CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
CITY COUNCIL MEETING – COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RHONDA BOLTON, CITY COUNCILMEMBER
DAN KALMICK, CITY COUNCILMEMBER
DATE: 8/2/2022
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATIONS FROM RWG REPORT TO COUNCIL ACTION
The Richards Watson Gershon (RWG) operational review made several recommendations to foster improved organizational performance for the City. To implement these recommendations, this Council should direct the following steps be taken:
• The City Attorney’s Office should provide training to the City Council and staff about their respective roles (e.g., as attorney and client) and the resources of the City Attorney’s office . There should also be an extensive dialogue with Councilmembers and staff about how these relationships and resources can be improved.
• Determine whether the City should take any additional actions concerning potential violations of California Government Code sections 87407 and 1090 by former employee Brian Williams. As recommended in the RWG report, to remove any conflict of interest conc erns, this determination should be made using independent outside counsel.
• The City Attorney and City Council should evaluate the possibility that some or all of the payments the City made to the Greenberg Gross law firm following Mr.
Williams’ employment by that firm could be determined to be void by a court .
Additionally, fees charged by Greenberg Gross to the City for researching conflict of interest and for h otel accommodations should be questioned. This evaluation should be made using independent outside counsel as appropriate.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Direct Staff to return to Council with in 60 days with guidance on how to effectuate the above recommendations.