Denied Right To Speak On Agenda Item By CAM - Any Consequence

Is there any consequence for a CAM disallowing, me as a homeowner, to speak to the Board on an agenda item. Request to speak was requested 24 hrs in advance via email to the CAM. Can I file a complaint to the state of Florida?

FS720

FS720

1. Has the meeting happened yet?
2. Since it has to be an open meeting by Florida statute, and the board has to allow discussion on any agenda item, were you not able to just speak at the meeting?

Please describe the circumstances.

This is from the current statute. The association can set rules about how long you can speak and when in the meeting, but you have to allow someone to speak AT THE MEETING. Note that it says "designated items". Most people interpret "designated items" to be items on the agenda. We just had new legislation go into effect July 1 (HB 1203 and others) and to be honest, I have heard that the rule was changed to allow a member to ask about anything at a meeting but I can't find a reference to that.

(b) Members have the right to attend all meetings of the board. The right to attend such meetings includes the right to speak at such meetings with reference to all designated items. The association may adopt written reasonable rules expanding the right of members to speak and governing the frequency, duration, and other manner of member statements, which rules must be consistent with this paragraph and may include a sign-up sheet for members wishing to speak. Notwithstanding any other law, meetings between the board or a committee and the association’s attorney to discuss proposed or pending litigation or meetings of the board held for the purpose of discussing personnel matters are not required to be open to the members other than directors.

If I were on a board in a state that required open meetings and the board was required to allow people to speak, I would try to get the board to limit comments to 2 minutes.

We do not limit comments at our board meetings because 1) we don't usually have anything controversial to discuss and 2) I am good at keeping tight control of the meeting.

We also communicate with residents outside of board meetings. The treasurer and I each write a report for our monthly newsletter where we explain what is happening. We have an onsite PM and assistant who communicate well. I answer all emails and phone calls I receive from residents.

Usually problems with residents speaking at board meetings is from lack of communication in advance - where the board meeting is the only place they have to find out what's going on.

However, we own a condo in another development that has a condo association, a master association and a CDD. All three organizations limit comments to three minutes. It's very common in our area to do that.

With Dean, a two-minute limit for owners to speak is just right. This would be especially true in FL where owners may comment on ANY agenda item when it is before the Board.

At a general open forum, which many states require, 2 minutes is plenty of time. Over 18 years of monthly open forums at my HOA. I've heard no questions or comments that need to be more than 2 minutes. A good chair will permit can own to continues if relevanthere is no good reason why the Board and fellow ownrs must sit there and listen to an 8 minute spiel about random or silly things.

Lori's skill to keep meetings tightly controlled is a huge asset to her HOA!