Resident and proponents say council obstructed initiative process; one threatens bar complaint

During public comment at the Newport Beach City Council special meeting, proponents of the ballot initiatives and other residents sharply criticized the councils handling of the initiative filing and legal notice.

Susan Skinner, who introduced herself at the podium, said the city had improperly refused a notice published in the OC Reporter and that the court subsequently ordered the city to accept the ballot measures and set an election. "Make no mistake, these actions are intended to undermine democracy," Skinner said, accusing council members of "obstructionism" and saying she was preparing a California Bar complaint against "Mr. Harp."

Jim Mosier and other commenters raised related concerns about notice and access to information, telling the council many constituents likely did not receive meeting notices and urging transparency about directions given to legal counsel. Mosier cited the city charter and the Brown Act and asked that the council report any closed-session directions that bear on public actions.

Council members responded in part by recounting the prior votes and legal context that led to compliance efforts; some said the city has attempted to follow court orders while others said operational constraints make conducting a separate municipal election difficult.