By-Laws

By-Laws

Hunters Harbor Improvement Association

BY-LAWS

This Association being formed in the year 1954 by the residents of the community of Hunter’s Harbor, Pasadena, Anne Arundel County, Maryland, in order to form a more perfect neighborhood, provide safe standards, promote the general welfare of its residents and provide tranquility amongst its people, establish these By-Laws for Hunter’s Harbor.

ARTICLE I- NAME

This Association shall be known by the name of “Hunter’s Harbor Improvement Association, Inc.”

ARTICLE II – PURPOSE

The purpose of this Association shall be:

  1. To promote the general health and welfare of the residents of Hunter’s Harbor.
  2. To secure improvements and services which will add to the convenience and betterment of the community.
  3. To otherwise assist and act for the residents individually and/or collectively in matters of general importance relating to Anne Arundel County government and such other bodies, political organizations, and associations as may be necessary.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Any owner or purchaser of property in Hunter’s Harbor as land shown in the recorded plats of the developer shall be considered an active member.

Section 2 – Any owner or purchaser of property in Sillery Bay and its subdivisions as land shown in the recorded plats of the developer, that have specifically written in their deeds rights to either the Kelch Tract or Hunter’s Harbor community beach, shall be allowed to participate in the community ownership of the Hunter’s Harbor community recreational area.

  1. Any property owner of Sillery Bay and its subdivisions who wishes to purchase a share in this ownership must present to the Hunter’s Harbor Improvement Association, a copy of his or her deed stating privileges to either the Kelch Tract or Hunter’s Harbor Beach.
  2. Property owners of Sillery Bay and its subdivisions who join in the ownership of the recreational area in Hunter’s Harbor, shall be allowed to join the Hunter’s Harbor Improvement Association and participate fully in the Association.
  3. The purchase price for this shared ownership shall be based on the same assessment rate used for the Hunter’s Harbor Special Community Benefit District (hereinafter referred to as Special Community Tax District). All money must be paid in one payment to the Hunter’s Harbor Improvement Association and shall be used for the operation, maintenance and improvement of the community-owned property.
  4. There shall be no solicitation for participation in this shared ownership of the Hunter’s Harbor community recreational area.

Section 3 – Individuals who are renting a home within the boundaries of Hunter’s Harbor with a minimum 1 year lease agreement and who have the written permission of the property owner to represent them, shall be allowed active membership in this Association. They shall be allowed the same voting privileges as the property owner with the exception that they may not participate in any discussion or vote on any matter concerning the Special Community Tax District. The lessor must provide a copy of the lease agreement to the Association to keep on file. Individuals with less than a 1 year lease agreement shall have no privileges to use the beach, pavilion or boat ramp unless accompanied by the owner.

Section 4 – Membership shall include all persons as members of family (immediate or household). Each household is entitled to two (2) adult votes (18 years or older).

Section 5 – Only one member of a family household shall be eligible to hold an elected office at one time.

Section 6 – A person must be a member of this Association for one (1) year before being eligible to hold office.

ARTICLE IV-SPECIAL COMMUNITY TAX DISTRICT

Section 1 – Effective January 1989, there will be a special community tax district as approved by the County Council of Anne Arundel County. The special tax district for the community of Hunter’s Harbor will be in effect beginning July 1, 1989, and shall continue each fiscal year thereafter until removed by the residents of Hunter’s Harbor through due process.

Section 2 – Any proposed changes in the amount of tax shall be presented to the entire membership of the Association and approved by a fifty-one percent (51%) vote, as required by the rules governing Anne Arundel County special community tax districts.

Section 3 – All monies collected through this Special Community Tax District shall be budgeted for the operation, maintenance, improvement and security of the community beach property. This budget shall be presented for approval to the general membership, in December of each year, prior to its being forwarded to the Anne Arundel County government as required by the rules governing special community tax districts.

Section 4 – All Special Community Tax District money received by this Association shall be deposited in the name of the Association in a responsible bank approved by the general membership. Disbursements shall be made from the Special Community Tax District account by check signed and countersigned by two of the following and in any combination: the President, Vice President, Secretary, or the Tax District Manager.

Section 5 – There shall be a “Tax District Manager” appointed by the President and approved by the general membership. The Tax District Manager shall prepare the budget, pay all bills associated with budgeted expenditures, and represent the community of Hunter’s Harbor in all communications with Anne Arundel County Government and other institutions in regard to this Special Community Tax District. He/she shall also provide a report on expenditures to be presented at each general membership meeting. The Tax District Manager shall be bonded by the Association.

  1. The Tax District Manager shall be a member of the Association. If there is no qualified member of the Association willing to serve as Tax District Manager, the President may appoint a Tax District Manager from outside the Association. Compensation, if any, to the Tax District Manager shall be negotiated and approved by the Board of Directors of the Association.
  2. The appointment of the Tax District Manager shall be reaffirmed biennially at the August general membership meeting in conjunction with the election of officers. The term of the Tax District Manager shall end either at his/her request or as a result of a motion approved by the general membership of the Association to replace the Tax District Manager.
  3. In the event of the termination, resignation, or death of the Tax District Manager, the treasurer of the Association shall act as interim Tax District Manager until such time as a replacement Manager has been appointed and approved.

ARTICLE V-OFFICERS

Section 1 – The officers of the Association shall be a President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.

  1. The President shall be the executive officer of the Association. He/she shall preside at all general meetings of the Association, have active general management of the Association, and perform such duties as necessary as the executive officer of the Association. It shall be the president’s duty to call special meetings when necessary or upon petition by a majority of the Board of Directors. The President shall be authorized to approve (without explicit authorization of the general membership) expenditures from the General Fund (not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100.00) for special purposes for the good and welfare of the community. The limit on the amount of money to be spent by the President without the approval of the general membership may not exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) per month.
  2. The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, preside at the meetings and perform all duties of the President. In the event of the resignation or death of the President, the Vice-President shall automatically fill this position.
  3. The Treasurer shall receive all monies which shall become a part of the General Fund of this Association. (The Special Tax District is not included in the General Fund). He/she shall make disbursements as directed by this Association from the General Fund. He/she shall report at each meeting the financial status of the General Fund. If the Treasurer must be absent from a meeting, he/she shall provide a written report to the meeting, detailing the financial status of the General Fund.
    • All monies received by the Treasurer shall be deposited in the name of the Association in a responsible bank approved by the Board of Directors,
    • All disbursements under the General Fund shall be made by check signed and countersigned by the Treasurer and either the President or the Vice President.
    • The books and accounts of the General Fund shall be presented by the Treasurer for audit each August or at such time deemed necessary by the general membership through due process. All audits shall be conducted by a committee appointed by the President and approved by the general membership.
    • Expenditure of money for a specific purpose and amount authorized at a duly called meeting of the general membership of this Association shall require no further authorization. Obligation for other-than-current operating expenses shall not be incurred except by prior authorization of the general membership.
    • The Secretary shall record for permanent file, the proceedings of all meetings of this Association and the Board of Directions. He/she shall provide a copy of the minutes of the previous meeting at each regular monthly meeting for reading and approval. At each meeting the Secretary shall have available the minutes of previous meetings (general, special or Board of Directors) for the past six (6) months. He/she shall be custodian of all official records of the Association.

Section 2 – The fiscal year of this Association shall run from July 1st through June 30th.

Section 3 – Election of Officers

  1. At the July general membership meeting prior to the expiration of the terms of office of the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer, the President shall appoint a three-member nominating committee to recommend nominees for new officers.
  2. Officers shall be nominated and elected at the August general membership meeting.
  3. Newly elected officers shall commence serving with the September general membership meeting and continue in office for a term of two (2) years.

Section 4 – In the event the President is absent, the order of command is as follows:

  1. Vice President
  2. Secretary
  3. Treasurer

Section 5 – Should a vacancy occur in any office before the term has expired, the President shall appoint a replacement officer, approved by the general membership, to complete the term.

Section 6 – All officers of the Association shall be bonded at the expense of the Association in an amount to be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 7 – No officer shall receive any compensation for his/her services for this Association.

ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1 – There shall be a Board of Directors which shall include all currently serving duly elected officers, the Special Community Tax District Manager, the past President, and two (2) at large members appointed by the President.

Section 2 – The Board of Directors shall conduct all of the affairs and the business of this Association not transacted at general membership meetings.

Section 3 – The immediate past President shall automatically serve on the Board of Directors for two (2) years.

Section 4 – The term of the Board of Directors shall begin on October 1st and end on September 30th of the second year.

Section 5 – Should a vacancy occur on the Board of Directors before a term has expired, the President shall appoint a replacement member to complete the term.

Section 6 – No member of the Board of Directors shall be compensated for his/her services for this Association.

ARTICLE VII – MEETINGS

Section 1 – Membership meetings shall be held monthly from April through September unless

otherwise stated. To constitute a valid meeting, there must be a quorum of eleven (11) eligible members of this Association present.

Section 2 – Notices of dates and times for general membership meetings shall be announced in a newsletter to be delivered no later than seven (7) days prior to the meeting date. Newsletters shall be delivered either by U. S. Mail or by electronic email to those who

agree to this method of delivery. HHLA Bylaws

Section 3 – Order of business at each general membership meeting shall be in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order in the following sequence:

  1. Call to Order
  2. Reading of minutes of previous meeting
  3. Treasurer’s report
  4. Special Tax District report
  5. Board of Directors’ report
  6. Committee reports
  7. Unfinished business
  8. New business
  9. Election of officers
  10. Adjournment.

Section 4 – The Board of Directors shall meet as needed at the discretion of the President, or as requested by a member or members of the general membership. To constitute a valid Board of Directors meeting, there must be a quorum of five (5) Board members present.

Section 5 – Eligible members of the Association shall have a vote (as described in Article 3, Section 4 of these By-laws). All business presented for vote at general membership meetings shall require a majority vote for approval, with the exception of amendments to the by laws which shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present at the meeting (as described in Article VIII of these By-laws).

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at a regular meeting of this Association. Amendments shall be proposed at any regular meeting until the next meeting of this Association. The proposed amendment shall be published to the membership prior to the meeting at which it is to be put to a vote.

ARTICLE IX – MISCELLANEOUS

In the event that matters come forth that are not addressed in the Articles outlined above, this Association shall follow parliamentary procedure as described in Robert’s Rules of Order.

Current Officers

President – Keith Beacom
Vice President – James Bowerman
Treasurer – Lauren Plantas
Secretary – Angie Rathell

Current Board of Directors

Special Tax District Manager – John Bowerman
Past President – Brian Kunkoski
Member at Large – Jeff Bateman
Member at Large – Mike Morningstar