The findings were released in October 2017, but never discussed in full at a city meeting.

Gainesville’s city commissioners on Thursday were presented with an overview of a three-month-old investigation that looked into a pair of complaints filed against the city manager.

The complaints were filed during the summer of 2017 by the local NAACP president and the city’s former human resources director, who now works for Gainesville Regional Utilities.

The findings were released in October 2017, but never discussed in full at a city meeting. City Commissioner Charles Goston requested the item be discussed publicly.

“This conversation should’ve been had months ago.” Goston said.

NAACP President Evelyn Foxx’s complaint claimed City Manager Anthony Lyons created a hostile work environment and violated city policies while hiring employees. The other complaint, filed by Cheryl McBride, the HR director, said she was retaliated against and discriminated against for advising Lyons against certain hiring practices.

The report found that Lyons, the city's second highest-paid employee, didn’t create a hostile work environment, but that city policies were skipped during the hire of Assistant City Manager Dan Hoffman, including not interviewing a pair of city employees who applied for the position. McBride and Lyons, however, ultimately settled their dispute in September 2017 during a mediation, where McBride received about $6,000 for legal fees.

Equal Opportunity Director Torey Alston said the some 1,000-page report included more than 40 interviews, but excluded some information that didn’t provide credible or relevant information pertaining to claims made in the complaints. Alston also said some employees attempted to change their story after the report was complete. At least one employee was found to have resigned from her role because of the work environment.

Goston has repeatedly said that some city employees are being treated poorly and that others aren't given a fair chance at promotions and job openings within the city. He suggested that the investigation further proves that.

“I’ve been saying this for months and months and months,” he said.

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Foxx said she was disappointed with the findings of the investigation, based on conversations she has had with current and former employees. She then asked the commissioners to consider firing Lyons.

“Your employees are so very upset,” Foxx said. "...It’s at the point where nobody wants to say anything because they’re afraid of the monster.”

Some commissioners suggested that the negative findings against Lyons were minimal and said it was "time to move on."

Commissioner Adrian Hayes-Santos said Lyons, like all the city’s charter officers, have room for improvement.

Mayor Lauren Poe said the commission shouldn’t be involved in personnel issues, but suggested employees file complaints if they have issues. He said he couldn’t imagine a “more thorough investigation.”

“This is going on way too long,” Poe said. “...This has gone beyond a simple question and fact and whether or not anyone’s civil rights were violated.”

Lyons, who sat quietly for the entire discussion, emailed The Sun this statement Thursday evening:

“I am thankful that after an exhaustive inquiry, the report found no cause regarding the complaint filed in this matter. More importantly, I am grateful to our City employees who, despite the potential for distraction, continued to embrace the goal of becoming a national model for the New American City. Because of them, the pace of economic activity in the City of Gainesville is accelerating and the quality of life for our citizens is improving. I am anxious to work with them to create even more opportunities going forward.”

Contact reporter Andrew Caplan at andrew.caplan@gvillesun.com.