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Special council meeting adjourns without a quorum, blocking time‑sensitive ballot item
Summary
A special city council meeting that began at 6:00 p.m. adjourned at 6:13 p.m. after the body determined it lacked a quorum, preventing a proposal from being forwarded to the county clerk by the deadline to appear on the November ballot. Councilwoman Witten blamed three absent members.
The city council’s special meeting that began at 6:00 p.m. adjourned at 6:13 p.m. after the council determined it did not have a quorum, preventing a single time‑sensitive agenda item from being sent to the county clerk in time to appear on the November ballot.
The presiding officer explained some members were absent and noted personal health precautions, saying, "I am wearing a mask. I just got back, from Ann Arbor. My daughter, hospital with, low immune count, so that's why I'm wearing a mask. That's also why I was not at last Wednesday's meeting. She had a T cell transplant, on the evening, last Tuesday." The officer said the item required action tonight to be forwarded to the county clerk by the following day to meet the county deadline.
At 6:10 p.m. the clerk called the roll. The clerk recorded Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Rose and Mrs. Brendana as absent; Charlie Johnson, Miss Winton, Mr. Geiss and Mayor Wooley were marked present; Tocco was excused. The presiding officer said three members were present and that "no official business can be conducted this evening." Residents in attendance were told the earliest opportunity to be recognized on the matter would be under open business at the council’s next meeting on Tuesday.
During the meeting Councilwoman Witten criticized absent members, saying she had tried repeatedly to schedule a special meeting and that postponement had been handled "erroneously." She told residents, "You will not get a say because 3 members chose your election of duty instead of doing their job." Witten said the proposal had been intended to let voters decide after the council reached an impasse.
With no quorum, the presiding officer asked for a motion to adjourn. Councilman Charlie Johnson moved to adjourn and was supported by Councilwoman Witten. The presiding officer called for a voice vote and declared the motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 6:13 p.m.
The council did not take any formal votes on ordinances, resolutions or other business because of the lack of quorum. Residents and proponents of the ballot item were encouraged to attend the next regular meeting to raise the matter under open business.
