City Manager Resigns Following Strange Houseboat Arrest In Marin County: Mayor

MARIN COUNTY, CA — The Sausalito Mayor announced Wednesday that the city manager who was previously arrested on felony burglary charges at the yacht harbor in July has resigned.

Mayor Steven Woodside released a statement regarding the resignation of Elaine Forbes on Wednesday.

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"Our hearts are with Elaine and her family, and we stand behind her as she takes this time to focus on her health and healing.I want to thank the people of Sausalito for your sympathy and for your patience during this time," Woodside said. "This was an extremely sensitive matter, and I am grateful for the respect and compassion you have shown to Elaine and her family. It is very much appreciated."

Just weeks after taking the city's top administrative job, Forbes was arrested on July 18 on felony burglary by Marin County Sheriff's Office deputies at the Sausalito Yacht Harbor and booked into the Marin County Jail, officials said.

Police said Forbes had reportedly entered several yachts that didn't belong to her.

"Ms. Forbes owns a houseboat in the vicinity of the boats she boarded in Sausalito," A family spokesperson told KRON4. "She was obviously not of sound mind and believed that she was on a vessel she owned. She regrets and apologizes for any and all behavior she exhibited during her personal mental health crisis."

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A few days prior, during a July 16 meeting, the Sausalito City Council had approved a leave of absence for Forbes.

In a statement released Sunday, Forbes' family stated she was experiencing a mental health crisis and asked the public not to rush to judgment as she seeks legal and medical care.

Forbes had previously worked as San Francisco's Port Director for nine years before she began serving as Sausalito's city manager on July 1.

In closed session, the Sausalito city council unanimously agreed to appoint Brandon Phipps as the interim city manager for the next six months.

"Given the fact that we are in an election season and there perhaps will be some change in council going forward in the next year, it is anticipated that there will be a recruitment, and we would hope that Mr. Phipps would be a candidate," Woodside said. "We will be returning at the next meeting, we hope, with a formal contract to that effect."