29I-1.006. Conduct of Meetings

(1) The Council shall hold regular monthly meetings at a time and place to be determined by the membership prior to adjournment of the previous meeting or by the Chair in the absence of such determination. A monthly meeting may be waived by a majority of the Council. Business to have been conducted at the waived meeting shall be considered at the next successive monthly meeting.

(2) Special meetings of the Council may be called by the Chair at his/her discretion or when requested by six (6) voting members.

(3) Voting.

(a) Council members must be present to vote. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the total voting membership of the Council, representing at least four (4) of the Counties. When a quorum is present, a majority of those present may take action on matters properly presented at the meeting. Members present shall vote on each question presented to the Council unless they disqualify themselves. Business shall be transacted only at regular or special called meetings and shall be duly recorded in the minutes thereof.

(b) As permitted by Florida Statutes, Council members are present at a meeting when participating through interactive video and telephone systems.

(4) Minutes.

(a) The Council shall record minutes of its proceedings and official actions in the office of the Council.

(b) The minutes of prior meetings approved by a majority of the members present, shall become the official minutes.

(c) Each resolution shall be signed by the presiding officer at the meeting and by the Executive Director and entered in the minutes.

(5) Rules of Debate.

(a) Chair Participation: The presiding Chair shall not be deprived of any rights and privileges of a Council member by reason of being the presiding Chair, but may move or second a motion only after the gavel has been passed to the Vice-Chair or another member of the Council.

(b) Form of Address: Members shall address only the presiding officer for recognition; shall confine themselves to the question under debate; and shall avoid personalities and indecorous language.

(c) The Question: Upon the closing of debate the Chair shall call the question by voice or roll call vote. Members may give a brief statement or file a written explanation of their vote.

(6) Amending the Agenda.

If a subject is not on the Agenda it may be added by motion and a majority vote that the subject should not be delayed until the next meeting.

(7) DRI Recommendations.

(a) When the Council is considering the recommendations it shall make to a local government, the Council, in addition to its normal staff presentation, shall allow limited presentations by the following: the developer; the adjacent or contiguous city and county involved; technical consultants to the Council; and members of the public, who shall be required to submit a “Request to Speak” form. The applicant may request additional time for presentation. The Chair may limit or restrict the time available for any presentation. Any Council member may ask the developer, or any person present, specific questions concerning specific issues of the proposed development.

(b) The Council may close debate by a majority vote of the members present.

(8) Voting shall be by voice, but members shall have their votes recorded in the minutes if they so desire. A roll call vote shall be held upon proper motion. All other questions of procedure shall be governed by Robert’s Rules of Order, Revised.

(9) Staff memoranda and committee resolutions, minutes and reports are prepared for the purpose of providing the Council with the basic information it requires to make decisions. Such staff memoranda and committee resolutions, minutes and reports are advisory only and not final actions or conclusions of the Council itself. The Council shall release all such data to the chief executive officer of each member governmental unit upon his request.

(10) All official meetings of the Council shall be open to the public as required by Florida Sunshine Laws, Chapter 286, F.S., and shall meet the requirements of the applicable sections of the Florida Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 120, F.S. The Council shall give seven (7) days notice of meetings and workshops, in addition to any other notices as required by Florida Statutes.

Rulemaking Authority 186.505(1) FS. Law Implemented 186.505 FS. History–New 2-9-76, Amended 2-20-77, 7-18-82, Formerly 29I-1.06, Amended 5-7-92, 5-14-09.