Differing opinions regarding the future of the city's park board caused the Nov. 4 Cuba City Council meeting to end abruptly in a walkout 15 minutes into the discussion. 

Cuba Mayor Kevin Copling and Ward 3 Alderman Jeff Bouse briefly exchanged opposing views 10 and a half minutes into the meeting. Copling begins discussing the park board, which was listed on that evening’s agenda under “mayor's appointments - park and recreation board - removal and appointment of members.” 

“I think at this time it is in the best interest of Cuba that we dissolve the park board so I can have more time,” Copling said. “Can I have a motion to do so?”

A motion was made and seconded to continue the discussion.

“First of all, we collect the park tax,” Bouse said. “By law, we have to have a park board. So, you’re dissolving this, and it’s going to take a few weeks to get your park board put back together. And we’re going to be in violation of the state statute.”

The city’s attorney, Emily Guffey, further explained.

 “As long as you reappoint by next meeting so that you have a park board within the same month, that’s fine,” said Guffey.

The mayor agreed. 

“And they do allow you some time…,” Copling said. 

Copling still did not answer why he was for dissolving the current park board.

“Why are we doing this? What’s the real reason we’re doing this?” Bouse asked. “We got a park board. We got more work out of this park board than we’ve got for any park board in all my 11 years on this council. And you said today on the phone that if we showed proof of when they got appointed and when their times were. I got the proof right here.” 

“And I told you I’m looking at all that right now. I feel it’s best to (dissolve) the park board,” Copling said. 

Bouse continued to disagree.

“That’s the dumbest thing we can do,” he said. 

Copling remained adamant.

“That’s your opinion,” Copling said. “I want the citizens to trust me, believe in me."

Bouse felt a full board should be present to make the decision.

“I think we should table this until we have a full council here, so we don’t look like we are doing something out of spite,” Bouse said. 

Bouse asked about opening the discussion to include public opinion.

“We’re not doing nothing out of spite. I’m not going to open it up to the floor. We will be here all night,” Copling said. 

Members of the park board asked to speak but were denied after being told previously they could speak during the park board discussion.

“It’s open discussion,” Bouse said.

“Not the floor, Jeff…Just to the board here,” Copling said. "I run this meeting."

“This is the dumbest thing I have ever heard in my life,” Bouse said. “I’m going home.” 

Copling suggests a vote. Bouse verbally votes no and walks out.

As Bouse was walking out the door he stated, "Kevin, this is the dumbest thing you've ever done."

Without Bouse, the board didn’t have a quorum, bringing the meeting to an end immediately. 

On Monday, Bouse told The Cuba Free Press, “My reason for leaving the meeting was because I didn't agree with that action, and I asked the mayor to table it until we had a full council. He said no. I felt it could be illegal to do so. The only way to stop the controversial vote was for me to leave and taking away the vote for lack of quorum.”

The Cuba Free Press attempted to contact Copling and other city council members through the city, via phone and email, however, a response was not returned by the newspaper’s deadline on Monday.