Sharing with appreciation from this August 26, 2026 article by Ray Baccari for Iowa News Now

CORALVILLE, Iowa — Coralville Mayor Laurie Goodrich was censured by the City Council Tuesday, but members of the public want her to instead resign.

Even though this council seeks simply to censure you,” Shelby Cigrand, who spoke during public comment, told the mayor. “I believe that censure is not enough. You need to resign.

The vote follows a July video showing Goodrich confronting people after a council meeting, and her later attempt to remove public comment from the Aug. 11 meeting. That confrontation came after public commenters criticized a vote to give City Administrator Kelly Hayworth a 3% pay raise after the city had previously approved a freeze on raises for part-time employees.

Goodrich previously told Iowa’s News Now she requested the censure and reiterated during the meeting that she apologizes for what happened.

I take full responsibility for my actions,” Goodrich told the room. “And I accept the council’s response. I’ve learned from this experience and I will not make this mistake again.

Fenek Coney, who also spoke during public comment, said Goodrich needs “to step down” so “somebody who could actually be effective could take that spot.”

Not everyone agreed with how some people had voiced their concerns over the last couple of weeks.

“This is performance theater,” Dan McMahon said in his remarks during public comment.

The city councilors shared different views of the mayor’s conduct before taking the vote, which was unanimous.

“Criticism of government and public official[s] lay at the core of speech protected by the First Amendment,” Councilor Hai Huynh said.

Councilor Rich Vogelzang said “everyone makes mistakes” and everyone “has missteps and makes error in their lives.”

Goodrich was accused of swiping at someone’s phone during the July confrontation. Video of which was shown to councilors.

The censure amounts to a formal public reprimand, but doesn’t remove Goodrich from office or change her role as mayor. Goodrich was first elected mayor last November and is eligible for reelection in 2027.