A. In order to be recognized by the city, neighborhood associations must satisfy the standards as listed herein. The City Council is authorized to determine when an association has met these standards.
B. 1. Membership. The membership of a neighborhood association shall not be limited by race, creed, color, sex, age, heritage, national origin or income. Any resident, business owner or owner’s representative, nonprofit organization’s representative or property owner who resides, owns property or maintains a business within the recognized boundary of a neighborhood association shall be entitled to membership.
2. Boundaries. The boundaries of a neighborhood association shall be drawn by the association membership. These boundaries must be mutually exclusive of other formally recognized associations and must remain within or coincide with the boundaries of a single neighborhood district, if necessary to avoid creation of an area that is excluded from neighborhood association representation.
3. Bylaws. In order to be considered for recognition by the city, a neighborhood association must first adopt written bylaws that provide for the following:
a. That the officers be elected on a regular schedule, at least every 2 years;
b. That meetings be conducted in conformance with public meetings law when the association meets to act in an advisory capacity of the city. Advisory capacity exists when the city requests or the association on its own accord seeks to act in an advisory capacity to the city. That written minutes as required by open meetings law also be required to show minority opinions and a list of all those voting, and that copies of approved minutes and sign-in lists be available to the city for public review.
c. That a current map of the association boundaries and a current list of the association officers and their addresses be provided to the city annually;
d. That a minimum of 1 general neighborhood association meeting be held each calendar year, and the time, place and purpose be well publicized throughout the neighborhood prior to the meeting;
e. That the association provide for representatives to its neighborhood district if one exists;
f. That the city be informed of any updates or amendments to the neighborhood association’s bylaws; and
g. That procedures are developed describing the number of members required for a quorum, how notes are taken and recorded, and the action necessary to file an appeal.
(Ord. 1109, passed 11-20-2002)