ODESSA, Texas — Judge John Shrode has vacated a restraining order against the City of Odessa in lawyer Gaven Norris' lawsuit regarding the firing of two city employees in December, according to court documents.
According to Odessa City Councilman Gilbert Vasquez, the City of Odessa now has legal representation out of a law firm in Dallas.
"Just two hours ago, I received a text copy sent by someone at City Hall showing that apparently our Interim City Attorney has gone to that same district Judge with legal representation out of a law firm from Dallas to represent the City against this federal lawsuit meaning that now it's not in the hands of that Judge who ordered the restraining order now it's in the hands of an Attorney representing us City officials to battle it out with Gaven Norris who filed a federal lawsuit. So I don't know if you have access to the fact that that restraining order is now null and void and the meeting for next Tuesday the 10th is already cancelled because now we have legal representation," said Odessa City Councilman, Gilbert Vasquez.
The restraining order, which was initially granted on Tuesday, was intended to temporarily prevent the city from "firing, removing, demoting and interfering" with the employment of Natasha Brooks as city attorney and Michael Marrero as city manager until Norris and other members of the public can address the city council "prior to or during consideration or discussion of a specific agenda item".
It was also aimed at stopping any "Promoting, approving, appointing, or otherwise advancing" Daniel Jones and Agapito Bernal into their interim positions until then.
The restraining order was set to stand until the court ordered otherwise or it expired.
According to court documents, the City of Odessa was initially ordered to appear in court on Jan. 10 to determine the next steps. Documents now show that hearing has been canceled.
The city council will hold a special meeting Monday at 9 a.m. to allow public comment on the firing of the city manager and city attorney and the appointment of their interim replacements. A vote on the decisions will then be retaken.
Norris filed the lawsuit against the City of Odessa shortly before Christmas. He says this is the first of many lawsuits he plans on filing, but this one is focused on the fact the council did not let the public speak prior to the firing of Brooks and Marrero.
NewsWest 9 will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.