The Iowa Public Information Board found Thursday the Pacific Junction City Council failed to keep adequate records of public meetings but used its administrative discretion to not pursue charges for those violations. The Daily NonPareil says members of the IPIB approved a remediation plan with Pacific Junction to resolve a complaint brought by Councilman Earl Smith, who had an initial complaint dismissed but sparked new concerns based on a Sept. 2nd meeting.
Former IPIB Executive Director Keith Luchtel found the council had “ongoing actions” that appeared to be violations of Iowa Code as well, including “vague and non-descriptive agenda, votes on matters not on the agenda and deliberation on matters not on the agenda,” according to a report. The council acknowledged “prior minutes and agendas lacked items discussed or were insufficiently described” as required by Iowa Code, according to a remediation plan approved by the public body and the IPIB. An IPIB report said the council acknowledged “non-emergency discussions and votes” took place at meetings that were not listed on publicly distributed agendas.
The plan, which was approved by the IPIB on Thursday afternoon, requires all council members, the city clerk and the mayor of Pacific Junction to review training provided on the IPIB website. The board will also provide council members copies of reference materials. Pacific Junction also pledges to “strive to describe future agenda items” sufficiently enough to meet legal requirements.