Madeira Beach City Manager Robin Gomez offers separation agreement

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. — Madeira Beach City Manager Robin Gomez offered to end his employment contract more than three years early, during a Thursday workshop, where his work performance was under scrutiny. 

“Lack of leadership and accountability,” Mayor Anne-Marie Brooks said about Gomez. “Too often, communication has been delayed, incomplete or just dismissive.”

Brooks called for the workshop to see how her fellow commissioners and the residents felt about Gomez continuing to lead the city. Brooks said she wanted to begin a search for a new city manager because Gomez had lost her confidence.

Residents and business owners packed the commission chambers for the workshop. Nearly all of the public speakers talked about the problems they have experienced with Gomez.

“My big issue is once you’re on his bad side, you’re alienated and vilified,” said Capt. Dylan Hubbard, owner Hubbard’s Marina. “Unfortunately, things went sour when the dredge situation came up.”

Hubbard pointed out the city got a $1.5 million state grant to dredge John’s Pass in September 2022 and the project has still not been completed due to Gomez’s mismanagement. Brooks also cited the long-delayed dredge project as a major problem.

“(He) reported incorrect information on the permit process and has not provided timely updates,” she said. “Misstated the permit, status and process timelines, agency steps.”

Only one resident urged commissioners to keep Gomez and put him under probation.

“It’s hard to get good people. It’s hard to get average people to want to come into small communities,” said Charles Lunsford. “We’ve all had issues with… the manager, but not all of them are bad.”

Commissioner Ray Kerr said Gomez had done a good job since last year’s hurricanes and supported keeping him on as city manager. At last week’s meeting, it was revealed Gomez was living at city hall in the days following Hurricane Helene because his home was flooded and he was working at all hours.

“The last 10 months have been something above and beyond,” Kerr said. “I’m going to support the city manager.”

Commissioner David Tagliarini also said he supported Gomez along with most department heads in the city. Tagliarini read some anonymous comments from those city leaders.

“Mr. Gomez is completely involved and engaged in our city’s success,” he said. “He’s the best manager in 10 years. Treats all employees with respect.”

Commissioner Housh Ghovaee said he was hoping to hear some positive comments from residents about Gomez but they were all negative.

“I’m a public servant and serving these folks and I’m listening to them,” he said. “So I am not in favor of holding onto our city manager.”

With Ghovaee and Brooks in favor of finding a new city manager, while Tagliarini and Kerr wanted to keep Gomez, only Commissioner Eddie McGeehen was left as a potential swing vote.

McGeehen said he was friends with Gomez but had to listen to his constituents.

“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,” he said. “Never forget who is number one, what they want to achieve.”

Once it was clear Gomez did not have the votes to keep his job, he offered to resign.

“At this point, my suggestion would be if the commission would be amenable to a separation agreement,” he said. “Move forward… simply ending the agreement.”

Gomez did not address any of the concerns raised and declined a Spectrum News request for an interview. Brooks said Gomez did the right thing for the city and for himself.

“It will be the best thing for the residents and the city moving forward,” she said. “I’m happy that he made that decision.”

Brooks said Gomez will likely stay on the job for a couple of weeks as they work out the separation agreement. Last year, the board of commissioners extended Gomez’s contract through 2028.