1.01 The existence and operation of a county historical commission is authorized by the State of Texas under Chapter 318 of the Texas Local Government Code.(*1)
1.02 The agency designated to coordinate and supervise historic preservation under the direction of the Cameron County Commissioners Court shall be known as the Cameron County Historical Commission, hereinafter referred to as the Commission.
1.03 The principal office of the Commission in the State of Texas shall be located at 112 West Ocean Blvd, Los Fresnos 78566, Cameron County, Texas.
1.04 A change in office location will not require revision of the By-Laws.
2.01 The purpose of the Commission shall be to coordinate and supervise the work of historic preservation in Cameron County. The work of the Commission is to supplement, augment, and encourage endeavors of other historical preservation efforts in the county without duplicating the efforts of other organizations or individuals in multicultural art, science, history and the promotion of historically related tourism.
3.01 The membership of the Commission shall include anyone of any age, sex, race, or ethnic background who has demonstrated specific interests in actively promoting the objectives of this Commission.
3.02 Prospective and qualifying members shall be appointed by the Cameron County Commissioners Court during January of odd-numbered years for a two-year term
3.03 Qualifying members are those who have met attendance requirements during the previous year (or years) and who have contributed time and effort toward the goals of the Commission.
3.04 Names of prospective members can be proposed by current members at anytime after the person has attended at least two meetings, but
they will not be members until a vote for their membership is taken at the December meeting and until their appointment is made by the Cameron County Commissioners Court at the January meeting of the Court.
3.05 Names of prospective and qualifying members shall be compiled before the end
of each year.
3.06 Prospective members shall have the responsibility of submitting to the Chair their qualifications, interests, avocation, and vocational background prior to nomination for appointment by
a current member or officer.
3.07 Membership shall be composed of at least seven active members who shall represent all areas of the county .
3.08 Any member may resign by filing a written resignation with the chairman, who shall in turn inform the County Commissioners Court of such resignation in the first Annual Report following the resignation.
3.09 The Executive Committee may suspend or expel a member for cause after an appropriate hearing and may, by a vote
of those present at any regularly constituted meeting, terminate the membership of any member who has not met attendance requirement or any member who shall have engaged in unethical conduct.
3.10 If an active member fails to attend at least two regular meetings of the Commission: ( 1 ) during the first calendar year of the appointed term; or (2) during the second calendar year of the appointed term; without a valid excuse, then such member at the end of the first calendar year shall be automatically removed from the Commission; or at the end of the second calendar year shall not be nominated for another term; unless the member demonstrates continuing interest in the work of the Commission satisfactory to the Executive Committee.
3.11 HONORARY MEMBERS: This category of membership may be accorded to an active member who has served for at least three terms and has demonstrated outstanding achievements or contributions to the Commission goals. Nominations to honorary status must be authorized by the majority vote of members present at a regular meeting.
Recognition of outstanding work shall be submitted to the Executive Committee in
writing, from the member(s) requesting such designation for honorary status.
4.01 The Commission shall meet at least six times during each year at a time and place [designated by membership or Executive Committee] except that at least one meeting shall be held in the county seat, Brownsville. Written notice shall be given for each meeting time and place.
4.02 Special meetings of the membership may be called by the Executive Committee, or by not less than one-tenth (1/10) of the members having voting rights.
4.03 Each member, including an honorary member, shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting.
4.04 At least seven members in attendance shall constitute a quorum.
4.05 An annual meeting of the members shall be held in December of each year at the day and hour designated by the Executive Committee. In even-numbered years election of officers will be held at the annual meeting.
ARTICLE V -- OFFICES AND ELECTIONS
5.01 Officers in the Commission shall be: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. The Executive Committee will consist of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer as well as the Advisory Committee members..
5.02 Officers shall be nominated by the Nominating Committee and from the floor and elected by a favorable vote of at least two-thirds of the members present at the annual meeting of the even-numbered years and shall assume office at the first meeting of the new term.
5.03 Officers may be re-elected, except that the Chairman may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
5.04 The term of office shall be two years beginning in January of the odd-numbered year.
5.05 A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, disqualification or otherwise may be filled by the Executive Committee for the un-expired portion of the term.
ARTICLE VI -- DUTIES OF OFFICE
6.01 It shall be the duty of the Chairman to preside at all meetings of the organization. The Chairman shall be ex-officio member of all committees; appoint all chairman of all committees, except as otherwise provided, subject to the approval of the membership; have the authority for general and specific direction of the business and the affairs of the organization. The Chair is responsible for presenting annual reports to the Texas Historical Commission and to the Cameron County Court, including current membership lists as required by the THC and the Cameron County Court.
6.02 In the absence of, or in the event of the inability of the President, it shall be the duty of the Vice-Chairman to act and perform all the duties of the President.
6:03 The Vice-Chairman will be informed by the Chair on all matters that become available to the Chair.
6.04 The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the Commission and shall have custody of all official records and papers of the Commission pertaining to it.
6.05 The Treasurer shall have custody of all monies, assets, official papers, records and/or documents of the Commission in which the Commission has financial interests. The Treasurer shall submit a report at each meeting of the receipts and expenditures, in detail, since the last meeting. The Treasurer shall request payment from the budgeted funds that the Cameron County Commission designates in its annual budget. If the Treasurer doubts the legitimacy of the member's request for reimbursement, the Treasurer may request a discussion and vote at the next meeting before submitting the request to the Cameron County Court.
ARTICLE VII -- STANDING COMMITTEES
7.01 Standing Committees are: Executive, Finance and Budget, Historic Preservation, Historic Markers and Research, History Appreciation and Advisory.
7.02 The Executive Committee, composed of all the officers, committee chairmen, and other interested members shall assist the Chairman in the formation of policy, long-range planning, and program direction.
7.03 A Finance and Budget Committee, composed of the Commission officers and the Advisory Committee (to be chaired by the Treasurer) shall prepare a budget to be presented to the Cameron County Auditor during September of each year after such budget proposals be presented for approval by the members of the Cameron County Historical Commisson at the August meeting.
7.04 The Historical Preservation Committee shall coordinate and encourage the work of all entities in Cameron County engaged in the preservation of historic buildings and sites, historic artifacts, photographs, paintings, drawings, books, newspapers, written records, and other documents, and of the spoken word.
7.05 The Historic Markers and Research Committee shall conduct research in the history of structures, places, and people. The Committee shall nominate appropriate structures and sites for State Historical Markers after providing the necessary applications and encouragement to applicants. This Committee shall conduct periodic surveys of all official markers in Cameron County.
7.06 The History Appreciation Committee shall be responsible for publicizing the Commission's work through news media, books and articles for publication, speeches, slide programs, exhibits, tours, and any other appropriate means. In addition this Committee will work with schools, civic organizations, Chambers of Commerce, municipal governments and others in an effort to make Cameron County citizens an aware of our historical, cultural, and ethnic heritage found in the County.
7.07 The Advisory Board consists of one member from each area -- Brownsville, Harlingen, La Feria, Los Fresnos, Port Isabel and San Benito. The Chair of this Committee will be determined by the Committee members. Each advisor is responsible for communications with members in his area and for advising the Chair of Cameron County Historical Commission about his area. This Committee will work together to serve as the nominating committee during even numbered years.
7.08 The Chairperson is responsible for and shall appoint Ad Hoc Committees as deemed needed to conduct the work of the Commission.
ARTICLE VIII -- ORDER OF BUSINESS
8.01 Pledge of allegiance to flag.
8.02 Introduction of guests and new members.
8.03 Reading of minutes of last meeting.
8.04 Treasurer's report.
8.05 Old business.
8.06 New business, correspondence, and bills.
8.07 Committee reports.
8.08 Roberts Rules of Order shall govern and apply to all the affairs of the Commission when same is not inconsistent with the expressed provisions of these By-Laws.
9.01 Amendments of these By-laws shall require notification in writing to the membership as well as a reading before a regular meeting of the Commission. Ratification may then be made at the next regular meeting by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
ARTICLE X -- NON-PROFIT STATUS
10.01 The Commission operates as a non-profit organization by virtue if its being an arm of the county government, and as such is not subject to sales tax on purchase of supplies and services to the Commission. Sale of any merchandise sponsored by the Commission shall be subject to collection of state sales tax and remitted to the proper agency.(*3)
ADOPTED by the Executive Committee for the Commission Membership on December 2, 1999.
Henry Griffin, Chairman Robert B. Vezetti, Vice Chairman Gene Balch, Treasurer
*1 Texas Local Government code 318.003
*2 Language based on 1(b), Article 6145.1 Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes.
*3 Based on Attorney General's Opinion No. Jm-71, issued September 19, 1983.