HomeMy WebLinkAbout1318th CSC Meeting (March 12, 2014)13W REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
The 1318th Regular Meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday,
March 12, 2014. The meeting was called to order at 5:43 p.m.
Members Present: Harry C. Tatigian, Chairman
Charlotte S. Mahoney
Member Absent: Ronald Reinke
Also Present:
Curtis Caid, Police Chief Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director
Jerome Hanna, Assistant Director of Inspection Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II
Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III
The Chairperson stepped down to second the following motions:
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-30 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the 1317t' Regular Meeting held
Wednesday, February 19, 2014, be approved as submitted.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-31 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum of March 4,
2014, from Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, regarding the passing
point for the written test for Police Sergeant (1354 p.), the Civil Service
Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of the passing point
of 70% out of a maximum total score of 150 or a score of 105 on the written test
for Police Sergeant (1354 p.).
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-32 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum of March 10,
2014, from Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, regarding the passing
point for the written test for Police Lieutenant (1355 p.), the Civil Service
Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of the passing point
of 70% out of a maximum total score of 150 or a score of 105 on the written test
for Police Lieutenant (1355 p.).
The Commission received and fled the following:
a. Status of Temporary Employees Report for February 2014.
b. Non -Resident Report as of March 1, 2014.
C. Current Open -Competitive and Promotional Eligible Lists as of March 1,
2014.
d. Affirmative Action Report for February 2014.
Paget 131 Bu Regular Meeting Mareh 12, 2014
e. Removal of names from active eligible list report for the month of February
2014.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-33 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the expiring eligible lists for the
month of April 2014 — Firefighter (960 o.c.) and Teller I (RPT) (961 o.c.), the Civil
Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of an
extension of the Firefighter (960 o.c.) eligible list for six months to September 12,
2014.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-34 RESOLVED, That having reviewed memorandum of March 6,
2014, from Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, transmitting requests
from City of Livonia employees to donate vacation time to Gerald Raycraft,
Environmental Control Officer, the Civil Service Commission does hereby
approve the donation of vacation time which will be converted to an equivalent
time off based on Mr. Raycraft's rate of pay.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-35 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of February 21, 2014,
from Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, and Kevin Maillard, Director
of Public Works, requesting a promotional examination for Account Clerk 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
The examination is open only to employees of the City of Livonia who, by the closing date of
the announcement, are:
1. Are employed in the Public Service Division Administration Section; and
2. Have a minimum of four (4) years of clerical experience with the City of
Livonia.
PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS
Written Test -70% Departmental Rating -30%
Candidates must pass the Written Test in order to be placed on the eligible list.
Police Chief Curtis Caid was present at the meeting to discuss the request for an open -
competitive examination for Police Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator. Chief Caid stated he
spoke with Derrick Washington, Personnel Analyst 11, and there was some concern regarding
Page 131 B" Regular Meeting March 12, 2014
the Interview as part of the Parts of Examination and Weights and he felt it would be best
addressed with the Civil Service Commission.
Mr. Washington, recommended the Parts of Examination and Weights remain the same as in
the previous examination; 50% Written Test and 50% Interview. Mr. Washington stated he
explained to Chief Caid that the regular Civil Service Department procedure is to establish an
eligible list and submit a list of three (3) names to an appointing authority who would then
interview those three and make a selection.
Mr. Tatigian inquired if Chief Caid still had a say if he is given three names on a Certification.
Chief Caid reiterated as he spoke to Mr. Washington earlier, there is one opening and he
would have three names to pick from and if he interviewed those three and none were
selected, he was stuck with the fourth name. He indicated the job could be reannounced and
they could go through the whole process again as an option. Even if they reduced the weight
of the departmental interview, that would be ok with Chief Caid. Chief Caid stated he wanted
to present his reasoning for requesting the change in the Parts of Examination and Weights
for this position.
Ms. Mahoney stated that if there are 15 that pass the Written Test and the outside Interview
and they are rank ordered, and asked if we conduct a Background Investigation on all 15
candidates. Mr. Washington explained that the Background Investigation is done on the top
three candidates.
Mr. Biga clarified that by Charter, the appointing authority gets the top three names. There
would need to be a bona fide reason as set forth in the Civil Service Commission Rules to
reject someone and remove their name from a certification. Ms. Mahoney asked at what
point the Department begins interviewing. The Department interviews when it gets a
Certification of eligibles from the Civil Service Department.
Chief Caid withdrew his request and agreed to the Parts of Examination and Weights as
previously announced, 50% Written Test and 50% Outside Interview. Mr. Biga stated the
Background Investigations would be conducted for the top three names. If a candidate was
found to be ineligible as a result of that Background Investigation, then the Chief would
receive another name. If they reach a point that they find none of the people will ft the
organization, the Department can request to reannounce the examination.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-36 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of March 7, 2014,
from Curtis Caid, Police Chief, requesting an open -competitive examination for
Police Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator, 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
By the closing date of this announcement, applicants must:
Page 131 Bu Regular Meeting March 12, 2014
1. Be a citizen of the United States, or a resident alien with the right to work
in the United States; and
2. Have an Associate Degree or higher in an Automotive related field or work
experience as a Police Officer as described in qualification four (4); and
3. Possess and maintain a valid Michigan Chauffeur's License with cycle
endorsement; and
4. Have either at least five (5) years full-time paid work experience as a
certified Police Officer or a coordinator of a vehicle Fleet consisting of at
least 100 vehicles or eight (8) years paid work experience as a Police
Reserve Officer; and
5. Have the ability to lift and load/unload various equipment items with a
gross weight of approximately seventy-five (75) pounds; and
6. Possess or be able to obtain stale certification as a forklift operator.
PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS
Written Test -50% Interview -50%
Background Investigation
NOTE: A minimum of the fifteen (15) qualified applicants with the highest passing score on
the Written Test will be invited to the Interview part of examination. Applicants must pass the
Written Test and Interview parts of examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
Mr. Biga discussed the qualifications for the request for an open -competitive examination for
Equipment Mechanic I and stated we have always required a high school diploma, which is
listed as Qualification #2. What we are finding right now is we have people who graduate
from high school who don't get a state certified diploma, plus we also have experience with
people who have passed the Michigan Mechanics Certification but don't have a high school
diploma. In our Civil Service Department staff opinion, if one can pass the Master Mechanic
Certification and doesn't have a high school diploma, we determine that is an equivalent. Mr.
Washington stated that during the last examination for Equipment Mechanic I, we had to turn
a candidate away. The candidate passed the written test and then he came to the interview
at which point he is required to produce his high school diploma, which he couldn't do. Mr.
Tatigian suggested we list 'and/or' for the requirement. Ms. Mahoney recommended
qualification #2 and #5 be combined. Mr. Biga requested to delete Qualification #2
altogether.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-37 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum of March 10,
2014, from Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II, to Robert F. Biga,
Human Resources Director, requesting an open -competitive examination for
Equipment Mechanic I, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the
following qualifications and parts of examination and weights:
QUALIFICATIONS
Pages 131 Bu Regular Meeting Mareh 12, 2014
By the closing date of this announcement, an applicant must:
1. Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien with the right to work in
the United States; and
2. Have a State of Michigan Mechanic's certification in engine repair, brakes
and at least one other area. (Original certification documents must be
presented at time of application); and
3. Possess and maintain a valid drivers license and have an acceptable
driving record; be eligible for a Group "A" Commercial Driver's License
with Air Brake and an "N" endorsement; and must have or be eligible for a
valid Industrial Truck Driving Permit; and
4. Have three (3) years of full-time, paid experience in the last five (5) years
in the repair and maintenance of automobiles and/or construction
equipment.
PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS
Written Test —50%* Interview -50%
Background Investigation — Pass/Fail
'NOTE: The fifteen (15) applicants with the highest passing score on the Written Test will be
invited to the Interview part of examination. Applicants must pass the Written Test and
Interview parts of examination and a pass/fail Background Investigation in order to be placed
on the eligible list.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-38 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the request for approval of the
tentative agreement negotiated between the City of Livonia and the Livonia
Police Officers Association, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve
the tentative agreement for the period December 1, 2013 through November 30,
2017, to be submitted to City Council for their review and approval.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
14-39 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the request for approval of the
tentative agreement negotiated between the City of Livonia and the Livonia
Lieutenants and Sergeants Association, the Civil Service Commission does
hereby approve the tentative agreement for the period December 1, 2013
through November 30, 2017, to be submitted to City Council for their review and
approval.
A discussion began concerning the subject of the Police Retention agreement, which was
approved by the Civil Service Commission and sent to City Council for Police Command,
Police Officers and Police Lieutenants and Sergeants. The City Council didn't approve the
original agreement and it was sent back to the Civil Service Commission. The Civil Service
Commission made an adjustment and sent it back to City Council. The Council approved the
Page 6 131 Bu Regular Meeting March 12, 2614
modified agreements. However, neither the Livonia Police Officers nor the Livonia Police
Sergeants accepted the revised agreement. Chief Caid pointed out, the Command
personnel, the Civil Service Commission and the City Council agreed to it and the Mayor did
not veto it. Mr. Biga stated it was his contention that it is a valid retention program because
the Council and Commission approved it. There was no veto. There is some difference of
opinion if that has to come back through the process again. In Mr. Biga's opinion, if there was
no change from what was approved, then we have a valid program and that the Police
Command personnel have a valid program and can participate. They are not covered by
either LPOA or LLSA.
Chairperson Tatigian and Commissioner Mahoney reaffirmed the Civil Service Commission
support for the implementation of the revised Letter of Understanding between the City of
Livonia and the Livonia Police Command establishing a Police Retention Program and the
associated additional retirement health insurance benefits, that was approved by the Civil
Service Commission and City Council, Resolution #206-13, at their meeting of June 17, 2013,
for Police Command personnel.
Mr. Biga mentioned that due to staffing shortages in the Police and Fire Departments,
employees have been allowed to carry over more vacation time than is authorized by contract
or Civil Service Commission Rules. This is becoming a problem for the payroll department.
Ms. Mahoney requested Mr. Biga provide the Commissioners with some options for handling
the vacation accumulation for public safety personnel. We have allowed more vacation to
accumulate among the Police personnel because employees couldn't get to use their
vacation and she thought this matter should be readdressed. Ms. Mahoney inquired if there
was a reason for this to revert to how the accumulation used to be. Mr. Biga stated Mr. Slater
was questioning him and he sent an email about this. Mr. Biga wants to discuss this with both
Chief Caid and Chief Whitehead. The Commission approved a resolution permitting this to
happen because of the shortage of staff. We are no longer short in the Fire service. Mr. Biga
stated he would talk to the Chief and the Fire union to get their personnel down to the
maximum as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement. With the Police personnel, we
are still short of staff; at least 20 positions short. There are many employees who are eligible
to retire at any time. With the new collective bargaining agreement, Mr. Biga thought the
retention program may keep some of the senior police employees for another year.
Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and adopted, it was
RESOLVED, that the meeting be adjourned at 6:44 p.m.
Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III
Harry C. Tatigian, Chairman
Charlotte Mahoney, Commissioner