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Special-called Gulfport meeting stalls; docket of claims not addressed, vendors left in limbo
Summary
A special-called city council meeting meant to approve the docket of claims ended after an attempted agenda amendment was ruled out of order and failed to secure a majority, leaving vendors’ payments unresolved pending a future meeting or mayoral action.
A specially called meeting of the Gulfport City Council to consider approval of a docket of claims ended without addressing the item after council members were divided over an attempted agenda change.
A council member sought to amend the meeting agenda to add approval of advertising a legal notice that, according to discussion in the meeting, was required by statute. Legal counsel advised that special-call meetings are limited to the purpose for which they were noticed and that the ordinance (sub provision c) permits calling a special meeting only for a specific item. "I think it's cited also in the notice that the special call meeting can be called by a majority of the council or the mayor," said Speaker 2, the meeting's legal adviser, explaining the ordinance-based constraint.
The council then took a voice vote on the motion to change the agenda. "Aye," said Speaker 3. "Nay," replied Speaker 1. Legal counsel had earlier described the motion as out of order. Because the motion did not receive a clear majority during the recorded exchange, the agenda was not amended and the docket of claims was not taken up.
Speaker 1 voiced concern about the financial implications: "So we're not gonna pay our vendors. Is that the deal?" He warned that the consequence would affect both "1 man shops and 100 man shops," emphasizing the breadth of vendors potentially affected.
Members discussed options for moving forward. Speaker 1 said a motion to reconsider would have to come from a member who voted on the prevailing side, or the mayor could call another special meeting. "The earliest he'd be able to call it for would be 03:40," Speaker 1 said, noting the need for a quorum at that time. Speaker 4 asked whether the matter could be considered after a budget meeting, and council members replied that another notice would be required.
As recorded, the meeting concluded without approval of the docket of claims; the council did not take formal action to pay vendors during this session. Next procedural steps mentioned were a possible motion to reconsider by a council member who voted on the prevailing side, or a separate special-call meeting if the mayor initiates one.
