CC Min 1994-03-21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

in the Subcommittee Report. Mr. Steinfeld stated that the six members of the Council of were ashamed of "their witnesses." Mr. Steinfeld stated the events could not have taken place as reported, and there has been no opportunity before this moment to respond to the testimony of witnesses. Mr. Steinfeld referred to Ms. Wycoff and Mr. Honjas not being called to verify their testimony, and stated the Report was not factual and was in fact incredible. Mr. Steinfeld held up cards he said were 108 donations to the Gala, many from Redwood City and San Mateo County management personnel, and the Chamber of Commerce, and asked why those people did not feel intimidated as the employees from the financial institutions did, according to the Report. Mr. Steinfeld answered his question by stating he had blown the whistle on the Bank employees and had gotten them into trouble. These charges against him were their revenge. (On Page 00061 of the Report Mr. Steinfeld explains in a letter to B of A, why these letters describing his attempts to pressure employees for donations to the Gala were acts of retaliation.) In an attempt to illustrate how faulty memories can be, Mr. Steinfeld began to read from a document that supposedly quoted Vice Mayor Claire. After a few words were read, Mayor Buchan gaveled for quiet and advised Mr. Steinfeld his language was out of order. Vice Mayor Claire advised that what Mr. Steinfeld read was an excerpt of his statement to the Redwood City Police Department regarding statements made by another person, and made during a criminal investigation; and the events in question are currently part of a court proceeding. In response to Mayor Buchan's questions, City Attorney Schricker advised this matter was irrelevant to the discussion of this Report. Also, it was a matter for the courts and recommended that it not be discussed further. Mr. Steinfeld stated that he felt he was being censored. Mr. Steinfeld wanted to read a letter sent by the Mayor to Mr. Salvador Sandoval, but the Mayor stated that letter was also irrelevant, and Mr. Steinfeld who continued to talk over the Mayor's instructions was told he was out of order. Mr. Steinfeld stated the Report contained letters that had their dates changed, and the conclusions were based on hearsay, third hand, unsworn and unchallenged testimony, and no court in the land would accept it as fact. Mr. Steinfeld called the Report a hoax. Mr. Steinfeld talked about the usefulness of the PCRC in past disputes, and questioned why the City had not used it recently, especially in the Steinfeld v. Sanfilipo dispute, which would have resolved the issues without the resulting investigation. Councilman Greenalch stated that the Committee was not ashamed of any witnesses; the three who said "no" to Mr. Steinfeld came forward asking the Council for help; the subcommittee stood by the facts as reported which were given to the best of their recollections and would not be shaken under oath; and, what bothered him most, he was not referring to Councilwoman Steinfeld at this point, were the ongoing attacks to defame Councilman Claire and bring in other irrelevant issues. Councilman Greenalch stated that Mr. Steinfeld did what the Report said he did, but it was not up to the Council to be concerned with that matter. Councilman Greenalch stated that Councilwoman Steinfeld MINUTE BOOK NO. 52 Regular Meeting Minutes March 21, 1994 Page No. 178 Page 7