Oelwein councilor accused of crime asks council for 'leave of absence'

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Oelwein City Council decided what it wanted to do after police arrested one of its members for drug possession.

Oelwein police executed a search warrant for the home of At-Large Council member Karen Seeders. There they found marijuana and hallucinogens. Seeders was elected to the position in 2021 after winning a special election, but since a raid on her home followed by a drug offense charge, the council looked at how to remove her.

Seeders’ seat at Monday’s council meeting was empty as the council discussed how to move forward.

“We leave it up to the person and what he or she wants to do,” said Mayor Brett DeVore. Whether it means resigning, keep coming. Personally, if I were me, I would have resigned.”

DeVore said he has spoken with Seeders since the arrest, and she told him she is obligated to remain on the board.

“She feels like she was elected by the residents of the community to represent them, and she wants to continue to do that,” Mayor DeVore said.

Under Iowa law, only a city council or district can fire a council member, but the city attorney said he doesn’t believe that’s possible at this time. Under Iowa Code, the council member would have to be convicted of a crime. At this point, Seeders is only facing charges.

“We really don’t have an option at this point to remove her,” Mayor DeVore said.

The council approved Seeders’ request for leave, but said it puts them in a difficult situation as budget season approaches.

“As an elected official in this position, a city council member, that is necessarily an opportunity to limit the amount of leave requested to a certain time frame,” said Council Member Matt Weber.

The council also authorized the mayor to talk to Seeders about limiting the leave to 60 days.

“People are not happy with it, I don’t think anyone on council is very happy with it either,” Mayor DeVore said.