By-Laws

By-Laws

LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY SPORTS COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
By-Laws

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this organization shall be “Lower Rio Grande Valley Sports Complex Environmental Council” herein referred to as “Council”. The official acronym of the organization shall be SCEC.

ARTICLE II: ORGANIZATION

The official address of the Council is 321 N. International Blvd., Weslaco, TX, 78596. All SCEC meetings shall be held at the Rio Red Research, Technology, and Engineering Center (R3TEC) located at the Texas A&M University Citrus Research Center, 321 N. International Blvd., Weslaco, TX, 78596.

This Council was created by a grant funded in part from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Non-Point Source (NPS) program in Austin, TX. The fiscal agent is Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMU-Kingsville). The organization is facilitated by TAMU-Kingsville and the City of Alamo.

ARTICLE III: PURPOSE

  1. To advance innovative, collaborative Low Impact Development (LID) solutions to the environmental stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution challenges of today to assure a sustainable community in the future.
  2. To engage LRGV stakeholders by developing and implementing projects that help them provide regional solutions to water quality concerns in the Arroyo Colorado, Laguna Madre and the Rio Grande River.
  3. To find common ground by bringing community leaders together, building common understanding, and developing creative strategies that help everyone be part of the solution to the LRGV’s stormwater related environmental challenges.
  4. To create strong environmental policy by leading broad coalitions of individuals and stakeholder groups in support of environmental progress.

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – The SCEC shall be composed of nineteen (19) members, each who will represent the entities of the LRGV TPDES Stormwater Task Force (Task Force). SCEC members shall be appointed by each respective Task Force member for terms of three years. SCEC members shall be employees of the Task Force member and must be departmental staff of either Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Planning, Engineering or Stormwater. It is preferred that staff appointed to the Council have oversight, management, and/or decision-making authority over their respective Sports Complex Facilities. Any vacancy shall be filled by the respective Task Force member entity for the remainder of the unexpired term. TAMU-Kingsville shall perform the administrative tasks and provide overall leadership to accomplish the purpose listed in Article III of these By-Laws.

  1. Meetings. The SCEC shall meet regularly on the third Thursday of each month, unless alternative dates are scheduled. Notice of such change shall be filed with the Secretary.
  2. Special meetings. Special meetings of the SCEC may be called by the Chair.
  3. Parliamentary Procedure – All meetings shall be conducted according to Roberts Rules of Order, current edition.
  4. Quorum – A quorum shall constitute a majority of the members of the SCEC. In the event that there are ten (10) or fewer members present, six (6) votes on any motion will be needed to approve that motion. If five or less members are in attendance, action items shall be tabled.
  5. Minutes – The SCEC shall keep summary minutes of all meetings and file them promptly with the Secretary, following their approval by the membership.
  6. Annual Report – The SCEC shall prepare a report of its activities annually.

Section 2 – Vacancies and Terminations

A member may resign from the SCEC upon written notice to the Council. Upon failure of an SCEC member to attend three (3) consecutive meetings, the SCEC member may be replaced. The Chair shall notify the member for corrective action. If corrective action is not taken, the Chair shall notify the Council for replacement consideration.

Section 3 – Officers

  1. Chair – The Chair shall be elected by a majority of the members, shall preside at all meetings of the SCEC and shall perform such other duties as required by the position.
  2. Vice-Chair – The Vice-Chair shall be appointed by the Chair, with the concurrence of the SCEC, and shall exercise the authority of the Chair in the absence of the Chair and perform such other duties as may be properly assigned by the Chair or the SCEC by majority vote.
  3. Secretary – The Secretary shall be the representative from the City of Alamo. After the first term of office, the Secretary shall be appointed by the Chair. The Secretary shall work with TAMU-Kingsville in preparing all agendas, facilitating planning, and preparing minutes.
  4. Officer Vacancies – A vacancy in the office of the Chair shall be filled automatically by the Vice-Chair and the resulting vacancy in the office of Vice-Chair shall be filled by majority vote of the SCEC.

Section 4 – Sub-committees

  1. Formation – The SCEC may create such sub-committees as is necessary to carry out its purpose with timeliness and efficiency. The SCEC will state the purpose, size, and scope of authority of any subcommittee upon its creation. The SCEC may terminate any sub- committee at any time.
  2. Membership – Sub-committee membership is open to the Council and to staff members from the Task Force members. The SCEC will assign a chair to a subcommittee.
  3. Member Responsibilities – Sub-committee members shall attend the meetings of the sub- committee, and may participate in SCEC meetings as appropriate, when invited by the Chair.
  4. The following subcommittees shall be formed immediately:
    • Outreach and Training – This committee shall work with TAMU-Kingsville and oversee all outreach and training activities. Activities include an annual mini conference, webcasts/webinars, workshops and training courses. Travel logistics will also be coordinated by this group.
    • Grant – This committee shall work with TAMU-Kingsville in identifying, preparing and submitting grant applciations to fund Council activites and to assist SCEC member affiliations with securing funding for Sports Complex projects.

ARTICLE V: AMENDMENTS

These By-laws may be amended during any regular or special meeting of the SCEC by a majority vote of its members, provided a copy of the proposed change is provided to all members at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting at which the proposed change is on the agenda. Amendments shall become effective at the meeting’s adjournment unless a later date is specified by the SCEC.

ARTICLE VI: CONTRACTUAL

The appointment to the SCEC requires each Task Force member to execute an interlocal agreement between their respective affiliation and TAMU-Kingsville. The interlocal agreement shall include the name of the appointee.

June 2014