Crescent City adopts backup public-notice procedure after debate with local newspaper

The Crescent City Council adopted Ordinance 858 and Resolution 2025‑48 on second reading to establish alternative procedures and posting locations for official public notices if the city does not have a newspaper of general circulation.

City staff explained the ordinance is a contingency: the municipal code did not previously adopt the statutory backup method allowed by state government code for publishing notices when no qualified newspaper exists. The accompanying resolution identifies three proposed posting locations — the public library, City Hall and the Flynn Center — to be used only in the absence of an adjudicated newspaper.

Dan Schmidt, representing the local newspaper the Triplicate, told the council the paper is operational and adjudicated and said the proposed ordinance is unnecessary while the paper continues publishing. "The newspaper's 146 years old and has been providing a public service of keeping the public informed," Schmidt said, urging the council not to replace newspaper publication while the Triplicate remains adjudicated.

Council discussion balanced legal clarity and pragmatic planning. One councilmember said a backup is "common sense" for emergencies; staff responded the alternate methods would be used only after the city determines there is no newspaper of general circulation and that current publishing in an adjudicated paper would continue while it remains available.

Councilmember Greenough moved to waive full reading, read the ordinance by title only, adopt Ordinance 858 and adopt Resolution 2025‑48 establishing posting locations; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously (councilmembers Greenough, Tinkler and Mayor Altman voted yes).

Next steps: the city will continue publishing notices in the adjudicated newspaper while it operates and the alternate posting procedure will be available if a future determination shows no newspaper of general circulation exists.