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Board deadlocks on communications RFQ blackout period; staff told to narrow proposal
Summary
Board divided over a proposed blackout period that would limit commissioners' communications with potential communications vendors; a motion to reject the blackout failed and a motion to adopt staff recommendations lacked a second, leaving no change and prompting staff to return with narrower language and legal advice.
Staff asked the Board to observe a blackout period while HSS issues a communications request for qualifications (RFQ) to prequalify vendors for wellness and benefits communications. The proposed restriction would have prevented board members from communicating with specified service providers on HSS matters during the selection period unless disclosed in advance.
Several commissioners objected to the breadth and practical effect of the blackout, saying it could conflict with day jobs, be unworkable in practice and be overly broad given the wide field of communications firms. One commissioner moved that the Board not adopt the blackout period; that motion failed on a recorded 2–2 split. A subsequent motion to approve the staff recommendation (the blackout language) received no second and therefore failed.
Commissioners asked staff to return with narrower, more specific blackout language, a legal review and a calendar so board members can weigh conflicts with routine, unrelated communications. Staff said the RFQ is expected to be issued in the coming weeks and that they will propose revised language at a future meeting.
