HomeMy WebLinkAbout1191st CSC MEETING1191st REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
The 1191st Regular Meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on
Thursday, August 21, 2003. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 P.M.
Members Present: Ronald E. Campau, Chairperson
Charlotte S. Mahoney
Harry C. Tatigian
Also Present:
Susan Annibal, Clerk -Stenographer II
Rosemary Dawes, Laborer
Kenneth Grzembski, Union Steward,
AFSCME Union Local 192
Kathleen Monroe, City Librarian
Cheryl Wallman, Union Steward, AFSCME
Union Local 192
Brian Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of
Public Service
Mary E. Rutan, Human Resources Director
Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II
David G. Beecher, Personnel Analyst II
Aurora Northrup, Personnel Analyst I
Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That the minutes of the 1190'^ Regular Meeting held Thursday, July
10, 2003, be approved as submitted.
The Commission received and fled the Status of Temporary Employees Report for July 2003.
The Commission received and fled the Non -Resident Report as of August 1, 2003.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of August 7, 2003, from Alan W.
Brandemihl, Jr., Fire Chief, requesting postponement of Livonia Fire Fighters
Union (LFFU) Grievance #777-03, dated May 28, 2003, from Kevin Church,
Firefighter, and Grievance #R-02-03, dated June 19, 2003, from John Orzech,
Vice -President, LFFU, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve that
the hearing of these grievances be postponed, at the request of Management,
until the Commission's next regular meeting on September 18, 2003, as
requested by Management and agreed to by the Union.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of August 4, 2003, from Robert J.
Schron, City Engineer, for Brian Edwards, Engineering Assistant II, requesting an
unpaid personal leave of absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby
Paget 1191st Regular Meeting August 21, 2003
approve an unpaid personal leave from August 19, 2003 through August 22,
2003 and November 5, 2003 through November 10, 2003.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the November leave request is in
conjunction with Election Day (November 4, 2003), and Veterans Day (November
11, 2003), therefore, based on the request for unpaid leave, Mr. Edwards shall
not be entitled to receive holiday pay for said days in compliance with the
Commission's Compensation Plan.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of August 4, 2003, from Suzanne
Nakoneczny, Clerk -Typist II, as approved for submission by Mary E. Rutan,
Human Resources Director, requesting an unpaid medical leave of absence, the
Civil Service Commission does hereby approve an unpaid medical leave of
absence for six and a half (6.5) weeks from August 22, 2003 to October 7, 2003.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That should Ms. Nakoneczny's physician
medically release her to return to work prior to her scheduled return date, that
she will report to her supervisor to coordinate a return to work examination with
the City Physician.
Rosemary Dawes, Laborer, presented her letter of August 13, 2003, appealing her
disqualification from the Parks Foreman (1176 p.) examination. Ms. Dawes provided a
summary of her work history. Ms. Dawes stated that her temporary Seasonal Laborer work
experience, including overtime hours, should have been taken into consideration in meeting
the "minimum of five (5) years experience in the Park Maintenance section' qualification.
Mr. Grzembski, AFSCME Union Local 192 Chief Parks Steward stated that on the last
promotional examination announcement for Parks Foreman, the qualification language
identified that an applicant had to have a minimum of five years experience in specific job
classifications. Mr. Grzembski added that Ms. Dawes was told that she was four (4) months
short for meeting the minimum qualification to permit her to take this test.
In response, Ms. Rutan referred to Civil Service Commission RULE 16, CERTIFICATION,
APPOINTMENT, AND REINSTATEMENT, Section 16.4 Character of Appointments, and also
to Civil Service Commission RULE 13, CREDIT FOR PRIOR CITY SERVICE, Section 13.2
Temporary, Seasonal, or Unclassified Service, which states, "No credit shall be allowed on any
examination or any eligible list for service rendered in an elected position or an appointed or
unclassified position, or a temporary or seasonal appointment" (emphasis supplied). Ms.
Rutan continued that there has been the long-standing past practice not to count temporary or
seasonal classification work experience toward the minimum required work history qualification
in promotional examinations.
Mr. Grzembski further stated that Ms. Dawes was asking for the overtime to be considered for
the work experience. He reiterated that the language on the announcement doesn't say
Page 1191st Regular Meeting August 21, 2003
anything about permanent part-time, seasonal or temporary status, or any specific
requirements.
Mr. Tatigian restated RULE 13, Section 13.2, and asked Brian Wilson, Assistant
Superintendent of Public Service, to respond based upon the Department of Public Works
perspective. Mr. Wilson confirmed the Department's position was that experience as a
Seasonal Laborer on a trim crew or brush pick-up crew was not broad enough experience in
the Parks Section. He added that overtime is also not considered. If overtime were being
considered, there would be two (2) employees that were more qualified who have over five (5)
years of experience in a broad range of classifications. Ms. Rutan concurred that overtime
hours worked have not been considered or counted toward meeting the minimum work
experience qualification.
Cheryl Wallman, Chief Clerical Steward, AFSCME Union Local 192, acknowledged that Ms.
Dawes has spent the majority of time with the City of Livonia in the capacity of overseeing
other people. Ms. Wallman also stated that the announcement doesn't provide specific
language in the work experience qualification statement. Ms. Wallman requested that an
exception be made to allow Ms. Dawes to participate in the Parks Foreman promotional
examination. Ms. Wallman reiterated that Ms. Dawes was well known throughout the City and
well liked.
Commissioner Mahoney clarified the Union Steward statement that the past qualifications
requiring experience as a Parks Maintenance Worker I, II or III were listed on the previous
Parks Foreman promotional examination announcement. Ms. Mahoney asked Brian Wilson
why this announcement was less specific. Brian Wilson responded that the Department of
Public Works wanted to open up the examination to additional employees who had significant
related work experience in other permanent classifications.
Mr. Tatigian inquired if the City ever allowed the use of seasonal/temporary classifications for
service credit. Ms. Rutan replied that there were many seasonal/temporary classifications,
such as Student Page, Adult Page, Police Reserve Officer, Police Matron, and Seasonal Clerk.
Ms. Rutan also responded that if credit were allowed for these types of classifications, it would
be opening up a "Pandora's box" regarding seniority. Ms. Rutan continued that the Parks
Foreman (1176 p.) eligible list results were scheduled to be approved on this agenda. If Ms.
Dawes' request was approved, this examination would be voided and reannounced, requiring
repeated oral interviews and departmental ratings. Ms. Rutan stated that there might be
additional employees that were short the prerequisite amount of work expenence that may fall
into the same category as Ms. Dawes requiring reconsideration. Mr. Wilson confirmed that
there are a number of other people who could be in the same situation.
Mr. Tatigian again reviewed RULE 13, Section 13.2 and stated he was not prepared to tell the
qualified people on the pending eligible list that this would have to be postponed.
The Chairperson stepped down to second the following motion:
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and adopted, it was
Page 1191 st Regular Meeting August 21, 2003
RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of August 13, 2003, from Rosemary
Dawes, Laborer, requesting reconsideration to participate in the Parks Foreman
(1176 p.) examination, and after having had discussion with Rosemary Dawes,
Laborer; Mary E. Rutan, Human Resources Director; Kenneth Grzembski, Chief
Parks Steward, AFSCME Union Local 192; Cheryl Wallman, Chief Clerical
Steward, AFSCME Union Local 192; and Brian Wilson, Assistant Superintendent
of Department of Public Works; the Civil Service Commission does hereby deny
this request.
AYE: Campau and Tatigian NAY: Mahoney
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahaney and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of July 30, 2003, from Kathleen
Monroe, City Librarian, requesting a promotional examination for Library Aide I
and proposed qualifications and parts of examination and weights, the Civil
Service Commission does hereby approve the following qualifications and parts
of examination and weights:
QUALIFICATIONS
This examination is open only to employees of the City of Livonia who, by the
closing date of this announcement, must:
1. Have regular status as a Clerk -Typist; and
2. Be currently employed in the Library and working with the DRA System;
and
3. Have completed at least two (2) years (60 semester credit hours) at an
accredited college or university;
OR
Two (2) years of full-time paid library experience or the equivalent in paid
part-time experience; and
4. Have experience in the use of computers or word processing equipment
other than the DRA System.
PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS
Written Test -40% Interview -40% Departmental Rating -20k'
'In the event there is only one qualified applicant for the position, the Parts of
Examination and Weights will be 100% Departmental Rating.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That having reviewed the expiring eligible list for the month of
September 2003 — Account Clerk 1 (835 o.c.), Engineering Assistant 1 (848 o.c.),
Police Officer 11 (839 o.c.), and Equipment Operator 111 (1153 p.), the Civil Service
Page 5 1191st Regular Meeting August 21, 2003
Commission does hereby approve to extend the eligible lists for Account Clerk 1
(835 o.c.), Engineering Assistant 1 (848 o.c.), Police Officer 11 (839 o.c.), and
Equipment Operator 111 (1153 p.) for an additional six (6) months.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the
passing point of thirteen (13) for the WPT and thirty-one (31) on the SRA in the
written part of examination for Custodian (856 o.c.).
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the eligible
list for Parks Foreman (1176 p.).
The Commission received and filed the following items:
Letter received July 31, 2003, from Jason Desmond, Engineering Assistant 11,
requesting the submission of AFSCME Local Union 192 Grievance #03-04 (Notice
of Mr. Desmond's Termination and his Election of Remedies) to AFSCME Council
25 for Arbitration.
Council Resolutions from the meeting of July 7, 2003, with minutes approved June
21, 2003:
CR# 325-03 Approving the reappointment of Charlotte Mahoney, 18633 Williams
Court, Livonia, Michigan 48152, to the Economic Development Corporation of the
City of Livonia Board of Directors for a six-year term expiring June 7, 2009.
CR# 326-03 Approving the reappointment of Kenneth Hale, 31950 Cambridge,
Livonia, Michigan 48154, to the Economic Development Corporation of the City of
Livonia Board of Directors for a six-year term expiring June 7, 2009.
Affirmative Action Report for July 2003
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of August 14, 2003, from Laura
Callen, Clerk I, as approved for submission by Kathleen Monroe, City Librarian,
requesting an extension of unpaid medical leave of absence to care for an
immediate family member, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve
Page 1191st Regular Meeting August 21,2003
the extension of the unpaid leave of absence for three (3) weeks from August 11,
2003, through September 1, 2003.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That the meeting be adjourned at 6:00 p.m.
Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III
Ronald E. Campau, Chairperson
Charlotte S. Mahoney, Commissioner
Harry C. Tatigian, Commissioner