DUNKERTON, Iowa - An effort is under way by a group of citizens to remove Mayor Mike Schares from office.

Jane Wagner is leading a petition drive to persuade the mayor to step down --- something he has twice refused to do when prodded by Wagner at council meetings --- or convince the City Council to remove Schares.

Wagner said eight people have signed the petition as of Tuesday, and she and four other residents plan to go door-to-door collecting signatures this week.

Schares declined to comment about the petition.

Wagner, a criminal justice instructor and former law enforcement officer, plans to present the petition to the City Council. The petition asks people to sign "if you support the removal of Dunkerton Mayor Mike Schares for willful misconduct in office and corruption that occurred between December 2011 and January 2012."

"The effort is starting because the citizens of Dunkerton need their voices heard. (Many) want him to step aside or resign," Wagner said.

Schares faces charges of interference with official acts and harassment of a public official, both simple misdemeanors. Schares pleaded innocent, and a jury trial is tentatively set for March 20 at the Black Hawk County Courthouse.

According to investigators, Schares allegedly interfered in a traffic stop on Dec. 2 conducted by Dunkerton Officer Robert Roquet. Teresa Adamson, the wife of the mayor's nephew, was cited for speeding. Court documents say Schares came to the scene and hindered Roquet's efforts to conduct the stop.

If Schares is found guilty, Wagner said, the City Council should vote to remove him from office.

"It's important for the City Council to know they have the citizens' support," Wagner said.

Whether the City Council will act is up in the air.

"I would think we would be pretty much obliged or obligated to take some action" if the mayor is found guilty, Councilman Mark Lichty said last month.

Councilman Ed Jessen, though, doesn't think council action is needed regardless of the outcome of the mayor's trial.

"It's not our deal, it's between the courts and him," Jessen said last month. "I can't imagine why we would (act). He's a bright boy ... I suspect it won't happen again."

The Iowa Code stipulates elected city officials can be removed from office for a variety of reasons, including willful misconduct or maladministration in office. It would take a vote by two-thirds of the five-member council to remove the mayor.

State Ombudsman Ruth Cooperrider said if a petition calling for Schares' ouster is given to the council, it is not obligated to take action.

"I think ultimately it's up to the council to pursue it," she said.