Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. I'd like to call to order the board of commissioners workshop meeting discussion on the city manager. Today is August the 21st, 2025. It is 2 p.m. City Clerk, would you call the role, please? >> Mayor Brooks,
>> here. Vice Mayor Kerr >> here. >> Commissioner Taglerini >> here. >> Commissioner McGee >> here. >> Commissioner Gavay >> here. >> All are present. Thank you. We'll start with public comment. Public participation is encouraged. If you are addressing the commission, step to the
podium and state your name and address for the record and the organization or group you represent. Please limit your comments to 5 minutes and do not include any topic on the agenda. Public comment on agenda items will be allowed when they come up. If you would like someone
at the city to follow up on a comment or question made at the meeting, you may fill out a comment card with contact information and give it to the city manager. Comment cards are available at the back table in the commission chambers. Completing a comment card is not mandatory.
Would anyone like to make a public comment on an item that is not on the agenda? With no public comment, we will move into the discussion on the city manager. I will start the discussion by saying that I requested this workshop today
to for the commission and the public to be able to discuss the city manager's performance. As elected officials, it is our responsibility to ensure that the city of MadiRaa Beach has strong, effective leadership,
excuse me, to best serve our residents, businesses, and staff. Unfortunately, it has become clear that under the current leadership of city manager Robin Gomez, our city is not receiving the direction it needs. The purpose of today's meeting
is to outline key issues with our current city manager, Robin Gomez's performance and support, the need to begin a search for new leadership. I'm going to go through a few of the items that I previously spoke about in our meeting before we open up to public
comment. First off, lack of leadership and accountability. Mr. Mr. Gomez has consistently failed to provide the leadership necessary to guide his staff. Departments have lacked clear direction, accountability, and timely follow-through, resulting in
inefficiencies and frustration among both employees and the public. Just to note a few, the dredging project was reported incorrect information on the permit process and has not provided timely updates. The jetty removal
allowed the jetty to be removed without commission approval. Not adhering to the city's purchasing policy. Examples include the piling project that was approved at over $30,000 by the city manager. He did not follow the proper procedure.
The Integris contract for $60,000 was signed on September 16th without commission approval and a budget amendment was later brought forward on May the 28th, 2025, which was at that time questioned by the commission
on the pilings. He failed to hold a public meeting in regards to the pilings that were put out off of the beach after being specifically requested by a commission member to hold a public meeting. The city did not apply for LMS grant
monies, missing a fun funding opportunity that cost the city hundreds if not mill hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars. Poor communication and responsiveness. Our community and commission expect transparency and responsiveness. Too
often, communication has been delayed, incomplete, or just dismissive. This erodess the public trust and weakens our ability to govern effectively. Examples: lack of updates when requested by the commission on key projects and
issues including the dredging, the jetty, the snack shack, Tom and Kitty Stewart Park, and posttorm repairs within the city. Inaccurate information provided to the commission, including the jetty. It was stated on the deis that the rebar and concrete had been
removed when no material at all had been removed at that time. dredging, misstated the permit status and process, timelines, agency steps, etc. The way Mr. Gomez speaks to residents and business owner owners, showing
favoritism towards some and dismissiveness towards others is unprofessional and not the standard of leadership or representation that I want for our city. Lack of preparation and staff support. A successful city manager fosters
teamwork, preparation, and morale. Instead, we have seen disengagement, low motivation, and a lack of initiative among staff. Systematic of an environment without strong, supportive leadership from the top. Examples: came
unprepared to commission meetings. For example, when requested that staff present their appropriation needs, he came to the commission without that information. When asked to provide a bulletpoint account of code enforcement processes, he did not prepare or provide
it. Fails to provide timely, accurate updates to commissioners. Dismissed posh hurricane recovery needs as not a priority, specifically the snack shack and Kitty Stewart Park. These items have all been discussed here
on the deis as well as before I have brought anything up on the deis for the public or to my commissioner co-commissioners. I have had these conversations oneon-one with Robin in our one-on- ons. My confidence in Mr.
Gomez's ability to lead has diminished both among commissioners and within the community. Without confidence in our chief administrator, the city cannot move forward effectively. Confidence among commissioners and the community has significantly diminished. Without
strong leadership, the city cannot move forward effectively. In conclusion, for these reasons, I believe it is in the best interest of our residents, staff, and future progress to begin the search for a new city manager who can bring strong leadership, accountability, and vision
to MadiRaa Beach. At this time, before the commission speaks to one another, I'd like to open to public comment. If you have any public comment, please step forward. You will have five minutes each. Hello, my name is Belinda Gonzer. I own
over Madiraa Beach Chat Club. Excuse me if my voice is shaking. I'm really nervous. But on two separate occasions, I had interactions with um Mr. Gomez. One was during the very beginning of permitting process. Myself, my husband
and a board member at large and his wife were engaged with Mr. Gomez out front regarding permits and he said to us, "Why are you even worried about permits? I heard a developer is going to buy that property and knock it down and rebuild."
At my age, I spent almost my entire life dreaming that someday I would be fortunate enough to work hard enough to be able to afford a place over there. And that was like having part of my soul torn completely out. last week while over here working on
getting permits for other people that aren't opting out of 133 destroyed downstairs units across the street. Two of them are back to livable, so to speak, and 50 owners have now opted out,
have borrowed from the retirement accounts and are paying out of pocket to hire private contractors to rebuild. When I was in the office talking with one of the permitting techs, Mr. Gomez said to me, "Did you even live there full-time before the storm?"
Which was shattering. My husband and I do own four properties in Penllis County, but this is the most favorite one in our hearts. We have a 30-foot boat there. My grandkids were here from Maryland a couple weeks ago. They were devastated they couldn't stay there, as
well as how much of John's pass is still destroyed. And it's something they look forward to a couple times a year. And that's all I have to say. Thank you. >> Thank you. Do we have any additional public comment? John Hendricks, 569 Normandy Road. Uh, I
hate to be up here. This is a double-edged sword for me. Uh I was involved in the hiring of Mr. Gomez and for a number of years I considered him a close personal friend. Uh
something changed several years ago. I don't know what it was. Uh many things that were put through by the commission when I was on it just have not gotten done. In fact,
we've never heard a word about them since then. Uh there's been no followup. Uh and and it goes from one thing to another to another from docks at ROC Park so that boats can park there and
enjoy the park or walk to the downtown area. Uh to the parking garage, we passed a resolution to to work towards a parking garage. a 50 cent an hour increase was put in place
specifically for the parking garage. Uh once I was out of office, another plan came along and I think engineering some engineering was done on a garage at the 130th Street lot. Uh next thing I
know there is uh another plan to move the parking across the street into the village itself. Never to hear any more about the other parking lot. Uh Patriot Park, which was
approved by the commission when I was in office. Um Mr. Gomez and myself and uh Commissioner Go. He was not a commissioner at that time.
We went around and looked at other sites. Um we came up with a basic idea because I was tasked with that. Um after I was out of office, Mr. Gomez was going to get with me and he was going to
get with Commissioner Hodes. never happened. I have no idea what it's going to look like because he never bothered having that meeting. Uh on top of that, uh North Side Engineering did all the
engineering work for that park. It was scrapped and the city went out and hired another engineering firm to redo it. And we have just continued to throw good money after bad.
uh the jetties, the dredge. I worked hard on that project. I worked hard on getting the city the funding to do that project. Linda Cheney worked hard on it to get it from the state
and the ball has been dropped. I've been out of office for two and a half years and that project appears to be no further along than it was. The jetties that the fisherman and everybody used to walk out on for
sunsets or to go fishing was easily repairable, but for whatever reason, Mr. Gomez took it upon himself just to destroy it. There's been a history
of not following through. Now, two years ago, our budget was $25 million. The city of Seol's budget, who is five times larger than Madira Beach, is $28 million.
The proposed budget for this year, $46 million. Another $21 million in two years. That's obscene for a town this small. It's obscene.
You can't do all of your projects at one time. I just Robin, I loved you like a brother. I don't know what happened, but you're not the Robin Gomez I used to know. Thank you. >> Thank you.
Do we have additional public comment? Good afternoon. Robin Stack 728 Sunset Cove. I have one small antecdotal interaction with Mr. Gomez. >> November 5th. >> Could you speak up a little?
>> November 5th came here to vote. He was coming out of the office. I was coming out by the elevator. I saw the tag. Well, the yellow jumpsuit from FEMA. Oh, city manager, this is perfect. So, I said to him, "Do you know about the no
gouging law in Florida, which requires contractors to use the old prices prior to a storm for 60 days after the emergency is over." He said, "Yeah, I got that. I know all about it." And I thought, well, that was a pretty quick answer. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't.
Okay, he's got it. I go vote. I voted correctly, by the way. Anyways, I go vote. About three months later, my neighbor comes to me and says he was being turned down on his um I guess it's the uh significant damage because the city of Madiraa Beach came
in with an estimate for $30,000 for drywall. They had an estimate for 11,000. Their prior storm cost should have been about 6,000. If the city manager had taken what I said to heart, he could have gone to the city building department said, "Hey
guys, use an old estimating guide, not a new one. The law says 60 days after the emergency's over, which was November. So we had November and October. We had all the way till January that none of
the prices could be increased. But yet the cost of repair went up and the cost of value went down. More people got ruined. that could have been prevented. It was a mistake and he made the mistake. I told him about it. He ignored me. He
dismissed me immediately. I got this. Don't worry. He didn't have it. Have a nice day. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Do we have any additional public comment? My name is Charles Lunsford. I'm 85 years old. Come to this beach 85. This
is my 15th to 16th election. I've seen everything over these decades. Everything. It's always a squabble. The question that jumped out on me because I'm a highly educated person also.
We did we not extend the city manager's contract 5 months ago. If we did is I don't know is that a c is that a true statement? Did we extend his contract? >> So this is not a Q&A. If you ask a question then when the commission has a
discussion. >> Well here's my question. The rumor I heard that he was extended his contract. I could look at him and ask him and he be nod whatever. But I here's my point. Did he just start doing this? is this happened just in the last 5 months. Why
was the contract extended? And you have a large you have the council members here. It seems to me that y'all could have an executive committee that meets with him on a monthly basis, gives him the list of things to do and either does them or doesn't do them. But it's hard
to get good people. It's hard to get average people to want to come into small communities because there's always this arguing back and forth streets, who knows who and this and that. When I first came here, we didn't have one city
manager. Every council member acted like they were the city manager. All you had to do is talk to the employees. You know, uh when I and when I retired, I sat in my house over here. They used to have these meetings twice a month. You
contracted out the sheriff's I was here when the sheriff's department was here. You had 21 of them. 22 of them went they went with Penllis County. Okay. That's okay. Then next time I come down here, they're putting they're getting bids getting bids for the fire
department with Simino. They were getting bids for that. They were also going to get bids for picking up trash. So I got out of my little chair and walked over to the building, not this building, which was a very expensive building. Uh and I asked a question, why do we
need more than one person to sign contracts? because everything's being contracted out. This is a beautiful beach. The people out here for here for a reason. We've all had issues with maybe with the manager, but not all of them are bad. Some of them are good.
It's hard to find good folks. And if we did extend his contract, is it possible to do something like, okay, we'll put you on a probationary period for a year or six year, a year or something like that and have a stronger executive oversee him and give him what to do and
either does or doesn't. If he doesn't do it, then you then you can do what you need to do. But when you start trying to elect people in this community and for this community with all the other competitions, it's hard to find good people. I know he's rough. I'm rough. I
was rough, too, in in my career. Uh, and so that that's it. I mean, it's I just hate to see the city always in a turmoil. And it's not you. It's not just this beach, is another beach and then one after that. But, uh,
I understand you're from Georgia. I am, too. So, I understand Georgia. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Do we have any additional public comment? >> Hello. Uh, Captain Dolan Huard from Hubard's Marina. Uh, thank you for the opportunity to speak today. The first
thing I wanted to speak about was the dredge issue. Uh, I I to the earlier points, as uh, Mayor Hendrick stated, previous Mayor Hendricks stated, Robin when he first started out was a very strong city manager. We had a close
relationship and I was hopeful and and positive about the path forward because we had seen some turn turnover and tur turmoil with previous city managers. So when he came on, I thought we were going to be in a really good spot. Unfortunately, things went sour when the
dredge situation came up. Uh for since he was hired, he told me the money was allocated in September of 2022. We stood out front with a big check, took photos. It was great. And we were all excited. Finally got the money after 30 years of effort, literally. And that was
September of 22 since he was hired at multiple public meetings on public records at chamber meetings in these chambers at multiple different times. We're just waiting for Army Corps. We're just waiting for It got to the point where he would see me coming and he would, hey, we're waiting for Army Corps. And that's how he got me to shut
up. And in June of 2024, I had an interview with Channel 10 News. that interview uh reporter was an investigative reporter and she sat with me and I was like, "Hey, we're just waiting for Army Corps." That was the line I kept getting fed. Well, she
didn't take that as the answer. She went and did her research and found out from Army Corps. They said, "What are you talking about? We don't have a permit application from Madira Beach. That's that's not true." And she went to meet with Mayor Gomez, never returned her
calls. He never met with her. And from that day point, from that point forward, he won't talk to me. He avoids me, won't answer phone calls, messages, emails, just straight up treats me like the black plague. And I have no communication. As a business owner and
someone involved in the city's events, it's very frustrating. And it's very sad to to see us at this point today. the jetty issue. I mean, to me as a business owner, if someone an employee was
totally left field wasting money and not consulting management and those type of decisions, that's a fireable offense in and of itself. I mean, you had a very small end of the jetty that was a problem. And instead of fixing that small end of the jetty, which these
chambers discussed doing, they went out there in a fit of what was essentially a tantrum and tore up the jetty. And you were worried about people going around signs and caution tape to a dangerous area. That was the story I heard is we're worried about people hurting
themselves. So they kept going around the signs. Well, then you jackhammer the whole thing up and leave rubble and rebar. And what did you what what happened? We put up caution tapes and signs. We were worried about people going around caution tape and sign before. Why would caution tape and sign all of a
sudden stop people? There was no logic to it whatsoever. And now instead of a small fix, we have a long drawn out process that's going to be severely costly to the city and to taxpayers. The swim buoy debacle, I mean, come on. I don't know how you look at that
without just extreme mismanagement. I we're don't understand how any other conclusion is drawn from that. Seafood Fest, I mean, supposed to be a positive thing, supposed to bring people to John's past. Seafood Fest didn't happen
post hurricane understandably, but then it was planned during the middle of our spring break without consulting the businesses. Seafood festival was designed by the businesses for the businesses for John's Pass. And it was used as a weapon against us to punish
business this year. And when the businesses reached out to the city, we were told to deal with it or straight up ignored. It was so beyond frustrating. And now Seafood Fest is coming up and the recreation department applied for
funding incorrectly. So I had to work with the funding department to get the funding fixed so we could get funding this year. And then I asked about, hey, are we going to get any updates about Seafood Fest? And I get ignored. And then finally the updates come and I was
told that I need to buy in. Final Friday. What happened there? It was a great event. I was spending countless thousands of dollars as a private business to advertise and to bring people to MadiRaa Beach. Caddy's was too. And then Final Fridays goes
away behind the storm. Magically, it comes back and it's not final Friday anymore. Businesses were not consulted. The businesses that were sponsoring the event were not consulted. And when we make noise about it and try to ask for some conversations, we're ignored. I
just don't understand why businesses are being alienated, ignored, and vilified. We're trying to spend money to help you promote John's Pass, promote MadiRaa Beach, to bring people to our community to make it better for residents, and we're literally being I mean, to me,
sabotaged. It's crazy. Uh my big issue is once you're on his bad side, you're alienated and vilified. And I've I've labored that point. So, I'm going to scoot scooch past that one. The John's Pass part or the John's Pass parking garage. Mayor Hendricks brought
it up. A lot of businesses in John's Pass are really frustrated. We passed a resolution to increase parking. We don't like increased parking. You look at John's Pass social media, their Google page. That's the number one complaint about John's Pass is it's too expensive to go there. The parking's too high. But we voted to increase parking prices.
Why? Because 50 cents of those dollars were supposed to go to this parking garage fund. The parking garage was talked about. We voted on it. We agreed to a parking increase and nothing has been done. It just keeps getting ignored, pushed down. The truck issue most recently, I
mean, as a business owner, an employee goes out and spends a ridiculous amount of money without being uh without permission. Something was supposed to be happening, right? Someone's supposed to be held accountable. I mean, it's ridiculous that we're spending $20,000 in upgrades and no one's held held
accountable. Uh, it's a bad look to the city. It's a bad look to our residents, to our visitors, and it's a wanting waste of taxpayer dollars. Hopefully, we can do something about it today. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Do we have any additional public
comment? Chim Rosstec, my address is protected. Honorable mayor, vice mayor, and commissioners. Well, it looks like we've gone full circle, especially with me. Uh, there are at least two dozen residents that won't be here today. They
are afraid of retribution. They know how Gomez acts and is. And I feel their pain now as it appears I'm being targeted because I made the claim that uh the uh code enforcement's not
doing their job. Well, it's pretty clear that that is the fact when there are numerous violations and a resident has to report them. So, that's pretty cut and dry. Uh we promote what we permit within the city. It's a culture of deny,
deflect, lie, and gaslight those who question. It is very clear that the city manager provides a blank checkbook to some department heads. Look at the FY26
budget. It's truly out of control. With two back-to-back storms and the associated aftermath, the budget should be flat. The budget should be held at a maintained current level of service only. No wants, just needs. There is
still time to modify that. It's not only the city manager who's out of control with the budget. It's department heads, too. Why do I say that? Well, they're rarely told no. The Bank of Gomez is always open.
Good to me, blank check to you. significant delays, roadblocks in obtaining permits for months post storms recovery, delaying our residents and businesses the ability to fix and open or return to their homes. How many
business throughout the city are still closed? It's sad to see how many homeowners are still homeless because they can't get permits or whatever. There's some things we just don't know.
Several pieces of equipment and vehicles were lost during the hurricane. There's a lack of leadership without accountability. If I did stuff like that in the fire service, I'd be out on the outside looking in. This is ludicrous. There is no accountability and it's
extremely sad. Uh contracts. Mr. Gomez and department heads have repeatedly failed to conform to the city's purchasing policy. That's in the charter. We are violating the city charter, people, and there's no
accountability for this. Why is that? The swim markers, the walkway removal already been hammered home. There were other options and we chose bad paths for whatever reason. flagrant discriminatory and/or selective
enforcement practices or no enforcement is the standard allowed by the city manager himself, staff or contracted staff. Works the Wednesday market instead of running the city.
Attends public meetings with internal and external customers, agencies, and elected officials. His attire has been inappropriate for some of these meetings. I was told I had to take some things out of what I was going to
say because it would it wouldn't have been so nice. So, I did. I listened to the wife. The seafood festival. Pathetic net profit. Don't know why. The one thing that stuck out to me is and I can only assume it was paid. We paid $8,000 for a photographer.
There's one right there. Commissioner Hooch. He's a photographer. $8,000. You're kidding me. I hope. I hope it's a mistake, but it's been put in the official record.
Refuse to implement safety policies to protect the city's employees. And here's one that's going to drive home, and it it saddens me to even bring this one up. allowed the Madira Beach fire chief to hire another previous department's fire chief as a new
firefighter within a year magically made another chief's position just for him costing the taxpayers 200k
for initial salary benefits and vehicle. I have a whole lot of information on this but I'm going to run out of time. I have the facts. Is it a coincidence? No. This needs to be investigated. There's a problem here.
Fact. 80 to 90% of all 911 calls for emergency services are for medical emergencies that require no supervision. And we have two chiefs. There's something very wrong here, people. It's the good old boys club at
the expense of us, the taxpayers. The go Gomez Gomez Belulk approved. Though the city manager does not return calls or inquires in a timely manner from other elected officials. The cancer destroying the city comes
from within. It is the city manager and some department heads and it's spreading unchecked. Look at the budget right around the city. It is unbelievable the heartache.
I see it's the homes and what's left. The longer you wait, the worse the recovery will be. If you don't remove the city manager or if you remove the city manager,
excuse me, hopefully the attitude of some department heads will change. If not, some of them would need to go too because they're acting just like him. The reputation, fate, and future of our wonderful city
is in your hands. The legacy you leave behind will be etched in the minds of our residents for generations to come.
The positive and the negative. Everything stated or construed to be an applica an an accusation in this document. I have the hardcore evidence and will supply it to anybody who wants it.
Thank you for your time. God bless you all. >> Thank you. >> Do we have any additional public comment >> with no no more comment? >> Yes, please. How's it going, guys? Um, I'm Ella Condicor. I represent Starlight Cruises.
Uh, we operate the Calypso Breeze out of John's Pass. >> So, they can hear you. Can you hear me? >> Yeah. You're a little tall. >> Hi. Uh, my name's Ella Condicor. I represent the Starlight Cruise Line and we run the Clipso Breeze out of John's Pass. So, we also have a huge issue with
sand and essentially right now it's costing us diesel fuel. It's costing us time and from our standpoint I don't feel like y'all have put a lot of effort in towards making sure that our primary tourist trap per se is safe not only for
us but the hubards as well you know what I mean and um you know it's a big issue because I know we bring in a lot of tax money to you guys as far as you know city manager goes I struggled my family I'm a Madera Beach resident and my family's been here since in the 50s. My
family's own golf gardens and through the whole process after the hurricane and all that, I know I came and I talked with you and I asked for your help and and you shut me down every step of the way and I was asking very simple questions. At the end of the day, you
got to remember this is a community not just full of newcomers, but you've got a lot of people that have been here a long time and we've always rebuilt back our community. And I'm not, you know, for all the years that I've seen this go on, I this was the last time that I or the
first time that I'd seen it where we got like so much kickback from you guys for just simply putting our community back together with that. It's just not how it always was. You know, we're looking for you guys to come back to the not so much the fishing
community, but a community that stands behind their citizens. And we haven't seen that. Thank you guys. Thank you. Mayor, Commissioner John Connelly, Normandy Road, Madiraa Beach.
Um, we've talked about all the wrong things that have been done, but we haven't talked about Tom City Tom and Kitty Stewart Park and why it isn't back opened. It is one of the places that brings in our revenue.
Um, and that would be number one on my list after the hurricane trying to just like Archer Ballpark to get it up and running and get the revenue.
What gets me is you you allowed Caddies to drive through it, but you say that it isn't able to support us for parking. Meanwhile, the county knocked down their
wall, put a fence around it, and opened. Cleaned the parking lot and opened. And I'm and I'm I'm still wondering why this hasn't been done at Kitty Stewart. I mean, if this is a source of revenue for us,
you know, to leave that October, November before anything gets done just is it's just ludicrous to me because I think that would be one of the things we need money now. We're hurting. You know, we lost money from the hurricane, the
damage. Thank you. >> Thank you. [Applause] Do we have >> any additional comments? So when we close comments, that will be it. There'll be no more discussion with the public. So if you have something to
say, please say it now. >> Hey, mayor and group. Um, I didn't make the meeting. >> Give your name, please. My name is Edward Smith. My company is EF Smith and Associates. We build homes on the beach and I also own property on the beach.
Um, you guys have passed for the elevated homes now where they can extend their steps out, extend balconies out to 5T. What about the new homes that are being built elevated? Are they allowed the same?
>> So, it's not a Q&A. It's just a statement. And the statements really now are about the city manager. >> I understand. But if this is the first time I could get here to say something, you know, we should be as we're elevating people's homes that a lot of these small lots can only have a
three-foot balcony. That's unsafe. >> So, if you'll stay till the meeting's over, we can have a discussion about that. >> Okay. Okay. >> Thank you. I'm just hoping we can get something clarified on it because I got people who are coming down and going, "Hey, if they can have it, why can't we have it?"
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. Do we have any additional public comment before we close public comment? With no additional public comment, comment is or public comment is closed. Commission >> first.
Um, we've had a lot of um comments here today. Um, starting uh with the mayor about about concerns. Um, I think we need an opportunity to put those concerns together and have an
opportunity for the city manager to uh address those because all some of the things that I've heard this evening could they may have some truth to them but they don't have the full picture. Um,
you know, we we sit here several times a month and uh hear concerns. Some of us hear concerns um on a daily basis when we're out out and about. I just jotted down a few things and you
know I'm not going to go into each individual ones because I may not have all the information but I at least want the city manager to have an opportunity to look at those concerns. Um and then and then we can make a
judgment. I'm not ready to make a judgment on anything this evening and if uh forced to I'm going to support the city manager. um he has a contract. >> This is not a voting meeting. So, we're not voting. This is a discussion and
Robin can involve in this discussion as well if he so chooses. >> But there was so many things that were brought up that I think we need to have an opportunity for him to to and we can do it in writing and do it in verbally
and I'll leave it to him to do that. But this is not a a trial. Um, you know, we we had uh Hurricane Helen come through here last September and I think
this city has made one heck of a rebound. Um, >> my home has been destroyed. I have I understand completely. So be respectful when I'm when I have an opportunity to speak my thoughts. I was respectful for
everyone that wanted to get up and speak. So many people were um lo had to locate somewhere else because they couldn't live in our home in their home. I came back to my home. I I didn't spend one
more night there. So you know all all these com all these issues are issues. Don't I don't take them lightly, but this is this last 10 months has has been something above and beyond.
Now, have there been mistakes? Sure. You know, you bring up the bu the buoys and uh you know, that was a that's something we can address. We did address and what we can address further. um
being able to uh you I've considered you know there was a a change in prior commissions to have the city manager have a have a from a 15,000 to a $30,000
dollar um you know to make that decision on your own. Well maybe maybe that was a mistake. maybe we need to bring it back to 15 so that we make sure that we have discussion here on the board for anything over 15,000. Um you know there was a lot of public out
outrage on that and whether you like the decision or you didn't it was um a decision he made. Okay. He and that's been corrected. Um I don't think you throw throw a man out for one
decision on that. Now we can address the other ones, but all all in all, I I think he's just one decision. >> I'm not here to debate with the public. The public's done. Thank you. >> Let's be respectful and allow the vice mayor to speak, please. >> So, that's that's where I stand. He
needs he has an opportunity uh to address any and all these these these issues. And I look forward to hearing that. And when when we're finished with that, then we'll make decision where we go from here. Thank you. Thank you, mayor. Uh, I I'd just like to
remind everybody that everybody sitting up here lives here. Some couple of our commissioners had no place to live for maybe still don't. I myself has spent more than I paid for my house in renovations because of all the damage that was done to my house. We
understand. I'm only I'm one of two people that live on my block because the rest of the pro the properties are one story. So, please do not accuse anyone up here of not understanding. We know what's going on. I I too would like to allow Mr. Gomez an
opportunity to address some of these issues. I'm familiar with all of them and I I'd really like to hear what he has to say at some point during this session. It's so it's easy to sit back and judge what leaders and administrators do and try to frame the action as good or bad without fully
knowing what went into the decision to choose that action. The majority of residents saw Jetty's gone. What led up to that? Nothing of significance is he black or white. Nothing is all good or all bad. And when it comes to forming an
opinion without taking time to make an in an informed opinion, what's the what's the point of that? because leadership is hard. Leadership is messy and what you see on the surface of a leader's choice rarely represents the the thought process to to uh that led to
that decision or choice. That said, I tried to prepare for this meeting with an open mind. And today here today, I plan to list listen to the act I've listened to the actual data which you have presented and I appreciate every everyone being here. Just a reminder, we
have meetings every month. Love to see you then. Um, so let's just take a look. Uh, I've tried to listen to it based on try not to be swayed by subjective opinions or based on emotions or limited experience or personal bias. Let's look
at data. It's clear that the removal of the side the jetty was an unpopular decision. After the fact, this board held a discussion at a workshop where we voiced our concerns over the action. Once we were informed that the decision was made with regards to public safety
and to avoid a lawsuit due to personal injury, many of us agreed that we probably would have made the same decision, although we would have preferred to be consulted for such a public-f facing action. I ask that you remember that this decision had to be made on the tale of 150year catastrophe.
No one alive today has any memory of anything nearly as bad as we experience. And there was certainly no precedence for how to handle every situation that comes up after a weather event that caused every barrier island to sustain 4 to 6 ft of flooding. MadiRaa Beach was
one big danger zone for many weeks and even months. That's a lot of decisions to make when there isn't a handbook of processes to follow. In my opinion, lesson learned. Let's do better next time. And we've had that. I personally have had that discussion with Mr. Gomez.
Earlier in the year, Mr. Gomez made the decision to remove the floating buoys, which by the way have to be replaced every hurricane season because they're destroyed, and replace them with permanent channel markers, exactly like the ones used on Clear Water Beach. This
proved to be wildly unpopular in our city. I myself thought they were hideous. I wasn't pleased with the way it looked, but instead of losing my mind, I made an appointment with our city manager to express my concerns to allow him an opportunity to explain the reasons that she chose that action. As I
said earlier, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. I learned that the Bowie buoy installation had only just begun and that the poles that we were seeing would all be cut down to resemble channel markers. I was shown a picture of the buoys off Clear Water Beach and saw that they were not intrusive
visually. More important, they were permanent and would not need to be replaced every year. Further, the plan that had had been to extend the swim zone for the entire length of MadiRaa Beach, which is something that I've been pushing for for many years. Was it a bad decision or action or was it just
handled clumsily? If there had been any resident workshops or any be board of commissioner involvement, there would have been an opportunity to express agreement or disagreement. And unfortunately, that didn't happen. And as a result, the unfinished buoy mark is removed before any residents knew that the project wasn't really finished. It
had just started. Could it have been handled better? Yes, I think so. But nothing illegal or nefarious was involved in this action. And to say that there was shows a lack of understanding of the city manager's duties and responsibilities. That said, Mr. Gomez
was instructed to allow more engagements by residents and the board of commissioners for any future projects that were public facing. I've seen since that time that there have been public workshops for park designs and for city's master plan and residents were given an opportunity to vote for their
favorite murals at Archal Park and as well as John's past parking facility. Again, lesson learned. It was mentioned at a prior workshop that there were employees who were disgruntled with Mr. Gomez. When I heard that, I thought, well, there's something
that I can verify for myself. Since last week, I've spoken to every department supervisor andor director, and I spoke to uh a couple of other employees, not supervisors, and a few non-leership employees. I started each interview with a statement that in order
to allow each individual to be completely candid without fear of retribution, I would not state any specific names, only their comments. So, these are their comments, but I'm not going to share their names as promised. From the directors and supervisors, I heard the following comments about Mr. Gomez. He's the easiest and most
positive city manager they've ever worked with. This meeting, the one we're in now, will cause a disruption in running the city. It's a bad time to have this conversation. We have strong staff support from their department. I give Mr. Gomez my full support. Mr. Gomez is completely
involved and engaged in our city's success. He's the best manager in 10 years. Treats all employees with respect. Honest and fair, no malice, takes a thoughtful approach to every situation. We have no negative issues with Mr. Gman. He's very consistent. He
doesn't micromanage. He hires good leaders and lets them do their job. He's very supportive of the department and every employee in it. He they feel respected and he's dealing with a very challenging time in our city. Of all the employees that I spoke with, I presented
this question. If it was up to city employees to replace Mr. Gomez, would you replace him? Every single department hair chair or supervisor voted to keep Mr. Go Gomez. Only one city employee voted no. I won't give you the titles
because it would it would uh it would ignore the uh discre discretion which I promised but only one voted out of all everyone I spoke to was not happy with the way Mr. Gomez ran the city to be fair I've spoken to and heard from a few residents who would like to have Mr.
Gomez replaced. Some of the issues they reported were pitted roads, the slow prog which is usually responsibility of the Department of Transportation, the slow progress of the municipal beach which is a county beach over which our city has no control. Slow slow undergrounding of power lines which is
completely the responsibility of Duke Energy. Slow progress of the John's PR dredging problem. I know I don't I'm not this is not news to anyone here and it has to be but I know it has to be approved by multiple entities including as it was mentioned early the Army Corps
of Engineers overgrown yards and abandoned houses all of which have been investigated as they're reported by our code enforcement. But each of these situations legally requires due process which involves multiple contacts and interactions with the owner before any
drastic action can be taken. Again, the island was under 4 to 6 ft of water last year. Please show me the ordinance or rules which tell us exactly how to run the city when over the half of the houses on the island are unlivable. I've also heard from residents who are
appalled by the fact that we are even having this meeting. Some of the comments are Mr. Gomez professionally and pragmatically helped us sort out an issue we were having with the neighbor. Again, I I will not give names because I promised I would be discreet. Mr. Gomez helped us to resolve a building issue we
were having we are having and he used our solution to help similar situations throughout the city. Sorry, excuse me. Mr. Gomez listened patiently to our concerned and helped us define an answer to our concerns. Mr. Gomez demonstrates the kind of exemplary leadership that my
family and I appreciate and we are glad to have him as our city manager. Is Mr. Gomez perfect in every decision he makes? I dare say no. But like the quote from the Bible that he is who without sin cast the first stone. Is there room for improvement? Yes. Just as there is room for improvement in each and every
one of us. My first reaction to Mayor Book's request to have this meeting last last week was no. This meeting is not needed. But as I said, I've gone into this with an open mind. The fact that there are so many folks who see things differently than me tells me I needed to follow the
advice of a former boss of mine. Stop worrying about being right and wrong. Always seek the truth. Considering the amount of time and effort and dedication Mr. Goman Gomez has demonstrated during the catastrophe of last year, I think that based on that
alone, he deserves the opportunity to prove any areas of concern before we even consider finding a replacement for him. With that in mind, I'd like to recommend an action recommend an action plan. Moving forward, Mr. Gomez would be monitored by the board of commission or another entity that we may decide for
specific items that we consider crucial. Some of the items might be uh does not lead the the team. We need more specifics, but we can uh illustrate them and put them on an action plan. Uh the dredging uh project, how is city manager responsible for this lay? add regular
inquiries to the city manager duties. Uh the jetty always consult with border commissioner and residents for any large public facing projects or decision. Lack of updates as requested. Let's put a time time certain every time we ask for an update. Let's say I want this by next
week. Is that reasonable? um not adhering to the city's purchasing policy as uh Commissioner Kerr said, "Well, if we don't like the policy, that's our fault. We need to change it. We need to lower the amount that he's
allowed to spend." Um all I can say is I've done my best to keep an open mind about this and that I hope you will too. And Mayor, I hope we can give Mr. Gomez an opportunity to address some of the issues that have been brought up here today. Thank you.
Commissioners. >> Hello everyone and uh thank you for attending today's meeting. This has been a really difficult week for everyone here. You know, I I'm a friend of Robins. I'm a friend of his families.
This meeting is designed to allow the citizens of Madira Beach the opportunity to voice their opinions on the city manager's performance. This meeting will help the board of commissioners decide if we want to move into a different direction.
We are a strong and resilient community. We've gone through a lot. We will continue to be strong and resilient. I appreciate everyone that attended this meeting today and that attended or is watching this meeting at home.
most of the issues have been covered already. Um, I would like to say that I would also like to give Robin a chance to explain. However, as a military veteran,
I believe in the chain of command. The chain of command in this city, number one on top is the residents. Number two is the board of commissioners and the mayor. Number three is the city manager. Number four is the department heads.
Never forget who is number one and what they want to achieve. Thank you, >> Mish. >> I also would like to thank the citizens to be here today speaks volumes.
I consider myself a public servant. I we are all here to serve this wonderful public and I was really looking for some positive responses.
I didn't hear anything. Um it's been so far negative. Um public speaks volumes and as I mentioned I'm a public servant. I'm serving these folks and I'm listening to them.
So, I am not in favor of holding on to our city manager. Thank you. [Applause] So, I would like to address a few things that were brought up here. Um, and a
couple of things that I received in emails. So, I received dozens of emails asking that we move forward with the removal of the city manager. I did not get one person who sent me anything that said, "Why are you
doing this? Can we have a conversation?" I had conversations with the mayor last night. Half of the room came up and spoke to me about our meeting today and supporting it. Of all of the people who either emailed me or spoke to me last night or
in days previous since our meeting last week, it has been consistently told to me that they wouldn't be here today to speak. They may be here today in the audience, but they would not come to speak for fear of retribution from the city manager. Um the tone unfortunately
and and I like Robin, this is not personal at all. This is about the city. It's business. We've had one-on- ons um where we've discussed all of these items. When you talk about the
the pilings when those pilings went in the ground and the community got outraged over it and we received emails and there was so much information in social media and people complaining about it. I
personally had a conversation with the city manager and asked him, "Do not take them out of the ground. Call a meeting. Let's explain it to the community. Let's explain what they're going to look like when they're in. Maybe if people understand what we spent almost $30,000
on, then they would be okay with it." And he refused to do that and he pulled them out. That was a violation of the spending policy because he spent over $30,000 putting them in and taking them out. Just because there were two invoices
does not make it two separate projects. That's the same project and that is the spending policy um against the spending policy on the jetty. I was here after the hurricanes in city hall working alongside city
staff in the community. And when the jetty became an issue, I personally had a conversation with Robin and said, "Call a meeting. Let the community be involved. Let the commission be involved. Get an engineer to go look at
the jetty to tell us that the jetty needs to come out, that it can't be repaired. Bring it before the community. let us vote. And again, he refused to do that. And as aside, the residents did not vote
on all the murals. They only voted on the one at Archabald, but that's aside, it doesn't matter. They all look great. Um, and for the staff to say that he's the easiest person to work with, I'm sure he is. He doesn't discipline. he doesn't have oversight on what's going
on in the city. And I've brought examples of that here. An additional example would be the recreation center that during Milton got less than an inch of water and we tore the drywall out and a statement was made
at our last meeting that by the time they got in there, it was all moldy. The pictures provided to me showed that staff was in there the day after Milton squeegeeing out what little bit of water was in there. And the photographs that were provided by SurfPro
that should have just dried it out because it was fresh water did not show any mold in any of the photographs that were provided to me. So if there was mold, I requested the photographs on more than one occasion and did not get it. I also sat here at that time and
listened to staff from multiple departments talk about remodeling, not just the rec center, but moving the building department up, remodeling all this. And all that conversation went on
in a room with the city manager. And I said to the city manager, you can't do that without the commission voting on that. And there has to be a record of the emails that were sent by the previous building official to the designer to
have the drawings done because that was done. So when I sit here and I am in support of looking for a new city manager, it isn't based on one or two things. It's based on a pattern. It's based on a management style. And it's
wonderful to work for someone that you really like, that's really nice to you, but that person also has to know how to reprimand you when you're doing something wrong. Pay attention to what's going on in the departments. Leading is
not just riding around town in the K Cabota and picking up trash. It's sitting in your office, paying attention to what's going on, mentoring the people that are working for you, and being present in the day-to-day activities of the city. So, I didn't come here lightly
when I brought this last week at our meeting. I'm not sitting here lightly today, but we do have the residents that showed up. I am in support in looking for a new city manager. I I don't support just
saying, "Well, we should let him do better." I feel like he's had the opportunity to do better and he's chose not to. [Applause] So, city attorney, we spoke about this
earlier today. Yes. >> So my understanding is the next step would be a we would have to have an additional meeting. >> So the um the steps are laid out in section 5.4 of the city charter.
Section 5.4 for says that the first step would be to bring forward a prelim preliminary charging u document. It would be in the form of a resolution. In that charging document, I would need
to when I prepare it have to list the reasons for removal in specificity. I'd also need to include in that resolution whether or not the commission uh wants to suspend the city manager
from duty or not. Once that resolution is complete, it would be considered by the commission either special meeting or a regular meeting. Then if it was adopted, the resolution
would be delivered to the city manager. The city manager would then have five days in which to either resign from the position or request a public hearing. Um, I call it a name clearing hearing.
That hearing would have to take place no earlier than 15 days and no later than 30 days after the request is made. Um, at that hearing, uh, the board of commissioners can either accept the
resignation or adopt a final resolution of removal. All during this time, the city manager would be entitled to um continue to receive all of his salary and benefits until the effective date of
the resolution uh the final resolution or the resignation itself. And I would remind the commission that um Mr. Gomez has an employment agreement which has been amended twice. And there was a question raised as to
whether or not uh his term had been extended. It has been extended until December 31st, 202028. But the um employment agreement provides a process as to what his severance pay would be if
the uh if he was let go. And we can go into de that those details if it gets to that level. But the first step would be for me to prepare that charging document or resolution. So I would need direction from the
commission to do that. >> Mayor, excuse me, mayor and commission. My at this point my suggestion would be if the commission would be amendable to a separation agreement uh and move forward based on some of
what Mr. Tras just stated but simply ending the agreement. So I would provide to Mr. TR and he would have the ability to discuss with each one of you that settlement agreement and then you can place it on a
few on the next workshop. Well, I don't think we have enough time for a different meeting and then just vote to approve that separation agreement. The next regular meeting is on the 10th of September. So, the vote could happen at that time. secure if the commission
would be that would move the process and not have to go through this very lengthy well I shouldn't say lengthy I don't know what the time period it adds some time to it but if the commission is I'm willing to just proceed in that manner >> commissioners
>> if uh if that's what Mr. Gomez is suggesting uh I have no no problem with that separation agreement disheartening but um if that's the way that you would like to proceed
>> commissioners >> I agree just proceed >> if that's the way uh the city manager wishes to proceed. >> I would support that also. >> Okay. So, there would be no action that would be necessary at this meeting then
if that's the consensus or direction. So, uh once I receive the um separation proposal from Mr. Gomez, I will review it with him um and then um obviously come back to you with a recommendation
um and maybe even a draft separation agreement that either I would prepare or Mr. Gomez or his representative would prepare uh for consideration at an upcoming regular or special meeting. And then at that point, if it's accepted, then obviously we need to
appoint a acting city manager. Um and under your charter, that's within 48 hours of um Mr. Gomez resigning, you have to appoint a acting city manager. And then of course we can go through the
process of um you know getting a recruiter uh and go through the recruitment process to fill the uh vacant position. >> Okay. Do we have anything additional? >> No. Thank you >> commissioners. Thank you. Anything
additional commissioners? >> Good. Then it is 309 and we are adjourned.