Another recent example is Atherton's distrust, anger and threats of hiring up to a $50,000 consultant to study how much the Fire District directly spends on putting out fires and providing emergency medical services. Hostile comments made in public like "it seems like they are hiding something", "they don't show up to our meetings", etc. provide a sense of emotional despair, vs. paving the way in building bridges, trust and problem solving on areas of mutual interest.
Maybe lawyers are the answer, but I'd like to think that 'ol fashion face to face meetings between elected officials and well paid professional staff could resolve any and all concerns.