tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post200247363021524106..comments2024-03-28T18:10:03.580-04:00Comments on Lehigh Valley Ramblings: What Does a "Present" Vote Mean? - ReduxBernie O'Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13756311150988957401noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-23918573597571001522009-03-13T22:31:00.000-04:002009-03-13T22:31:00.000-04:00"The vote of a majority of a quorum shall be requi..."The vote of a majority of a quorum shall be required for the adoption of a motion"<BR/><BR/>So this specifically applies "majority" to the quorum and not to the number of of those voting on a particular matter.<BR/><BR/>Again Dean, correct.<BR/><BR/>The majority of the quorum will always be three. Unless they amend their charter.eckville presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00441853160464073145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-61795925321559761662009-03-13T20:57:00.000-04:002009-03-13T20:57:00.000-04:00"The vote of a majority of a quorum shall be requi..."The vote of a majority of a quorum shall be required for the adoption of a motion"<BR/><BR/>So this specifically applies "majority" to the quorum and not to the number of of those voting on a particular matter.<BR/><BR/>Dean, correct.eckville presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00441853160464073145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-81772747006688452952009-03-13T19:37:00.000-04:002009-03-13T19:37:00.000-04:00Dean, consideration taken and the debate is apprec...Dean, consideration taken and the debate is appreciated and welcomed.<BR/><BR/>First I believe our different opinion lie in the definition of "quorum".<BR/><BR/>A quorum is best defined as the minimum number of members who must be present at the meeting of a deliberative assembly for business to be legally transacted.<BR/><BR/>That said, in the case of Northampton Council with a membership of 9, the quorum count is 5. This is defined in their charter under section 207. Meetings.<BR/><BR/>A quorum is always 5 in this case. The number does not change by how many members are present at a give time. The quorum is always 5.<BR/><BR/>The quorum count (5) can only be changed by amending the charter.<BR/><BR/>So if 9 members are present then the quorum (5) requirement has been reached and there are 4 additional members present.<BR/><BR/>Now did the resolution pass, Eck thinks yes. In order for the motion to be considered there must first be a motion and second to adopt the resolution or the motion dies. The purpose of the Roll Call vote is so each individual members "vote" is recorded in the record. I know of five accepted and legal (unless Special Rules apply) responses to Roll Call vote.<BR/>1.Yes <BR/>2.No<BR/>3.Abstain-used mostly when there is a conflict of interest.<BR/>4.Pass-If more time is needed before you cast your vote.<BR/>5.Present-You wish not to cast a vote on particular motion but would like the record to show your presence.<BR/><BR/>In the case with Northampton Councils non-binding resolution,the vote count would be 4 yes 3 no, (abstain and present are not counted but noted in the record) since 4 is more then 3, the majority of the boards votes cast were for the affirmative and the motion passed.<BR/><BR/>Footnote; Since there were 9 council members present, the quorum question never really comes into play in this case.<BR/><BR/>Enjoying the debate,<BR/>Eckville Presseckville presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00441853160464073145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-18017253055131053372009-03-13T16:12:00.000-04:002009-03-13T16:12:00.000-04:00Anon 3:08True enough but the charter says:"The vot...Anon 3:08<BR/><BR/>True enough but the charter says:<BR/><BR/>"The vote of a majority of a quorum shall be required for the adoption of a motion"<BR/><BR/>So this specifically applies "majority" to the quorum and not to the number of of those voting on a particular matter. I don't disagree with your reasoning. I'm just saying that what you outline is not the way the charter is written. I believe that is why the solicitor stated that the item was not approved even though it had a 4 to 3 favorable vote.<BR/><BR/>DeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-76766761253630429152009-03-13T15:08:00.000-04:002009-03-13T15:08:00.000-04:00Not recording a vote is not recording a vote. It'...Not recording a vote is not recording a vote. It's not yes. It's not no. The quorum permits a meeting. It does not dictate vote total outcomes. Abstentions are handled similarly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-73150225059227645292009-03-13T12:59:00.000-04:002009-03-13T12:59:00.000-04:00Eckville:I appreciate the firmness of your convict...Eckville:<BR/><BR/>I appreciate the firmness of your conviction on this. However, would you be willing to consider the following:<BR/><BR/>The requirement for a quorum is 5 for fully constituted County Council.<BR/>That once that count is reached there is a quorum and all council members present are part of that quorum.<BR/>That the quorum count for this particular meeting was 9 and as a result a majority of the quorum that evening was 5.<BR/><BR/>If you accept that, then the motion did not have enough votes to be adopted. <BR/><BR/>DeanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-73459523716454498972009-03-13T10:19:00.000-04:002009-03-13T10:19:00.000-04:00"The vote of a majority of a quorum shall be requi..."The vote of a majority of a quorum shall be required for the adoption of a motion"<BR/><BR/>This sentence that follows should be the provision provided in the charter.<BR/><BR/>I'm still standing my ground.<BR/><BR/>Again a "present" vote means the member would like the record to affirm they attended the meeting but did not vote. Nothing else.eckville presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00441853160464073145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9299655.post-38707093274212304662009-03-13T09:32:00.000-04:002009-03-13T09:32:00.000-04:00A motion to adopt a resolution? If so the motion p...A motion to adopt a resolution? If so the motion passed.<BR/><BR/>That said, before they waste any more tax dollars on non binding resolution they should entertain a motion to rescind the non binding resolution. <BR/><BR/>Were these council members previously on a mickey mouse sewer authority?eckville presshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00441853160464073145noreply@blogger.com