YORBA LINDA
The city’s legal victory Monday in a lawsuit filed by Public Works Director Roy Stephenson puts Yorba Linda in a strong position in its lawsuit against City Manager Arthur C. Simonian, Councilman John M. Gullixson said Tuesday.
“The judge clearly said Simonian did not have the authority to set compensation for employees,” he said. “This is really encouraging for the city.”
Stephenson sued the city last year when council members voted against giving him $20,000 in additional benefits under a program set
up by Simonian, who is now on paid administrative leave.
Stephenson sued the city, saying the council refusal of benefits was not legal because the vote was taken in closed session and was a violation of the state’s open meeting law--the Brown Act.
But Superior Court Judge Richard Frazee ruled Monday that the council did not violate the Brown Act and that the action to refuse benefits should stand.
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