Central to the meeting was the lawsuit filed by Phoenix Construction Services, Inc. against the city. The city attorney briefed the commission on the early stages of the case, noting that the city had been served in February and that a motion to dismiss the lawsuit was pending. The attorney emphasized the importance of not discussing specifics in public to protect the city’s legal strategy. Questions from commissioners about the city manager’s potential willful negligence and the implications for the city were met with the attorney’s clarification that liability would ultimately be decided by a judge or jury. Concerns about the case’s complexity and the need for further depositions were also raised, highlighting the multifaceted nature of the ongoing legal battle.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to deliberations over the fate of City Manager Vicky Gainor. A motion to terminate her was proposed. The attorney cautioned against hasty decisions, warning that such actions could lend credence to the lawsuit’s claims and impact the city’s defense. Commissioners debated the merits of placing Gainor on administrative leave, with some arguing it would allow for an impartial investigation without influencing ongoing legal proceedings.

The city attorney advised that individual commissioners could conduct private interviews with city employees to gather more information, provided legal protocols were respected. This step was seen as a way to ensure a thorough understanding of the situation before making any employment decisions. The need for fair and transparent processes was underscored, with references to past instances where premature decisions led to unjust outcomes.

Public comments during the meeting added another layer of complexity to the discussions. Residents expressed concerns about alleged corruption and mismanagement within the city government, with specific accusations directed at Gainor and her staff. One resident highlighted a financial discrepancy in a city project, questioning the accountability of city officials. Other residents echoed these sentiments, calling for transparency and accountability in the city’s dealings.

Jerry Parker, a resident, accused the commission of ignoring evidence from a federal case and failing to address longstanding issues, emphasizing integrity over racial considerations. Ryan Gray, another speaker, advocated for a third-party audit of the city’s procurement actions during Gainor’s tenure to ensure contractual integrity. Bernie Thompson raised concerns about the safety of city employees amidst ongoing investigations, while other residents voiced frustrations over code enforcement and personal grievances related to the city’s management.

City Manager Vicky Gainor defended her tenure, recounting the challenges and criticisms she faced while highlighting financial improvements under her leadership, including an increase in city funds from $6.8 million to $19 million. She addressed the public calls for accountability.

The meeting concluded with a motion put forth.