SIDNEY, Iowa (AP) – An appeals court says a southwest Iowa city improperly removed one of its council members over allegations that he skipped too many meetings. The Iowa Court of Appeals ruled today (Thursday), that City officials in Sidney did not provide proper notice of the charges against William Clark before removing him. The court says the city overstepped its authority.

Clark was elected in 2009 to a four-year term. The council voted 4-1 to remove him in 2010 after he missed several meetings, even after he was warned about lax attendance. The mayor also claimed Clark had committed misconduct at a local bar during a run-in with another council member’s son.

Clark’s attorney says his client will seek reinstatement to the council, but that could be tricky since someone else now holds the position.