Thanks Susan Chapman... Welcom David Walrath

Susan Chapman, a founder and first president of HBNA directed her last annual meeting of HBNA on Tuesday night, 5/30. She effectively represented the interests of our neighborhood for two years. Susan has attended countless neighborhood and city government meetings; she was always informed and ready with documentation when the best interests of the neighborhood were threatened. This neighborhood and the entire city have greatly benefited from her able leadership—she represents the best of community volunteers who represent the people.

David Walrath, the newly elected president of HBNA, will be a strong advocate for maintaining the quality of our neighborhood. David is a local realtor and neighborhood resident well versed on the needs of our community and passionate about them. We welcome him as our new president. Let’s stand with him and proactively support him during his presidency. You can email David at DaveWalrath@Msn.Com.

Lift Station 7 Maintenance Schedule

Department of Public Works/Utilities Division • 1750 12th Street • Sarasota, Florida 34236 • (941) 955-2325 • FAX (941) 365-4840
January 30, 2006
RE: Maintenance Activities at Lift Station No. 7
Located at 935 Pomelo Avenue
Dear Neighbors:
The City Public Works Utilities division will be performing maintenance activities at Lift Station No. 7 intermittently throughout the month of February 2006. The heaviest activities are scheduled to occur during the week of February 20th through 25th between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Two different contractors will be performing the work simultaneously in order to limit the intrusion to the neighborhood to one time period. Windemuller will be working on the electrical system to update it per the recommendations provided by an outside engineering audit and as directed by the City Commission. During the week of February 20th through 25th, they are scheduled to work a 24-hour shift on February 22nd; however this night work will occur within the station building and should be relatively non-intrusive.
During the week of February 20th through 25th, Rexel Mader will also be working on the station replacing aged pipes connected to the four pumps within the station. This work will be more intrusive and require the use of a crane to remove and replace the pipes. They anticipate this work will require all five days during the week of February 20th.
Staff will be placing the mobile by-pass pump at the station as a precautionary measure. There will be several work trucks parked around the park area during work hours.
While the pipes are being removed, the work hatch will be open and odors will be present. The air conditioning system will be in operation and this will pull air into the station from the open hatch and dilute the odors. We will make every effort to expedite this work.
The following are contact phone numbers that you can utilize during the construction period in the event you need assistance or information:
Utilities Water Treatment Plant (24 hour call center) 941/955-4838
Pam Keyes, Deputy PW Director (Cell phone) 941/724-1392
Rich Meier, Utilities Reliability Engineer (Cell phone) 941/302-8355
Department of Public Works/Utilities Division • 1750 12th Street • Sarasota, Florida 34236 • (941) 955-2325 • FAX (941) 365-4840
Both of these maintenance projects are very important for the continued safe and reliable operation of the station. Your patience is appreciated.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact me at 941/365-2200 ext 6230.
Sincerely,
Pam Keyes
Deputy Public Works Director-Utilities

Planning Board Recommends Denial of Morton's Parking Lot Expansion

On Wednesday evening, January 25, 2006, the Sarasota Planning Board in a unanimous vote recommended denial of Morton's Market's proposed expanded parking lot. Building of the parking lot would have required a comprehensive plan amendment and a rezoning. Morton's proposed demolishing two houses, one on Hillview and another on Hyde Park. This application will be presented to the City Commission in March. Representatives from the McClelland Park Neighborhood, the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood, and the Harbor Acres Neighborhood testified against the Morton's plan. Watch this site for the date of the City Commission meeting. For other comments on the hearing, see www.moraca.org.

Volunteer To Keep Sarasota Clean

Keep Sarasota County Beautiful Volunteer Training January 30, 2006 11:30 am—1 p.m. Federal Building Room 100 AB 111 S. Orange Avenue Come learn how to; · Train Volunteers for Clean Ups · Get Captains prepared for the Great American Clean Up and the Coastal Clean Up · Motivate and Excite Volunteers Refreshments will be served Please call 954-2670 to RSVP Facilitators: Sandra Washington, Executive Director, KSCB and Michele Mician Chapter Liaison for the City of Sarasota Michele Mician, Neighborhood CoordinatorCity of Sarasota, Neighborhood Partnership Office 111 South Orange, Suite 107Sarasota, FL 34236Ph. 941-954-2670 Fax: 941-954-2616

Planning Board Hearing on Comprehensive Plan Amendment

On January 25, 2006, at 6:00 PM at City Hall, the City Planning Board will consider a Comprehensive Plan Amendment proposed by Morton's Market to expand its parking lot into the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood. The Board of Directors of the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association has voted to oppose this intrusion of a commercial use into the neighborhood. The city held a neighborhood meeting on this issue last summer. Many of our neighbors attended, and the neighborhood opposition to this proposed amendment was clear, vocal, and unanimous. Morton's Market chose to proceed despite neighborhood opposition. If this comprehensive plan amendment is granted, the houses at 1757 Hillview and 1756 Hyde Park will be demolished and will be replaced with a parking lot.

Membership

As neighbors we share a common community. We all benefit when our community is safer, more beautiful, and friendlier. Coming together makes a better life for all of us. Join the new Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association and experience the benefits of a strong neighborhood.

Who We Are: Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association was conceived by your neighbors and incorporated as a nonprofit corporation for the purpose of maintaining and improving the neighborhood quality of life. Every Sarasota neighborhood has an association representing the interests of their residents. Now we have one too.

Benefits Of Your Association: Sarasota city government emphasizes responsiveness to neighborhood associations. A neighborhood is powerful when it speaks with one voice. Your voice is the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association. We reside in the same neighborhood and seek to retain the quality of life that led to us buying homes in this neighborhood.
· Our city government encourages neighborhood associations to apply for funding for beautification projects.
· Our city government responds to neighborhood associations that protest degradation of the neighborhood by unscrupulous developers.
· Our city government responds to neighborhood associations when there is a crime wave or excessive speeding endangering our children.
· As neighbors our lives are safer and contented as connected neighbors.
· In extreme circumstances such as a hurricane threat a neighborhood association provides an infrastructure that supports residents helping each other to prepare for the storm or to reach a shelter.

Who Can Be A Member: A geographic area defines The HBNA and includes all residents within the following boundaries: South side of Mound as the Northern border with the north side of Hyde Park St. as the Southern border. Orange Avenue is the western border, while Osprey is generally the eastern border with an additional section east of Tamiami Trail south that includes Wood St., High Point Circle and High Point Dr., shall be eligible for membership in the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association. There are approximately 700 households within these boundaries.

Membership is voluntary and dues are voluntary. The effectiveness of HBNA depends on demonstrable participation.

Membership And Dues: Membership in the association is based on households. Each household membership has one vote. All household members may hold office in the association and participate in all functions of the association.

Household Dues are $20.00 annually, which covers postage, office supplies, and filing legal forms. The association is completely run by volunteers and elected officers without compensation.

You may give cash or a check for $20.00 to the volunteer presenting this flyer or you may send a check or cash to Richard Myers, acting treasurer, 1025 Pomelo Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236, (941) 953-2864. Neighbors may gift more than $20.00. Please make checks out to Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association.
Names


Address

Street

Zip
Telephone #

Daytime

Cell
Email
@
Volunteer Availability
(List skills, interests, # hours per quarter available)
You may request additional forms by contacting Richard Myers, Acting Treasurer

Welcome to Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association—your association—protecting you and improving your quality of life!

Association Bylaws

BYLAWS
HUDSON BAYOU NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, INC.
a Florida Corporation Not-for-Profit

ARTICLE I.
Name

Name. The name of the Corporation shall be HUDSON BAYOU NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION, INC., and its main office and principal place of business shall be in Sarasota, Sarasota County, Florida.

ARTICLE II.
Purpose

Purpose. The purpose of the Corporation is to coordinate the efforts of residents and property owners of the neighborhood in improving and maintaining the area as a desirable family residential area. The Association will cooperate with other local and national neighborhood associations in order to achieve common goals.

ARTICLE III.
Membership and Voting

A. Membership. All residents and residential property owners of the area within the following boundaries: Mound Street from Orange Avenue to Tamiami Trail to Hudson Bayou; Hudson Bayou south to the north side of Hyde Park from Orange Avenue to Osprey Avenue; and, the section east of Osprey to Tamiami Trail south of Bahia Vista Street and north of Hawthorne Street, shall be eligible for membership in the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association, Inc. Dues shall be paid on a time schedule set by the Board of Directors.[1]

B. Voting. Each single family residence shall be entitled to one vote, which shall be cast by the owner of record, or his designee. All persons residing in said residence may be members of the Association, but only owners with paid-up memberships shall vote. Tenants may join the Association, but shall have no vote, unless so designated by the Owner. Owners of more than one single family residence shall have only one vote.

C. Annual Dues. The annual dues of the Association shall be established by the Board of Directors, and ratified by a majority of members present at the annual meeting. The dues shall be due and payable by April 30 of each year.
ARTICLE IV.
Membership Meetings

A. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the membership of the Corporation shall be held in May of each year before the end of the school term. One of the purposes of the annual meeting shall be the election of the Board of Directors in even numbered years, all of whom shall take office immediately following election.

B. Other Meetings. In addition to the annual meeting, at least one social meeting shall be held during each year. The Board of Directors shall meet at the call of the President. Special meetings to address current issues may be scheduled as necessary at the call of the President or by written request of at least five (5) members of the Association.

C. Notice. The Secretary shall notify the membership in writing (or by electronic mail) of any annual meeting at least ten (10) days prior to the date of that meeting. The Secretary shall notify the membership in writing (or by electronic mail) of any other business meetings at least five (5) days prior to the date of that meeting.

D. Order of Business at Annual Meetings.

1. Roll Call.
2. Reading of minutes of previous meeting.
3. Report of President.
4. Report of Treasurer.
5. Report of Secretary.
6. Report of Committees.
7. Ratification of annual dues established by the Board of Directors.
8. Election of Directors.
9. Transaction of other business.
10. Adjournment.

ARTICLE V.
Board of Directors

A. Number and Term of Directors. The business, property and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by a Board of Directors composed of the officers and five (5) persons who shall be voting members of the Corporation. Each director shall hold office for a two-year term or until his successor is elected. The initial election of directors shall create staggered terms. Each director may serve two consecutive terms. After a director has served two consecutive terms, that person must take time off of the Board of Directors for at least one two-year term.

B. Duties of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall transact all business of the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association, Inc. It shall determine the policies, fiscal matters, employment of professionals and staff and, in general, assume responsibility for the guidance of the affairs of the Corporation.

C. Emergency. The Board of Directors shall have full authority to take action in any emergency arising between annual membership meetings.

D. Quorum. The presence of a majority of all the directors shall be necessary at any meeting to constitute a quorum to transact business. The act of a majority (or a minimum of three) of directors present at a meeting when a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

E. Time of Meeting. The Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately following the Annual Meeting of the members each year. Additional board meetings will be held as needed upon the call of the President or by two (2) of the directors. Notice of such meetings shall be given to each director not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting, unless each director shall waive notice thereof before, at, or after the meeting. Announcement of such meetings shall be made to the members not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the meeting.

F. Vacancies. Vacancies in the Board of Directors shall be filled by election by the remaining directors. Each person so elected shall remain a director until his successor is elected by the membership at the next annual meeting.

G. Power to Elect Officers. The members, at the annual meeting, shall elect a President, a Vice President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors shall have the power to fill any vacancy in any office, occurring for any reason whatsoever.

H. Removal of Directors, Officers and/or Employees. Any director, officer and/or employee may be removed by the Board of Directors whenever, in the judgment of the Board, the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby, by a vote of two-thirds of the Board of Directors. Failure to attend three (3) consecutive meetings without a valid excuse shall constitute cause for the removal of a director.

I. Delegation of Powers. For any reason deemed sufficient by the Board of Directors, the Board may delegate any power or duty of any officers or directors to any other officer or director, but no officer or director shall execute, acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity.

J. Limitation of Indebtedness. Expenditure of Association funds, by recommendation of the Board of Directors for any one project, shall not exceed the current balance of funds within the Treasury of the Association and any borrowing beyond that must have the approval of the membership at a special or annual meeting.
ARTICLE VI.
Officers

A. Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, all of who shall be members of the Board of Directors. After the association has been in existence for two years, each officer shall be elected to hold office for a period of one (1) year.

B. President. No person shall be elected to the office of President who has served less than one (1) year on the Board of Directors. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, make all committee appointments, and perform all other duties usually pertaining to the office of President.

C. Vice President. The Vice President shall preside at all meetings in the absence of the President and perform all such other duties usually pertaining to the office of Vice President.

D. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be custodian of all funds and securities of the Corporation and collect interest thereon, keep a record of the accounts of the Corporation and report thereon at each regular meeting of the Board of Directors, make a report at the annual meeting and special reports when requested, deposit all moneys of the Corporation in the name of Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association, Inc., in a bank or banks (including savings and loan associations) selected and designated by the Board of Directors, subject to withdrawal for authorized purposes, upon the joint signatures of any two (2) of the officers of the Corporation, give bond in such amount as the Board of Directors may require with the Corporation paying the premium for such bond, prepare and file reports and returns required by all governmental agencies. All securities and other valuable papers shall be placed in a safety deposit box or vault, designated by the Board of Directors, which may be opened only upon the joint signatures of two (2) officers of the Corporation.

E. Secretary. The Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings, write up the minutes following the meeting, send a duplicate copy of minutes to the President no later than ten (10) days after the meeting, have custody of the seal of the Corporation, give notices to all meetings required by statutes, bylaws or resolutions, take attendance records at meetings, maintain committee reports, carry on all necessary correspondence of the Corporation, and perform such other duties as may be delegated by the Board of Directors and by the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VII.
Committees

A. Nominating Committee. The President shall appoint a nominating committee chair who shall select a three (3) member nominating committee at least two months prior to the annual meeting of an election year. The committee shall attempt to present a slate of nominees that, if selected to serve with the board members with unexpired terms, will represent each street within or abutting the subdivision. The committee shall present nominees for the seats on the Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

B. Special Committees. The President may appoint special committees as the need arises. Each committee shall consist of at least two (2) members, the President is an ex-officio member of all committees.

ARTICLE VIII.
Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year. The accounting year of the Corporation shall be the calendar year.

ARTICLE IX.
Rules of Order

Rules of Order. The most recent version of “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall be the parliamentary authority for any matters of procedure not specifically covered by these bylaws.

ARTICLE X.
Amendments

Amendments. The Board of Directors may propose amendments, revisions, additions to, repeal or rescission of these bylaws and/or adoption of new bylaws at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, revision, addition, repeal or rescission of the bylaws or adoption of new bylaws shall have been forwarded to the latest owner’s address available to the Secretary at least fourteen (14) days preceding a membership meeting. These amendments become effective upon approval of a majority vote of members in attendance at two separate meetings. A quorum shall be defined as fifty percent (50%) or more of the voting members represented in person or by proxy. Proxies and votes may be solicited by the Secretary, with the notice of meeting, from those voting members unable to attend. The Secretary shall give at least thirty days’ notice of any meeting to amend the bylaws.

Proxies held by the Secretary shall be cast by the Secretary as decided by the majority of the Board of Directors.


Adopted: _______________________

Welcome Neighbors

Dear Hudson Bayou Neighbors,

Welcome to the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association blog. Thank you for visiting your association blog and supporting your neighborhood. HBNA’s united voice promotes and protects this community’s wellbeing.

Residents of Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association are privileged to live in one of Sarasota’s preeminent neighborhoods. The neighborhood is within walking distance of Selby Gardens, Burns Court, Towles Court, the post office, Island Park, downtown, the hospital, and many restaurants and services. Beautiful foliage and mature trees abound in our area; neighborhood houses show character and individuality. Residents feel safe in the Hudson Bayou neighborhood and find people pleasant and mindful of the neighborhood. There is much to be grateful for in the Hudson Bayou neighborhood area. We need to be vigilant against the ever present forces to degrade communities in Sarasota.

Why a neighborhood association? Everyone benefits from a community association. Neighborhood awareness and neighbor awareness creates more connections between us. Residents are less isolated and experience a stronger sense of belonging. Being part of a family, a work group, and a neighborhood are important resources for individual happiness and resident safety. HBNA provides you opportunity to work with your neighbors around common concerns, values, and goals. Neighborhood watch to prevent criminal acts, a village-like interest in safeguarding and nourishing our children, and maintaining a balanced community development are just a few of the important opportunities of being in the neighborhood association.

Neighborhoods become stronger and healthier when neighborhood leaders work on behalf of us all. Special thanks to Susan Chapman, President of Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association, (941) 365-4546, email-susan.chapman2@verizon.net. She attends countless meetings with city officials, the press, and concerned citizens learning about neighborhood issues that threaten or advance the neighborhood wellbeing. Working with our president Susan are board directors David Walrath—Vice President, Richard Myers—Treasurer, John Allaman, Pandora Seibert—Secretary, Margaret Cass, Rita Mazer, and Ronald Riffel. Many of you have already volunteered many hours to HBNA—thank you on behalf of the neighborhood.

Please contact any board member if you would like to volunteer time or are concerned about a neighborhood issue. You may also post information or opinions on this site that concern this neighborhood or are of general interest to the neighborhood. Please write only issue related blogs, respect others right to disagree, and do not slander people. The blog monitor retains the right to remove any offensive blog that is a personal attack on someone. If you are unable to create a blog please send articles, announcements, and opinions to ronaldriffel@comcast.net or call 941 951-6541.

Beneficiaries of HBNA live within the following boundaries: Mound Street from Orange Avenue to Tamiami Trail to Hudson Bayou; Hudson Bayou south to the north side of Hyde Park Street from Orange Avenue to Osprey Avenue; and, the section east of Osprey to Tamiami Trail south of Bahia Vista Street and north of Hawthorne Street, shall be eligible for membership in the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association, Inc.

Any resident of the geographic area for the neighborhood association may participate in any activity sponsored by HBNA regardless if they have a current membership in HBNA. HBNA is staffed by volunteers and has a very modest budget that is financed by families who formally join HBNA for $20.00 annually. Please contact the Treasurer, Richard Myers, (941) 556-7070, email-- ramyerskw@msn.com for application.