Iowa Attorney General's Office says group can meet in private

IOWA CITY – The Iowa Attorney General's Office has concluded that the board overseeing a special tax district in Iowa City can meet behind closed doors.

Spokesman Geoff Greenwood said in an email Monday that, “while it's a close call,” the state's “open meetings law does not appear to apply to this non-profit group.” He also said there's nothing stopping the organization from voluntarily opening its meetings.

The board governing the new downtown Iowa City self-supported municipal improvement district, or SSMID, said last week it would close its meetings to nonmembers so it could have more frank discussions.

The City Council approved the SSMID in December after being petitioned by downtown property owners.

Commercial property owners in the district, covering downtown and the Northside Marketplace, must pay an extra tax levy starting in July estimated to bring in $280,000 a year. The University of Iowa will contribute another $100,000 annually. The money will be used to hire a business development manager and to perform beautification projects.

Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness, who is charged with enforcing the Iowa's “sunshine laws” in the county, said Monday she is still reviewing the matter.