or at such times as matters are referred to it by this association. When the latter, the President shall call a meeting of the Board of Directors within ten (10) days of the referral, unless there are cogent reasons which make not feasible a meeting within that period.

Section 3

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the conduct of the business of this association and shall exercise only those powers expressly granted to it by this association. It shall advise and make recommendations to the President and the membership. It shall neither decide nor take action on any major matter of policy or precedent unless such power is expressly granted to it by this association for that specific purpose.

Section 4

A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1

The President shall preside at all meetings of both this association and the Board of Directors. He/She shall appoint Committee chairpersons, with the approval of the Board of Directors, deemed necessary to carry on the work of this association. The President shall assign to them such responsibility both deemed necessary and consistent with these By-Laws. He/She shall both perform all duties as usually pertain to his office and act as executive officer.

Section 2

The Vice President shall act as an aid to the President, shall preside at meetings in the absence of the President, and shall perform such other duties as the President shall assign him.

Section 3

The Secretary shall Keep an accurate record of the proceedings of all meetings of both this association and the Board of Directors, shall be prepared to refer to minutes of previous meetings, shall prepare a summary of all unfinished business for the use of the President, shall notify members of their election or appointment to offices and committees, and shall handle such correspondence as the President may delegate.

Section 4

The Information & Publication officer shall both prepare and distribute all notices and publications of this association along with serving as custodian of the official association records.

Section 5

The Treasurer shall receive all revenues and shall issue receipts therefore, shall keep a complete and accurate account of all funds received and disbursed, and shall deposit association funds in a bank approved by the Board of Directors. He/She shall make disbursements only for those purchases or services approved by either the Board of Directors or the membership; and, shall make such disbursements by check countersigned by the President. The Treasurer shall present a statement of account at every meeting, at such other times as requested by the President – Board of Directors – membership, and shall make a full annual report which shall be presented at the Annual General meeting.

Section 6

Committee Chairpersons shall both direct all business of their respective committees and prepare regular reports to both the Board of Directors and the membership.

ARTICLE XI – MATTERS OF POLICY OR PRECEDENT

Section 1

Major matters of policy or precedent shall be decided by the membership at general meetings, special meetings, or mail ballot unless such power for a specific purpose has been expressly delegated to the Board of Directors.

Section 2

A question as to whether a matter pertaining to either policy or precedent is either major or minor shall be decided by two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XII – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

Section 1

ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER shall govern the procedure of business in all matters in which they are applicable and not inconsistent with these By-Laws.

ARTICLE XIII – AMENDMENTS

Any proposed amendment to these By-Laws may be submitted in writing at any general meeting of the membership. After the reading of such proposed amendment and following preliminary discussion thereon by the membership, it may be either rejected or approved for consideration, with or without changes, by a two-thirds vote of the members present. It may be voted upon at the next general meeting following a reading in its final form, provided proper advance notice has been given to all members that an amendment or amendments to the By-Laws will be on the agenda. An amendment shall be adopted only if approved by a two-thirds vote of the members present.