The Air Pollution Control Board meeting held on September 9, 2025, in Ventura County focused on significant workplace concerns raised by employees of the Air Pollution Control District (APCD). The meeting began with public comments, where speakers expressed urgent pleas for assistance regarding deteriorating conditions within the office.

The first speaker, who remained anonymous, highlighted the troubling atmosphere at APCD, urging the board to intervene as staff morale continues to decline. Following this, Amy Sager, an executive board member of SEIU 721, reported that this was the third time her organization had addressed the board since June. Sager detailed a series of alarming incidents, including the discovery of confidential information in employee mailboxes and harsh treatment from management. She specifically criticized Nancy Mendoza, a member of the performance improvement team, citing over 20 complaints against her to county HR in the past two years. Sager emphasized that Mendoza's presence on the team contributes to a hostile work environment and called for the board to take action against the ongoing abuse of power.

The meeting then transitioned to a Zoom participant, Crystal, who faced technical difficulties that prevented her from delivering her comments. The board acknowledged the issue and decided to continue with the agenda while IT worked to resolve the connection problems.

As the meeting progressed, board members were invited to share their comments, but no additional remarks were made at that time. The session then moved to the comments from the Air Pollution Control Officer, Mr. Gusemi, who was set to address the board next.

In summary, the meeting underscored serious concerns regarding workplace conditions at APCD, with calls for board intervention to address the reported issues of hostility and abuse of power. The board's response to these concerns and any subsequent actions will be crucial in determining the future work environment for APCD employees.