Attorney General George Chanos appeared before the Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday to comment on the Bill Walters/Royal Links land controversy.

Mr. Chanos' presence came less than two weeks after he issued a blistering report concluding that the city for almost a decade seemed more intent on helping Mr. Walters profit from his dealings with the bureaucracy than on protecting taxpayer interests.

The report details 10 years "of indifference, incompetence, negligence and intentional misconduct in the city of Las Vegas," Mr. Chanos said.

The whole affair culminated last November after the City Council voted to lift a deed restriction in exchange for $7.2 million and allow Mr. Walters to turn Royal Links Golf Club into a residential development. With the deed restriction lifted, the land was worth up to five times that amount on the open market.

The city rescinded its decision after Councilman Steve Wolfson sought to put the item back on the council agenda and Mr. Chanos announced his investigation.

Not surprisingly, Mr. Chanos received a lukewarm reception from the council on Wednesday. Mayor Oscar Goodman didn't bother to hide his disdain last year when the Mr. Chanos entered the fray.

Nevertheless, the mayor on Wednesday called the Chanos report "constructive criticism," and the council concluded the meeting by asking City Manager Doug Selby to come back with suggestions on how to ensure they are fully briefed on the details of potentially controversial items.

That's all well and good. But a far more comprehensive approach would better serve taxpayers. The City Council should hold open personnel sessions with both Mr. Selby and City Attorney Brad Jerbic to discuss their performance during this whole sorry affair.

Mayor Goodman has vowed a complete airing of the matter. The personnel sessions would be a good place to start.