Both Patterson & Pinkney left the room instead of advising the Council that they can not approve Local Ordinances that violate State Laws.
Acting Beaumont City Attorneys John Pinkney and Robert Patterson neglected to properly advise their Client that government agencies are required to follow California State Laws requiring Public Bid Contracts.
Both Patterson and Pinkney left the room instead of advising the Beaumont City Council that they can not approve Local Ordinances that violate State Laws.
Beaumont City Council Transcript November 7, 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcF1FmZLQkI&t=17377s
3:41:00: Agenda item 26: Change Municipal Code to Increase Bid Contract to $25,000 First Reading: https://beaumont.civicweb.net/document/9806/Item%2026.pdf?handle=3E8B5D56E16E45828E171F985ADA39EB
Acting City Attorney Robert Patterson: “We have a potential Conflict of Interest because this Ordinance involves the procurement of professional services, which obviously we provide. So out of an abundance of caution; we’re going to recuse ourselves from participation in this. We have recused ourself from any participation in the drafting of this Ordinance and I’m going to recuse myself right now from any participation or discussion of it.”
White: Okay, thank you.
Patterson walked out of the Council Meeting.
November 21, 2018 Beaumont City Council Transcript:
50:00:00: Agenda Item 11: 2nd Reading to change Municipal Code Increasing Contracts without Bid in Violation of State Law: https://beaumont.civicweb.net/document/10042/Item%2011.pdf?handle=421F6DA4E6F4489296335B427F6C1922
Pinkney: “Since this Item could potentially impact my Firm and my role in the City some time in the future; I’m going to recuse myself.”
Pinkney walked out of the Council Meeting.
Lack of Adequate Oversight Over Contract Awards was Finding 4 on the California State Controller’s Investigative Report dated November 3, 2015. The City promised the State they would follow State Law requiring Public Contract Bids over $5,000 and Personal Services Agreements over $10,000: https://www.sco.ca.gov/Files-AUD/11_2015beaumont_internal_acct_control.pdf