Waterloo Council Considers Reprimands

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) — Waterloo's city council is considering a policy that would allow public reprimands for members who leak information discussed in confidential closed sessions.

Ward 3 Councilman Pat Morrissey is asking his colleagues to adopt the policy he developed to deal with elected officials who talk about the discussions that take place during legally closed executive sessions.

The measure would result in a "formal and public" condemnation of a council member who is found to have violated confidentiality rules. A second offense could result in that member's expulsion from future executive sessions.

Iowa law allows closed sessions for issues such as pending litigation, real estate acquisitions and certain personnel issues, but does not prohibit those in the meeting from revealing what was discussed.