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Budget & Finance curative meeting defers two MassDOT items to full council after conflict would cost quorum
Summary
At a curative June 29 Budget & Finance Committee meeting, members said two MassDOT items could not be taken because conflicts of interest would have reduced the committee below quorum; members recommended placing the items on the full council agenda as old business and requested a legal opinion be included.
The Lawrence City Council Budget & Finance Committee convened a curative meeting June 29 after the clerk advised the June 22 meeting had not been posted in the document center, City Clerk Eileen Bernell said.
“Your meeting on Monday, June 22nd was not properly posted,” Bernell told members, explaining the curative process.
Committee members discussed two agenda items tied to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Several members indicated the items presented conflicts of interest and that the committee would lose quorum if it proceeded. Council President Javanni Rodriguez (joining remotely) and other members agreed the proper remedy was to place the items on the full council agenda as old business so the full body can consider them; members also asked that the city attorney provide a written legal opinion for the record.
Committee members discussed the procedural principle that a full council vote controls whether an item is taken up if the committee cannot act. No final action on the MassDOT items occurred in committee because of the quorum issue; the clerk said she would coordinate with the city attorney to include any legal opinion with the materials when the items go before the full council.
The committee adjourned after a roll call vote to end the curative meeting. The two MassDOT items will be placed before the full council for disposition.
