Sausalito city manager to leave jail, get mental evaluation

A judge released Sausalito’s new city manager from jail on her own recognizance Wednesday while she defends herself against a slate of criminal charges.

Elaine Forbes, who had her arraignment Wednesday afternoon, also received a court order to get a psychological evaluation at MarinHealth Medical Center.

“Yes, that’s fine,” she said.

Forbes did not enter a plea to the misdemeanor charges, which include one count of prowling; two counts of unauthorized lodging on different boats; and one count of petty theft of personal property. Authorities allege she stole a woman’s clothing.

Judge Cindee Mayfield set the plea hearing for Aug. 11.

Forbes, 53, appeared upbeat in court and waved at a relative in the audience.

The hearing was the latest development in a rapid succession of events for Forbes, who started as Sausalito city manager on July 1. Previously she had been director of the Port of San Francisco for nine years.

Last Thursday, the City Council granted Forbes a two-month leave of absence but did not publicly explain why. The next morning, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office received a missing-person report from someone concerned about Forbes’ welfare.

The report prompted authorities to check sites in Marin and San Francisco, including residences, hospitals and shorelines, according to incident logs. Authorities also notified the Golden Gate Bridge patrol office and transit agencies. Forbes did not turn up.

On Saturday morning, authorities received a report about a break-in on a vessel at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor. Officers found Forbes on board, and she told them to get off her boat, according to the sheriff’s office.

Forbes does not own the yacht, but she has a floating home farther up the shore of Richardson Bay.

Sheriff’s deputies booked Forbes into the county jail on suspicion of felony burglary. The bail amount was $50,000. Forbes, whose annual salary is $275,000, did not bail out.

The Marin County District Attorney’s Office filed the misdemeanor case on Monday. Through a spokesperson, family members of Forbes said she “is experiencing a mental health crisis” and “we hope people will respond with compassion, patience and respect.”

Forbes had an initial court appearance Tuesday, and the arraignment was delayed one day.

On Tuesday night, the Sausalito City Council discussed Forbes and the administrative upheaval in closed session. Then Mayor Steven Woodside issued a statement outlining the city’s next move.

“In order to continue city business as seamlessly as possible, we are in discussions with Sausalito’s former City Manager Chris Zapata to come back in a temporary advisory role as soon as possible,” the statement said. “Chris has indicated his willingness to do so.”

“Chris is currently the Assistant County Executive for the County of Marin,” Woodside said. “If we can complete negotiations with him and the county, he would be on loan to us from the county. We are grateful to Derek Johnson, the Marin County Executive, for facilitating Chris’ assistance to help us stabilize matters as we go forward.”

Woodside said Forbes remains on leave.

“Since it is a personnel matter, there is not a lot we can share publicly right now,” he said. “But I can tell you that no decisions were made regarding her employment. She remains on a leave of absence, and I want to assure everyone that we are gathering and evaluating all of the facts surrounding this matter.”

Woodside also said he and other city officials are very concerned about her.

“Based on public statements that have been made by her family and representatives, our thoughts are with Elaine and her family right now. Tonight, I am asking everyone for patience and compassion,” he said. “This moment calls for a sensitive balance between individual privacy rights and the rights the public have for accountability. It’s not easy. But we will get through this.”

During public open time at the council meeting, several residents said Forbes didn’t deserve the public scrutiny she has received and questioned why she was even arrested.

“I was compelled to come here tonight because I hate to see someone knocked down and beat up when they’re down,” said Carol Morales. “We don’t make fun of people who have cancer. We don’t shun people who have cancer. We don’t fire people who have cancer.”

“You don’t blow up your whole life in one night and everybody jumps to conclusions,” she said. “I want everyone in this room to know that at one time we had a woman who was mayor, who was a convicted felon, and who spent two years in the penitentiary, who was a bootlegger, which was illegal, and who was a woman of ill repute in San Francisco during World War II.”

The resume matches that of Sally Stanford, who died in 1982.

“She became a council member for two terms and became mayor,” Morales said. “Flawed people can do great things. And let’s not forget we are a colorful town with colorful people.”

Zapata, who served as city manager from June 2021 through last month, did not respond to requests for comment.