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By Investigative Reporter Linda Sutter – November 28, 2025
CRESCENT CITY, CA — Serious questions about transparency and compliance with state law
have surfaced following the Crescent City Harbor District’s November 12, 2025 meeting,
where commissioners adopted and amended multiple ordinances without following
required legal procedures.
According to a formal Cease and Desist / Cure and Correct Demand issued this week, the
Harbor District failed to conduct the legally mandated steps necessary for adopting
ordinances under the Harbors & Navigation Code, California Government Code, and the
Ralph M. Brown Act.
Alleged Violations
The demand letter outlines several procedural violations, including:
- No prior introduction of the ordinances
- No first reading of proposed laws
- No posting or publication for public review
- No public comment opportunity prior to adoption
- Use of red-lined amendments never released to the public
- Failure to record the meeting despite substantial legislative actions
“These actions are not minor procedural errors,” the letter states. “They are fundamental
violations of laws put in place to ensure transparency, public review, and accountability.”
State Laws Cited
The letter identifies key legal requirements the Harbor District allegedly ignored:
- Harbors & Navigation Code §6075, which mandates ordinance introduction, public
posting, reading, and later adoption - Government Code §§25120–25132, setting procedural steps for local government
ordinances - Government Code §§6061–6066, requiring proper publication
- Brown Act §§54954.2 and 54954.3, ensuring clear agendas and public comment rights
Under these laws, ordinances adopted without proper procedure are invalid and
unenforceable.
30-Day Deadline for Corrective Action
The Harbor District now has 30 days to:
- Rescind all ordinances adopted on November 12
- Re-agendize each ordinance for proper introduction
- Allow full public comment
- Follow statutory posting and reading requirements
- Provide written confirmation of compliance
If the District does not act, legal action may follow, including a writ of mandate or Brown
Act enforcement.
A Call for Transparency
The demand emphasizes that the issue transcends politics and focuses on public rights.
“Whether people support the ordinances or not, the public has the right to participate and
to trust that laws are being adopted correctly,” Sutter said. “The Harbor District cannot
operate outside the law.”
Contact Information
For more information, contact:
Linda Sutter
Email: L_sutter@yahoo.com
Phone: 707-951-3048
