For the past several years, Tigard City Hall has been a smoldering volcano getting ready to erupt. Employees citing unsafe working conditions and a “toxic” working environment desperately reached out to their superiors and even city councilors, none of whom appeared to take their concerns seriously.
The volcano finally erupted last year, leading to least seven high-level managers resigning, including a city manager, assistant city manager, DEI manager, the director of information technology, communications manager, human resources director and community development director.
The eruptions have continued this year, with the resignation of Mayor Heidi Lueb on Sept. 9 and the sudden, unexplained absence of City Manager Brent Stockwell on Oct. 1 after only four months on the job.
More than a year ago, city employees reached out to Tigard Life asking for a story to be published on their claims of a “hostile” working environment being ignored, but they were afraid of retaliation if they talked on the record.
Many former city employees said Steve Rymer, who was the city manager during this period of turmoil, failed to act on their complaints for years, and on Sept. 30, 2023, he abruptly notified the city of his retirement effective Feb. 8, 2025, stating, “To pursue our next life adventures, I have decided to retire. Please consider this my formal notice.”
Candidates’ forum
All the unrest came out in the open at an October 2024 Tigard City Council candidates’ forum at the Broadway Rose Theatre sponsored by Tigard Life, where the public submitted questions, and Master of Ceremonies Dan Murphy asked the following question: “Several top managers at the City of Tigard have resigned or been let go over the last year or two, including the assistant city manager, two HR directors, the finance director and the assistant finance director. (A video of the Candidate’s Forum is available at tigardlife.com/go/tcccf-2-y). Some of these former city employees cited workplace safety concerns. Do you know what is causing the exodus of top city employees, and how would you improve what is described as a toxic workplace?”
Councilor Jeannette Shaw answered in part, “In all organizations, there is turnover… there is a lengthy amount of time that individuals stay, and then they move on, so I think part of it is natural progression, and then the other part (is) there are some personality conflicts, and you get that anytime where you have individuals who are coming into a city and working with other new individuals, and some choose to stay and some choose to leave.
“I also think you would have seen we had an emphasis both on transparency but also on diversity, equity, inclusion… If they choose to depart because it’s not an environment for them, then that’s a personal choice. So, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a toxic environment…”
According to an Oct. 2, 2025, article by Holly Bartholomew for OPB, Report for America, Tigard communications manager Kent Wyatt wrote City Councilor Maureen Wolf in April 2024, “We have been targeted, bullied, and retaliated against by (Assistant City Manager Kathy) Nyland. At least 15 to 20 current and former employees, including myself, have shared our experiences with ACM Nyland to (City Manager) Steve Rymer, (City Attorney) Shelby Rihala, and Human Resources, yet nothing has changed and the workplace has only become more toxic.”
At the candidates’ forum, Wolf answered the question about unsafe working conditions at City Hall by saying in part, “I think Jeanette articulated where we are, where we’re headed, very well. We spent a lot of time on an equity plan, and again, back to the vision of what is an equitable community or what we care about… Anyone can come into our community, into the City of Tigard, and feel welcome and heard, and I think the transitions often create change. At this point, I don’t have any additional information that would enhance Jennifer’s response.”
Councilor Jake Schlack, who had only been on the council for four months after being a longtime city volunteer, said in part, “… I had a wonderful working relationship with our staff members, and I personally have nothing but good things to say about a lot of the professionals that I have worked with…”
However, City Council candidate Bret Lieuallen answered the question in part by saying, “I have a little bit different perspective on this. I have had outreach from about a dozen City of Tigard employees from various levels up to mid-management who have said they felt there’s a very hostile environment in the last couple of years at the City of Tigard. In fact, they are pretty much afraid to express their displeasure with various things. They’re literally in fear for the situation they’re working in right now. This isn’t a good sign to me that these three people think this massive turnover is ‘normal’ turnover… There’s bigger problems than they’re letting you know.”
City response
Tigard Life asked City Councilor Yi-Kang Hu about the allegations made by city employees a few days before he was sworn in as mayor following his Oct. 7 appointment by the City Council. “Personnel issues are handled by the city manager,” he said. “The city manager kept us updated and came to us when action was needed or no action was needed. The City Council sets the policy and trusts the professionals, including the city manager and Human Resources director, to do their job. I do have confidence in them.”
Tigard Life made several public records requests from the City of Tigard pertaining to the departures, and several of them were provided.
The city’s first diversity, equity and inclusion manager, Kurt Jun, did not mention any reason for his resignation letter sent July 4, 2024, only thanking a few of his colleagues. “I am immensely grateful for the collaboration, dedication, and support I have experienced from several of you during my time here,” he said in part.
Jun received a payment of $53,746.97, which represented four months’ severance, for accrued and unused leave, and payment of salary for the pay period June 30 through July 4, 2024.
Maiya Delgoda resigned as IT director effective April 10, 2024, “due to ongoing workplace safety concerns that I have experienced within the city,” her letter stated. She added, “The safety of our workforce should be utmost priority, and it is with a heavy heart that I step down from my position, as I can no longer fulfill my duties under these conditions.”
On May 13, 2024, Kenny Asher, community development director, submitted his letter of resignation after receiving a notice of potential discipline concerning allegations about his failure to build partnerships and a healthy culture in the Community Development Department.
His letter stated in part, “To the many Tigard employees who have wondered what Maiya Delgoda meant by ‘workplace safety’ concerns in her resignation of one month ago, I would like to offer this: When people cannot do their jobs without being undermined by their bosses, that is an unsafe situation. When one’s economic livelihood is threatened by bosses simply because truth is spoken to power, that creates an unsafe situation. When bosses claim to support human values like equity and belonging, but act to manipulate and obfuscate, it creates a lack of safety for everyone.”
Many of the employee complaints over the years were directed at former assistant city manager Kathy Nyland, who was placed on paid administrative leave for several months before her separation agreement with the city was signed July 12, 2024, that designated her separation as a “resignation.”
She was paid $88,738.78 representing six months’ severance, of which $44,369.39 had already been paid that included $39,421.26 for accrued and unused leave, $6,826.19 for 70 hours of administrative leave and holiday bank, and $5,119.64 for 60 hours of administrative leave that accrued as of July 1, 2024.
Current situation
Stockwell’s abrupt departure was announced by Emily Tritsch, deputy city manager, who sent a notice to staff on Oct. 1 stating, “Starting today, Brent will be unexpectedly out for some time. All matters for the City Manager should go to me. We will provide updates as we can and are respecting Brent’s privacy. Please reach out of HR with any questions or concerns.”
Wolf, who is council president and became mayor pro tem following Lueb’s departure, issued the following statement the day after Lueb’s Sept. 9 resignation, “… I want you to know that City Council is committed to ensuring that the City of Tigard is a respectful, professional and inclusive workplace for everyone.
“These are not just words; we are committed to taking action.
“Action that ensures all employees are treated with dignity, where respect in the workplace is highly valued, checks and balances are in place to ensure accountability and where we create a safe place for honest conversations where conflict resolution is managed with care and kindness.
“You deserve a workplace where unprofessional behavior is not tolerated, and systems are in place to appropriately report concerns and complaints. As your Council, we encourage you to speak out and make an HR report if you encounter behavior that is not in line with our workplace policies.”
When asked if the city will be looking for a new city manager, Hu said he could not answer that question but explained that Tritsch “is acting city manager and our leadership team has stepped up. Operations are stable and moving ahead.”
