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Canal advisory committee asks staff to draft bylaw amendment loosening "three strikes" absence rule and to explore alternates
Summary
Members supported drafting an amendment to allow one additional excused absence (changing the practical limit from three to four) and requested staff seek one alternate appointment option; final bylaw changes will require city council approval.
The Burnt Store Isles Canal Advisory Committee on May 13 directed staff to draft bylaw language to loosen the committee’s existing absence policy and to explore creating an alternate member position to help preserve quorums.
Ian Veil, a committee member who described losing his seat previously under the three‑absence rule, urged a more flexible approach: “I was a victim of the 3 strikes you're out rule,” he said, recounting illness and other unavoidable conflicts that led to his previous forfeiture. Members discussed raising the allowable absences and setting an approval process for excused absences.
Sarah Welch, City Clerk, summarized the policy’s origin and legal constraints, noting the absence policy dates to 2008 and that any bylaw amendment would require city council approval. She also explained the procedural requirement for excusing absences: decisions to excuse are actions of the board and must be handled in a way that complies with public‑meeting laws.
Committee members generally favored two changes: authorizing one alternate member to be appointed so the committee has a ready replacement for quorum needs, and amending the language so a member may have three approved absences and one unapproved absence (effectively allowing a fourth absence before automatic forfeiture). The group asked staff to prepare draft bylaw language and bring it back for committee approval; staff will then forward the amendment to city council for final action.
No formal bylaw amendment was adopted at the meeting; the committee recorded consensus to move forward with draft language and to consider the change at the next committee meeting before sending it to council for adoption.
