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know. To me it is immaterial if she is a nice business person. My ultimate concern is what type of a Council person is she as manifeste~,~hrough her actions. Witnesses may have presented mitigating circumstances, but as far as '1 am concerned there are no mitigations for personal attacks, and attempts to discredit and bully other people. And I am not talking about Mr. Steinfeld, I am talking about Councilwoman Steinfeld. And finally, last week Councilwoman Steinfeld alleged that the letter of January 24, 1994 was motivated by a desire for personal knowledge and did not grow out of the investigation we were having. The question I would ask is why did that need for knowledge only become apparent when it was seen on the agenda that we were going to subpoena that information. And if indeed that information was intended for personal knowledge and had nothing to do with our investigation, why in her letter of March 23 did she once again want to subpoena exactly the same information. It is speculative on my part, but I think consistent with behavior I have seen, it is an attempt to somehow discredit the people of Great Western Bank. After much consideration Councilwoman Steinfeld said she could only speak for her motivations, I can only speak for mine. My motivation is that in this entire process which was an attempt to simply determine the facts, and regardless of what is alleged, Councilman Sanfilipo made senous allegations against Councilwoman Steinfeld and Councilwoman Steinfeld in spite of what she said now, made serious allegations against Councilman Sanfilipo. And that is what we attempted to get to the bottom of. In attempting to do that I think that Councilwoman Steinfeld engaged in behavior, and continues to engage in behavior that I find personally unacceptable. I think that it is good that we resolve it tonight to the degree that we can resolve it, because it has taken an inordinate amount of our staffs' time and it has taken an inordinate amount of my time as an elected official. And again I say for the record, I will not have anything else to say on this matter until or unless I am directed to do so in a Superior Court in San Mateo County. But, I in the strongest words possible, want to disapprove of the actions of Councilwoman Steinfeld during the course of this investigation." Councilwoman La Berge stated that when Mr, Morgan came before the Council and discussed whether this deliberation was legal justice or political justice, he framed politics in a negative way. Councilwoman La Berge stated she was proud to be a local politician and very proud of this Council. Councilwoman La Berge stated that she and each of her colleagues had the highest motives possible, and made decisions in the best interests of all the people of Redwood City. Councilwoman La Berge admitted that some decisions were very difficult to make, but the decision about to be made regarding Councilwoman Steinfeld's behavior would be made considering all the people in the City and what is in their best interests. Councilwoman La Berge added that there was no need for further evidence and no need to question motivation. The Council had all the evidence it needed to make a political decision to say that the Council disapproved of Councilwoman Steinfeld's conduct. Mayor Buchan stated that this was a very sad, sad occasion. The Council had made requests of both Councilwoman Steinfeld and Councilman Sanfilipo. Councilman Sanfilipo respected his colleagues and the process, and honored the request of the Subcommittee. Councilwoman Steinfeld did not, as evidenced in the report and by her departure from this meeting. Mayor Buchan said those actions were intolerable. Mayor Buchan added that this issue was not about what might or might not end up as a law suit; but it was about ethics and values. Mayor Buchan stated that Councilwoman Steinfeld's behavior was unacceptable, and it was time to move forward. ITERATION OF THE MOTION: Regular Meeting Minutes MINUTE BOOK NO. 52 Page No. 199 March 28, 1994 Page 15 ..., 1 ""-'-""""T-""'" -" ,-----.. , ---.,..-..,..,.. ,