By Eliza Ridgeway

Citing a need to improve operations at historic Westwind Barn, a Los Altos Hills City Council ad hoc committee has recommended severing ties with a group that has run barn programs the past 28 years.

Councilman Craig Jones described Friends of Westwind’s governance as “dysfunctional and inconsistent with the use of public funds” when he reported to the city council last Thursday the findings of the committee that also included Mayor Breene Kerr, and residents Valerie Metcalf, Steve Johnson and Susan Lam.

The recommendation left participants at last week’s council meeting “flabbergasted,” in the words of Councilman Jean Mordo.

Mordo, the only other councilmember voting on the issue, had proposed a similar, if more limited, revision months earlier. Councilmen Mike O’Malley and Dean Warshawsky routinely recuse themselves from Westwind issues due to Warshawsky’s living near the barn and O’Malley’s personal involvement in the barn.

A shakeup at the barn, including at least significant renovation and changes in programming, had been anticipated for months. Friends has managed the barn since 1978, and its members have argued passionately for the preservation of its role. But mounting internal problems, including staffing problems, health-code violations and an impending lawsuit, have received negative publicity in recent months.

Potential violations regarding wages and hours for barn employees have now spun into the threat of a lawsuit aimed at Friends and, potentially, the town.

Kerr, on the advice of the town’s lawyer, was unable to speak freely about the suit, “an unwelcome development,” but confirmed that the town has been preparing for anticipated litigation “within the scope of our limited role at the barn.

“The town is the property owner and has deep pockets, which makes it an attractive target,” Kerr said. “There is a possibility that the town might be brought into the action, but we are not, nor have we ever been, an employer out at Westwind.”

Live-in barn staff were displaced in February when they were evicted from their housing due to health and safety violations, including lack of emergency exits and sufficient ventilation.

The barn has also suffered from a high employee turnover rate - four managers in the last year as well as multiple volunteer interim managers.

Kerr and Jones recommended changing from a 10-year lease with Friends to a renewable yearly management service contract with a professional barn manager, similar to those at commercial barns in the area. Jones said that Friends might become a support organization along the lines of the Los Altos Hills Horsemen’s Association or function as a co-op managing a certain number of stalls at the barn.

Jones said he was disappointed with the response Friends gave during negotiations. He said Friends’ attitude that the town’s concerns were “an issue that had been manufactured and that there was really no reason to have substantive change” ultimately led to the committee’s sweeping recommendation.

Friends of Westwind member Patty Roche, who presented at the meeting, disagreed with Jones’ assessment and said the ad hoc committee made no concrete suggestions to which they might agree.

“I wish there had been more opportunity for give and take and back and forth,” she said.

Friends President Sharon O’Malley said she welcomed the council’s ideas, “But … I think we have the lease.”

Friends and the town signed a 10-year lease in 2004. Kerr said the council was unwilling to discuss that issue in an open session. Closed sessions address litigation or potential litigation.

During his presentation, Jones emphasized “very successful” ongoing fund-raising at the barn, particularly the annual Derby Day, scheduled this year for May 6.

“I think it would be very sad to lose all of the volunteerism,” Mordo said. “There is a lot of sweat equity in the barn by all the Friends of Westwind who are giving their time and money.”