Date:
07/18/2019
Subject:
Tiffany Johnson/Southern Iowa Trolley Board - Report
Opinion:
Before The Iowa Public Information Board
|
In re the Matter of: Tiffany Johnson, Complainant And Concerning: Southern Iowa Trolley Board, Respondent |
Case Number: 19FC:0057 Report |
COMES NOW Margaret E. Johnson, Executive Director for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and submits a Report recommending that the IPIB approve the informal resolution reached by the parties.
Tiffany Johnson filed formal complaint 19FC:0057 on May 28, 2019. She alleged that the Southern Iowa Trolley Board (Board), a 28E governmental body, violated Iowa Code chapter 21 by holding a meeting without notice.
On May 23, 2019, a meeting of the Board was scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Board offices. When members of the public arrived for the meeting, they were informed that the Board had met starting at noon.
The agenda listed an action item of “2019-2020 Town to Town Routes.” This agenda item was of interest to citizens who utilize the transportation service. They were concerned that this agenda item was discussed during the closed meeting.
The Board director responded to the initial complaint. She acknowledged that the Board met that day at noon rather than at 1 p.m. to have lunch. She stated that the lunch was open to the public, but was not included on the agenda. She was not certain if there was any discussion about the topics on the agenda at 1 p.m. as there were various conversations occurring simultaneously.
The Board director agreed to modify future agendas to include any pre-meeting gathering of Board members and to provide information to Board members about open meetings and public records. The Board membership consists of county supervisors from the counties participating in the 28E agreement.
The IPIB accepted this complaint on June 20, 2019. Pursuant to Iowa Code section 23.9, the parties negotiated and agreed to an informal resolution with these terms:
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The Board will acknowledge that the luncheon was held without the posting of notice and an agenda.
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The Board will acknowledge that Chapter 21 of the Iowa Code regulates the conduct of meetings of a governmental body, to include proper notice and an agenda.
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The Board agrees to post notice of any future meetings to ensure public access.
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The Board and appropriate staff will conduct training on open meetings and public records at an open meeting. The Board will utilize the training posted on the IPIB website.
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The Board will approve this informal resolution at an open meeting and include a copy of this resolution in the minutes for that meeting.
The terms of this informal resolution will be completed within sixty (60) days of acceptance by all parties. Upon showing proof of compliance, the IPIB shall dismiss this complaint as successfully resolved.
Ms. Johnson executed the informal resolution on June 25, 2019. The Board accepted the resolution at its meeting on July 11, 2019. At that same meeting, the Board conducted the training included in the informal resolution. The minutes from that meeting should be completed later this month.
THEREFORE, it is recommended that the IPIB accept the proposed informal resolution and direct the IPIB chair to sign the informal resolution.
Respectfully submitted this 18th day of July, 2019.
_________________________________
Margaret E. Johnson, J.D.
Executive Director
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
This document was sent by electronic mail on the ___ day of July 2019, to:
Tiffany Johnson
Southern Iowa Trolley Board