Putting a subject on the agenda after it has been defeated at a previous meeting.

[Guest Mike Archer]

At a recent HOA open board meeting two items were on the agenda for the board directors to discuss and vote on. At the last minute, one of board members was unable to attend the open meeting, leaving only four members present. Both items were discussed, and a vote was taken on each one. The vote for each item ended in a 2 - 2 tie. Thus neither of the items passed. Can the items be put on the agenda for the next meeting when all five board members will be present? Also, in order for them to be placed on the agenda, is a majority vote of the board required, or can it be added at the request of only one member (the board member who was unable to attend the meeting)?

[jstackpo]

Any motion defeated in one meeting/session can be presented again (the technical term is renewed - p. 336) at a later meeting/session.

 

Your use of "Put on the agenda" is a little unclear to me.

 

Someone (usually president, secretary, or both because they know what is going on) can prepare a draft agenda with anything they want on it.  At the meeting the agenda may be adopted (it doesn't have to be) to assure it will be followed.  Prior to adoption the proposed agenda can be amended (majority vote). The standard order of business includes "New Business" (p. 26) during which time those defeated motions could be renewed, being offered by any interested person, whether on the "agenda" or not.

 

Your absent member has no special say in the mater.

[Richard Brown]

To supplement Dr. Stackpole's correct answer, an agenda, until it is actually adopted by majority vote at a meeting, is merely a guide and is not binding.

[Hieu H. Huynh]

In addition, business can validly be conducted at a properly called meeting where a quorum is present (RONR does not require all members to be present). Also see FAQ #14 regarding agendas.