At the March 21, 2023, Saratoga Springs City Council meeting, Mayor Ron Kim submitted a resolution that was meant to further juice up his conflict with Public Safety Commissioner James Montagnino over the claim the latter brought against Black Lives Matter activist Chandler Hickenbottom.
As the video documents, the resolution heading indicated that it was written by City Attorney Tony Izzo.
In the clip, Montagnino calls Izzo to the microphone to inquire about the source of the document :
Montagnino: "You drafted this?"
Izzo: "I did not. It caused me some concern."
Montagnino: "It says 'City Attorney' at the top."
Izzo: "Yes, so I did check back. I did not draft this document."
Montagnino: "Do you know who did?"
Izzo: "No, I do not."
Kim: "I did. I'm an attorney."
Kim apparently saw no need to consult the City Attorney on the resolution even when appropriating his letterhead.
A Mess
As it turned out, the resolution not only had the inappropriate heading attributing it to the city attorney, it had additional issues. There were typos, and the text referred to Montagnino's action as a "summons" when the proper legal term was "claim."
The Mayor then withdrew the resolution citing the errors in it and his desire for a vote that would include Public Works Commissioner Jason Golub, who was absent. The Mayor asserted he would have Golub's vote in support at the next meeting.