Council delays city manager appointment and candidate withdraws after public concern

The council continued consideration of a resolution to appoint Gabriel Gonzalez as the permanent city manager and requested further review before final action.

Staff described the proposed employment agreement for Gabriel Gonzalez as a three-year, at-will contract with an annual salary of $300,000, a 6% retirement contribution, a $500 monthly vehicle allowance, a $150 monthly technology allowance, and up to $15,000 in relocation reimbursement. The staff report noted the candidate would take effect immediately upon appointment.

Several councilmembers said concerns had been raised that warranted additional inquiry before entering into a multi-year contract. After discussing next steps, the council voted to continue the item to the next regular meeting and to hold a closed-session discussion at the special meeting the following week to address outstanding concerns.

Later in the meeting the candidate (who had been referenced by staff as Gabriel Gonzalez) addressed the council and stated that, given the public controversy and questions raised about the process, he would withdraw from consideration for the permanent position and remain retired. He said he did not want his integrity questioned and preferred not to be part of a politically charged appointment process.

What happens next: The item was continued to the May 13 meeting with a request that legal counsel and staff review the concerns raised; with Gonzalez—s withdrawal the council will reopen recruitment/selection options or consider other candidates and will follow the normal public meeting and closed-session steps for appointing a permanent city manager.