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Mayor Foster warns state bill could outlaw advisory boards, urges reshaping of Coralville policing advisory board
Summary
Mayor Meghann Foster told the Coralville Citizens’ Community Policing Advisory Board that Senate File 311, if signed, would outlaw advisory boards; she urged refocusing the group on prevention, community engagement and events, prompting pushback from some board members who cited ongoing departmental issues.
Mayor Meghann Foster, Coralville mayor, told the Citizens’ Community Policing Advisory Board on April 28 that a pending state measure—Senate File 311—would, if enacted, outlaw advisory boards like this one and that she wants to reshape the group toward community initiatives and prevention.
"I would like to reshape this group and be more focused on community initiatives," Foster said, adding that prevention and community engagement can produce strong outcomes. She introduced herself at the meeting because, she said, not everyone present knew her.
Board member Morales responded that he was disappointed at shifting emphasis toward community-building while, he said, department data indicate ongoing problems within the police department. Board member Gosnell questioned why the board had not received complaints and urged reliance on data to decide next steps, saying in the discussion that "men and women lie, numbers don't." Chair Hotsenpiller said it remained important to build relationships with people different from ourselves.
The exchange did not produce a formal board vote or a directive to staff; the mayor framed her comments as a proposed change in focus if the board continues. The board later agreed to communicate by e-mail about upcoming events and to set a meeting date after the governor's action on state legislation.
Why it matters: if Senate File 311 becomes law, local advisory bodies would be affected statewide, which would change how Coralville organizes citizen input on policing and public safety. The mayor's proposal to shift the board toward prevention and community engagement signals a potential change in the board's role pending state action.
Next steps: the board did not take formal action on a structural change at this meeting; members agreed to continue the discussion by e-mail and to await the governor's decision on the legislation.
