Resident presses council for disclosure of litigation costs in Gathering Inn case; city says billing requests are privileged

At the start of the Lincoln City Council meeting, resident Scott Warren asked the council to disclose how much the city has spent on litigation against the Gathering Inn, saying he had submitted public-records requests but received no response.

“This deafening silence is an indication of the lack of transparency on the part of the city,” Warren said, asking the city to provide attorney fees and related expenses spent on the litigation.

Mayor Andreatta and other council members responded during the public-comment period. The mayor noted the city maintains an online financial portal where residents can see expenditures from city funds. Separately, a staff member identified as Christine said Warren’s request sought attorney-billing records; because the litigation is pending, those documents are confidential under attorney–client privilege and work-product protections and therefore were not produced. “Under California law…those are not disclosable,” Christine said. Council members said that staff had communicated that to Warren.

No council action was taken; the remarks were part of the public-comment period rather than an agendized item.

Why it matters: The exchange highlights public interest in legal costs associated with local litigation and clarifies the city’s position that attorney billing records tied to pending litigation are not public while litigation remains active.