During a recent Special Meeting of the North Bend City Council, Councilor Susanna Noordhoff was officially censured for alleged offences related to her repeated efforts to increase transparency and accountability for the City government’s decisions, policies and actions. She has asserted that the City Council has given too much power to the unelected city administrator. Noordhoff also believes that the public has been sidelined with respect to many important City policies and actions.

In retaliation, a costly ‘investigation’ of Councilor Noordhoff’s actions was initiated to justify a censure motion against Councilor Noordhoff. Although the full text of the investigation report was not provided to her defense attorney and despite the Coos County District Attorney’s conclusion that a hastily prepared summary of that report did “not adequately describe the significant facts” the City Council nonetheless voted to punish Ms. Noordhoff. The mayor also called upon Councilor Noordhoff to resign, which would in effect disenfranchise those North Bend residents who voted Noordhoff into office.

Sadly, Ms. Noordhoff has incurred a considerable financial burden defending herself against the allegations. Additionally, the city administrator has threatened to sue Noordhoff for alleged damages. To help Councilor Noordhoff cover legal expenses she has already incurred and additional fees she may face defending herself against a lawsuit, Councilor Noordhoff has established a State-supervised legal defense fund and is asking for contributions.

Councilor Noordhoff’s supporters hope that North Bend citizens who value an open, transparent and accountable city government will contribute.

A more detailed description of this situation is available as follows. Click here to see a detail statement by Ms. Noordhoff’s attorney refuting the allegations made against her, and the District Attorney’s statement.

 

DULY ELECTED COUNCILOR UNDER FIRE FOR DOING HER JOB
GOOD GOVERNMENT PRINCIPLES AT RISK

Do you believe in having an Open, Transparent and Democratic process in our city’s government? North Bend City Councilor Susanna Noordhoff strongly believes in such a process and she needs your help.

During her tenure, Councilor Noordhoff has asked many questions that have been alleged to be critical of the North Bend City Administration. She has questioned some of the Administration’s actions. In most situations, she has been correct. In other words, she has been doing her job for us, the taxpayers. This has caused the remainder of the council, with the encouragement of the administration, to retaliate against her. However, in our view, she is simply doing her job.

The City Administrator filed allegations that Councilor Noordhoff created a hostile work environment, accusing her of harassment, disparagement, and other violations according to a motion passed at a Special Meeting of the Council on August 14, 2023. As a result, the City incurred over $71,000 of expenses as of March 31, 2024 to pay for an investigation of Councilor Noordhoff. Considerably more expenses have been incurred during the month of April. This information is contained in invoices from the City’s Attorney of Record, Local Government Law Group PC.

A Special Called Meeting was held on April 29, 2024 at which the Council voted to censure Councilor Noordhoff.

DUE PROCESS HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN

During this process, the City refused to provide a complete copy of the Investigative Report for Councilor Noordhoff’s attorney and only produced a redacted copy after Coos County District Attorney Paul Frazier ordered them to do so on April 24, 2024.

The redacted copy was received by Councilor Noordhoff’s attorney late Thursday, April 25, just two business days before the scheduled meeting on April 29. However, the City refused to extend the meeting date beyond April 29 so that Councilor Noordhoff’s attorney could have reasonable time to prepare a defense, nor was he allowed to examine witnesses. Despite these hinderances, Councilor Noordhoff’s attorney presented a very complete and convincing rebuttal to the allegations.  The attorney’s letter is not found on the City’s Facebook page or website.

The Factual Summary of the Investigative Report prepared by the City, can be found on the City of North Bend Facebook page. The District Attorney found that the Factual Summary of the Investigative Report the City had previously provided in lieu of the Investigative Report did not adequately describe the significant facts contained in that report. As all of the investigator’s conclusions were redacted from that report, Councilor Noordhoff’s attorney found it impossible to know what the investigation actually revealed or to adequately respond to the investigator’s reasoning even though the notice of the hearing repeatedly stated that “the investigation revealed” certain actions that purport to support the censure. The DA’s letter is not found on the City’s Facebook page or website.

In response, Councilor Noordhoff established a Legal Expense Trust Fund with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to ensure legality, propriety and accountability. Her legal fees may range between $20K and $30K to defend against all the allegations and a threatened lawsuit by the City Administrator who sent her a pre-litigation hold on her documents as well as a Public Records Request for three years of her emails from both her public and personal email accounts. Earlier in her Council career, Councilor Noordhoff had to spend over $7,000 to protect her council rights and obligations. She has now retained an experienced attorney. Councilor Noordhoff understands that she is ultimately responsible for all legal expenses.

TO DEFEND HERSELF, SUSANNA NEEDS YOUR HELP

Please contribute what you can and share this message on Nextdoor and other Facebook sites.
Contributions by check should be made payable to:
SUSANNA NOORDHOFF LEGAL EXPENSE TRUST FUND SL
or
NOORDHOFF LETF
Mail to: PO BOX 1626, NORTH BEND, OR 97459

On-line Contributions can be made at this secure link.
CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE

(If the contribution page does not work, try a different browser)

HOW THE LEGAL EXPENSE TRUST FUND PROCESS WORKS (ORS 244.205 to 244.221)

This summary applies to your contributions and how they are handled. In no way is this to be relied on as legal advice.

To our knowledge, the August 14, 2023 motion of the City Council has created two potential legal actions against Councilor Noordhoff:
1. Possible censure by the remainder of her term on the Council.
2. A possible suit related to alleged hostile work environment based on alleged harassment, disparagement and accusations of violations of law.

USE OF FUNDS
To defray legal expenses, costs of administrating the fund, discharge any tax liabilities incurred and pay for any expenses incurred before the fund was established if the expenses are related to the legal
proceedings for which the fund was established.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND
A person may make contributions of money in unlimited amounts. Pro bono legal assistance and other in-kind assistance may be provided without limit. A political committee that is a principal campaign
committee may not contribute.

STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED AND EXPENDITURES
A statement must be filed quarterly. Contributions made by each person which exceed an aggregate amount of $75 must be listed by name and address and the total amount contributed by that person.
(A married couple may separately contribute up to $75 for a total of $150 without being listed.) Expenditures must also be listed.

TERMINATION OF FUND
When it has been established that all legal proceedings have ended, the fund will be terminated within six months. If any funds remain in the trust account, the funds will be distributed to the contributors on a pro rata basis. For example – If total contribution is $20K and total expenses are $15K and you have contributed $1000, then you should receive $250 as a rebate. ($1K/$20K multiplied by the remaining $5K in the fund)