The La Jolla Community Planning Association (LJCPA) will discuss action for its bylaws during its meeting today, Feb. 1, after recently learning the city will not legally protect the group if it continues to violate council policy.
In a letter issued Jan. 29 to LJCPA President Tim Golba from the city’s Land Use and Economic Development Department, the planning group was advised against operating under its newly adopted bylaws until the document is reviewed by the city Planning Department and the city attorney.
At a special bylaws meeting on Jan. 18, members voted without a quorum of one-third members and half its trustees to approve the document. The city will not recognize the vote unless it is ratified at the LJCPA’s next meeting, according to the letter.
At the Feb. 1 meeting, LJCPA members will vote either to adopt amendments to the current bylaws or to adopt the revised bylaws with or without a provision as to the effective date, according to Golba.
The city also urged the LJCPA to make selective amendments to the document that would eliminate proxy voting and change membership requirements from attendance of three meetings to one meeting per calendar year. These changes could be found consistent with council policy and be adopted within a week’s time, the letter stated.
Golba proposed selective amendments at the Jan. 18 meeting, but resident members and trustees instead voted in favor of adopting the revised bylaws document, which contained a sentence stating the document would be effective immediately upon adoption.
The meeting resulted in an argument by resident members who believed that the LJCPA, because it was designated as a corporation, had the right to make its bylaws effective immediately.
Trustees Phil Merten, Lynne Hayes and Mark Lyon left before the vote, stating that they were unwilling to participate in actions that would risk the group’s status ” and taking the group quorum with them.
A quorum of trustees and one-third of the LJCPA’s 250 resident members must be present at the meeting in order for an official bylaws vote to take place, according to Golba.
A special meeting at 6:29 p.m., prior to the start of the Feb. 1 LJCPA meeting, will be held to discuss the bylaws, at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St.
The LJCPA holds meetings at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at the recreation center.
For more information, visit www.lajollacpa.org. To be added to an official mailing list, send e-mail to [email protected].