Opinion ID: 2108339
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did Waddell Fail to Exhaust His Remedies?

Text: In his letter removing Waddell from the Board, Brooke stated he was removing Waddell from the Board for cause. The cause for removing Waddell was his insubordination based on his failure to respond to Brooke's inquiries. The letter also notified Waddell of his right to a hearing. It stated: Pursuant to Iowa Code section 414.8 you are entitled to a public hearing. If you do not want a public hearing, you may waive that right either by so advising me or doing nothing. Under Iowa Code section 372.15 you may request a public hearing before the City Council if you file a request with the City Clerk within 30 days of the mailing of this letter to you. If you fail to request a hearing, the removal will be effective on April 25, 2002. If you do request a hearing, one will be scheduled and you will be notified. Waddell did not request a hearing as provided for in the letter removing him from the Board. Instead, Waddell filed his certiorari action with the district court asking the court to stay his removal pending a public hearing. The district court granted Waddell's request for the stay. Brooke and the City contend Waddell was not entitled to a hearing because Waddell never requested one pursuant to the letter of removal and Iowa Code section 372.15. Section 372.15 provides: Except as otherwise provided by state or city law, all persons appointed to city office may be removed by the officer or body making the appointment, but every such removal shall be by written order. The order shall give the reasons, be filed in the office of the city clerk, and a copy shall be sent by certified mail to the person removed who, upon request filed with the clerk within thirty days of the date of mailing the copy, shall be granted a public hearing before the council on all issues connected with the removal. The hearing shall be held within thirty days of the date the request is filed, unless the person removed requests a later date. Iowa Code § 372.15. A removal from office under this section does not require that the removal be for cause. Bennett v. City of Redfield, 446 N.W.2d 467, 473 (Iowa 1989). Section 414.8 provides in relevant part: Members [of the board of adjustment] shall be removable for cause by the appointing authority upon written charges and after public hearing. Iowa Code § 414.8. Brooke chose to remove Waddell from the Board for cause. Section 414.8 is applicable to Waddell's removal from the Board. It specifically deals with the procedure to remove a member from the board of adjustment for cause. Section 414.8 requires a public hearing prior to removal. Waddell was not required to request a hearing to exhaust his remedies prior to the filing of his certiorari action. If Waddell did not want a public hearing, he could have resigned or consented to his removal, thereby waiving his right to a public hearing. The district court was correct in staying Waddell's removal pending a public hearing.