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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1332nd CSC Meeting (May 20, 2015)1332nd REGULAR MEETING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION The 1332nd Regular Meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. The meeting was called to order at 5:39 p.m. by Chairman Cambridge. Members Present: James R. Cambridge, Chairman Charlotte S. Mahoney, Commissioner Harry C. Tatigian, Commissioner Also Present: Coline Coleman, Chief Accountant Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Tim Fairgneve, Vice -President, AFSCME Union Service Local 192 Denise Maier, SPHR, Human Resources Michael Lewis, Custodian (RPT) Director Lamont Powell, Custodian (RPT) Derrick L. Washington, SPHR, Personnel DuWayne Stratman, President, AFSCME Union Analyst II Local 192 Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-79 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the 1331" Regular Meeting held Wednesday, April 22, 2015, be approved as submitted. Derrick Washington, SPHR, Personnel Analyst II, stated there were individuals in attendance that would like to address the Commission regarding the passing point for Public Service Worker I. Chairman Cambridge asked the Commissioners if they wanted to pull any items from the agenda for further discussion. Mr. Tatigian asked which item needed to be pulled from the confirming agenda. Mr. Washington stated it was item 1.1b., the Public Service Worker I passing point. DuWayne Stratman, President, AFSMCE Union Local 192, stated he would like to talk about the written test that was given for the Public Service Worker I. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-80 RESOLVED, That having heard a request from DuWayne Stratman, President, AFSCME Union Local 192 to discuss the passing point for the written test for the Public Service Worker I examination, the Civil Service Commission does hereby remove that item from the confirming agenda for further discussion, and approves the remainder of the confirming agenda. Mr. Stratman stated he understood the Public Service Worker I test was developed and administered in-house. The test was scored in-house. He thought if the test was completely conducted in-house, he didn't know how the Union could know the test is being administered fairly. If there are 60 questions that are developed in-house and to study from, the candidates would do better on the test. Mr. Stratman explained he didn't think anybody did anything wrong, but if the lest is being developed in-house, being administered in-house and being Page 2 1332n° Regular Meeting May 20, 2015 scored in-house, maybe a union member could be present when the test is being scored to insure everything is straight. He was not suggesting that is was not straight. Ms. Mahoney stated this sounded accusatory. Mr. Cambridge inquired if Mr. Stratman was expressing a personal view or was this something that was discussed with the 192 board. Mr. Stratman stated this was something that he was discussing with his 192 members. Mr. Cambridge suggested that Mr. Stratman submit the Union's concems in writing to the Commission. Mr. Stratman stated this was a new system and the Union wanted to be sure it starts out correctly. The Union wanted to work with the Civil Service Department to make sure it is fair. Ms. Mahoney asked if the test questions are shared in advance so people can study before they take the test. Mr. Washington explained they looked at previous tests that were developed for the City of Livonia by the subject matter experts and Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wilson and he reviewed the questions. Mr. Washington felt that if he could answer the questions, a person off the street should be able to answer them. Sixty questions were chosen from ten tests involving positions that were merged into the Public Service Worker I (PSW I) position, so they made sure they had Parks questions, Construction Worker questions, and Building Mechanic questions. Mr. Washington clarified there were many tests developed internally but this is the first time it has been developed for the open-competitive examination for PSW 1. It was determined they would use test questions from some of the previous tests that would be geared toward a candidate wishing to be a PSW 1. Ms. Mahoney asked Mr. Stratman if she heard him say that his concern was if the test was being developed maybe the Union should have been included. Mr. Stratman said he didn't object to the test being developed in-house or being administered in-house. But he hoped that during the scoring of the test there was impartiality and that there wasn't a way that someone could gain an unfair advantage. Mr. Tatigian staled the only way to have an unfair advantage was to have Civil Service develop that test. Mr. Stratman wanted the Union to have a part of the scoring of the exam, if only to sit and watch how the process happens. Mr. Stratman asked what would be wrong with having one of the Union members being able to observe the scoring of the test. Mr. Cambridge asked Mr. Stratman to reflect upon this and if he had some observations he wanted to share with the Commission, he should write that up and send them a letter. He also suggested that Mr. Stratman approach this with the Commission as all of us being common stakeholders in the same cause. Mr. Cambridge didn't want this matter to become a labor issue. It is not a grievance. It's not a complaint. It's an observation and a suggestion. Mr. Stratman stated that is what the Union wanted to do. Mr. Cambridge explained that he believed the point Mr. Stratman was trying to make was going to pertain to the future, not what was being presented this evening. Mr. Cambridge appreciated Mr. Stratman bringing this issue to the Commission's attention. He asked the Union to write this up and present it to the Commission. Mr. Washington stated that during the process he is totally blind to it. He doesn't know the names of the candidates when the tests are being scored. He stated the Civil Service staff is very protective of that information and they want to be sure the information isn't being shared Page 3 1332n° Regular Meeting May 20, 2015 outside the Department or with him. He further explained the only time he sees the names of the people who pass the test is when interviews are being scheduled. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-81 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum of May 4, 2015, from Derrick L. Washington, SPHR, Personnel Analyst 11, to Denise C. Maier, SPHR, Human Resources Director, regarding the passing point for the written test for Public Service Worker 1 (1004 o.c.), the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of the passing point of 70% out of a maximum of 60 or a score of 42 on the written test for Public Service Worker 1 (1004 o.c.). Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-82 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the Departmental Correspondence received on April 28, 2015, from Richard Oslrowski, Senior Police Officer, as approved for submission by Curtis Caid, Police Chief, requesting additional family illness leave, the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of Officer Ostrowski's request to use an additional six (6) eight (8) hour days for the calendar year 2015 from his sick bank to be charged as family illness. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-83 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of the eligible list for Clerk -Typist II (non-competitive). Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-84 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of the eligible list for Police Officer (1332 p.). Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-85 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of the eligible list for Public Service Worker II (1367 p.). Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-86 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of the eligible list for Purchasing Manager (1005 o.c.). Page 4 1332n° Regular Meeting May 20, 2015 Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-87 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of the eligible list for Assistant Branch Librarian (1008 o.c.). The Commission received and filed the following: a. Status of Temporary Employees Report for April 2015. b. Non -Resident Report as of May 1, 2015. C. Current Open -Competitive and Promotional Eligible Lists as of May 1, 2015. d. Affirmative Action Report for April 2015. e. Letter of May 5, 2015, from Denise C. Maier, SPHR, Human Resources Director, to Mayor Jack E. Kirksey, regarding estimated costs of various City benefits for FY 2015-2016 for General employees. I. Letter of May 5, 2015, from Denise C. Maier, SPHR, Human Resources Director, to Mayor Jack E. Kirksey, regarding estimated costs of various City benefits for FY 2015-2016 for Police and Fire employees. g. Expiring eligible lists for the month of June 2015 — Building Mechanic IV (986 o.c.), Code Enforcement Officer (975 o.c.) and Police Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator (984 o.c.). Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-88 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the expiring eligible lists for the month of June 2015 — Building Mechanic IV (986 o.c.), Code Enforcement Officer (975 o.c.) and Police Vehicle Maintenance Coordinator (984 o.c.), the Civil Service Commission does hereby extend the eligible list for Code Enforcement Officer (975 o.c.) for six (6) months to November 20, 2015. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-89 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of March 26, 2015, from Michael T. Slater, Director of Finance, requesting an opens rr petitive examination for Account Clerk I and revised 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: 1. Be a citizen of the United States or resident alien with the right to work in the United States; and 2. Have a high school diploma or a valid equivalency certificate; and Page 5 1332"d Regular Meeting May 20, 2015 3. Have a minimum of one year full-time paid work experience within the past three years in the use of computer menus and entering of data into computerized software program; and 4. Have had a minimum of two years of full-time paid accounting, bookkeeping or related clerical experience, including experience with office machines; or have had two years of college business courses or business school training; or have an equivalent combination of education and experience. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Written Test -60% Interview -40% A minimum of the top fifteen (15) qualified candidates with the highest passing scores on the written test will be invited to the interview. Candidates must pass the written test and interview in order to be placed on the eligible list. Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, was present to discuss a request for an extension of an unpaid medical leave of absence for Edward Giedrojc, Custodian (RPT). Mr. Wilson explained that Mr. Giedrojc has exceeded his unpaid leave of absence time that was afforded him under the Civil Service rules. The department offers one extension beyond what the Civil Service rules allocate, and has done so in the past. Mr. Giedrojc is asking for a four (4) month extension. Although this is a hardship to the department to keep a position open, we have offered these extensions in the past. Mr. Wilson stated the Department is not able to have an open-ended unpaid leave of absence. If at the end of this extension, Mr. Giedrojc's medical situation would not allow him to return to work, he would have the ability to apply for reinstatement in the future if his medical situation was to change. Ms. Mahoney asked if at the end of the four (4) months Mr. Giedrojc cannot return to work due to medical reasons, he would be terminated. Mr. Wilson staled Mr. Giedrojc would have the opportunity if his medical situation would change, to apply for reinstatement. Ms. Mahoney inquired if this would be a one-time extension. Mr. Wilson stated that was correct. Mr. Taligian thought this should be re-evaluated at the end of the four (4) month extension. Mr. Wilson explained that Mr. Giedrojc has already used up his three (3) months of unpaid allocated time under Civil Service Rules. Mr. Giedrojc is asking for an additional four (4) months on top of the three (3) months for which he was already approved. Ms. Mahoney asked if Mr. Giedrojc lost his benefits while in an unpaid leave status or do they continue. Ms. Maier stated the benefits do continue. Ms. Mahoney stated they need to be very careful about employees setting lengths of time to be off on an unpaid status. The fact is, it is unfortunate if someone can't come back to work, but the department shouldn't feel the effects. The department must have a limit that the employee will need to understand. At some point the Mr. Giedrojc needs to understand that the potential of the City to continue to hold that position could be in jeopardy. Mr. Wilson stated this is not a new practice. There have been dozens of similar requests over the years and the Department has gone beyond the Civil Service rules on all of them to grant Page fi 1332"d Regular Meeting May 20, 2015 an extension. We have had one time when there was a second extension granted, but that was because within 2 weeks the individual could return. Mr. Wilson just wants the employee to understand this up front and it did indicate in the letter that the Department would not be continually extending this. It is only fair to the employee to know that up front that this is not an open-ended medical leave. Mr. Cambridge was happy to accommodate this but he believed that the employee should assume that this is it. The employee needs to report back to work at or before the four (4) months. And if he doesn't, he should assume that his employment is terminated. He shouldn't have an expectation that we are going to give him another three or four months. He should assume that this is a nice thing that the City is doing. Mr. Tatigian stated he had seen exceptions and he has seen employees donate sick time to people who may not have any. Ms. Mahoney stated she would like to see in the letter to Mr. Giedrojc the Civil Service commission approves the request for additional unpaid leave of absence time with the understanding that there would not be further extensions. If it becomes an extraordinary circumstance to him at the end, he could certainly come back to the Civil Service Commission and ask us to rethink the issue. Something like he needed three more days or two more weeks. Not another six (6) months extension of an unpaid medical leave of absence. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-90 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of May 12, 2015, from Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service and Kevin Maillard, Director of Public Works, and the letter of May 12, 2015, from Edward Giedrojc, Custodian (RPT), requesting an extension of an unpaid medical leave of absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve an extension of an unpaid medical leave of absence from May 4, 2015 through September 4, 2015, pursuant to Civil Service Commission RULE 25, LEAVES, Section 25.5 Leaves of Absence, AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should Mr. Giedrojc not return to work for at least thirty (30) calendar days after the approved extension of an unpaid medical leave of absence, he will be responsible to reimburse the City of Livonia for any cost for benefits paid for Mr. Giedrojc during his 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 Mr. Giedrojc's control; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that there will be no further extensions of an unpaid medical leave of absence granted. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 15-91 RESOLVED, That having discussion regarding the Memorandums of Agreement between the City of Livonia and the Livonia Firefighters Union regarding the classifications of Deputy Fire Chief, EMS Coordinator, and Training Officer, the Civil Service Commission does hereby refer these items to a Special Page 7 1332"d Regular Meeting May 20, 2015 Civil Service Commission meeting, to be held on Thursday, June 4, 2015, at 8:30 a.m. in the 5'^ Floor Gallery of City Hall. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was RESOLVED, that the meeting be adjourned at 6:03 p.m. Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III James R. Cambridge, Chairman Charlotte Mahoney, Commissioner Harry C. Tatigian, Commissioner