The Glendale City Council has voted to appeal a judge’s ruling that reinstated one of their members after his expulsion.
Councilmember Lupe Conchas was ousted last month after he won a seat on the Salt River Project Board. His fellow councilmembers argued that a provision in the city’s charter barred Conchas from having any other paying public office.
SRP pays its board members $60 for every day they physically attend meetings.
A judge disagreed, saying it doesn't go against Glendale’s compensation rules, and Conchas was reinstated.
Now the majority of the council wants to appeal the case. Councilmember Bart Turner was opposed.
“Appealing this is a waste of public money that could be better spent elsewhere. Or who knows, maybe not even spent at all," Turner said.
The mayor as well as City Attorney Michael Bailey said this appeal would help clarify the city provision on the qualifications of a councilmember.
"It implicates a citizen-ratified code provision with regards to the qualifications for a council member, I believe not only for the city but even in the best interest of Councilmember Conchas that the city appeal this ruling," Bailey said.
Turner disagreed, saying the judge's ruling was clear.
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