Solicitor reminds Charter Review Commission Sunshine Act requires public action; members dispute circulation of draft language after non‑quorum gatherings

Ed Stock, the commission’s solicitor, told the Charter Review Commission that "The Sunshine Act, officially known as the public meetings law, requires public or, official action to be taken in public at a duly convened meeting." Stock detailed exceptions for executive sessions but emphasized that "any action to be taken on those matters must be taken in public."

A dispute followed over informal notes and draft charter language circulated after recent gatherings that lacked a quorum. Commissioner Tanya objected that circulating proposed amendment language gave the appearance that "it was a moment of, oh, nobody's here. Let's just get this done," and said she "takes issue with that."

Stock and other commissioners defended the circulation as preparatory. Stock said he had produced "informal notes" from the Oct. 16 non‑meeting "simply [to] put something together for consideration by this group," and that "it was not anything official." Other commissioners said the group had previously agreed to continue discussion during non‑quorum meetings but acknowledged no formal actions had been taken.

The commission clarified its quorum rule after the exchange. Stock reminded members that the commission had previously set a quorum of seven, and he noted that with current vacancies and nonparticipation, a quorum requirement of seven limits how many members can be absent while still holding official meetings.

No formal policy change on the circulation of draft materials was adopted during the meeting; members reiterated that any final language must be presented and acted on at a duly constituted meeting. Ending the discussion, the chair asked members to take a cooling breath and continue the work "so that we can really move forward."