RIVIERA BEACH, Fla. — During Wednesday's city council meeting, city leaders voted 3-2 to keep City Manager Jonathan Evans suspended until 5 p.m. Thursday. Council members KaShamba Miller-Anderson and Shirley Lanier were in dissent.
Evans was suspended from his position on Sept. 18 when Riviera Beach Mayor Ronnie Felder made the move to suspend Evans due to "neglect of duties."
Riviera Beach
City manager's suspension brings mixed views from residents
In a 52-page report with city employees former and current employees made complaints of sexual harassment, racism, and retaliation.
"The mayor shouldn’t have done that report. That’s the city manager's job," council member Douglas Lawson said.
Felder argued Evans was notified about staff complaints since February 2023 at least six times and did not act on them.
"You’re supposed to investigate every complaint," stated Mayor Felder. "I gave it to him. 500 and something days. Right? Nothing has been said or done."
Many residents sided with the mayor and voiced their concerns. "This is really a major problem," said one resident. "I hope you support what the mayor did. I don't think it was enough as other people should have been disciplined."
However, other residents supported Evans. Commissioner Shirley Lanier argued the complaints were unjust and only had one side of the story.
"I am not dismissing your issues with the city, but what I am doing is making sure that the people being reported in this report have the opportunity to defend themselves."
On Sept. 19, Police Chief Michael Coleman took over as acting city manager but resigned from the position a day later.
Then, on Sept. 24, the city's Assistant City Manager, Deirdre Jacobs, assumed the position without being promoted or appointed to the job by the City Council. That day, Council Member Douglas Lawson called for an emergency meeting —but that meeting was adjourned in less than two minutes after council members failed to approve the agenda.
Staring tomorrow, Evans is expected to return to his role and begin looking into the complaints.
Council members KaShamba Miller-Anderson and Shirley Lanier were in dissent of keeping the suspension.
