Come to the Bellevue City council meeting Jan 14 at 6 pm (lawyer, real estate)

[Carter McCann]

If you want to witness waste in government, come to the City Council meeting on Jan 14 at 6 pm at 210 W. Mission in Bellevue. The Cty Council tipped their old lawyer $262,500 on his way ot the door.

[Dave1215]

Originally Posted by Carter McCann

If you want to witness waste in government, come to the City Council meeting on Jan 14 at 6 pm at 210 W. Mission in Bellevue. The Cty Council tipped their old lawyer $262,500 on his way ot the door.

Out of curiosity I went to the city's website to look at the agenda to see what the topic was you were refering to. There isn't a published agenda as of this morning. Can you share what the item is on the 14th?

[Carter McCann]

the agenda comes out on Thursday before the meeting...

[mattpoulsen]

Why did they give the 200,000+ to the attorney? There has to be some sort of reason...they didn't literally just give him a tip. What was the purported reason for it?

[Dave1215]

Historically there has been a lot of conflict in Bellevue between different camps. The conflict bleeds into the administration and council. It has been going on for years. It doesn't help that they in the recent history have had some real financial problems (I think actually filed bankruptcy in late 70's or early 80's).

Here is a link to an article recapping the Top 7 stories of 2007 for Bellevue.

Article # 7 is the recap of the issue. Here is the summary of the article:

"7 - City pays law firm; Herdzina resigns
A long-standing dispute came to a close in August when the Bellevue City Council voted to pay the law firm of Abrahams, Kaslow & Cassman more than $260,000 for representation in a lawsuit against real estate developer America First Communities.

Another dispute within city government was resolved shortly after when City Attorney John Herdzina resigned.

The issue with AKC, Herdzina's employer, revolved around the city's decision to retain their services in a 2006 legal action against the developer for unpaid permit and inspection fees. Some on the Council contended the decision was made in closed session, a breach of open meeting policy.

In the end, though, the council voted 7-3 to pay the agreed 33 percent of the million-dollar settlement.

Herdzina's fate had been up in the air for nearly as long.

Early in 2007, Mayor Ed Babbitt had tried to replace the 15-year city attorney, citing as the reason doubts about how Herdzina's pay and benefits were handled. Some of the same Council members who opposed the AKC payment also supported Babbitt's attempt to replace Herdzina.

Less than a month after the AKC bill was paid, Herdzina stepped down and Pat Sullivan, Babbitt's original pick, was named Bellevue's new city attorney."
Source: Bellevue Leeder

[Dave1215]

So... Carter, curious minds want to know more... what happened in regards to the item on the agenda you were referencing in the original post?

[Carter McCann]

I gave them three choices. First, sue the old law firm for an acounting on their contract. I believe the axpayers in Belleue overpaid by mllions. Second, each of them pay the city $100,000 and resign. Their third choice was both. They said nothing.

[Carter McCann]

What the Bellevue Leader left out is that I wrote to the Counsel for discipline of the Nebraska Supreme Court to compain about Herdzina. He resigned the same day.

[Carter McCann]

I asked the City Coucl to sue Abraham Kasslow Cassman for return of any over charges. I am gessing 1-2 million. They declined.

[mattpoulsen]

"You" gave the city three choices?? And from what authority do you derive your authority to impose ultimatums on the Bellevue City Council. This all boils down to you "thinking the taxpayers overpaid the law firm." In your own words you stated "I'm guessing $1 to $2 million." I'm not sure why you think the council would listen to you.