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Punta Gorda board members back council proposal to shrink building board, relax absence rule
Summary
Punta Gorda building board members told staff Oct. 28 they support a city-council‑led proposal to reduce the board from seven members to five and to allow members up to three absences in a 12‑month period before forfeiture. Staff will relay the feedback to council and confirm residency and alternate‑member language.
Punta Gorda building board members indicated support Oct. 28 for proposed changes to the board's bylaws that would cut membership from seven to five and relax the absence-forfeiture rule.
Alexander Fran, the board recorder, told the board the proposed changes came from city council and other committees. "They desire to see the boards go from any board that is consisting of 7 members to change that composition of the board to 5 members," Fran said, adding the suggested composition would include two citizen advocates and three contractor positions. Fran also summarized the absence change: "member shall be permitted up to 3 absences in a 12 month period with forfeiture occurring on their fourth absence"; previously forfeiture could occur on the third absence.
Board members said reducing membership is in line with recent attendance patterns. One member said the board has struggled to reach quorums and that trimming the size to five would reflect reality. Members also expressed support for the proposed increase in permissible absences, noting meetings have been infrequent in recent years.
During discussion, the board raised questions about remote participation. Fran said Florida statutes do not permit Zoom participation to count toward a quorum and that the city currently lacks a technical means to facilitate remote participation that would meet state requirements. A member asked whether board membership requires residency inside Punta Gorda city limits; Fran said he would check the record and report back to the board.
Fran also noted some attachments may have omitted language about alternates and said staff would confirm whether council intends one alternate or to remove alternates entirely. The board's consensus was to forward its support for the composition and absence-policy changes to city council for further action.
The remarks were procedural feedback to staff; no formal vote on the bylaws changes was taken at the meeting.
