The Iowa Public Information Board
In re the Matter of: Crystal Davis, Complainant And Concerning: City of Larchwood, Respondent |
Case Number: 25FC:0116 Final Report
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COMES NOW, Alexander Lee, Agency Counsel for the Iowa Public Information Board (IPIB), and enters this Final Report:
On August 27, 2025, Crystal Davis filed formal complaint 25FC:0116, alleging that the City of Larchwood (City) violated Iowa Code Chapter 21.
The IPIB accepted this complaint at its meeting on September 18, 2025.
Background
On August 27, 2025, the complainant, Crystal Davis, filed formal complaint 25FC:0116, alleging two violations of Iowa Code Chapter 21.
Public Recording of City Council Meetings
On August 25, 2025, the complainant’s husband, Zac Davis, attended a city council meeting, which he livestreamed from his phone. Shortly before the meeting was called to order, two city council members approached Mr. Davis, informed him that city policy no longer allowed him to record meetings, and asked him to turn off the livestream. The City has acknowledged this interaction, which was recorded, though they note that Mr. Davis was ultimately able to create a recording of the full meeting. Counsel for the City has also stated that there is no ordinance in the City’s Code of Ordinances restricting the public’s right to use recording devices at meetings.
Deliberation and Action on Agenda Items Without Sufficient Notice
Ms. Davis’s complaint also raised concerns about the City’s practice of adding agenda items for deliberation or action on less than twenty-four hours’ notice. Shortly after IPIB accepted the complaint, Ms. Davis provided a video from the City’s September 8, 2025 council meeting, in which the City voted to certify an application for a third-party grant to improve the condition of the City’s public baseball fields. There was no corresponding agenda item for this vote.
The City provided context for this discussion. While the topic of field leveling was not included on the agenda for September 8, the agenda did include consideration of funding for a robotic field painter, which would be used to paint stripes on the City’s baseball diamonds. After hearing from the representative invited to speak on this topic, the condition of the baseball fields was discussed more generally, and the city council was informed about the possibility that Larchwood’s baseball club could apply for an open grant from the Lyon County Riverboat Foundation for funding to level its baseball fields. This application required both official approval from the City and verification that the baseball club was a qualifying social welfare non-profit. Because the grant application was due on September 19 and the baseball club would be unable to proceed without the City’s approval, the Mayor determined that there was a qualifying emergency for the purposes of Iowa Code § 21.4(2)(a). The matter was deliberated and voted on at the September 8 meeting.
Informal Resolution
Following mediation, all parties agreed to an Informal Resolution to resolve the complaint, which IPIB approved on December 18, 2025.
The Informal Resolution was formally approved at a meeting of the Larchwood City Council on December 8, 2025. The City provided minutes to demonstrate its approval.
By adopting the Informal Resolution, the City acknowledged the standard set forth in the Informal Resolution as the appropriate standard for emergency items to be added to a tentative agenda during a meeting.
On December 8, 2025, the City provided a written statement certifying that it did not have any ordinance or policy which would prevent members of the public from using recording devices during open session meetings.
The City has stated it will officially recertify the vote on April 13, 2026 during a properly noticed open session, and minutes demonstrating approval will be provided to IPIB staff following the meeting.
On January 12, 2026, the Larchwood City Council completed a training on Iowa’s open meetings and public records laws with IPIB staff.
Crystal Davis approved the Informal Resolution on November 21, 2025.
The City of Larchwood approved the Informal Resolution on December 8, 2025.
IPIB approved the Informal Resolution Report on December 18, 2025.
Pending action on Term #4 between the date of this report and IPIB’s consideration, all terms of the Informal Resolution are expected to have been met as of April 13, 2026. IPIB staff recommends this Final Report be adopted and the complaint be dismissed as resolved.
By the IPIB Agency Counsel,
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Alexander Lee, J.D.
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
This document was sent on April 8, 2026, to:
Crystal Davis, Complainant
City of Larchwood, Respondent