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-. In response to Councilwoman La Berge's questions, Mr. James Jackson, Counsel to the Subcommittee, stated that Councilwoman Steinfeld had every right to seek outside Counsel regarding the Council's actions under the Brown Act. In response to Councilwoman La Berge's questions, Councilman Greenalch stated that Councilwoman Steinfeld cooperated in the investigation. Impeding in this sense meant, by continually questioning the legitimacy of the process and the ability of the City Attorney to give advice to the Council. The most serious impediment was Councilwoman Steinfeld's actions regarding the evening of January 24 Council Meeting, when Council asked for subpoena power. Her requests of Great Western regarding information that was not related h, the inquiry were an attempt to say that "the reason this was happening was because the City had charged them an illegal tax; that the City somehow had sway over these people, and if they didn't cooperate with our investigation then we would pull our money out of the Bank....That action was unnecessary." Councilwoman La Berge stated that the letter to Great Western made it clear that the information Councilwoman Steinfeld requested was an act of intimidation at the very least. It was inappropriate, unethical and showed a pattern of her behavior during the investigation. The letters in the Report show she also tried to intimidate City Attorney Schricker and Vice Mayor Claire. Our city is in danger if we allow these actions to continue without some sort of action. Councilwoman Steinfeld stated this attack was inappropriate behavior. The conclusions of the second Report alluding to intimidation are false and ridiculous. Councilwoman Steinfeld stated she had a right to seek outside Counsel, and questioning actions of the Subcommittee were not an impediment. Councilwoman Steinfeld said she never challenged the City Attorney on his advice, but did so regarding his inaccurate statement about her in his letter of October 21, 1993. Councilwoman Steinfeld said she had a right to defend herself, and reiterated that Council Members cannot act in closed session to discuss conduct of colleagues. Councilwoman Steinfeld stated the Report was published without any time for her to consult an attorney or bring witnesses, and she viewed the Report as an attack. Councilwoman Steinfeld said that she and Joe reserve the right to choose their own defenders. In answer to Council questions, Councilwoman Steinfeld stated she opposed the authorization of subpoena power due to the lack of scope, and she requested the data from Great Western for information only. Mayor Buchan called on those who wished to speak to this issue. Joe Steinfeld, 850 Main Street, stated he took issue with how the investigation was conducted. The Subcommittee could not be impartial and they abrogated police functions to themselves, became a grand jury, district attorney, judge and jury. Mr. Steinfeld stated that he and Janet reserve the right to have their own defenders, and reiterated his charge that ~ the witnesses from the financial institutions were angry with him for blowing the whistle on them for paying an illegal tax. MINUTE BOOK NO. 52 Regular Meeting Minutes March 21, 1994 Page No. 180 Page 9