More Closed Session Meetings; James Gregg & ‘Significant Exposure to Litigation’. Is Beaumont in Trouble, or does Pinkney just Need Money?
Agenda City of Beaumont City Council Meeting
Closed Session 5:00 PM
Beaumont Financing Authority
Beaumont Successor Agency (formerly RDA)
Beaumont Utility Authority
Beaumont Parking Authority
Beaumont Public Improvement Authority
Community Facilities District 93-1
550 E 6th Street, Beaumont, Ca
Monday, October 22, 2018
1. Public Comments Regarding Closed Session
2. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation:
Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) – (One Claim- James Gregg)
3. Conference with Legal Counsel – Anticipated Litigation:
Significant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) and/or (3) (one potential case)
The October 16, 2018, Beaumont City Council Closed Session started an hour early and continued after the City Council Meeting. On the Closed Session Agenda was ‘Anticipated Litigation’ Special Legal Counsel Eric S. Vail from the Law Firm of Burke, Williams, & Sorensen.
When the City Council announced the actions from Closed Session City Manager Todd Parton read the Agenda Item instead of City Attorney John Pinkney, which means the Agenda Item is in reference to Pinkney. This would be the second time the Taxpayers have paid for Pinkney’s legal defense.
The June 7, 2016, Beaumont City Council Agenda Item 3.e.: Resolution Authorizing Payment of Lawyers’ and Consultants’ Legal Fees: http://www.ci.beaumont.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/27646
But Vail isn’t a Criminal Defense Lawyer, he’s a City Attorney himself. The Burke Williams Sorensen webpage states: “Currently, Eric serves as City Attorney for the City of Hemet, City of Temple City, and City of Cathedral City..”
This time the Taxpayers are paying for a qualified City Attorney that has experience in city government and knows State laws. While Pinkney carries $65,000/month out the door a knowledgeable City Attorney has to be hired.
Here’s the background on James Gregg: https://patch.com/california/b…
James Gregg https://patch.com/california/b…