HomeMy WebLinkAbout1219th csc minutes1219th REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
The 1219th Regular Meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday,
December 14, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 5:32 p.m.
Members Present:
Also Present:
Elizabeth Duggan, Accountant II
Edwin Hoffman, Chief Roads Steward,
AFSCME Union Local 192
Yvonne Lillibridge, President, AFSCME
Union Local 192
Linda McCann, Director of Community
Resources
Charlotte S. Mahoney, Chairperson
Harry C. Tatigian
Ronald E. Campau
Steve Schoonover, Roads Steward,
AFSCME Union Local 192
Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director
Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II
Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
05-182 RESOLVED, That the minutes of the 1218th Regular Meeting held
Wednesday, November 16, 2005, be approved as submitted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
05-183 RESOLVED, That the minutes of the 89th Special Meeting held
Wednesday, November 30, 2005, be approved as submitted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-184 RESOLVED, That after reviewing correspondence from
Management requesting to postpone AFSCME Union Local 192 Grievance #05-
33, dated October 10, 2005, from Alex Kwasniuk Engineering Assistant I,
regarding work assigned outside of his classification, and with the Union having
no objection, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve referring
AFSCME Union Local 192 Grievance #05-33 to the January meeting.
The Commission received and fled the Status of Temporary Employees Report for
November 2005.
Paget 121 M Regular Meeting December 14, 2005
The Chairperson stepped down to second the following motion:
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and adopted, it was
05-185 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of
November 22, 2005, from Linda McCann, Director of Community Resources,
requesting an extension for two (2) Temporary Clerks, and after discussion with
Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director; Yvonne Lillibridge, President,
AFSCME Union Local 192 and Linda McCann, Director of Community
Resources, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the extension for
the two (2) Temporary Clerks for six (6) months.
AYE: Tatigian and Mahoney NAY: Campau
Commissioner Campau passed the gavel back to Chairperson Mahoney.
Chairperson Mahoney recommended that the Civil Service Commission review the extensions
of Temporary employees that are working longer than one (1) year and the City should
address the issue.
The Commission received and fled the Non -Resident report as of November 2005.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-186 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of December 2, 2005,
from Robert J. Beckley, Director of Public Works, requesting an extension of his
leave of absence from the classified service, the Civil Service Commission does
hereby approve a leave of absence from the classified service for Mr. Beckley for
one (1) year, commencing January 1, 2006, pursuant to Civil Service
Commission Rules and Regulations, RULE 16, CERTIFICATION,
APPOINTMENT AND REINSTATEMENT, Section 16.5, Appointment of an
Employee in the Classified Service to a Position in the Unclassified Service.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-187 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the Departmental
Correspondence of November 30, 2005, from Lora Claypool, Police Officer II, as
approved for submission by Robert Stevenson, Police Chief, requesting an
unpaid medical leave of absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby
approve an unpaid medical leave of absence from December 28, 2005 through
February 1, 2006.
Page 121M Regular Meeting December 14, 2005
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
05-188 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the Letter of November 29,
2005, from Maria Giordano, Clerk -Typist II, as approved for submission by
Val Vandersloot, City Clerk, requesting an unpaid medical leave of absence, the
Civil Service Commission does hereby approve an unpaid medical leave of
absence for ninety (90) days, beginning December 23, 2005.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-189 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of December 6, 2005,
from Ronald Haskill, Custodian, as approved for submission by Robert J.
Beckley, Jr., Director of Public Works, requesting an unpaid medical leave of
absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve an unpaid medical
leave of absence for ninety (90) days, beginning November 28, 2005.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
05-190 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of December 7, 2005,
from Yvonne Lillibridge, President, AFSCME Union Local 192, transmitting letters
from employees requesting to donate vacation time to Maria Giordano, Clerk -
Typist II, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the requests to
donate vacation time to Ms. Giordano, to be converted from their respective rates
of pay to Ms. Giordano's rate of pay as a Clerk -Typist II, to cover the period of
her unpaid medical leave of absence, with the understanding that this leave is not
refundable, and sends a thank you to the spirit of the Livonia employees who
donated vacation time.
The Commission granted this resolution to be effective immediately. Ms. Lillibridge expressed
Ms. Giordano's deep appreciation for the employees' generosity.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-191 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the Departmental
Correspondence of November 2, 2005, from Terry Bias, Fire Captain, as
approved for submission by Alan W. Brandemihl, Jr., Fire Chief, requesting to
carry over excess vacation days, the Civil Service Commission does hereby
approve this request with the understanding that Mr. Bias be permitted the
maximum of thirty-one (31) twenty-four (24) hour accrued vacation days for pay
out purposes at the time of his retirement on or before December 31, 2008.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-192 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of November 29,
2005, from Robert J. Beckley, Jr., Director of Public Works and Brian Wilson,
Assistant Superintendent of Public Service, requesting a promotional
examination for Clerk 11 and proposed qualifications and parts of examination and
Page 121 M Regular Meeting December 14, 2005
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:
1. Are employed in the Public Service Division of the Department of Public
Works; and
2. Have regular status in the classification of Clerk I; and
3. Have a minimum of two (2) years experience with the City of Livonia.
PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS
Written Test -80% Departmental Rating —20%*
`In the event there is only one candidate for the position, the Parts and Weights of examination
will be 100% Departmental Rating.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
05-193 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the correspondence from
Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, requesting a promotional
examination for Personnel Clerk 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 at the time of
application, have regular status in the classification of Clerk -Steno I in the Department of Civil
Service and have five (5) years experience in a permanent classification.
PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS
100% Departmental Rating
The Commission received and filed the expiring eligible list for the month of January 2006 —
Code Enforcement Officer (865 o.c.), Property Appraiser 1 (864 o.c.), Account Clerk 1 (1186 p.),
Environmental Control Officer (1201 p.), Sr. Building Inspector (1198 p.) and Sr. Clerk (1195
P)
Page 5 12191h Regular Meeting December 14, 2005
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-194 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby
approve the passing point of 70 or 70% out of a maximum raw score of 100, in
the written examination for Library Aide 11 (1217p.).
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-195 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby
approve the passing point of 128 or 50% out of a maximum combined score of
255, in the written examination for Tax Clerk 1 (873 o.c.).
Receive and File:
a. Council Resolutions from the meeting of November 30, 2005 with minutes to be
approved December 12, 2005:
CR 546-05 RESOLVED, that having considered a letter from the City Clerk,
dated November 14, 2005, in accordance with the provisions of Section 30a of 1963
PA 65 (MCLA 168.30a), as amended, the Council does hereby reappoint Donald W.
Kolhoff, 14066 Mayfield, Livonia, Michigan 48154, as a Republican member of the
Board of Canvassers of the City of Livonia for a term expiring December 31, 2009.
CR 547-05 RESOLVED, that having considered a letter from the City Clerk,
dated November 14, 2005, in accordance with the provisions of Section 30a of 1963
PA 65 (MCLA 168.30a), as amended, the Council does hereby appoint Al Churchill,
15112 Heyer, Livonia, Michigan 48154, as a Democratic member of the Board of
Canvassers of the City of Livonia for a term expiring December 31, 2009, provided
that Mr. Churchill takes the oath of office as required in Chapter X, Section 2 of the
City Charter, to be administered by the City Clerk.
CR 568-05 RESOLVED, that having considered a communication from the
Mayor, dated November 17, 2005, wherein he has requested approval of the
reappointment of Richard Hayward, 17159 Loveland, Livonia, Michigan 48152, to
the Economic Development Corporation of the City of Livonia Board of Directors for
a six-year term expiring June 7, 2011, the Council does hereby confirm and approve
such reappointment.
b. Affirmative Action Report for November 2005.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
05-196 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the amendment to the Fire
Department Rules and Regulations, and subject to a review by Mr. Biga, Human
Page 121M RegNar Meeting December 14, 2005
Resources Director, to ensure the amended Fire Department Rules and
Regulations do not violate the Civil Service Commission code, the Civil Service
Commission does hereby approve the revised Fire Department Rules and
Regulations.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-197 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of December 14,
2005, from Linda Grimsby, City Treasurer, requesting a leave of absence from
the classified service, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve a leave
of absence from the classified service for Ms. Grimsby for one (1) year,
commencing January 1, 2006, pursuant to Civil Service Commission Rules and
Regulations, RULE 16, CERTIFICATION, APPOINTMENT AND
REINSTATEMENT, Section 16.5, Appointment of an Employee in the Classified
Service to a Position in the Unclassified Service.
Elizabeth Duggan was present and requested clarification on health insurance benefits upon
her retirement. Ms. Duggan explained she was employed with the City for four (4) years then
she ran for various elected positions which caused her to work a limited time with the City.
She maintained contact with the City of Livonia because of her interest in becoming
reemployed. In September 1998 the Council approved the position of Assistant Treasurer and
she submitted an application for that position. She made the top three candidates invited to a
second interview, however, a man was hired but he did not pass probation. In January 1999
the Treasurers position opened up and Council had to appoint someone for the job for which
she submitted an application but was told she could not be appointed for political reasons and
she needed to withdraw her name. After the Accountant I position was posted, she applied
and was hired in June 1999. The reason she came to the Civil Service Commission was to
see if any of her prior service time would be given to her to in order to receive health insurance
benefits when she retires.
Mr. Campau staled there are problems in granting Ms. Duggan's request because she was
employed under the Defined Benefit plan for retirement benefits with her prior work experience
for the City, but now she is under the Defined Contribution plan and the rules changed. He
recommended they could consider granting Ms. Duggan the additional time to be added to her
length of service so she wouldn't have to spend as many years to qualify for the benefits the
Defined Contribution plan offers, which is that an employee needs to work for ten (10) years to
be eligible for health insurance benefits paid at 50%. If Ms. Duggan worked for eleven (11)
years, and with the added four (4) years the Civil Service Commission would grant, that would
make her eligible for health insurance benefits paid at sixty (60) percent.
Mr. Tatigian clarified that at no time, even under the Defined Benefit plan, would Ms. Duggan
have been eligible for health insurance benefits with less than ten (10) years of employment
with the City. He continued that the best the Civil Service Commission could do would be to
give Ms. Duggan the four (4) years she accumulated before Ms. Duggan left the City.
Mr. Biga indicated that if Ms. Duggan was given the four (4) years immediately, that would give
her an opportunity to be eligible for partial medical benefit earlier. Once an employee is vested
at ten (10) years of employment, an employee can essentially retire at any time. Mr. Biga
Page ] 12191h Regular Meeting December 14, 2005
explained the cost of the health insurance benefit for a two -person plan was approximately
$1,000.00 per month, and Ms. Duggan would have to pay for half of that. Another alternative
would be to wait until Ms. Duggan achieved her ten (10) years of employment and then add
the four (4) years.
Ms. Mahoney clarified that if Ms. Duggan received the credited time immediately she could
retire within the next four (4) years, but health insurance benefits would be paid at fifty (50)
percent. If she isn't granted the time immediately and she were to retire in two (2) years, she
would not be eligible for the fifty (50) percent.
Mr. Biga discussed that there was no precedence for this matter. Ms. Mahoney inquired when
Ms. Duggan left the City under the Defined Benefit plan, if Ms. Duggan received any
compensation. Mr. Biga replied that she received her contributions and accumulated interest.
Mr. Tatigian added there is no provision under the current plan to purchase prior retirement. In
granting Ms. Duggan the years, the Civil Service Commission would allow her to access a
certain portion of the medical. Every employee who was on the payroll prior to the conversion
has the medical benefit that was in effect at that time.
Mr. Campau inquired if Ms. Duggan was granted her original request she would have medical
benefits paid at 100%. Mr. Biga stated the Commission had options. They could offer no
service credit; they could give her service credit and the credit would be added to her service
credit under the Defined Contribution plan, but only after she had been here ten (10) years;
and finally they could give her the service credit right now, in which case, with her six (6) years
adding to the four (4), she would immediately have ten (10) years, wherein if she decided to
retire tomorrow she would have the medical benefits at fifty (50) percent.
Mr. Tatigian made a motion to grant Ms. Duggan the four (4) years after she has worked for
ten (10) years.
The motion died for lack of support.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
05-198 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of September 13,
2005, from Elizabeth Duggan, Accountant II, as approved for submission by
Michael T. Slater, Director of Finance, requesting clarification on health
insurance benefits upon her retirement, and after discussion with Robert F. Biga,
Human Resources Director; Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II; and
Elizabeth Duggan; Accountant II, the Civil Service Commission does hereby
grant Ms. Duggan four (4) years, two (2) months of service credit based on her
prior City service, added to her current service credit to be effective immediately,
for eligibility to receive post-retirement medical benefits.
The Civil Service Commission wished all a safe and happy holiday
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That the meeting be adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
Page B 12191h Regular Meeting December 14, 2005
Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III
Charlotte S. Mahoney, Chairperson
Harry C. Tatigian, Commissioner
Ronald E. Campau, Commissioner