City of North Bend release – North Bend City Councilor Susanna Noordhoff was censured by the City Council in open session at Monday night’s Special Council Session. The Council Resolution also stated the Governing Body “has lost confidence in Councilor Noordhoff (and) asks that Councilor Noordhoff voluntarily resign from office.” A RESOLUTION REGARDING RULE VIOLATIONS AND IMPOSING A CENSURE – WHEREAS, on August 8, 2023, City Administrator raised concerns about Councilor Noordhoff’s treatment of him. WHEREAS, on August 14, 2023, the City Council held a specially called meeting and voted to initiate a third-party investigation into allegations of misconduct by Councilor Noordhoff related to potential Council Rule violations, City Charter violations (including the Oath of Office) and staff allegations of a hostile work environment based upon harassment, disparagement, and accusations of violations of the law. WHEREAS, the City engaged with a certified workplace investigator to investigate eight categories of allegations and each member of the Council read the full investigation report. WHEREAS, the investigator’s report contained facts and findings substantiating violation of the City Council Rules (NBCC 2.04) and the City Charter (Oath of Office). WHEREAS, on March 7, 2024, the Council voted to move the process forward to consideration of a censure pursuant to NBCC 2.04.190. WHERES, Councilor Noordhoff was afforded sufficient due process of the purpose of the hearing and was notified of her right to present a defense. WHEREAS, on April 24, 2024, Councilor Noordhoff requested, through legal counsel, that this meeting to be in open session rather than executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(b). WHEREAS, on April 29, 2024, the Council provided Councilor Noordhoff and her legal counsel the opportunity to argue, defend, and/or explain her conduct. WHEREAS, on April 29, 2024, the Council, after having fully reviewed the investigation material and Councilor Noordhoff’s statements, arguments, and/or defenses, desires to censure Councilor Noordhoff under NBCC 2.04.190 and to impose additional remedies. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF NORTH BEND: Section 1. The North Bend City Council hereby adopts the recitals above in support of this Resolution. Section 2. The North Bend City Council accepts the findings of fact and findings set forth in the independent investigator’s report substantiating the allegations resulting in violations of the North Bend City Code (Chapter 2.04) and the City Charter (Oath of Office). Section 3. The North Bend City Council hereby finds the following allegations to be sustained: 1. That you falsely accused the City Administrator of accessing your emails. 2. That you falsely accused the City Administrator of violating state law by (1) not reporting the Property Committee meetings back to Council, and; (2) not keeping accurate meeting minutes. 3. That you undermined the City Administrator’s authority when you (1) contacted the Confederated Tribes directly about issues at the Pittum Loop Project site, and; (2) went directly to public works staff regarding paving your street. 4. That you falsely accused the City Administrator of violating Council Rules with respect to how agenda items are handled and how items are placed on the consent agenda. 5. That you attempted to engage in a serial meeting when you emailed a quorum of the Council on February 28, 2023, and June 15, 2023. 6. That you made disparaging remarks about the City Administrator by (1) calling him a bully, (2) falsely accusing him of reading your emails, (3) falsely accusing him of panning public comment, (4) falsely accusing him of initiating an ethics complaint against a member of the Parks Committee, (5) falsely accusing him of controlling the Council, and; (6) falsely accusing him of accessing your Zoom account and distributing a screen grab of you. 7. That you violated state ethics law when you (1) participated in discussions about drainage improvements on your street; and (2) participated in discussions about the transportation plan that impacted your neighborhood. 8. That you retaliated against the City Administrator when you wrote a letter to the editor claiming that the City Administrator “misled” the Council to draw attention away from your own issues (this investigation) and to punish the City Administrator in retaliation for him for filing the complaint. Section 4. The North Bend City Council hereby formally censures Councilor Noordhoff pursuant to NBCC 2.04.190 for violating the following: 1. City Charter, Section 27, Oath of office. 2. Municipal Code, NBCC 2.04.110 Ethics and Decorum. a. NBCC 2.04.110 (1) State Ethics Laws. b. NBCC 2.04.110 (2) Conflict of Interest. c. NBCC 2.04.110 (3) General Ethical Standards, subsections (a) – (e). d. NBCC 2.04.110 (4) Decorum. 3. Municipal Code, NBCC 2.04.120 Council Code of Conduct. a. NBCC 2.04.120 (1) Public Meetings, subsection (a). b. NBCC 2.04.120 (2) Interactions with City Staff, subsections (a) – (d), and (g). c. NBCC 2.04.120 (5) Interactions with the Public in Nonmeeting Settings, subsections (a) and (b). 4. Municipal Code, NBCC 2.04.130 Representing City Positions and Personal Positions. a. NBCC 2.04.130 (1) Written Communication, subsections (a) and (b). b. NBCC 2.04.130 (2) Communication with News Organizations and the Media. Section 5. The North Bend City Council has lost confidence in Councilor Noordhoff asks that Councilor Noordhoff voluntarily resign from office. Council Video: https://youtu.be/4FHHbqoZ7EE?t=100
