ST. PETE BEACH — City Manager Frances Robustelli drew unanimous praise and a two-year contract extension at her annual evaluation, and she persuaded commissioners to add a 90-day “cooling-off period” that gives her time to work with any newly seated official before the commission could take action affecting her job.
The review was the first for a commission reshaped by a new mayor and two new commissioners — the kind of turnover that prompted Robustelli’s request. Commissioners unanimously agreed to the extension, which brings her contract to five years, and to the cooling-off provision. She also asked to receive the same cost-of-living adjustment as city employees if the budget allows.
Robustelli described the change as “a limited post-election transition period, which I’m calling a cooling-off period, where if any newly elected or appointed person joins this team, that gives me 90 days to work with the new appointed or elected official before any future employment decisions may be made about serving you.”
After Mayor Scott Tate and Commissioner Lisa Robinson questioned the wording, Robustelli asked the city attorney to revise the section so it would take effect only when “any city election, city commission appointment or recall ... results in any change in composition of the City Commission.”
“So if you all are here in March, which I hope you are, this provision would not trigger, because there would be no change to the team,” she said.
St. Pete Beach is no stranger to newly seated commissioners moving to fire charter officials soon after taking office. Former Commissioner Joe Moholland once made a motion to fire City Attorney Andrew Dickman as his first official act.
Robustelli said the feedback from commissioners and staff was strong. “I’m hearing from the organization that morale is continuing to be good and moving toward improvement,” she said, pointing to gains in operational effectiveness and new systems and policies intended to help the city run more efficiently.
Her main takeaway, she said, was the commission’s emphasis on infrastructure, community engagement and staff development. “Infrastructure is very important this year for the commission and the community,” she said, adding that she wanted to keep reaching out to residents and to press “continuous improvement in the organization.”
Commissioner Karen Marriott, the only current member who was on the commission when Robustelli was hired, said the appointment might be the best thing she has accomplished in office. “She has done tremendous things for the city,” Marriott said, calling the change from the previous city manager “a night and day difference.” She praised Robustelli’s “ability to coach all of us through the processes” without steering policy.
Commissioner Al Causey, on the job only a few months, agreed, calling Robustelli “discerning” and “capable.” “She understands customer service,” he said. “I think you’re doing a great job.”
Commissioner Jon Maldonado thanked Robustelli for adapting to a new commission, calling her “an impact player” who can “push back when necessary, but with strategic intent of the city’s needs before any particular district.” He credited her with steadying the city after she arrived “at a very turbulent and challenging time” and with pushing commissioners to view the city “as an enterprise.” He said he valued her 24/7 availability and even temperament. “You remain very strategically neutral, and I do appreciate that,” he said.
Robinson thanked Robustelli for her steadiness and for smoother operations. “I appreciate your calmness under storm and non-storm,” she said.
Tate said he was impressed by Robustelli’s sense of community and appreciated her earlier reference to the city as “one island.” He said her leadership style matched his own experience running businesses. “When you get involved I can expect professionalism and calm at all times — that is impressive and necessary,” he said. “Your spirit of continuous improvement is inspirational.”
“Thank you, so much,” Robustelli told commissioners.