APCD employees urge board to investigate alleged hostile workplace; county HR presents complaint-resolution overview

Several current and former employees of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District told the Air Pollution Control Board on July 24 that they face a hostile work environment under agency leadership and urged the board to order investigations and corrective action.

In public comment, Sam Edelson, a union representative for SEIU Local 721, read a letter from former APCD employee Elizabeth Gutierrez alleging repeated harassment and retaliation by a manager identified in comments as Nancy Mendoza. Olivia Cortez, whose remarks were read into the record by APCD engineer Ed Swede, said she resigned in February 2025 “under duress” after what she described as unjust and retaliatory treatment. Neil Hammel, a supervising inspector with APCD, said leadership actions have disrupted operations and morale and estimated investigations, grievances and related work have cost the agency “over $100,000.” Robert Schultz and Michelle Wood spoke in support of employees who say they were pushed out; Nicole Collazo, a current APCD air quality specialist and SEIU steward, urged the board to…