Pima Town Council authorizes participation in Kroger national opioid settlement

The Pima Town Council voted unanimously on July 23, 2024, to authorize town staff to participate in the national Kroger opioid settlement and to submit a Participation Form that releases claims against Kroger in exchange for opioid-remediation monies. Manager Vernon Batty introduced the item during the council’s special meeting.

Councilmember Lucas Hoopes moved to enter into the Kroger Settlement Agreement; Councilmember Teresa Bailey seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously with the four councilmembers present — Mayor Brian Paull, Councilmember Teresa Bailey, Councilmember C.B. Fletcher and Councilmember Lucas Hoopes — voting yes. Vice Mayor Sherrill Teeter was recorded as absent.

The agenda item indicated the council may vote to discuss the matter in executive session under Arizona law (A.R.S. §38-431.03(A)(3) and (4)); the meeting record shows the council considered the item in open session and did not proceed into an executive session. The action authorizes town staff to submit the Participation Form and accept the settlement terms as described in the agenda item, which the minutes characterize as exchanging releases of claims for opioid-remediation funds.

No public comments were recorded on the item. The meeting minutes record approval of the July 9, 2024 minutes earlier in the session and show the special meeting adjourned at 7:05 p.m.

Next steps recorded in the minutes: staff is authorized to complete and submit the Participation Form to join the settlement; the minutes do not specify a timeline for submission, the amount of funds the town would receive, or any restrictions on how opioid-remediation monies must be spent.