The Monroe County Supreme Court released a long-awaited ruling Thursday on the city’s Police Accountability Board, stating that the civilian-review board can’t legally discipline police officers because that action interferes with state law, the city’s charter, and collective bargaining rights.

But Rochester City Council President Loretta Scott says the city will be appealing that decision.

“We must operate within the context of our legal system, but the City Council is fully prepared to defend the will of our citizens, and this decision is not the final say,” Scott said.

The City Council’s lawyer, Andrew Celli, believes plenty of precedent exists that refutes the judge on how “Local Law 2” interacts with state law and the city charter.

“We believe Local Law 2 is fully consistent with state law as an appropriate exercise of authority by the voters through the referendum process...as much as we respect the court, we disagree with virtually all of it,” Celli said.

Mike Mazzeo, the president of the Locust Club— the local police union that has challenged the law from the beginning — says the ruling is just, and is disappointed that the city will continue to fight a decision he feels is pretty clear.

“It’s frustrating to a part that this had to go on so long, and this could’ve been resolved with people listening to legal opinions,” Mazzeo said.

The judge who issued the ruling says he believes the police union and city can work together to “hone” the PAB into something that will serve as a “model for other communities,” and Mazzeo is open to that. But he says there needs to be more collaboration.

“We’re willing to work to change and reform, but it takes both sides listening to each other," Mazzeo said. "Not just one side demanding and refusing to listen to concerns.”

And while Scott says losing its disciplinary power would be a huge blow to the PAB’s efficacy, she says it will exist to serve the community no matter how the appeal goes.

“We still will have a PAB that’s more robust and stronger than the current process that we operate under,” Scott said.