Puyallup City Manager Resigns; Council Accepts

PUYALLUP, WA — The city council Tuesday night accepted the resignation of City Manager Kevin Yamamoto during an executive session that followed the regular council meeting. The embattled former city manager was the city's fifth in the past 12 years.

Yamamoto reportedly tendered his resignation more than a week ago, though the council had been discussing his removal for at least the past month, according to The News Tribune, which also noted Councilman Jim Kastama's effort in May 2018 to fire Yamamoto, citing the city manager's perceived responsibility for several lawsuits that hit the city's pocketbook.

Hired in 2015, Yamamoto also reportedly suffered criticism from the council as a whole during a 2018 performance review that saw council members describe him as an "'eighth council member,'" (who became) 'headstrong' or 'confrontational' during discussions," and for pushing "litigation challenges before ensuring the council understood the risk," TNT reported.

Incidentally, several city staff and community members voiced their displeasure with the city council's handling of its relationship with Yamamoto.

"Because some of you don't like a man, you're trying to destroy his life," community activist and former Puyallup councilwoman Heather Shadko said. "Shame on you."

A handful of others also provided comments in defense of Yamamoto, TNT reported.

To read its full report, visit thenewstribune.com.