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Plattsburgh committee cannot act after lack of quorum; members weigh special meeting
Summary
Two members present at a Plattsburgh committee meeting said the panel lacked a quorum and could not take any actions, and members discussed postponing or scheduling a special meeting and notifying the public.
Two members of an unnamed Plattsburgh committee told the public they could not conduct business because only two members were present, short of the three-member quorum the panel requires to take action.
The matter surfaced immediately after the meeting convened, when a board member said, “We have a little issue here. First off, there’s only 2 of us, which means we can’t do anything, including even adjourn a meeting. So we may not even start the meeting.” The same speaker later added that the group had “determined we need 3 yes votes to approve the motions, period.”
The comment served as the practical lede: without a quorum the committee cannot approve motions, and members discussed options for handling the scheduled agenda. A board member suggested delaying action until the next regular meeting or convening a special meeting; no formal motion to reschedule was made. The meeting record shows discussion of reaching out to absent members and the public to find an earlier date, with a board member saying, “we’ll try to sort it all out and get back to everybody and see if it’s possible to meet at a special date sooner than next month … and we apologize for wasting your advice again tonight.”
Members and people in attendance exchanged procedural clarifications during public comment. One attendee, Herb Hicks, identified himself and asked about quorum requirements; a committee member confirmed that three members constitute a quorum and that three votes are required to approve or to fail an item. Another member of the public expressed interest in being notified if a special meeting is scheduled and indicated they would like to be contacted.
No formal actions, votes, or motions were recorded during the session. Committee members agreed to follow up with absent members and with members of the public about whether to hold a special meeting or wait until the next regular meeting; one board member indicated staff or organizers would notify attendees when plans are settled.
Absent a quorum, the committee took no substantive votes and made no assignments that constituted formal action. The meeting closed with plans to contact members to attempt to arrange a rescheduled meeting and to notify interested members of the public when a date is set.
