Riviera Beach, Fla. – Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael Coleman has resigned as interim city manager of the predominantly African American town, according to his letter to Mayor Ronnie L. Felder.

The letter was distributed to council members during a special meeting Sept. 20.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) said Coleman can’t serve as interim city manager and police chief simultaneously.

Felder and council members tapped Coleman as interim city manager following the two-week suspension without pay of Jonathan Evans, who is reportedly scheduled to return to work on Thursday, Oct. 3.

Felder suspended Evans for neglect of duties but didn’t give specific details.

In his decision to temporarily relieve Evans of his position, Felder told council members at a regular meeting last Wednesday, that an internal investigation divulged that he neglected his duties.

Council members said they were unaware about the probe or the mayor’s intent to suspend Evans and should’ve been informed beforehand.

Councilwoman KaShamba Miller-Anderson said she found out when a local television station reported Evans would be suspended a day before the meeting.

"I’m very surprised," said Council woman Shirley Lanier. "This is very disappointing. This is very outrageous tonight."

At the regular meeting, Evans, who earns $179,000 a year, read for the record his letter of suspension, which was dated Sept. 18 and signed by Felder.

It wasn’t known who will fill in as interim town manager until Evans’ returns to work.

Felder couldn’t be reached for comment after the meetings.

Evans’ tenure at Riviera Beach has been like a revolving door.

He was first hired for the position in 2017 and terminated six months later.

Evans was hired again as city manager in 2019 after he sued the city for wrongful termination, saying it was retaliation for cracking down on sexual misconduct by staffers and questionable spending by council members.

The council debated who would replace Evans during his suspension. Councilman Glen Spiritis recommended City Attorney Dawn Wynn, but she said legally she couldn’t hold both positions simultaneously.

Spiritis then suggested Coleman, who was hired as police chief in 2023, and the council approved his pick on a 3-2 vote.

Lanier and Miller-Anderson voted against his appointment.

But Coleman submitted his letter of resignation to Felder without an explanation. Assistant City Manager Deirdre M. Jacobs apparently wasn’t considered to replace Evans in the interim.

With a population of more than 30,000 residents, Riviera Beach, located along the Atlantic shore in Palm Beach County, proudly calls itself the “Best Waterfront City in Which to Live, Work, and Play.”