18FC:0064 Jacob Hackman/Chickasaw County Ambulance Council - Acceptance Order

Topics:

Formal Complaints

Date:
09/20/2018

Subject:
Jacob Hackman/Chickasaw County Ambulance Council - Acceptance Order

Opinion:

The Iowa Public Information Board

In re the Matter of:

Jacob Hackman, Complainant

And Concerning:

Chickasaw County Ambulance Council  Respondent

  

                          Case Number: 18FC:0064

 

                                Acceptance Order

COMES NOW Margaret E. Johnson, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Acceptance Order.

Jacob Hackman filed formal complaint 18FC:0064 on August 8, 2018, alleging that the Chickasaw County Ambulance Council (Council) violated Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code (open meetings), by meeting in closed session without proper notice.


The Council held a meeting on July 26, 2018.  The posted agenda did not list the possibility of holding a closed session during the meeting.  The unapproved minutes indicate that a closed session was held, listing Iowa Code section β€œ22.5(1c)” as the reason.   

The 911 Director, A.J. Seeley, responded to the complaint.  He was unaware that the agenda was insufficient. He was also unaware that the wrong code reference was used.  He was informed that the complaint would be accepted.


Iowa Code section 23.8 requires that a complaint be within the IPIB’s jurisdiction, appear legally sufficient, and could have merit before the IPIB accepts a complaint.  This complaint meets those requirements.

IT IS SO ORDERED:  Formal complaint 18FC:0064 is accepted pursuant to Iowa Code section 23.8(1) and Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(2)(a).  Parties are directed to engage in reaching an informal resolution, with the assistance of IPIB staff, pursuant to Iowa Code section 23.9.

 

Pursuant to Iowa Administrative Rule 497-2.1(3), the IPIB may β€œdelegate acceptance or dismissal of a complaint to the executive director, subject to review by the board.”  The IPIB will review this Order on September 20, 2018. Pursuant to IPIB rule 497-2.1(4), the parties will be notified in writing of its decision.

 

By the IPIB Executive Director

 

_________________________________

Margaret E. Johnson, J.D.


 

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

    

This document was sent by electronic mail on the ___ day of September, 2018, to:

 

Jacob Hackman

Chickasaw County Ambulance Council