Council agrees to continue transparent pre-session discussion; clarifies quorum and subcommittee practice

Council members began the meeting by reiterating the council's statutory role to monitor implementation of statutes and regulations affecting mobile/manufactured-home parks and to promote transparency in legislative and regulatory discussion.

"One of the reasons we had the special meeting, there's only one thing on the agenda, and that is to continue general and legislative discussion about the items that are on that list," Liz said in opening remarks, asking members to confirm which topic to start with.

Procedural clarifications: Rochelle reviewed open-meeting requirements and quorum rules. The council confirmed that a quorum is seven members; subcommittees or working groups with fewer than a quorum may meet informally or exchange emails (subject to limits to avoid creating an unposted meeting). To reduce inadvertent deliberation in email, staff recommended using blind carbon copy (BCC) when circulation to the full council is needed and having members reply only to staff rather than "reply all."

Members discussed next steps for follow-up work: staff will circulate a draft agenda for the next regular meeting (scheduled for Dec. 3) and members expressed interest in forming a smaller drafting group for zoning and rent-policy work. The group asked staff how to post agendas and minutes for subcommittee meetings and to confirm whether subcommittee meetings require public posting when membership remains below a quorum.

Ending: The council did not adopt formal procedural changes beyond clarifications; members agreed to continue work via appropriately structured subgroups and staff-mediated email circulation to avoid open-meeting issues.