Vallejo City Council to meet in closed session about possible litigation regarding Nyhoff

VALLEJO – The mystery surrounding the employment status of Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff continues as the city council is expected to meet in closed session next week about possible litigation involving Nyhoff.

The agenda for the special closed session briefly states that the council will receive information about the “facts and circumstances arise from the employment of the City Manager and the City Manager’s Employment Contract.”

Vallejo City Attorney Veronica Nebb couldn’t be immediately reached for comment.

It’s been nearly a month since Nyhoff disappeared from City Hall with an undisclosed medical issue. He was originally due back this past Monday. But Vallejo Spokeswoman Christina Lee said Nyhoff’s leave was extended to July 6.

His disappearance raised eyebrows as it came shortly before the city council was expected to sign off on Nyhoff’s recommended 2021-22 fiscal year budget. It also took place days after the city’s housing manager, Judy Shepard-Hall, was placed on paid administrative leave.

Prior to her placement on leave, Shepard-Hall filed a complaint against Nyhoff with the city’s human resources department.

City Hall has declined to speak about the Shepard-Hall’s complaint and/or placement on leave, claiming it is a personnel issue.

Earlier this week, U-Haul vehicles were seen outside Nyhoff’s Mare Island home. It’s not known if he has moved to another part of the city or out of Vallejo altogether.

Assistant City Manager Anne Cardwell will continue to serve as acting city manager for the time being, Lee also confirmed.

Nyhoff’s tenure has been fraught with controversy. Since becoming the city’s CEO, Nyhoff has been criticized for his handling of a badge bending scandal involving the city’s police department. During his time with Vallejo, there has been significant turnover within City Hall as multiple high-ranking positions have become vacant: Finance director, police chief, assistant city manager, housing manager, planning and services director, including three risk managers, and two fire chiefs.

In addition, the council will meet with its labor negotiators about labor negotiations between the city and several labor groups, including the International Association of Electrical Workers, Local 1245 (IBEW), Confidential, Administrative, Managerial, and Professional Association of Vallejo (CAMP), and unrepresented employees.

The special Vallejo City Council closed session will begin at 5 p.m., Tuesday.