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Union and residents press committee over alleged misconduct and culture in Watershed Management
Summary
Union and community leaders told the City Utilities Committee they are raising concerns about leadership conduct, employee retaliation and a workplace culture in Watershed Management. Leaders urged administrative action, staff surveys and stronger whistleblower protections.
Union leaders and community representatives used public comment time at the City Utilities Committee meeting on April 29 to raise allegations of misconduct, retaliation and morale problems in the Department of Watershed Management.
Gina Pagnotta, introduced in the meeting as a union president, told the committee that employees had presented complaints about a Watershed manager’s behavior. Pagnotta praised the administration for placing the named manager on administrative leave pending investigation but said broader problems remain. She urged the city to use stronger pre‑hire screening, including personality testing similar to some public‑safety hiring practices, and to conduct staff surveys to assess leadership performance across Watershed.
Pagnotta and other union representatives said employees have used Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services extensively without meaningful organizational change and warned that whistleblowers have faced retaliation. She called for a high standard of accountability and said the union will work with commissioners to ensure fair treatment for staff and that whistleblower concerns are investigated.
Committee response and next steps - Committee members thanked union leaders and said the committee will schedule dialogue with the new Watershed commissioner and department leadership. The committee requested follow‑up briefings and signaled support for a staff survey and dialogue on hiring practices. - The council chair said he will make a presentation on May 6 with suggestions for hiring and oversight improvements and asked administration to coordinate with human resources and EAP as appropriate.
Context and note - Comments referenced an administrative leave status for a Watershed manager and alleged retaliation claims across multiple employees. Committee members emphasized due process but said they have sufficient concern to request a fuller administrative review and to support changes to hiring and oversight practices.
Ending - Committee members and union representatives agreed to meet in the coming week to discuss specifics and to work toward remedial steps. The chair said the committee will follow up on the issues raised and requested that administration provide updates.
