County counsel says MPO agenda packet not published to website; recommends votes be re‑considered after notice

Martin County assistant county attorney Melissa Petrick told the MPO on Oct. 27 that the meeting agenda packet had not been published on the public website in the form required by statute and that legal staff recommend the board postpone or re‑consider votes taken at the meeting until a properly noticed session can be held.

Petrick said the matter requires review of "what reasonableness is" regarding notice and recommended postponing the remainder of the meeting and taking the votes again after reasonable notice. MPO staff acknowledged the issue, apologized and said they would work to re‑advertise the meeting and the full agenda packet promptly; staff indicated the earliest legally permissible advertising would be pursued and said they would aim to schedule a special or supplemental meeting as soon as possible.

During the meeting several agenda items were acted on (motions to approve the agenda, minutes, the FDOT and Turnpike presentations and the federal certification report and TIP amendments). County legal staff recommended those items be placed on the next properly noticed agenda for re‑consideration. MPO staff said the packet will be posted and that the board will be reconvened or will hold a special meeting to re‑vote, consistent with public‑notice requirements.

Ending: MPO staff and legal counsel agreed to re‑advertise the packet and to bring affected items back for formal re‑consideration at the next legally noticed meeting or a special meeting scheduled as soon as the public‑notice requirements can be met.