A hearing was held Friday in Yavapai County Superior Court where Sherri Hanna is challenging the appointment of Patrick Grady to the Prescott City Council. She claims the appointment violated open meeting laws, pointing to council members’ oaths to GOP-aligned committees as a conflict.
Judge Michael McGill opened by disclosing past contact with several parties — including Hanna, Mayor Phil Goode, and Councilwoman Lois Fruhwirth — but no objections were raised.
The judge repeatedly reminded attorneys that key issues will be taken up Thursday in this case, which involves questions over individual representation among others.
The session lasted less than 30 minutes. Councilman Ted Gambogi summed it up by saying, “This could have been an email; basically a meeting to set a meeting.”
The follow-up hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday.