City Council Approves Major Opioid Settlement Amid Legal Battles

During a recent Santa Cruz city council meeting, members expressed gratitude for the contributions of Laura Schmidt, who is departing from her role. Council members praised her as an exceptional leader, highlighting her ability to transform challenges into opportunities for the community. The council acknowledged the positive impact of her work and expressed sadness at her departure while wishing her well in her future endeavors.

The meeting also covered several legal matters discussed in a closed session. The city attorney reported on liability claims involving multiple individuals and entities, which are set for action on the consent calendar. Notably, the council approved joining a significant settlement related to the nationwide opioid litigation against Purdue Pharma, which could yield approximately $1.3 billion over 11 years, with Santa Cruz potentially receiving a share of $37 million.

Additionally, the council received updates on ongoing litigation against the University of California and discussed potential lease negotiations for city-owned properties, including the Culligan Theatre and the Kron House in the Tannery Arts facility. No reportable actions were taken on these real estate matters.

The meeting proceeded with a consent agenda, allowing council members and the public to comment on various items before moving forward with the agenda.