Meeting

IPIB Board Meeting - April 2023

Event Date & Time
Event Location
Wallace Building

502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

Event Details

IOWA PUBLIC INFORMATION BOARD

MEMBERS

Daniel Breitbarth, Des Moines (Government Representative, 2022-2026)

Joan Corbin, Pella (Government Representative, 2020-2024)

E. J. Giovannetti, Urbandale (Public Representative, 2022-2026)
Barry Lindahl, Dubuque (Government Representative, 2020-2024)

Joel McCrea, Pleasant Hill (Media Representative, 2022-2026)

Monica McHugh, Zwingle (Public Representative, 2022-2026)

Julie Pottorff, Des Moines (Public Representative, 2020-2024)

Jackie Schmillen, Urbandale (Media Representative, 2022-2026)

vacant

STAFF

Erika Eckley, Executive Director

Brett Toresdahl, Deputy Director

Daniel Strawhun, Legal Counsel

Dial-in number: 877-304-9269     Conference Code: 664760#
Note: ALL phones MUST remain on mute unless you are addressing the Board                                                        

Agenda  

April 20, 2023, 1:00 p.m.

3rd Floor E/W Conference Room

Wallace Building

502 East 9th Street, Des Moines

1:00 PM – IPIB Meeting

I.          Approval of agenda*

II.        Approval of the March 16, 2023 minutes *

III.       Public Forum (5-minute limit per speaker)   

IV.       Comments from the board chair.  (Pottorff)
                1. Supreme Court Decision 22-0789 *

V.        IPIB Jurisdictional Research Memo  * (Strawhun)

VI.        Advisory Opinion – Deliberation/Action.

  1. None

VII.       Cases involving Board Deliberation/Action.  (Eckley)

  1. Aultman, Richard (22FC:0131 – Chapter 22 – Fremont County Auditor 12/27/22) * Dismiss
  2. Bax, Kay (22FC:0100 – Chapter 21 – City of Fontanelle & Council 9/14/22) * Motion to Continue
  3. Collison, Chip (23FC:0019 – Chapter 21 – Blencoe City Council 2/12/23) * Dismiss
  4. Omit
  5. Omit
  6. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0021 – Chapter 22 – Warren County 2/15/23) * Dismiss
  7. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0024 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Department of Revenue 2/20/23) * Dismiss
  8. Fichter, Clint (23FC:0025 – Chapter 22 – City of Avoca 2/22/23) * Dismiss
  9. Hutchins, Mandi (23FC:0012 – Chapter 21 – City of Linden 1/30/23) * Dismiss
  10. Johnson, Kevin (22FC:0060 – Chapter 22 – City of Hamburg 6/6/22) * Final Report
  11. Kauffman, Clark (23FC:0033 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Workforce Development 3/9/23) * Dismiss
  12. Omit
  13. Palmer, Zach (23FC:0027 – Chapter 22 – University of Iowa 2/22/23) * Dismiss
  14. Taylor, Tom (22FC:0114 – Both Chapters – Sibley Ocheyedan School Board 10/18/22) * Final Report
  15. Omit

VIII.           Matters Withdrawn, No Action Necessary. (Eckley)

  1. Castillo, Dianna (23FC:0028 – Chapter 22 – Mapleton Police Department 3/1/23) * withdrawn
  2. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0013 – Chapter 22 – Warren County 2/3/23)  * withdrawn
  3. Kannagieter, Nicole (23FC:0014 – Both Chapter – Dike New Hartford School District 2/3/23) * withdrawn
  4. Lee, Richard (23FC:0022 – Chapter 22 – Ames Community School Dist. 2/19/23) * withdrawn
  5. Merritt, Michael (23FC:0030 – Chapter 22 – City of Newton 3/3/23) * withdrawn
  6. Sheakley, Cliff (23FC:0032 – Chapter 22 – Union County Assessor 3/9/23) * withdrawn
  7. Walston, Kenton (23FC:0034 – Chapter 21 – Taylor Co. Board of Supervisors 3/9/23) * withdrawn

   IX.          Pending Complaints.  Informational Only (Johnson)

  1. Beck, Tim (22FC:0036 – Both Chapters – Pleasant Valley School District 5/5/22) Pending    
  2. Brown, Kenneth (23FC:0039 – Both Chapters – City of Sidney 3/24/23) Intake
  3. Carver, Matthew (23FC:0031 – Chapter 22 – Urbandale Community School District 3/3/23) Intake
  4. Citizen, Concerned (23FC:0035- Chapter 21 – O’Brien County Conservation Board 3/9/23) Intake
  5. Colwell, Robert (23FC:0029 – Chapter 22 – IA Dept. of Health & Human Services 3/2/23) Intake
  6. Corrow, Joseph (23FC:0048 – Chapter 21 – Clarion/Goldfield/Dows CSD 4/13/23) Intake
  7. Crnkovich, Sidney (23FC:0026 – Chapter 22 – Carroll Co. Sheriff Office 2/22/23) Intake
  8. Goodrich-Sherwin, Cecilia (23FC:0038 – Chapter 22 - Dept. of Criminal Investigation 3/21/23) Intake
  9. Hoekstra, Clyde (23FC:0040 – Chapter 22- Iowa Dept. Health Human Services 3/28/23) Intake
  10. Huffman, David (22FC:0047 – Both Chapters – Batavia City Council 5/25/22) Pending
  11. King, Janet (23FC:0046 – Both Chapters – Gilmore City/Bradgate Comm School Dist. 4/10/23) Intake
  12. Knapp, Christine (23FC:0037 – Chapter 22 – Henry Co. Sheriff Dept. 3/21/23) Intake
  13. Menke, Steven (23FC:0008 – Chapter 22 – Kossuth County 1/26/23); Menke, Steven (23FC:0011 – Chapter 22 _ Kossuth County Auditor 1/28/23) Intake
  14. Merritt, Michael (22FC:0126 – Chapter 22 – Jasper County 12/14/22) Intake
  15. Merritt, Michael (23FC:0023 – Chapter 22 – City of Newton 2/12/23) Intake
  16. Palm, Irena (23FC:0042 – Both Chapters – Winterset Airport Authority 3/30/23) Intake
  17. Palmer, Zach (22FC:0123 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Department of Corrections 11/22/22) Pending
  18. Radtke, Mari (22FC:0069 – Chapter 22 – City of Paullina 7/21/22) Pending
  19. Schnormeier, Richard (23FC:0010 – Chapter 21 - City of Zearing 1/27/23) Pending
  20. Sellers, Dakoda (22FC:0119 – Chapter 22 – City of Vinton 11/11/22) Pending
  21. Sellers, Darran (23FC:0047 – Chapter 21 – Vinton City Council 4/12/23) Intake
  22. Sheakley, Cliff (23FC:0044 – Chapter 22 – Tama County Auditor 3/31/23) Intake
  23. Siri, Aaron (22FC:0128 – Chapter 22 – University of Iowa 12/20/22) Pending
  24. Stratton, James (23FC:0020 – Chapter 22 – Des Moines Police Department 2/14/23) Tabled
  25. Stratton, James (23FC:0041 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Dept. of Corrections 3/29/23) Intake
  26. Stratton, James (23FC:0045 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Dept. of Corrections 4/4/23) Intake
  27. Ward, Ben (23FC:0036 – Chapter 22 – Altoona Police Department 3/9/23) Intake
  28. Ward, Ben (23FC:0043 – Chapter 22 – Altoona Police Department 3/30/23) Intake

 X.          Committee Reports                                                                         

  1. Communications – (Toresdahl)
  2. Legislative – (Eckley)  
  3. Rules – (Strawhun)    

XI.          Office status report.

                  1.  Contacts and activity * (Eckley)                                                         

                  2.  Financial/Budget Update (FY23) (Toresdahl)

                  3.  Presentations/Trainings (Eckley)       

                  4.  District Court Update (Eckley)

XII.       Next IPIB Board Meeting will be held in the Wallace Building, 3rd Floor, E/W Conference Room, May 18, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

XIII.      Adjourn                                                                                                                     * Attachment

Meeting Materials:   Agenda April 20, 2023.pdf Minutes: 

IOWA PUBLIC INFORMATION BOARD

April 20, 2023

                                                            Approved Minutes

The Board met on April 20, 2023 for its monthly meeting at 1:01 in the 3rd floor E/W Conference Room in the Wallace Building with the following members participating: Joan Corbin, Pella; Daniel Breitbarth, Des Moines; E. J. Giovannetti, Urbandale; Joel McCrea, Pleasant Hill; Monica McHugh, Zwingle (phone); Julie Pottorff, Des Moines; Absent: Barry Lindahl, Dubuque; Jackie Schmillen, Urbandale.  Also present were IPIB Executive Director Erika Eckley; Brett Toresdahl, Deputy Director; and Daniel Strawhun, Legal Counsel. A quorum was declared present.

Others identified present or by phone: Clark Kauffman, Kevin Johnson, Rick Morain, James Stratton, Anthony Arellano, Angela McBride.

On a motion by McCrea, second by Giovannetti, the agenda was unanimously adopted 6-0.

On a motion by Giovannetti, second by Breitbarth, to approve the March 16, 2023 minutes. Unanimously adopted 6-0.

      Public Forum – none

Board Chair Comments –

     Pottorff discussed Supreme Court decision 22-0789 regarding delays in responding to record requests.

Legal Counsel - Daniel Strawhun shared with the Board a memo that he drafted at their direction to analyze the jurisdictional reach of the IPIB into other sections of the Iowa Code. This was asked in consideration of 23FC:0020.  On a motion by Giovannetti and a second by McCrea, staff was directed to consider the merits of the statute cited by the city in complaint 23FC:0020. Unanimously adopted 6-0.

Advisory Opinions –

  1. None

The board was briefed on cases and took action as indicated: 

  1. Aultman, Richard (22FC:0131 – Chapter 22 – Fremont County Auditor 12/27/22). A motion by Breitbarth and second by Corbin to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  2. Bax, Kay (22FC:0100 – Chapter 21 – City of Fontanelle & Council 9/14/22). A motion by Giovannetti and second by Breitbarth to continue the case until the next meeting.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  3. Collison, Chip (23FC:0019 – Chapter 21 – Blencoe City Council 2/12/23). A motion by Breitbarth and second by Giovannetti to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  4. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0021 – Chapter 22 – Warren County 2/15/23). A motion by Giovannetti and second by Breitbarth to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  5. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0024 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Department of Revenue 2/20/23). A motion by Breitbarth and second by Corbin to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  6. Fichter, Clint (23FC:0025 – Chapter 22 – City of Avoca 2/22/23).  A motion by Breitbarth and second by Giovannetti to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  7. Hutchins, Mandi (23FC:0012 – Chapter 21 – City of Linden 1/30/23). A motion by Breitbarth and second by McCrea to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 5-0.  Giovannetti abstains.
  8. Johnson, Kevin (22FC:0060 – Chapter 22 – City of Hamburg 6/6/22). Kevin Johnson spoke. A motion by Breitbarth and second by Corbin to accept the final report and to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  9. Kauffman, Clark (23FC:0033 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Workforce Development 3/9/23). Clark Kauffman spoke. A motion by McHugh and second by Corbin to table the matter and refer back to staff to gather further information. Unanimously approved 6-0.
  10. Palmer, Zach (23FC:0027 – Chapter 22 – University of Iowa 2/22/23). A motion by Breitbarth and second by Giovannetti to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  11. Taylor, Tom (22FC:0114 – Both Chapters – Sibley Ocheyedan School Board 10/18/22). A motion by Breitbarth and second by Corbin to accept the final report and to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 5-0. Corbin abstained.

  Matters Withdrawn. No Action -

  1. Castillo, Dianna (23FC:0028 – Chapter 22 – Mapleton Police Department 3/1/23)  withdrawn
  2. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0013 – Chapter 22 – Warren County 2/3/23) withdrawn
  3. Kannagieter, Nicole (23FC:0014 – Both Chapter – Dike New Hartford School District 2/3/23) withdrawn
  4. Lee, Richard (23FC:0022 – Chapter 22 – Ames Community School Dist. 2/19/23) withdrawn
  5. Merritt, Michael (23FC:0030 – Chapter 22 – City of Newton 3/3/23) withdrawn
  6. Sheakley, Cliff (23FC:0032 – Chapter 22 – Union County Assessor 3/9/23) withdrawn
  7. Walston, Kenton (23FC:0034 – Chapter 21 – Taylor Co. Board of Supervisors 3/9/23) withdrawn

 Pending complaints that required no board action.  Informational

  1. Beck, Tim (22FC:0036 – Both Chapters – Pleasant Valley School District 5/5/22) Pending    
  2. Brown, Kenneth (23FC:0039 – Both Chapters – City of Sidney 3/24/23) Intake
  3. Carver, Matthew (23FC:0031 – Chapter 22 – Urbandale Community School District 3/3/23) Intake
  4. Citizen, Concerned (23FC:0035- Chapter 21 – O’Brien County Conservation Board 3/9/23) Intake
  5. Colwell, Robert (23FC:0029 – Chapter 22 – IA Dept. of Health & Human Services 3/2/23) Intake
  6. Corrow, Joseph (23FC:0048 – Chapter 21 – Clarion/Goldfield/Dows CSD 4/13/23) Intake
  7. Crnkovich, Sidney (23FC:0026 – Chapter 22 – Carroll Co. Sheriff Office 2/22/23) Intake
  8. Goodrich-Sherwin, Cecilia (23FC:0038 – Chapter 22 - Dept. of Criminal Investigation 3/21/23) Intake
  9. Hoekstra, Clyde (23FC:0040 – Chapter 22- Iowa Dept. Health Human Services 3/28/23) Intake
  10. Huffman, David (22FC:0047 – Both Chapters – Batavia City Council 5/25/22) Pending
  11. King, Janet (23FC:0046 – Both Chapters – Gilmore City/Bradgate Comm School Dist. 4/10/23) Intake
  12. Knapp, Christine (23FC:0037 – Chapter 22 – Henry Co. Sheriff Dept. 3/21/23) Intake
  13. Menke, Steven (23FC:0008 – Chapter 22 – Kossuth County 1/26/23); Menke, Steven (23FC:0011 – Chapter 22 _ Kossuth County Auditor 1/28/23) Intake
  14. Merritt, Michael (22FC:0126 – Chapter 22 – Jasper County 12/14/22) Intake
  15. Merritt, Michael (23FC:0023 – Chapter 22 – City of Newton 2/12/23) Intake
  16. Palm, Irena (23FC:0042 – Both Chapters – Winterset Airport Authority 3/30/23) Intake
  17. Palmer, Zach (22FC:0123 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Department of Corrections 11/22/22) Pending
  18. Radtke, Mari (22FC:0069 – Chapter 22 – City of Paullina 7/21/22) Pending
  19. Schnormeier, Richard (23FC:0010 – Chapter 21 - City of Zearing 1/27/23) Pending
  20. Sellers, Dakoda (22FC:0119 – Chapter 22 – City of Vinton 11/11/22) Pending
  21. Sellers, Darran (23FC:0047 – Chapter 21 – Vinton City Council 4/12/23) Intake
  22. Sheakley, Cliff (23FC:0044 – Chapter 22 – Tama County Auditor 3/31/23) Intake
  23. Siri, Aaron (22FC:0128 – Chapter 22 – University of Iowa 12/20/22) Pending
  24. Stratton, James (23FC:0020 – Chapter 22 – Des Moines Police Department 2/14/23) Tabled
  25. Stratton, James (23FC:0041 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Dept. of Corrections 3/29/23) Intake
  26. Stratton, James (23FC:0045 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Dept. of Corrections 4/4/23) Intake
  27. Ward, Ben (23FC:0036 – Chapter 22 – Altoona Police Department 3/9/23) Intake
  28. Ward, Ben (23FC:0043 – Chapter 22 – Altoona Police Department 3/30/23) Intake

Committee Reports

  1. Communications – The website will be converting to a new system along with all agencies.
  2. Legislative – Monitoring the following bills: The bill on acknowledging record requests; and, the bill allowing a quorum of a government body to attend political or community events.
  3. Rules – No report

Updates for the board.

  • Executive Director Report:
  • Meetings w/Associations
  • Education outreach activities
  • Office changes
  • Staffing
  • Reaching out to Board Members
  • Monthly stats

                               b. Toresdahl shared the FY23 financials and FY24 appropriations update.

                               c. Upcoming presentations – Administrative Law Judges Training.      

                               d. A district court case – Court has denied motion to dismiss.

The next IPIB meeting will be in the Wallace Building, 3rd Floor, E/W Conference Room, May 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.  

At 2.39 p.m. the meeting adjourned on a motion by Breitbarth and a second by McCrea.  Unanimously approved.                                                                                       

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted

            Brett Toresdahl, Deputy Director 

__________________________

IPIB, Chair

Approved