Former Cotati councilman and neighbor tell FPPC they believe local code enforcement is being "weaponized"

At the April 10 meeting the commission heard public comment from former Cotati city councilman George Barich and a neighbor, Laurie Alderman, who described local elections and code enforcement in Cotati as politically motivated.

Barich told the commission he is a former Cotati councilman who said he has lived in the town for more than 30 years and had been recalled after a prior term. He said the city hired an outside attorney in February 2018 to assist with code enforcement and that, in his view, the attorney and city staff have been used against political opponents. “They have cleverly used him and weaponized him to go after their political rivals,” Barich said during public comment. He described multiple code complaints against his property — an RV setback issue, a small shipping container and driveway width — and said fines and related attorney fees had totaled “to date over a million dollars.”

Laurie Alderman, who identified herself as Barich’s neighbor, said the problem is broader than a single neighbor complaint. Alderman told the commission, “The fines for against George Barrett right now are at 2,000,000,” and alleged the whole council was involved. Both speakers said they had sought records (Form 700 disclosures) and had difficulty obtaining them.

FPPC staff responded by directing the speakers to the Commission’s enforcement division and to the Form 700 unit for assistance. Chair Silver and Commissioner Wilson reiterated that the enforcement division and form 700 unit could help them identify whether the FPPC had jurisdiction and how to request Form 700 records.

Ending: The comments were public‑comment items; the Commission did not take formal action. Staff suggested the speakers work with the FPPC enforcement division and the Form 700 unit to determine next steps and to request records.