HomeMy WebLinkAbout1286th CSC Meeting (July)12W REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
The 12W Regular Meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, July
21P, 2011. The meeting was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
Members Present:
Also Present:
Steven Schoonover, Vice -President,
AFSCME Union Local 192
Debra Seeman, Executive Board member,
AFSCME Union Local 192
Charlotte S. Mahoney, Chairperson
Harry C. Tatigian
Ronald E. Campau
Theodore Neumann, Former Custodian
Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public
Service
Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director
Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
1159 RESOLVED, That the minutes of the 1285^ Regular Meeting held
Wednesday, June 15, 2011, be approved as submitted.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
11-60 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the Departmental
Correspondence of July 12, 2011, from John Cammarata, Police Officer, as
approved for submission by Robert Stevenson, Police Chief, requesting
additional family illness leave, the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm
the administrative approval of Mr. Cammarata's request to use an additional six
(6) eight (8) hour days for the calendar year 2011 from his sick bank to be
charged as family illness.
11-61 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the Departmental
Correspondence of June 23, 2011, from Michael Reilly, Senior Police Officer, as
approved for submission by Robert Stevenson, Police Chief, requesting to carry
over vacation days in excess of the maximum allowed by contract, based on a
projected retirement date of June 23, 2014, the Civil Service Commission does
hereby affirm the administrative approval of this request;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the employee is advised that the
maximum number of days to be paid off at retirement is 59 days as cited in the
Livonia Police Officers Association Contract, Article 22.7, Vacation Accrual, and
as set forth in Civil Service Commission Rule 25, LEAVES, Section 25.1 Annual
Leave (Vacation), Paragraph (f);
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the employee is advised that the
maximum number of days will be increased by the number of bonus vacation
days earned in the last three (3) years prior to retirement for not using more than
five (5) sick leave days annually, up to a maximum of nine (9) days;
Paget 1286u Regular Meeting July 20, 2011
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the employee is notified it is the
employee's responsibility to manage his vacation time to avoid losing excess
accrued time prior to retirement by scheduling sufficient time off prior to
retirement, subject to the operating needs of the department.
11-62 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum of June 27,
2011, from Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II, to Robert F. Biga,
Human Resources Director, regarding the passing point for the written
examination for Firefighter (932 o.c.), the Civil Service Commission does hereby
affirm the administrative approval of the passing point of 70% or a score of 70 out
of a maximum raw score of 100 for the written examination for Firefighter
(932 o.c.).
11-63 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm
the administrative approval of the eligible list for Firefighter (932 o.c.).
The Commission received and filed the following:
Status of Temporary Employees Report for June 2011.
Non -Resident Report as of July 1, 2011.
Current Open -Competitive and Promotional Eligible Lists as of
July 1, 2011.
Affirmative Action Report for June 2011.
Removal of names from active eligible list report for the month of
June 2011.
Council Resolutions from the meeting of June 8, 2011, with minutes
approved June 20, 2011:
#174-11, Appointing R. William Joyner, as a Democratic member of
the Board of Canvassers of the City of Livonia, to fill the unexpired
term of Larry Henney, ending December 31, 2013.
#175-11, Appointing Scott Bahr, as a Republican member of the
Board of Canvassers of the City of Livonia, to fill the unexpired lens
of Donald Kolhoff, ending December 31, 2013.
Council Resolutions from the meeting of June 20, 2011, with
minutes approved July 6, 2011:
#194-11, Approving the appointment of Michael E. Duggan, Jr., to
the Zoning Board of Appeals for a three-year term expiring July 12,
2014.
#195-11, Approving the appointment of Elizabeth H. McCue, to the
Zoning Board of Appeals for a three-year term expiring July 12,
2014.
Letters dated July 5, 2011, from Robert F. Biga, Human Resources
Director, to Scott Morgan, President, LPDA; Charles Locke,
President, AFSCME Union Local 192; and Nicholas Calleja,
President, AFSCME Union Local 1917, regarding Public Act 54 of
2011.
Page 1266u Regular Meeting July 20, 2011
i. Expiring eligible lists for the month of August 2011 — Fire
Equipment Mechanic (929 o.c.) and Program Supervisor — Library
(1313 p.).
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
11-64 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum dated June
30, 2011, from Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, requesting an
extension of temporary assignment of Lyle Trudell as Superintendent of Parks
and Recreation, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve a one-time,
six (6) month extension of the temporary Superintendent of Parks and Recreation
to January 20, 2012 and directs the Human Resources Director to notify Mayor
Kirksey of the ane -time, non-renewable extension.
Robert Biga, Human Resources Director, explained that former Custodian Theodore
Neumann was present at the meeting to request reinstatement to his former position.
Mr. Biga referenced the Rules and Regulations, Section 16.6 Reinstatement, which states
"An employee who had regular status and resigned, with the Appointing Authority stating on
the termination certificate that the Department would rehire the employee, may be reinstated
within two years of the effective date of the resignation." The Department indicated on
Mr. Neumann's termination certificate they would not reinstate him, therefore he is not
eligible for reinstatement.
Mr. Neumann stated he gave nine (9) good years, most of it full-time, and he didn't
understand why he shouldn't be reinstated. He explained that he did apply for the recent
open -competitive Custodian examination and was disqualified on a technicality; he didn't
write down his drivers license number on the application. He also stated he talked to Mr.
Washington but was unsuccessful in getting re -qualified to take the examination for
Custodian.
Mr. Neumann stated he hoped when he left the City, to work part-time, which he did for an
employer who, he said, was unfair. He quit that job and he is receiving social security, but it
isn't enough money. He continued that if he could get a job back with the City as a part-time
Custodian he would be much better off, because his income was reduced so badly. He
explained that he left the City due to health reasons. Mr. Neumann stated he applied for
social security disability but they denied him and he is in the process of appealing that
decision. He reiterated that he would really like to be reinstated.
Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, stated that Mr. Neumann is a likeable man
and he has known him for many years, however, on his termination certificate his immediate
supervisor rated him in several categories as not being acceptable. In addition, there were
some disciplinary matters that were taken into account for the Department's decision to mark
him as a no rehire.
Ms. Mahoney questioned if the fact that Mr. Neumann was marked as a no rehire made him
ineligible for reinstatement. Mr. Biga confirmed that. Ms. Mahoney indicated he could
reapply and go through the examination process. Mr. Neumann did file an application since
there was an examination in process. The application is required to be completed properly
Page 1286u Regular Meeting July 20, 2011
and because he left his drivers license number off of the application form, that made the
application incomplete. There were about 15 individuals including Mr. Neumann, who
submitted incomplete applications and their applications were rejected.
Ms. Mahoney inquired when there is another examination for which Mr. Neumann was
eligible to reapply. Mr. Biga responded that Mr. Neumann could reapply at a future date. Mr.
Biga reminded the Commissioners that if they were to approve his reinstatement, all the
reinstatement would permit the Civil Service Department to do, is refer his name to the
Department for reemployment. The Department does not have to reemploy Mr. Neumann.
Ms. Mahoney clarified that being eligible for reinstatement doesn't guarantee being rehired
by any department.
Mr. Biga informed the Commission there have been individuals who have requested
reinstatement; the Commission has approved the request, but no jobs have come up and
they were never reemployed.
Mr. Neumann inquired when the City would be taking applications for Custodian again.
Mr. Biga stated this Custodian examination should result in an eligible list that could last for
at least a year, but most likely two, before there would be another examination
announcement.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
11-65 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter dated June 28, 2011,
from former Custodian, Theodore Neumann, requesting reinstatement to his
former position, and having discussion with Robert F. Biga, Human Resources
Director, the Civil Service Commission does hereby deny Mr. Neumann's request
for reinstatement based upon the Department's recommendation not to rehire.
Mr. Biga stated the Department of Public Works submitted a request for a reduction in the
pay rates for Seasonal Laborers. He explained there are two different classifications for
Seasonal Laborer; Seasonal Laborer I and Seasonal Laborer II. The Department is
requesting that the rates be reduced by $.50 per hour across the board. Derrick Washington
conducted a survey of neighboring communities. The results indicated that even with the
reduced rate that is being requested, our rates are still competitive with our neighbors.
Ms. Mahoney inquired if this reduction would be for the Seasonal Laborers in the position
now or for those to be hired in the future. Mr. Wilson clarified that in the current budget year,
the Department of Public Works, as well as other City Departments, had received instructions
that they needed to cut the budget by 7% to 9%. This difficult process resulted in several
positions being cut, layoffs, and bumping. The non -personnel budget line items for tools,
materials and supplies were also greatly trimmed. He stated that for the coming budget year,
they need to budget a 6% to 8% cut. They determined that the 5% wage reduction that was
achieved by implementing unpaid furlough days was totally offset by increases in employee
medical costs and increases in VEBA and Defined Benefit retirement contributions. In order
to achieve the cost reductions, the Department is going to implement more cuts. He
explained the Department was trying to maintain employment for as many people as
Page 5 1288"' Regular Meeting July 20, 2011
possible. In an effort to achieve this, they proposed a $.50 per hour reduction in hourly rate
for Seasonal Laborers.
Mr. Campau inquired how much the Department would save by doing this. Mr. Wilson didn't
have the actual dollar figure, but it would save at least one part-time Custodian position. He
also explained that this reduction would begin with the 2012 fiscal year.
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
11-66 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of June 14, 2011, from
Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, and Kevin Maillard, Director of Public
Works, requesting a reduction in the pay rates for Seasonal Laborers, and having
discussion with Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, the Civil Service
Commission does hereby approve the request for a $.50 per hour reduction in pay for
Seasonal Laborers, and adopts the new rates as follows:
Seasonal Laborer I
Current Rate New Rate
First Season $9.00 First Season $8.50
Second Season $9.25 Second Season $8.75
Seasonal Laborer 11
Current Rate New Rate
First Season $9.25 First Season $8.75
Second Season $9.50 Second Season $9.00
effective 1/1/2012, and the Civil Service Commission submits same to City Council for
concurrence.
Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was
11-67 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of June 15, 2011, from
Donna Schmidt, Clerk -Typist 11, as approved for submission by Kathleen Monroe, City
Librarian, requesting an unpaid medical leave of absence, the Civil Service
Commission does hereby approve an unpaid medical leave of absence, not to exceed
thirty (30) calendar days, beginning July 11, 2011, with the understanding that
Ms. Schmidt is responsible during her unpaid medical leave of absence to pay the
copayment for her medical insurance;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should Ms. Schmidt not return to work for at
least thirty (30) calendar days, after the approved thirty (30) day unpaid medical leave
of absence, she will be responsible to reimburse the City of Livonia for any costs for
benefits paid for Ms. Schmidt during her time off, in accordance with Section 25.6 (c),
Insurance Premium Payments, of the Civil Service Commission Rules and
Regulations and Final FMLA Regulations (29 C.F.R.), unless circumstances for not
returning to work are beyond Ms. Schmidt's control.
Page 12136u Regular Meeting July 2D, 2D11
Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was
RESOLVED, That the meeting be adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III
Charlotte S. Mahoney, Chairperson
Harry C. Tatigian, Commissioner
Ronald E. Campau, Commissioner