Coachella Pays Former City Manager $287,000

Former City Manager Will Also Receive Health Insurance Premiums Paid for 15 months

COACHELLA — The city must pay former city Manager Gabriel Martin severance in the amount equal to 15 months of Martin’s base salary, $287,000), in a lump sum, according to his separation and release agreement.  Uken Report revived a copy of the report through the California Public Records Act.

The city will also reimburse Martin for the costs of Martin’s COBRA health insurance premiums for fifteen (15) months after the Separation Date, or until Martin finds other employment, whichever occurs first. Reimbursement is contingent on Martin submitting proof of payment of COBRA health insurance premiums to the city within 30 days after payment thereof has been made.

“These are dollars that would otherwise go to services, right?” Mayor Steven Hernandez told Uken Report. “Or whether it be roads or whether it be our parks, whether it be to the fact that we allow free play, these are dollars that ultimately when we’re even doing our budgets, that they’re not going to be around, 500,000 is a lot of money. That’s money that could have gone to our park and recreation programs, the staff, right? Anytime we’re paying out, it’s money that could have gone to those places. And so, we feel that, again, the fact that you have to pay out essentially means that we got rid of the city manager with no real purpose, right/”

The payout is the result of a controversial City Council vote in January.

After more than four hours of public comments made in person, over Zoom and through email, which were overwhelmingly positive, Coachella City Manager Gabriel Martin was placed on administrative leave immediately.

After meeting in closed session for 5 1/2 hours, the City Council voted to 3-2 to place Martin on administrative leave immediately. There was no public explanation.

Those supporting Martu’s leave were Denise Delgado, Franak Figueroa and newly elected Yadira Perez.

:And so, the question to mow is, what is the vision of, not only our city manager, but the council majority down? It’s not just, “We have power,” It’s like, “Where are you headed? And where are we going?” And it feels like there’s a little bit of issues there, like there’s no articulation of what the vision is. And so that’s what’s concerning, is that we will falter if we don’t have a vision.”

Delgado could not immediately be reached for comment.