Michael Reeves raised a hand.
"Before we proceed, I want to clarify the purpose of tonight's meeting. The board will review the vehicle incident, the authority cited in the enforcement notice, and the relevant records. We will hear from the homeowner and any witnesses the board determines are necessary. We will not make findings beyond the evidence presented."
Richard's smile tightened.
"Of course."
Michael turned to Linda.
"Please read the first item."
Linda opened the agenda.
"The first item concerns a complaint submitted by Nathan Cole regarding damage to a vehicle parked in his driveway on Tuesday morning, October twentieth."
She summarized the complaint.
She described the vehicle's location, the alleged damage, the attempted tow, and the subsequent notices.
She did not offer an opinion about Richard's motives.
Then she placed the video on the room's display screen.
The footage showed the driveway from the camera mounted beneath the eaves.
Richard appeared beside the Tahoe.
He looked around.
He kicked the bumper.
Then he kicked it again.
The room became silent.
The video continued.
Richard walked around the vehicle, pulled the locked door handle, and struck the window with his palm.
His voice was clearly audible.
"Move your vehicle!"
Several residents shifted in their chairs.
One woman covered her mouth.
The footage ended.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Michael looked toward Richard.
"Mr. Harlan, do you dispute that this is you in the recording?"
Richard adjusted his cuff.
"No."
"Do you dispute that you kicked the vehicle?"
"I was attempting to get the owner's attention."
"By kicking it?"
Richard's jaw tightened.
"I believed the vehicle was in violation of community rules."
Michael nodded.
"That does not answer the question. Did you kick the vehicle?"
"Yes."
A murmur passed through the room.
Michael raised a hand.
"Please allow the process to continue."
He turned toward Nathan.
"Mr. Cole, was the vehicle parked on your property with your permission?"
"Yes."
"Did you authorize the association to remove it?"
"No."
"Did you authorize Mr. Harlan to damage it?"
"Absolutely not."
"Do you have evidence of the damage?"
Nathan handed over the repair estimate and photographs.
Michael examined them.
"Thank you."
He then asked Daniel to describe what he had observed.
Daniel stood.
"My name is Daniel Mercer. I was visiting Mr. Cole and his wife. I parked my vehicle in their driveway the previous evening. The next morning, I saw Mr. Harlan approach the vehicle and kick the rear bumper several times. I recorded the incident from inside the house. Later, Mr. Harlan presented a notice demanding removal of the vehicle and arranged for a tow truck to attend the property."
"Did you threaten Mr. Harlan?"
"No."
"Did you prevent the tow operator from carrying out a lawful instruction?"
"I asked the operator to verify the authorization before moving a vehicle from private property. The operator contacted his dispatcher and declined to proceed without further documentation."
"Did you identify yourself as an employee of the county prosecutor's office?"
"No."
Richard shifted in his chair.
Michael continued.
"Did you make any demand for special treatment?"
"No."
"Did you tell Mr. Harlan that your position would result in consequences for him?"
"No."
Daniel sat down.
Michael turned toward Richard.
"Do you have any questions for the witness?"
Richard stared at Daniel.
"Yes. Mr. Mercer, you seem unusually interested in legal authority for someone who claims to be merely visiting."
Daniel met his gaze.
"I asked you to identify the rule you were enforcing."
"Because you wanted to challenge me."
"Because you said you had authority to remove the vehicle."
Richard leaned forward.
"You knew exactly what you were doing."
Michael interrupted.
"Mr. Harlan, please ask a question relevant to the incident."
Richard looked at the attorney.
Then he turned back to Daniel.
"Why didn't you simply move the vehicle?"
Daniel answered calmly.
"Because the homeowner had authorized me to park there, and you had not identified a valid rule prohibiting it."
"You're avoiding the question."
"No. I'm explaining why I did not consider your demand sufficient."
Richard looked away.
Michael thanked Daniel and invited him to sit.
The meeting continued.
Linda presented the towing notice.
Michael compared it with the association's official governing documents.
He then displayed the March meeting minutes.
The relevant passage showed that the proposed vehicle-control policy had been discussed but not adopted.
"Mr. Harlan," Michael said, "can you identify a board resolution authorizing the emergency policy cited in your notice?"
Richard opened his folder.
"The board authorized me to take appropriate enforcement measures."
"Which resolution?"
"The policy was discussed at the March meeting."
"Was it adopted?"
Richard hesitated.
"The board understood that action might be necessary."
"That is not the same as adopting a policy. Was there a vote?"
Richard looked toward Samuel Grant.
"I believe the board generally supported the concept."
Samuel shook his head.
"The board requested revisions. We did not approve it."
Richard's face flushed.
Michael continued.
"Do you have a signed resolution, recorded vote, or approved amendment establishing the emergency policy?"
"No, not with me."
"Does such a document exist?"
Richard's silence lasted several seconds.
"I would need to review the records."
Linda spoke quietly.
"The official records contain no such resolution."
Richard turned toward her.
"That doesn't mean the board never authorized the action."
Michael raised his hand.
"We will rely on the official records unless evidence establishes otherwise."
He placed the disputed policy beside the meeting minutes.
"At present, the board has no documented basis for treating this policy as an approved rule."
A resident in the second row raised her hand.
"Then why did Mr. Harlan send us a notice saying it was an emergency policy?"
Michael looked toward Richard.