Oral arguments have been scheduled in Sherri Hanna’s lawsuit challenging Patrick Grady’s May 2025 appointment to the Prescott City Council.
Yavapai Superior Court Judge Michael McGill has set the hearing for January 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the Yavapai County Courthouse. The session will focus on three pending motions: Former councilman Brandon Montoya’s request to dismiss the case and impose sanctions, Hanna’s opposition to that motion, and the defendants’ broader motion to dismiss the entire complaint with prejudice.
The suit alleges the May 20 council vote violated the Prescott City Charter and Arizona’s Open Meeting Law when two members recused themselves and one abstained, leaving Grady appointed on a 3–0 vote with the abstention counting as a yes under the charter. Defendants argue the appointment was lawful, no violations occurred, and council members are protected by legislative immunity.
Judge McGill previously denied Hanna’s emergency request to block Grady’s appointment and, after reviewing the closed-door executive session minutes, ordered them released but found the discussions on recusals and candidate interviews were permissible under state law.
Attorneys for both sides have declined to comment.