As the City Hall Turns

And the soap opera that is Mission Viejo City Hall continues.

Councilwoman Gail Reavis has filed a $10-million claim against the city, three council members, the city attorney and a City Hall secretary alleging harassment, invasion of privacy and emotional distress, among other things.

City Hall squabbles have persisted for several years, providing a dose of controversy in a master-planned town that has generally operated quietly and efficiently.

Reavis’ claim, filed March 16 against Mayor Patricia Kelley and Councilmen Lance MacLean and Frank Ury, marks the third time in 18 months that the city has been served with legal papers by one of its own.

Six months ago, City Hall secretary Kathy Rios filed a harassment claim against Reavis, seeking $15,600 and a public apology. Rios said her reputation was damaged when Reavis accused her of having an affair with Rios’ boss, then-City Manager Dan Joseph.

In November 2003, the City Council ended its relationship with Joseph, agreeing to a severance package rather than risking a potential lawsuit by Joseph against the city. Joseph had lodged a claim against the city that month alleging, among other things, libel, slander, breach of contract and failure to evaluate his job performance.

Councilman John Paul Ledesma said the ongoing City Hall drama was hard to fathom. “It’s kind of like we’re getting ready to do a reality TV show down here,” he said.

William S. Craycraft, who opted not to seek a fifth council term in November, seemed happy to be sitting on the sidelines: “I’m looking pretty smart that I got out when I did.”

Ury, a first-term councilman, promised during last fall’s campaign to create a sense of harmony within the council, but now he wonders if that’s still possible.

“How do we all move forward after this?” he said. “I don’t know how you repair the working relationship. It’s almost like being in a family and suing your brother and then expect to get along afterward.”

Ury said Reavis’ legal action has caused a stir with residents. “The volume of e-mails and phone calls is 10 times what it normally is,” he said. “I have not heard one single person that has said anything positive. I believe we have a city that is not very happy with this claim.”

MacLean and Kelley said some residents have talked to them about recalling Reavis, and others have asked for Reavis’ resignation.

Resident Max McDougall, who said he voted for Reavis in 2000, said he can no longer support the two-term councilwoman. “I thought she was very feisty when she and John Paul [Ledesma] were the minority on council,” he said. “But now ... it makes us kind of a laughingstock.”

Reavis’ critics have accused her of lapses in judgment before. In 2003, she charged a lunch tab to City Hall without noting that her husband was among the guests; she refunded the city $10 for his share. She was also in the middle of the battle that led to Joseph leaving his job.

Reavis did not speak specifically about her legal claim, but said residents have been “very supportive.”

“They just want to know the truth,” she said.

Reavis’ claim alleges that Rios “conspired with members of the City Council and the public, including candidates for City Council, to publish [and] disseminate misleading and defamatory comments about Mrs. Reavis to various city employees and city officials.”

“Kathy Rios’ suit was filed five weeks before the election and was settled a day before the election,” said Phil Greer, Reavis’ Newport Beach attorney. “The timing is very suspect. All the people named used [the Rios claim] to political ends. The violation of Gail’s rights were blatant and malicious.”

The Reavis claim did not appear on the council’s closed-session agenda last week, and no residents mentioned the legal action in public comments.