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Board debates stricter attendance rules after chronic remote participation affects quorums
Summary
Members of Community Board 11 raised repeated concerns about chronic remote attendance and late notices undermining quorums. Suggestions included publishing attendance records, staff follow‑up with chronically absent members and a potential bylaw change to define excused vs. unexcused absences.
Leadership committee members spent significant time discussing attendance problems that have affected quorums and committee work.
Several members said chronic remote participation and last‑minute text excuses leave committees unable to act, and proposed operational remedies including publishing attendance sheets on the website, staff or chairs having pointed follow‑up conversations with chronically absent members, and preparing a bylaw amendment to clarify excused versus unexcused absences and removal thresholds. One member said the chair typically decides excusal; others argued that the process needs clearer standards and suggested two days' notice for excuses unless an emergency is documented.
Members asked staff to prepare printed attendance records for the full board to review and discussed a possible bylaw proposal before May. No bylaw was adopted at the leadership meeting; members agreed to review attendance data and follow up.
Why it matters: Repeated quorum failures stall decisions on licensing and land‑use issues. Members framed the debate as a balance between flexibility for volunteers and the board’s need for reliable participation to carry out its advisory role.
What’s next: Staff will prepare attendance data for the next full board meeting and leaders will pursue follow‑up conversations and a possible bylaw proposal.
