Coralville mayor warns Senate File 311 could end advisory boards, urges refocus on community initiatives

Coralville Mayor Meghann Foster told the Citizens’ Community Policing Advisory Board at its April 28 meeting that Senate File 311, a pending state bill, would outlaw advisory boards if signed by the governor and that she wants to reshape the board to emphasize prevention and community initiatives. Foster introduced herself to attendees and outlined a vision in which the group would support community events and preventive programming rather than focus solely on police oversight.

The proposal drew objections from some board members. Board member Morales said he was disappointed at the proposed shift, arguing that "the data shows there continues to be a problem in the police department," and that the board should retain a role focused on accountability. Board member Gosnell countered that the board has not received formal complaints and urged reliance on data when deciding the group's priorities, stating, "men and women lie, numbers don't, we need to get the data and decide what we are going to do about it." Chair Hotsenpiller emphasized the value of relationship-building and getting to know people "who are different from ourselves."

The prospect that Senate File 311 could eliminate local advisory boards gives the discussion immediate consequence: if the law is enacted, the board's legal standing could change and its membership structure may be affected. The mayor and city attorney summarized the pending legislation for the board but did not announce any final local decision; board members instead debated whether the panel's primary role should be community engagement or continued emphasis on policing matters.

At the meeting the board took unanimous procedural actions: it approved the meeting agenda (motion by board member Morales, seconded by Punteney; motion carried all ayes) and approved minutes as recorded (motion by Morales, seconded by Putney; motion carried all ayes). The record contains an internal inconsistency: the minutes header references September 23, 2024, while the motion names approval of minutes from January 27, 2025. That discrepancy was noted in the board record and remains unresolved in these minutes.

The board did not take a formal vote on any change to its purpose or mission at this meeting. Mayor Foster said she would like the board to be more active on community initiatives if permitted under state law; board members requested more data and discussion before agreeing to any reorientation. The board adjourned at 7:48 p.m.