Iowa Public Information Board
In re the Matter of: Melissa Hannover, Complainant And Concerning: City of Havelock, Respondent |
Case Number: 25FC:0132
Informal Resolution Report |
|---|
On September 16, 2025, Melissa Hannover (“Complainant”) filed formal complaint 25FC:0132, alleging that the City of Havelock (“Respondent”) violated Iowa Code Chapter 21.
The IPIB accepted this complaint at its meeting on October 16, 2025.
Facts
Complainant alleged that in July 2025, the mayor spoked with council members individually to get consent regarding changing the terms of a service for the city. A separate allegation was made that an unnoticed meeting occurred when a majority of council members discussed policy within their decision-making duties via group messages.
Law
“Except as provided in subsection 3, a governmental body shall give notice of the time, date, and place of each meeting including a reconvened meeting of the governmental body, and the tentative agenda of the meeting, in a manner reasonably calculated to apprise the public of that information. Reasonable notice shall include advising the news media who have filed a request for notice with the governmental body and posting the notice on a bulletin board or other prominent place which is easily accessible to the public and clearly designated for that purpose at the principal office of the body holding the meeting, or if no such office exists, at the building in which the meeting is to be held.” Iowa Code 21.4(1)(a).
“Meetings of governmental bodies shall be preceded by public notice as provided in section 21.4 and shall be held in open session unless closed sessions are expressly permitted by law. Except as provided in section 21.5, all actions and discussions at meetings of governmental bodies, whether formal or informal, shall be conducted and executed in open session.” Iowa Code 21.3.
Analysis
The parties both expressed a desire to remedy the notice error through an informal agreement.
Pursuant to Iowa Code §23.9, the parties negotiated and reached an informal resolution.
The parties agreed to the following terms:
- The city acknowledges that a violation of Chapter 21 notice requirements may have occurred.
- The city will ensure that all future policy-making deliberation and action will occur at a meeting that is noticed and conducted in compliance with Chapter 21 requirements.
- Members of the city council and the mayor will attend a training session covering the requirements of Chapter 21 offered by IPIB or an approved training provider.
- The signed Informal Resolution will be formally approved at a meeting of the government entity, and the terms shall be read into the record.
- The terms of the Informal Resolution will be completed within 60 days of the date of approval of this Informal Resolution by all parties. Upon a showing of proof of compliance, the IPIB will dismiss this complaint as successfully resolved.
Complainant approved the informal resolution terms on February 4, 2026.
Respondent approved the terms of the informal resolution on March 5, 2025 at a city council meeting.
The IPIB staff recommend the IPIB approve the Informal Resolution Report.
By the IPIB Deputy Director
_________________________________
Charissa Flege
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
This document was sent on March 13, 2026, to:
Melissa Hannover, Complainant
City of Havelock, Respondent
Iowa Public Information Board
In re the Matter of: Melissa Hannover, Complainant And Concerning: City of Havelock, Respondent |
Case Number: 25FC:0132
Final Report |
|---|
On September 16, 2025, Melissa Hannover (“Complainant”) filed formal complaint 25FC:0132, alleging that the City of Havelock (“Respondent”) violated Iowa Code Chapter 21.
IPIB accepted this complaint at its meeting on October 16, 2025.
Facts
Complainant alleged that in July 2025, the mayor spoked with council members individually to get consent regarding changing the terms of a service for the city. A separate allegation was made that an unnoticed meeting occurred when a majority of council members discussed policy within their decision-making duties via group messages.
Law
“Except as provided in subsection 3, a governmental body shall give notice of the time, date, and place of each meeting including a reconvened meeting of the governmental body, and the tentative agenda of the meeting, in a manner reasonably calculated to apprise the public of that information. Reasonable notice shall include advising the news media who have filed a request for notice with the governmental body and posting the notice on a bulletin board or other prominent place which is easily accessible to the public and clearly designated for that purpose at the principal office of the body holding the meeting, or if no such office exists, at the building in which the meeting is to be held.” Iowa Code 21.4(1)(a).
“Meetings of governmental bodies shall be preceded by public notice as provided in section 21.4 and shall be held in open session unless closed sessions are expressly permitted by law. Except as provided in section 21.5, all actions and discussions at meetings of governmental bodies, whether formal or informal, shall be conducted and executed in open session.” Iowa Code 21.3.
Procedure
IPIB accepted this complaint on October 16, 2025. Upon acceptance, the parties worked toward an informal resolution.
Complainant approved the informal resolution terms on February 4, 2026.
Respondent approved the terms of the informal resolution on March 5, 2025 at a city council meeting.
All terms of the Informal Resolution have been met. IPIB staff recommend this Final Report be adopted and the complaint be dismissed as resolved.
By the IPIB Deputy Director
_________________________________
Charissa Flege
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
This document was sent on March 13, 2026, to:
Melissa Hannover, Complainant
City of Havelock, Respondent