Letter to the Editor: Decorah Mayor Don Arendt criticizes decorahnews.com

(Monday night Decorah Mayor Don Arendt read the following statement at the Decorah City Council meeting):

"At the last city council (meeting), Mr. Scott accused the city council and City of not following proper procedures.  This is my response to his question.  Sometimes I am somewhat confused about who I am talking to—is it Mr. Scott or is it Mr. Answer Person? 

The question about the Personnel Committee—the Personnel Committee is composed of all the council members, so it is a moot point to say a Personnel Committee (meeting) should have been held.  At the last meeting the council had the opportunity to discuss the IT position at the regular meeting.  Now, to the overall question of committee functions, the committees are an organizational structure made by the Mayor.  Our standing committees consist of four members and are open, posted meetings with documentation because a quorum is present. 

As the mayor, I could decide to have committees consisting of three members and therefore not subject to Open Meeting Law regulations.  A committee can refine an issue before it comes to the (city) council—sometimes this is more efficient.  Committee functions were defined when I became Mayor 11 years ago. Some cities do not have committees and operate with work sessions.  There are no rules for these matters.  A number of the personnel issues were discussed at the budget meeting in January and that functioned as a work session and was properly posted and opened to the public.

 In regard to an agenda item, the agenda is formulated on Thursday before the council meeting.  It is created with the City Clerk, City Manager and Mayor.  We have hired our administrators to guide and give recommendations to the council.  As set out in council procedures, when two council members request an agenda item, it will be added to the agenda,regardless of committee discussion.

Reference was made by Mr. Scott that recently the city council operated in violation of the Open Meeting Law in regards to a committee meeting held to discuss changing responsibilities in the Fire Department.  The meeting was properly posted and some public attended the meeting other than council members.  The violation accusation was filed by Mr.Scott and his blog with the Iowa Public Information Board.  The complaint was dismissed by the Board.  There was no retraction or correction on the news blog.  Once accused, you are guilty.  Again, the accusation was insulting to the city, was underhanded and incorrect.  Credibility comes with the truth.

I want to personally commend the Decorah newspaper for accurate reporting and coverage of City Council meetings."