After a late night special closed session meeting of the Taft City Council Tuesday, Mayor Dave Noerr emerged from the meeting and announced that the council had voted 3-0 to approve an agreement to hire a law firm to provide special professional services to the council.
No indication was made by Noerr why the council had chosen to hire a law firm.
Before going into the closed session, Noerr announced that the council was meeting to "confer with legal counsel to discuss existing facts and circumstances regarding litigation against the city."
The closed session meeting began following the public comment portion of the council meeting, but was recessed after 45 minutes until later in the evening following completion of the regular agenda. The closed session was reconvened at the end of the council meeting, and ended at 10:30 p.m.
The law firm of Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, which specializes in labor and employment law, was identified as the law firm retained.
The council has been in turmoil over the past several months over accusations by City Councilman Cliff Thompson that City Manager Bob Gorson had given pay raises to employees without council approval. Councilman Craig Noble has also expressed his disagreement with Gorson on the raise issue.
Gorson has said that he has done nothing wrong, and that he has complied with all city ordinances.
A legal opinion by the city attorney said that the raises were unauthorized. A second opinion by an outside attorney hired by the council said that the raises were appropriate.
The council had approved up to $15,000 to pay for the second opinion. No expense figure was given for retaining the new law firm.
In September, Councilman Thompson announced that the Kern County Grand Jury was investigating Gorson and the raise issue. Councilman Noble has requested an opinion on the raise issue from the Attorney General.
The Kern County Grand Jury issued subpoenas to several city staff members and city councilmen. Those who testified before the Grand Jury declined comment claiming that the proceedings are secret.
Thompson began raising the pay raise issue following the public disclosure that he had received $200,000 in personal funds from Gorson for a real estate investment.
Thompson failed to file a required economic statement form disclosing the investment with the City Clerk's office until 2 years after Gorson made the payment. Gorson disclosed the investment to the council before Thompson filed the report.
Thompson filed bankruptcy in June on this year.
Thompson has also been accused by some city staff of creating a hostile work environment. No formal complaint has been made against Thompson.
All five members were in the closed session meeting, but two council members did not participate in the vote.