The meeting was expected to include discussion under California Government Code Section 54957, which allows personnel matters such as discipline, dismissal, or release to be discussed in closed session. It also included an item under Government Code Section 54956.9 regarding anticipated litigation.
According to the agenda, the city received an email on April 12 from an attorney representing Carney, alleging whistleblower retaliation and requesting a litigation hold on related documents. The city cited the email as grounds to discuss potential legal exposure in closed session.
No new meeting date has been announced, and as of the latest posting, no items related to the canceled session were added to the agenda for the City Council’s regular meeting on May 21. Residents are advised to check the city’s Agenda Center for updates.
The leadership changes stem from a series of events beginning April 1, when Carney made public allegations during a city council meeting, accusing senior staff of financial misconduct and unauthorized edits to official documents. Eight days later, the council placed him on paid administrative leave while a third-party investigation was initiated.
On April 10, Mayor Cameron Bregman said in a social media video that an investigation would be launched and promised that results would be shared publicly within 45 days. Based on that timeline, the findings are expected by May 25.
“We want this investigation for city employees and residents, so I appreciate your patience,” Bregman said.
The city retained the law firm Meyers Nave to conduct the investigation and later amended the firm’s contract to allow the hiring of external investigators. The expanded agreement brought the total contract amount to $210,000.
In the interim, Parks and Recreation Director Christina Jaromay was named acting city manager. On May 7, the council appointed retired Saratoga City Manager James Lindsay to the role under a temporary agreement.
Lindsay, a retired PERS annuitant with more than two decades of public service, began his term on May 8. The appointment was approved in a 4-1 vote, with Mayor Pro Tempore Ramon Yepez opposed.
“I am both honored and excited to serve the great City of Lodi,” Lindsay said during the meeting.
Lindsay previously served as Saratoga’s city manager from 2014 to 2024 and held senior roles in both Saratoga and Milpitas. He holds a degree in environmental studies from San Jose State University. Under his temporary agreement with Lodi, he will serve for up to six months at $140 per hour without benefits, in accordance with Government Code Section 21224, which allows retired public employees to work in specialized roles for a limited number of hours each fiscal year.
According to a city statement, council members considered only external candidates with prior city management experience before appointing Lindsay. He was selected to provide continuity in leadership while Carney remains on leave and the investigation continues.