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Human Rights Commission seeks change so three commissioners are needed for a quorum
Summary
At the Feb. 4 public portion of the Morgantown City Council meeting, Human Rights Commission chair Annie Kerney York asked council to let the commission change its quorum rule so three members are required to conduct business, citing difficulties when only two members attend.
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Annie Kerney York, chair of Morgantown’s Human Rights Commission, used the public‑comment portion of the City Council meeting on Feb. 4 to ask the council to allow an amendment in the commission’s rules raising the quorum threshold to three commissioners.
Kerney York said the commission currently interprets a 50% quorum as two members because the commission has four seats. That practice, she said, prevents the chair from calling a vote because Robert's Rules of Order require the chair not to make or second motions; with only two members present, the commission cannot legally conduct votes and “get anything done.”
Kerney York said the commission will draft proposed language to require three members for a quorum but has not yet finalized the text. She described staffing challenges and other programming efforts — including plans for a proclamation for Black History Month and participation in WVU’s DEI events — that prompted the request for a rule change.
Direct quote: “With only two people present, the chair cannot call a vote for anything… I am looking to draft new language,” Kerney York said, adding she had not finalized the amendment text.
Next steps: Kerney York said she would draft proposed rule language for the commission; city staff or the council’s rules process will determine whether the change requires council action or whether the commission may adopt it under existing bylaws.
