Topping this week’s discussions in local government, the Orange County Board of Supervisors is set to discuss lawsuits alleging retaliation against a sheriff’s official and violations of the open records law.
At their meeting on Tuesday, county supervisors plan to discuss a lawsuit brought by former sheriff’s Lt. Bill Hunt, alleging that then-Sheriff Mike Carona retaliated against him for running against Corona in the 2006 election.
A judge has ordered the county to reinstate Hunt to a job equivalent to his previous position of overseeing police services in San Clemente and to pay more than $330,000 in back pay, raises, penalties and attorney fees.
Carona was the subject of a federal corruption probe and was ultimately convicted of witness tampering. He’s now serving a 5½-year federal prison sentence in Colorado.
Supervisors are also scheduled to discuss the ongoing public records lawsuit brought by Voice of OC, which seeks to force the disclosure of a letter by a high-ranking county official that alleges a host of improper dealings among supervisors and other officials.
The letter, sent last July by Deputy CEO Alisa Drakodaidis, accuses members of the Board of Supervisors of outright corruption involving contracts, hiring and promotions within county Public Works and possibly elsewhere in the county bureaucracy, according to sources who have seen it.
The county has released a redacted version.
Here’s a rundown of what’s up for debate this week across Orange County:
Orange County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, April 23, at 9:30 a.m.
- Approving a 10-year agreement with Orange for pedestrian-bikeway improvements and maintenance.
- Approving a two-year, $8.8-million master agreement with various providers of adult mental health inpatient services.
- Awarding a $5.5 million contract to Powell Constructors for the Edinger Avenue bridge widening over the Santa Ana River.
- Approving a contract increase from $3 million to $5.2 million for Atkins North America, Inc., Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., Tait and Associates, Inc., and Willdan Engineering for land use planning and engineering services, due to “significant unanticipated demands in plan check services” related to the Ranch Plan development.
- Declaring an emergency and authorizing the Sheriff’s Department to negotiate and award a $425,000 contract to Trane U.S. for replacing a 300-ton centrifugal chiller at Theo Lacy Jail Facility.
Closed Session
- Wrongful termination lawsuit by Bill Hunt, former candidate for sheriff.
- Public records lawsuit by Voice of OC.
- County CEO appointment.
Irvine City Council, Tuesday, April 23, at 4 p.m.
- A bond refund to refinance Mello-Roos property tax bonds at the Columbus Grove neighborhood.
- Cost of services analysis and fee recommendations for the city clerk and services related to public safety and building projects.
- Action plan for the federal Community Development Block Grant program.
- Selection of project manager for the Solar Decathlon 2013 and Expo.
Closed Session
- Anticipated litigation with vendors over the Northwood Community Park project.
- Negotiations with various city employee labor groups.
Laguna Beach City Council, Tuesday, April 23, at 5 p.m.
- Approving a $28,000 contract with Pyro Spectaculars to provide the 2013 Fourth of July fireworks show.
- Authorizing the purchase of $200,000 in public utility credits from Aliso Viejo over the next three years at a discounted price of $110,000.
- Approving a letter sent to President Obama on behalf of the League of California Cities opposing a cap on tax exemption for municipal bonds that is included in the fiscal year 2014 federal budget.
Newport Beach City Council, Tuesday, April 23, at 7 p.m.
- Creating a Tidelands Management Committee composed of three City Council members.
- Approving a five-year contract with 24 Carrots to provide café and catering services for the Newport Beach Civic Center.
- Approving a community development block grant draft action plan with an estimated budget of $350,000.
Rancho Santa Margarita City Council, Wednesday, April 24, at 7 p.m.
- Approving a community development block grant draft action plan with an estimated budget of $179,000.
Adam Elmahrek and Brendan Wiles contributed to this report.
You can reach Nick Gerda at ngerda@gmail.com, and follow him on Twitter: @nicholasgerda.