8/22/2019 SBLA Metro 710 Priviledge

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August 1, 2013

To: Metro Board of DirectorsFr: Damien Newton, Streetsblog LA

Re: Who is the decision maker on the I-710 Gap Closure Project

Dear Board of Directors,

At the last weeks Metro Board meeting, County Attorney Charles Safer responded to anApril motion by Board Member Ara Najarian containing questions on the I-710 Gap ClosureProject. The Najarian motion sought the answers to three basic questions concerning therelationship between Caltrans and Metro on this project.

Specifically, Najarian sought to see who was the final decision maker on the project, whowould be liable to defend the EIR for the project in court, and whether or not there is anMOU concerning the project between the two agencies.

At last weeks meeting, it was revealed that Safers answers to these questions were notgoing to be made available to the public. Safer cited attorney-client privilege, leaving theMetro Board to decide whether or not such basic questions could be given to the public.Why the Board did not immediately act to waive this privilege is not known.

As an accredited media source that regularly covers Metro and this project, we areformally requesting that the Metro Board of Directors agendize a motion to waiveattorney-client privilege.

The answers to the questions posed by Najarians April motion could have been answeredby any member of the Metro staff and having the county attorney answer suggests that hewas drafted solely to keep this information from the publics hands. The easiest way forMetro to correct the error of having the County Attorneys office provide these answers is towaive privilege. Forcing the public to pursue other avenues will prove costly both financiallyand in Metros standing with the public.

I can be reached at Damien@streetsblog.org or 323-774-8828 at any time.

Wishing you the Best,