Clarkston, GA — Clarkston City Manager Robin Gomez will be leaving his position effective September 17.  Director of Planning and Development Shawanna Qawiy will be the interim city manager, pending her review of a contract with the city.

The announcement was made during the Sept. 7 City Council meeting. The reasons for Gomez’ departure are unclear. According to a copy of the separation agreement obtained by the Tucker Observer, Gomez will get a severance of $61,800.

Gomez confirmed the authenticity of the document, but said he couldn’t talk about why he’s leaving, whether he has a job lined up or what’s in the agreement.

“I can’t comment on anything related to the separation agreement,” Gomez said.

To see a copy of the separation agreement, click here.

In response to a query from the Tucker Observer, Clarkston Mayor Beverly Burks stated that Gomez served as City Manager from January 7, 2019 to September 17, 2021.

“Mr. Gomez was separated from employment with the city by mutual agreement. The city and Mr. Gomez wish one another well in all future endeavors,” said Burks.

Councilmember Mark Perkins was equally tight-lipped about the reasons for Gomez’ departure.

“We came to a mutual agreement to separate,” Perkins said. “We wish him well and whatever he has coming next. We’re excited to see him succeed in his future endeavors.”

In addition, City Clerk Tracy Ashby is retiring and the city hopes to hire a new clerk in time to supervise municipal elections in November. As an alternative, City Attorney Stephen Quinn suggested asking the DeKalb Board of Elections to provide a supervisor for the elections.

In other news, an update of the Clarkston 2040 Comprehensive Plan is available for public review and comment on the Clarkston city website until September 17.  The update will be sent to the Atlanta Regional Commission and Department of Community Affairs for review and must incorporate any revisions from ARC and be submitted in final form by Oct 31.

The city awarded a contract to add sidewalks and resurface Market Street to Ohmshiv Construction, LLC based in Lawrenceville.  Ohmshiv’s bid to complete the work for not more than $893,905.25 was the second lowest, but the lowest bidder was disqualified due to a rule that contractors must show that they will do at least 60% of the work on a project.

The city also approved a licensing agreement with Georgia Power to place electric vehicle charging stations in the City Hall parking lot adjacent to the Market Street entrance. Vehicle charging will be complimentary for the first thirty days after installation, after which drivers will pay a rate of 25 cents per minute with no additional user fees.

In addition, the city council approved an additional $55,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for $50 gift cards to encourage the public to get COVID-19 vaccinations. Additional funding of up to $20,000 will be available for communication with the public about vaccines.

Editor and publisher Dan Whisenhunt contributed reporting to this story. 

Correction: One of the numbers listed in this story was correct. 

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