Madison, Wis. – The city’s Police Civilian Oversight Board chose to reschedule its Wednesday night meeting after a public‑commenter raised a concern that the meeting agenda had not been posted on the city website at least 24 hours before the session, as required by Wisconsin’s Open Meetings Law.
Legal disagreement drives postponement
Board members initially asserted that the meeting had been properly noticed, citing confirmation from the city clerk’s office. City Attorney Michael Haas disagreed, stating, “The state statute requires posting either in three physical locations or in one location and on the city website. It’s my understanding that was not completed 24 hours before the meeting.”
Under Wisconsin Statute 19.84(2), governmental bodies must provide at least a 24‑hour notice that includes the meeting’s time, location, and subject matter. Haas warned that proceeding without proper notice could expose board members to personal fines ranging from $25 to $300 and could allow a court to overturn any actions taken.
Board members push back on the interpretation
Board member Maia Pearson questioned the attorney’s reading of the law, saying, “It’s not pushing back on the state law. It’s just interpreting what is being said. I would like you to point me to the specific language that defines a notice.” Pearson emphasized that the board had taken steps it believed satisfied the notice requirement.
Interim Independent Police Monitor Aeiramique Glass defended the board’s efforts, noting that staffing shortages and communication challenges with other city offices contributed to the procedural hiccup. Glass and several board members argued that the agenda had been legally posted, albeit outside the city’s usual process.
Implications for upcoming council vote
The postponement occurs less than a week before the Madison Common Council is set to vote on a resolution to remove Glass from her interim monitor role. The council’s vote is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 20, and will decide whether Glass, whose interim term was extended through March 31, 2027, will remain in place.
Both the board and city officials also disagree over who holds the authority to remove the interim police monitor, adding another layer of complexity to the upcoming council deliberations.
Next steps
After the discussion, board members agreed to reconvene at a later date to address the agenda items, including an evaluation of Glass’s performance and the election of a new board chair. The board’s independent attorney reiterated that any further meeting must comply fully with the notice requirements to avoid potential penalties or legal challenges.
City officials say they will work with the board to ensure future meetings meet the statutory notice standards, reinforcing Madison’s commitment to transparent governance and public participation.
Original reporting: NBC15 WMTV (Gray) – local — read the source article.
