City Administrator reports closed-session citation error, lawsuit dismissal filing and EMS change

City Administrator Fraser told the Centerville City Council on June 15 that the city identified a technical error in the Iowa Code citation used for a February 2 closed session and took steps to remedy it.

Fraser said the February 2 closed session had been cited under Iowa Code Section 21.5, subsection 1, paragraph (a) for review of confidential records; the official agenda had listed a different subsection (paragraph (c)) related to attorney strategy for litigation. The administrator said the city later held a properly cited closed session and that the Iowa Public Information Board reviewed the recordings and concluded the council stayed within the scope of Chapter 21.5 justification for the closed session.

Fraser also reported that plaintiffs in Thomas Ellis, et al. v. City of Centerville (Case No. CVEQ005858) filed a request to dismiss their lawsuit without prejudice; he said the city has spent approximately $17,000 on legal expenses related to the case to date.

Separately, Fraser said Moulton EMS notified state and local agencies that it has transitioned from a transporting-paramedic service to a non-transporting paramedic provisional service, which leaves Centerville Fire Rescue as the sole provider of E-911 transport in the area; the transcript indicates the city is following up with Moulton to determine whether a transfer of Centerville’s ambulance is still needed. No further litigation or contractual specifics were provided during the meeting.