Moore, Tania
From: Fikes, Cathy
Sent: Friday, July 1, 2022 8:09 PM
To: Agenda Alerts
Subject: FW: Item #17, Council Agenda for July 5, 2022 SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Mosting Date: 7/5/2002
From: Gino J. Bruno <[email protected]> spanda Mom No: *17 22-593) Sent: Friday, July 1, 2022 2:22 PM
To: CITY COUNCIL <[email protected]>
Cc: Zelinka, Al <[email protected]>; Hopkins, Travis <[email protected]>; Gates, Michael <[email protected]>; Estanislau, Robin <[email protected]> Subject: Item #17, Council Agenda for July 5, 2022
City Council members...
As you know, here's what Item #17 on the July 5' City Council meeting agenda says, in pertinent part:
On April 19, 2021, the City Council directed former City Manager Oliver Chi to retain Richards Watson Gershon (RWG) to conduct a review into the City's overall handling of a litigation matter, brought by two former employees of the City Attorney's office, Neal Moore and Scott Field. A City Council Legal Issues ad hoc subcommittee reviewed the confidential report with Mr. Craig Steele of RWG under attorney-client privilege. By agreement with City Attorney Gates, public release of the report was delayed for discussions between the City Attorney's attorney and the City Council's attorney. As those discussions have concluded, Mr. Steele will be transmitting a confidential report to all members of the City Council prior to the July 5, 2022 City Council meeting. Because Mr.
Steele interviewed City Councilmembers and reviewed other privileged information, the ad hoc subcommittee recommends the City Council waive the Attorney-Client Privilege for the limited confidential report information, and make the report public. The litigation has been concluded for over a year, there is no appeal, and there would be no harm to the City by making the limited information public.
1. I reviewed the Minutes of the April 19, 2021 City Council meeting to verify (as anyone can), and, although there is reference to that litigation in the Closed Session portion of the Agenda, the report out of action taken in Closed Session was, "NONE." (i) How, (ii) when, and (iii) where did the City Council directed] former City Manager Oliver Chi to retain' this outside lawyer? Was there a Brown Act violation here, where action is taken that is hidden from the public?
2. I am not familiar with any "City Council Legal Issues ad hoc subcommittee." Please explain to me how this subcommittee came about. When was it established? By what authority was it established? For what purpose was it established? For how long was it to be viable? Who are/were on this ad hoc subcommittee? Who empowered this subcommittee to review the alleged 'confidential report? What are/were the parameters of the subcommittee's authority? Where can I find a copy of its enabling documents? Was this another Brown Act violation?
3. By what authority did there become a "City Council's attorney" other than our City Charter-provided City Attorney? Who authorized payment of his billings?
4. How can there be an 'Attorney-Client Privilege' with an attorney who is not the City's attorney, since our City Charter says we only have ONE city attorney? If just anyone who is a member of the California State Bar sends an opinion/report to the City Council in non-compliance with the City Charter, is it subject to the Attorney-Client Privilege?
The mere fact that this Item is on the Agenda tells me it is a 'hit piece,' designed to try to take down our popular City Attorney.
Huntington Beach is watching •.•
Thank you.
Gino J. Bruno
Huntington Beach
Moore, Tania
From: AnonymousCitizen2030 < [email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, July 5, 2022 9:02 AM
To: [email protected]; CITY COUNCIL
Subject: No on Agenda Items 17 & 22
HB City Council,
I oppose your agenda items 17 & 22.
Cease and desist from your globalist efforts in trying to destroy HB.
Sincerely,
Jeremy
P.S. Also, take down those disgusting rainbow flags. Do you not know most people are Christians that live here? Bigots!
Sent with Proton Mail secure email.
SUPPLEMENTAL
COMMUNICATION
Meeting Date: 7/5/2022
# 17 (22-593)
Agenda Item No.:
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