SANDPOINT — The City Council opted to take no further action Wednesday regarding a formal complaint filed against a member of the Sandpoint Urban Renewal Agency.

City Attorney Scot Campbell said, in his opinion, Tom Bokowy was not acting as a member of SURA during or after the Sept. 7 City Council meeting where Anita Aurit claims Bokowy verbally "attacked" her. Mayor Shelby Rognstad made a motion to dismiss the complaint, amending it to "no further action" after discussion by council members. Council members in attendance voted unanimously in favor of the motion.

Aurit's complaint consisted of two parts. First, Bokowy addressed her personally during the City Council meeting, which is against the policy for public forum. After the meeting, Aurit alleges Bokowy approached her and began arguing with her about things which “she had no knowledge of” and raising his voice, leaning toward her in a threatening manner until Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon stepped between them.

"Upon review of the complaint, it is my opinion that City Council does not have the authority or jurisdiction to hear the matter," Campbell said, adding that what occurred after the meeting was between two members of the public.

Campbell and Mayor Shelby Rognstad apologized to Aurit for not addressing Bokowy's failure to adhere to the rules of public forum. Council members agreed they have been too relaxed on those rules in the past.

"I don't think an apology is enough here," Aurit said. "... I am extremely disappointed in the way this was handled."

Aurit said she brought several people in to testify on her behalf because she was led to believe, and an item was placed on the agenda, that a formal hearing would be held Wednesday. She said the lack of communication surrounding the complaint was upsetting. Council members, including Councilwoman Shannon Williamson and Councilman Bob Camp, thanked her for bringing it to their attention and promised better communication and enforcement of rules in the future.

Bokowy also apologized to Aurit for addressing her during the public forum portion of the meeting.

Aurit filed the complaint against Bokowy following the Sept. 7 City Council meeting. Prior to the meeting, social media was lit up by comments, on the “Sandpoint Watchdog” Facebook page in particular, after the $55.1 million school district levy had failed to pass the week before. The post that garnered much attention on the day of the City Council meeting stated that a local gas station owner received a phone call threatening a fine for levy sign clutter. It was later stated by “Sandpoint Watchdog” in the comments that it was an anonymous phone call by someone representing themselves as a city official. Among other comments attached to the post, Bokowy wrote: “Then say it like that … not like it is a fact that the city called.”

At the City Council meeting that evening, Bokowy addressed the social media comments, stating that just because something is on Facebook does not mean it is accurate information. He said people should look at the source of the information rather than getting worked up over a “rumor.”

Aurit spoke in the public forum and did not address the social media comments, but Bokowy, who spoke after Aurit, addressed Aurit by saying “I believe what Ms. Aurit was referring to …” and proceeded to speak about the social media comments after some conversation with Aurit about the pronunciation of her name.

What Aurit addressed during the public forum prior to Bokowy’s comments was in regards to the Aug. 17 City Council meeting where a council member reminded the public of the upcoming levy vote, which Aurit said was appropriate for the council member to do, but said it was inappropriate for the council member to editorialize in a manner that promoted a yes vote for the levy.