Ortiz litigation

Accused Councilmember Ortiz of years of unsubstantiated corruption accusations, questioned taxpayer costs, and urged the council to consider the full litigation history and deny her any settlement.

Urged the council to settle the lawsuit to stop wasting taxpayer money, criticized the chief and outside attorney, and called for accountability and an end to political division.

A 35-year attorney and lifelong resident who slammed the council for infighting and legal attacks on colleagues, and urged withdrawal of the legal allegations against Ortiz.

A seventh-ward resident since 1969 who attributed the city's decline to corruption, praised Ortiz's integrity, and pledged her vote for her.

A first-ward council candidate who said unlimited money goes to lawyers while services go underfunded, called for settling the lawsuit and criticized the chief.

Said the ongoing litigation has cost the city time, resources and credibility, raised concerns about the alleged use of law enforcement databases for political purposes, and urged the city to settle the case.

A second-ward council candidate who called the lawsuit a growing financial liability and urged the council to settle and redirect money to public safety and infrastructure.

Criticized holding costly special meetings during work hours, called the proceedings a personal vendetta against Ortiz, and said the council should focus on homelessness, blight and potholes instead.

Read alleged statements by Police Chief Darren Goodman from the federal complaint into the record and demanded the release of recordings and administrative action.

A Ward 1 candidate said the council is ignoring real city issues, called on members to release recordings of the Ortiz-POA meeting, and voiced support for Ortiz.

A longtime local attorney said the council's priorities are backwards, accusing members of calling a special meeting to 'attack' Ortiz while downtown declines.