Villisca library board cleared
VILLISCA — The Iowa Public Information Board recently dismissed a complaint filed by the former Villisca Library Director, accusing the library board of conducting improperly closed meetings.
Submitted March 25, about a week after resigning from the library after nine months, Rod Goodemote accused the library board of discussing library business in non-public settings such as via email and while at a restaurant, violating the open meetings law. The state board (IPIB) ruled the complaint is “legally insufficient, is frivolous, is without merit, involves harmless error,” as outlined in Iowa Code.
“It seemed like they (the library board members) were just skirting the Sunshine Laws and holding a walking meeting so to speak,” Goodemote said. “Basically what I learned was what they were doing wasn’t illegal, but to me, it was unethical.”
Goodemote said his intention behind filing the complaint was to have the IPIB send a warning letter to the library board president, Marsha Underwood, stating these “private meetings” were in violation of Iowa Code and must cease.
The IPIB explained in a letter to Goodemote April 18 no evidence was provided that any illegal activity was taking place. The emails were sent individually between the board members and president and no decisions were made.
As for meeting at a local restaurant, the IPIB’s letter said, “Eating lunch, reading board documents and chatting with fellow diners, even if some of the diners are also on the board, is not a meeting when there is no discussion of policy or intent to avoid the open meetings law. Especially in a small community, it is difficult for a board member to visit any public place without chatting with a constituent.” Goodemote was disappointed with the IPIB decision.
“They (the library board members) were essentially holding court at the restaurant with their library documents; it wasn’t an accident,” he said. “The public information board, though, gave the benefit of the doubt and erred on the side of caution.”
Underwood declined to comment on matter since it involved a personnel member.
Goodemote’s resignation, he said, was about more than just the “private meetings.”
“I had a whole bunch of issues with the board, this complaint was just one piece,” he said. “Really, it came down to micromanagement by the board... Iowa public libraries are not intended to be run by the board on a daily basis; they are just supposed to have their monthly meetings. I was getting three-four emails a day from the president, dictating my every move. It caused me to move sideways and backwards instead of forward.”
Problems began in August, according to Goodemote, when Underwood was elected president. Underwood was contacted multiple times for additional comments, but she was not reached.
Goodemote cited a $45,000 roof renovation project, which he felt uncomfortable pursuing due to lack of time to meet the board’s needs while completing everyday tasks during a 28-hour work week.
“I was hired to do a job and I happily would have done so, but I didn’t want to go into this big project with my hands tied and not being able to do my regular projects,” he said. “All the board members are dedicated and are doing what they think is best for the library. They love the library, but they need to love it enough to step aside and let people lead.”
Goodemote’s resignation was accepted at the March 13 board meeting in a 4-1 vote. Board member Jim Branan was the dissenting vote.
Underwood said the board is accepting applications for a new director.