Open Meetings Law violation alleged

A complaint has been filed with the Winneshiek County Attorney's Office, alleging the Winneshiek County Planning & Zoning Commission has violated the state's Open Meetings Law.

Birgitta Meade of 3067 Springwater Road in Decorah claims a quorum of the Winneshiek County Planning & Zoning Commission met Monday, July 12th, with Garry Wiltgen, who had two applications for conditional use permits being heard by the Commission Tuesday night.  

Meade's letter to the County Attorney's Office states, "Some commissioners rode in Mr. Wiltgen's van to one of the quarrying sites in question, where they were met by the other zoning commissioners."  Continues Meade, "A comment was made at the beginning of the meeting indicating that they were all aware of the fact that they were in violation of the open meeting statute but they continued with the exclusive audience they had granted Mr. Wiltgen."

Monday's meeting allegedly included County Planning & Zoning Commission chair Mike McGee and Commission members Steve Langland, Wendy Stevens, Leslie Cook and Kathryn Erickson.