Meeting

IPIB Board Meeting -March 16, 2023

Event Date & Time
Event Location
Wallace Building

502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319

Event Details

Location:  502 E. 9th Street Wallace Building - 3rd Floor E/W Conference Room Des Moines, IA 50319 Agenda: 

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

Margaret Johnson, 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  

March 16, 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 3, 2023 minutes *

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

IV.       Comments from the board chair.  (Pottorff)

                        Sunshine Week

                        Margaret’s Retirement Recognition              
 

V.        Advisory Opinion – Deliberation/Action.

  1. None

VI.       Cases involving Board Deliberation/Action.  (Johnson)

  1. Carlson, Tracy (22FC:0124 – Chapter 21 – Kossuth Co. Board of Supervisors 12/3/22) * Dismiss
  2. Fischer, Julie (23FC:0018 – Both Chapters – Winneshiek Co. Bd. of Supervisors 2/9/23); Otte, Lyle (23FC:0017 – Chapter 21 – Winneshiek Co. Bd. of Supervisors 2/9/23); Wahlberg, Beth (23FC:0015 – Chapter 21 – Winneshiek Co. Bd. of Supervisors 2/7/23) * Consolidate & Dismiss
  3. Kelderman, Nathan (22FC:0122 – Chapter 22 – Sioux Co. Sheriff’s Office 11/19/22) * Final Report
  4. Knapp, Christine (23FC:0007 – Chapter 22 – Henry Co. Sheriff Dept. 1/25/23) * Dismiss
  5. Mazgaj, Dustin (23FC:0003 – Chapter 22 - Marion Police Department 1/15/23) * Dismiss
  6. Pirotte, Elizabeth (23FC:0009 – Chapter 22 – Iowa State University 1/26/23) * Dismiss
  7. Siri, Aaron (22FC:0128 – Chapter 22 – University of Iowa 12/20/22) * Accept
  8. Stratton, James (23FC:0020 – Chapter 22 – Des Moines Police Department 2/14/23) * Dismiss
  9. Trappe, Christoph (22FC:0125 – Chapter 22 – City of Marion 12/13/22) * Dismiss

VII.           Matters Withdrawn, No Action Necessary. (Johnson)

  1.  

VIII.          Pending Complaints.  Informational Only (Johnson)

  1. Aultman, Richard (22FC:0131 – Chapter 22 – Fremont County Auditor 12/27/22) Intake
  2. Bax, Kay (22FC:0100 – Chapter 21 – City of Fontanelle & Council 9/14/22) Pending
  3. Beck, Tim (22FC:0036 – Both Chapters – Pleasant Valley School District 5/5/22) Pending    
  4. Carver, Matthew (23FC:0031 – Chapter 22 – Urbandale Community School District 3/3/23) Intake
  5. Castillo, Dianna (23FC:0028 – Chapter 22 – Mapleton Police Department 3/1/23) Intake
  6. Collison, Chip (23FC:0019 – Chapter 21 – Blencoe City Council 2/12/23) Intake
  7. Colwell, Robert (23FC:0029 – Chapter 22 – IA Dept. of Health & Human Services 3/2/23) Intake
  8. Crnkovich, Sidney (23FC:0026 – Chapter 22 – Carroll Co. Sheriff Office 2/22/23) Intake
  9. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0013 – Chapter 22 – Warren County 2/3/23) Intake
  10. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0021 – Chapter 22 – Warren County 2/15/23) Intake
  11. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0024 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Department of Revenue 2/20/23) Intake
  12. Fichter, Clint (23FC:0025 – Chapter 22 – City of Avoca 2/22/23) Intake
  13. Huffman, David (22FC:0047 – Both Chapters – Batavia City Council 5/25/22) Pending
  14. Hutchins, Mandi (23FC:0012 – Chapter 21 – City of Linden 1/30/23) Intake
  15. Johnson, Kevin (22FC:0060 – Chapter 22 – City of Hamburg 6/6/22) Pending
  16. Kannagieter, Nicole (23FC:0014 – Both Chapter – Dike New Hartford School District 2/3/23) Intake
  17. Lee, Richard (23FC:0022 – Chapter 22 – Ames Community School Dist. 2/19/23) Intake
  18. Merritt, Michael (22FC:0126 – Chapter 22 – Jasper County 12/14/22) Intake
  19. Merritt, Michael (23FC:0023 – Chapter 22 – City of Newton 2/12/23) Intake
  20. Merritt, Michael (23FC:0030 – Chapter 22 – City of Newton 3/3/23) Intake
  21. Palmer, Zach (22FC:0123 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Department of Corrections 11/22/22) Pending
  22. Palmer, Zach (23FC:0027 – Chapter 22 – University of Iowa 2/22/23) Intake
  23. Radtke, Mari (22FC:0069 – Chapter 22 – City of Paullina 7/21/22) Pending
  24. Sellers, Dakoda (22FC:0119 – Chapter 22 – City of Vinton 11/11/22) Pending
  25. Taylor, Tom (22FC:0114 – Both Chapters – Sibley Ocheyedan School Board 10/18/22) Pending

IX.          Committee Reports                                                                         

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

X.          Office status report.

                  1.  Contacts and activity * (Johnson)                                                       

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

                  3.  Presentations/Trainings (Johnson)      

                  4.  District Court Update (Johnson)

XI.       Next IPIB Board Meeting will be held in the Wallace Building, 3rd Floor, E/W Conference Room,  April 20, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

XII.      Adjourn                                                                                                                      * Attachment

Minutes: 

 

IOWA PUBLIC INFORMATION BOARD

March 16, 2023

                                                            Approved Minutes

The Board met on March 16, 2023 for its monthly meeting at 1:00 in the 3rd floor E/W Conference Room in the Wallace Building with the following members participating: Daniel Breitbarth, Des Moines (arrived 1:09p.m.); E. J. Giovannetti, Urbandale; Barry Lindahl, Dubuque (phone); Joel McCrea, Pleasant Hill; Monica McHugh, Zwingle (phone); Julie Pottorff, Des Moines; Absent: Joan Corbin, Pella; Jackie Schmillen, Urbandale.  Also present were IPIB Executive Director Margaret Johnson; IPIB Executive Director Designee Erika Eckley; Brett Toresdahl, Deputy Director; and Daniel Strawhun, Legal Counsel. A quorum was declared present.

Others identified present or by phone: Clark Kauffman, Todd Holmes, Tracy Carlson, Carol Moser, Meg Norber, Holly Corkery, Michael Norton, Aimee Claeys, James Stratton.

On a motion by Giovannetti, second by McCrea, the agenda was unanimously adopted 5-0.

On a motion by McCrea, second by Giovannetti, to approve the March 3, 2023 minutes as amended. Unanimously adopted 5-0.

      Public Forum – none

Note: Dan Brietbarth arrived at 1:09p.m.

Board Chair Comments –

     Pottorff recognized Margaret Johnson for her retirement from the agency after ten years of service. Johnson was presented with a plaque from the Board. A message of congratulations was read from Vico Soto, Mayor of Pasig City, Philippines and several Board members made comments.

    Pottorff updated the Board on the prohibition against Board members personally investigating and then subsequently sitting as decision makers in a contested case. In order to allow the public to address the Board at the initial phase of a complaint staff has been asking complainants and respondents to waive this prohibition.  Some, but not all, complainants and respondents have been willing to do so.  Pottorff will continue to work with Board staff to resolve this issue.

     Johnson provided a presentation about Sunshine Week, its purpose and historical importance.

Advisory Opinions –

  1. None

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

  1. Carlson, Tracy (22FC:0124 – Chapter 21 – Kossuth Co. Board of Supervisors 12/3/22). Tracy Carlson and Todd Holmes spoke. A motion by Breitbarth and second by McCrea to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  2. Fischer, Julie (23FC:0018 – Both Chapters – Winneshiek Co. Bd. of Supervisors 2/9/23); Otte, Lyle (23FC:0017 – Chapter 21 – Winneshiek Co. Bd. of Supervisors 2/9/23); Wahlberg, Beth (23FC:0015 – Chapter 21 – Winneshiek Co. Bd. of Supervisors 2/7/23). A motion by Breitbarth and second by Lindahl to consolidate and approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  3. Kelderman, Nathan (22FC:0122 – Chapter 22 – Sioux Co. Sheriff’s Office 11/19/22).  A motion by Giovannetti and second by Breitbarth to approve the dismissal order as resolved through informal resolution.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  4. Knapp, Christine (23FC:0007 – Chapter 22 – Henry Co. Sheriff Dept. 1/25/23). A motion by Breitbarth and second by McCrea to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  5. Mazgaj, Dustin (23FC:0003 – Chapter 22 - Marion Police Department 1/15/23). Holly Corkery spoke. A motion by Breitbarth and second by Giovannetti to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  6. Pirotte, Elizabeth (23FC:0009 – Chapter 22 – Iowa State University 1/26/23). Elizabeth Pirotte and Michael Norton spoke. A motion by Breitbarth and second by Giovannetti to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  7. Siri, Aaron (22FC:0128 – Chapter 22 – University of Iowa 12/20/22). Aimee Claeys spoke. A motion by Breitbarth and second by McCrea to approve the acceptance order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.
  8. Stratton, James (23FC:0020 – Chapter 22 – Des Moines Police Department 2/14/23). James Stratton, Carol Moser, and Meg Norberg.  A motion by Brietbarth and second by Giovannetti to table the matter and refer back to staff to and consider the IPIB’s jurisdiction over this issue.  Unanimously approved 6-0.
  9. Trappe, Christoph (22FC:0125 – Chapter 22 – City of Marion 12/13/22). Holly Corkery spoke. A motion by Lindahl and second by Breitbarth to approve the dismissal order.  Unanimously approved, 6-0.

  Matters Withdrawn. No Action -

  1. none

 Pending complaints that required no board action.  Informational

  1. Aultman, Richard (22FC:0131 – Chapter 22 – Fremont County Auditor 12/27/22) Intake
  2. Bax, Kay (22FC:0100 – Chapter 21 – City of Fontanelle & Council 9/14/22) Pending
  3. Beck, Tim (22FC:0036 – Both Chapters – Pleasant Valley School District 5/5/22) Pending    
  4. Carver, Matthew (23FC:0031 – Chapter 22 – Urbandale Community School District 3/3/23) Intake
  5. Castillo, Dianna (23FC:0028 – Chapter 22 – Mapleton Police Department 3/1/23) Intake
  6. Citizen, Concerned (23FC:0035- Chapter 21 – O’Brien County Conservation Board 3/9/23) Intake
  7. Collison, Chip (23FC:0019 – Chapter 21 – Blencoe City Council 2/12/23) Intake
  8. Colwell, Robert (23FC:0029 – Chapter 22 – IA Dept. of Health & Human Services 3/2/23) Intake
  9. Crnkovich, Sidney (23FC:0026 – Chapter 22 – Carroll Co. Sheriff Office 2/22/23) Intake
  10. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0013 – Chapter 22 – Warren County 2/3/23) Intake
  11. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0021 – Chapter 22 – Warren County 2/15/23) Intake
  12. Ellis, Sam (23FC:0024 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Department of Revenue 2/20/23) Intake
  13. Fichter, Clint (23FC:0025 – Chapter 22 – City of Avoca 2/22/23) Intake
  14. Huffman, David (22FC:0047 – Both Chapters – Batavia City Council 5/25/22) Pending
  15. Hutchins, Mandi (23FC:0012 – Chapter 21 – City of Linden 1/30/23) Intake
  16. Johnson, Kevin (22FC:0060 – Chapter 22 – City of Hamburg 6/6/22) Pending
  17. Kannagieter, Nicole (23FC:0014 – Both Chapter – Dike New Hartford School District 2/3/23) Intake
  18. Kauffman, Clark  (23FC:0033 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Workforce Development 3/9/23) Intake
  19. Lee, Richard (23FC:0022 – Chapter 22 – Ames Community School Dist. 2/19/23) Intake
  20. Menke, Steven (23FC:0008 – Chapter 22 – Kossuth County 1/26/23); Menke, Steven (23FC:0011 – Chapter 22 - Kossuth County Auditor 1/28/23) Intake
  21. Merritt, Michael (22FC:0126 – Chapter 22 – Jasper County 12/14/22) Intake
  22. Merritt, Michael (23FC:0023 – Chapter 22 – City of Newton 2/12/23) Intake
  23. Merritt, Michael (23FC:0030 – Chapter 22 – City of Newton 3/3/23) Intake
  24. Palmer, Zach (22FC:0123 – Chapter 22 – Iowa Department of Corrections 11/22/22) Pending
  25. Palmer, Zach (23FC:0027 – Chapter 22 – University of Iowa 2/22/23) Intake
  26. Radtke, Mari (22FC:0069 – Chapter 22 – City of Paullina 7/21/22) Pending
  27. Sellers, Dakoda (22FC:0119 – Chapter 22 – City of Vinton 11/11/22) Pending
  28. Sheakley, Cliff (23FC:0032 – Chapter 22 – Union County Assessor 3/9/23) Intake
  29. Taylor, Tom (22FC:0114 – Both Chapters – Sibley Ocheyedan School Board 10/18/22) Pending
  30. Walston, Kenton (23FC:0034 – Chapter 21 – Taylor Co. Board of Supervisors 3/9/23) Intake
  31. Ward, Ben (23FC:0036 – Chapter 22 – Altoona Police Department 3/9/23) Intake

Committee Reports

  1. Communications – No report
  2. Legislative – Monitoring the following bills: Johnson distributed a list.
  3. Rules – No report

Updates for the board.

a. Johnson provided an overview of the February website use and year to date case totals.

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

            c. Johnson shared presentations – None        

            d. A district court case – Court has not issued an order on motion to dismiss.

The next IPIB meeting will be in the Wallace Building, 3rd Floor, E/W Conference Room, April 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m.  

At 3:18 p.m. the meeting adjourned on a motion by Breitbarth and a second by Lindahl.  Unanimously approved.                                                                                       

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted

            Brett Toresdahl, Deputy Director 

__________________________

IPIB, Chair

Approved