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Council approves amended ombudsman selection process after walk‑on; supporters publicly endorse candidates
Summary
Council walked on and approved amendments to the legislative ombudsman interview and selection process: interviewees to undergo background checks and councilmembers will use a 3‑2‑1 ranked point system to narrow choices; public commenters both supported and critiqued nominees.
The council voted to walk on and approve an amended resolution that clarifies the interview and voting procedures for the legislative ombudsman appointment.
Attorney Barclay summarized the changes: all interviewees will be subject to background checks; councilmembers will rank three choices with points (first choice = 3 points, second = 2, third = 1); and if no clear winner emerges after rounds of voting, the council will narrow the field by voting between tied candidates to reach a two‑thirds threshold.
"All of the interviewees would be subject to a background check," Attorney Barclay said. He described procedural refinements intended to expedite selection and avoid repeated deadlock.
During public comment, Craig Wilby and several others publicly endorsed Sherry Gay Dagnago for the ombudsman role. Supporters described her work with returning citizens, survivors of human trafficking and educators; Andrea Thompson and Artie Watkins both said she had transformed lives and would be a strong pick.
Reggie Davis addressed the council publicly to clarify prior media reporting about vendor calls he had made while preparing for the position; he apologized if his outreach appeared presumptuous and said a named staffer "will not be part of my staff" if appointed. Other callers expressed concerns about politics surrounding the process.
The amended resolution was approved without objection at the meeting. The council referred related materials to the internal operations standing committee as part of the process and indicated background checks and ranking procedures would guide upcoming votes.
