Changes to the Martin County Metropolitan Planning Organization's bylaws could make it more difficult for the board to revisit previous decisions.
The MPO approved bylaws modeled after those used by the Martin County Commission, including restrictions on when a member can ask the board to reconsider a previous motion.
County Attorney Elysse Elder explained that the rules would limit both who can request reconsideration and when the request can be made.
"They don't follow Robert's Rules of Order, so if you want to do a motion for reconsideration, it has to be done by a commissioner who's on the winning side of the motion, and it has to be done either in the meeting that the motion was taken, or the next subsequent meeting, if that meeting was within 30 days," she said.
Board member and Stuart City Commissioner Sean Reed questioned whether the board should have a deadline for reconsidering a decision, particularly if new information emerges after the window has passed.
"But what if new information comes out in three months? You can't reconsider an agenda item then," he asked. "Whether it's for safety, what if someone comes up and provides comment, and it's just so damaging what they're providing, and this board can't take action then?"
Board members Eileen Vargas and Janet Hernandez also opposed the proposed changes.
Edward Ciampi proposed modifying the language to account for situations in which the MPO does not meet again within 30 days, while still preserving an opportunity for reconsideration.
"There are times when we won't meet again within 30 days, so I think the language specifically for the MPO should be either at the meeting that the original motion was made, or no later than the next MPO meeting," he said.
The bylaws were amended to reflect Ciampi's request.
Elder said the restrictions on reconsideration would not prevent the MPO from taking action when circumstances surrounding a previous decision change.
"Some contracts or some motions depend on the circumstances. For example, if you vote on something that action has been taken, and it can't be undone, you won't be able to undo it," she said. "If there's something that comes up later down the line, and it's discovered that it's a health, safety, and welfare issue, you can try to rectify your previous action. That doesn't stop you. It's just reconsidering a motion you cannot do after the next subsequent meeting."
The MPO approved the bylaws changes 4-3, with Reed, Vargas and Hernandez voting against them.