Committee Authorizes City Administrator to Join Opioid Remediations

The Government Operations Committee voted to authorize the city administrator to enter into opioid remediation settlement agreements that allow the city to opt into state-negotiated settlements, committee members were told.

The action matters because the settlements provide a source of remediation funding for municipalities harmed by opioid distribution; the city has already received new settlement proceeds and could receive additional payments over several years. Staff said the agreements are typically paid in installments over three to five years and vary by defendant company.

"These agreements, once entered into by the state, give the city option to opt into those agreements" and several companies are now covered under recently offered agreements, Staff member Bill Hand said. "To date, the city has received approximately just over $172,000." Hand said settlement payments generally come over a series of three to five years.

Committee Chair Webber called for a motion after the presentation. The motion to authorize the city administrator to enter the settlement agreements was moved by Kem and seconded by Vanguard and passed on a roll-call vote. Committee members who registered yes during the roll call included Petrillo, Esther, Volkiewicz, Folks, Bondart, Kim and Spellman. The motion carried.

The committee did not attach any additional conditions or line-item designations for the funds during the meeting; staff and the city attorney recommended authorization so the city can opt into settlement agreements as they become available.

No further committee action was required at the meeting. Staff indicated the settlements and related paperwork will be handled through the city administrator's office and coordinated with the city attorney as individual agreements are finalized.