Chico to provide legal services for former councilor

CHICO » The Chico City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday night in favor of providing former councilor Karl Ory with representation in the ongoing litigation between the city and Chico Scrap Metal.

Councilors made the determination during the closed session but the decision was announced because there was a vote, said City Manager Mark Orme.

“The city made a determination Tuesday to allow for the city attorney’s office to find legal representation for former council member Karl Ory in his position as a council member,” Orme said.

Chico Scrap Metal closed its doors in August, though the legal battle between the recycling center and the city had been going on years before the closure and continues today.

“They say they’ll provide me with a special counsel,” Ory said. “I don’t know why some staff attorney can’t help me slog through this with me. “

Councilor Sean Morgan was the single no vote.

“The city has the legal obligation to defend Mr. Ory, but it doesn’t sit well with me that this entire mess is the fault of Mr. Ory,” Morgan said. “He was involved with moving the scrapyard to its current location and was named in the lawsuit to move it again. As a result, the scrapyard is now suing the city and we’re forced to cover for Mr. Ory’s litany of bad policy decisions by hiring an attorney for him. My no vote was a formality-type protest made only when I was sure the council would do what it was legally obligated to do.”