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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1225th csc minutes1225' REGULAR MEETING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION The 1225TH Regular Meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2006. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Members Present: Also Present: Yvonne Lillibridge, President, AFSCME Union Local 192 Michael Novak, Senior Police Officer Steven Schoonover, Chief Roads Steward, AFSCME Union Local 192 Harry C. Tatigian, Chairperson Ronald E. Campau Charlotte S. Mahoney Brian Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Public Service Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was 06-99 RESOLVED, That the minutes of the 1224th Regular Meeting held Wednesday, May 10, 2006, be approved as submitted. The Commission received and fled the Status of Temporary Employees Report for May 2006. Yvonne Lillibridge, President, AFSCME Union Local 192, referenced page 4 of the Temporary Report and stated for the record there are two (2) Temporary Clerks that were extended for an additional six (6) months in Community Resources. She also pointed out that there are four (4) Temporary Clerks in the Library who are beyond the six (6) month extension. Robert Biga, Human Resources Director, advised that all of these positions had been posted in accordance with procedure and no permanent employees expressed interest in them. He stated that the Civil Service Department is in the process of conducting an open -competitive examination for Clerk I with 363 applications received for this classification and it is anticipated that some of these positions will be filled. Mr. Biga staled the Library has authorization to fill some positions. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-100 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of May 25, 2006, from Cheryl Altis, 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 to June 6, 2006, pursuant to Civil Service Commission RULE 25, LEAVES, Section 25.5 Leaves of Absence. 06-101 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of May 11, 2006, from Dennis Fluff, as approved for submission by Robert J. Beckley, Jr., Director of Paget 1225th Regular Meeting June 14, 20D6 Public Works, requesting an unpaid medical leave of absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve an unpaid medical leave of absence to June 7, 2006, pursuant to Civil Service Commission RULE 25, LEAVES, Section 25.5 Leaves of Absence. 06-102 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of May 31, 2006, from Susan Semposki, Account Clerk I, 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 to June 12, 2006, pursuant to Civil Service Commission RULE 25, LEAVES, Section 25.5 Leaves of Absence. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-103 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the request for a promotional examination for Clerk II 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 the announcement: Are employed in the City of Livonia; and Have regular status in the classification of Clerk I, Clerk -Typist I or Tax Clerk I; and Have a minimum of one (1) year experience with the City of Livonia. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Written — 50% Interview — 50 Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-104 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the expiring eligible list for July 2006, the Civil Service Commission does hereby extend the list for Building Inspector (868 o.c.) for six (6) months. 06-105 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the passing point in the written lest for Firefighter (879 o.c.), the Civil Service Commission sets the passing point at 70%. 06-106 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the passing point in the written lest for Fire Training Coordinator (1226 p.), the Civil Service Commission sets the passing at a standard score of 68 based on the nationwide norm of 67.7. Page 3 1225th Regular Meeting June 14, 20D6 06-107 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the passing point in the performance tests for Legal Steno (882 o.c.), the Civil Service Commission sets the passing point for both the typing and stenography tests at 70%. 06-108 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the passing point in the written test for Police Dispatcher (880 o.c.), the Civil Service Commission sets the passing point at 70%. 06-109 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the eligible list for Civil Engineer 1 (881 o.c.). 06-110 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the passing point in the written test for Engineering Assistant 1 (1225 p.), the Civil Service Commission sets the passing point at 66% of the maximum score of 100 or a raw score of 66 out of 100. 06-111 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the eligible list for Engineering Assistant 1 (1225 p.). Receive and File: Council Resolutions from the meeting of May 10, 2006, with minutes to be approved May 24, 2006. Council Resolutions from the meeting of May 24, 2006, with minutes to be approved June 14, 2006. Affirmative Action Report for May 2006. Senior Police Officer Michael Novak addressed the Commission regarding the Police Sergeant promotional examination and discussed the current procedures regarding the administration of this test. He asked the Commission for direction as to the appeal process with regard to the oral interview portion of the examination, stating he was unable to locate language in either the LPDA contract or the current Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations. He stated the former rules did provide an appeal to the Commission. Officer Novak explained that he received notification that he failed the oral interview portion of the test and attached to that letter was a summary sheet that was given to Officer Novak in error, with his placement on the eligible list whited out. Officer Novak contends that had he passed, he would have been eligible for money for being in the top 10 on the eligible list, by contract. Officer Novak wanted to seek out what areas he failed and he now questioned the integrity of the test. Mr. Biga explained that there is no formal appeal process on the interview, but the candidates do have an opportunity to respond to questions on the written test they feel may be unfair, inappropriate, have multiple answers or have any other defect. With regard to the interviews, if Page 4 1225th Regular Meeting June 14, 2006 someone feels they have been dealt with unfairly, the practice has been that they can bring the issue before the Commission. However, the Civil Service Rules were amended in 2001 to eliminate the language that permitted appeal to the Civil Service Commission of any action by the Human Resources Director. There are several issues Mr. Biga would like to bring to the Civil Service Commission for appropriate action to amend Civil Service rules. These changes, along with any modifications necessary as a result of contract negotiations, would be brought to the Commission after the contract negotiations are completed. The Commission wanted to know if Officer Novak was asking the Commission to do something about the rating or the process. Officer Novak discussed the interview rating form, the questions the interview panel used, the scale they used and he also wanted to know how his answers were different from the other candidates. Ms. Mahoney stated that oral interviews often are subjective and that there may not have been a right or wrong answer and she added that based on the rater's interpretation, it was possible to understand how one panel member might rate an individual differently than another rater. Officer Novak stated the ratings don't tell him anything. Mr. Campau inquired if Officer Novak had the interview panel members' notes. Officer Novak replied he did and he read them but stated they don't tell him a lot. He stated he was here to address what his appeal process was. Chairperson Tatigian stated that one issue was if Mr. Novak was entitled to appeal. Mr. Tatigian had never seen anyone challenge the interview. He added he didn't know how the Commission could reverse something from three Police Officers from other communities who are supposedly experts in the field. Mr. Novak stated another issue is what are the qualifications for the members to be on the interview board. Officer Novak felt the process was flawed. Mr. Tatigian inquired what Mr. Novak wanted the Commission to do. Mr. Novak replied he wasn't sure but he did say he would like to see the system change. Mr. Campau asked Mr. Novak if he would like Mr. Biga to telephone the panel members to see if they had any recollections of the interview. Mr. Novak referenced the interview rating form and stated the categories don't tell the candidates anything and inquired how the categories are determined. Mr. Biga explained the contract speaks to the qualifications for promotion. The contract states that no changes can be made unless they go back to the Union but does not address the parts and weights of the examination nor the content. Discussion continued regarding the questions that are used for the interview. The interviewers submit questions to the examiner that they suggest be used in the interview. Mr. Biga advised that the questions are reviewed to ensure they are acceptable and don't violate any equal employment opportunity laws and they don't question an area that shouldn't be questioned. Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II, stated the interview panel uses the same core questions for each candidate; but if an answer piques their interest and they feel they need to probe for understanding, they can. Page 5 1225th Regular Meeting June 14, 2006 Mr. Biga staled the examination procedures that other communities follow are similar to the City of Livonia. The Civil Service Commission sets up the parts and weights of examination. He took exception to the statement that the system is flawed. He has participated in examinations at the Michigan Municipal League and in other communities. The rating form used is formatted similar to what is used in the City of Livonia. The interviewers attempt to cover the same basic material, but if one candidate takes a longer time to respond, the raters may not be able to cover all the same material. Officer Novak stated he still didn't have an answer specifically from the City on what the appeal process was. Mr. Tatigian stated they couldn't reverse the interviewers' decision because it would set a terrible precedent. Mr. Novak agreed and inquired if the best advice was to move to the next level. Mr. Tatigian thought was probably correct. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-112 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the Departmental Correspondence of May 16, 2006, from Michael Novak, Senior Police Officer, as approved for submission by Robert Stevenson, Police Chief, requesting to appeal the review process of the 2006 oral interview for Police Sergeant (1218 p.), and having had discussion with Michael Novak, Senior Police Officer; Derrick Washington, Personnel Analyst II; and Robert Biga, Human Resources Director, the Civil Service Commission does hereby determine to take no further action with regard to this matter. The Commission received and fled the Non -Resident Report as of June 1, 2006. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was 06-113 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of February 3, 2006, from Jon Unruh, Firefighter, as approved for submission by Shadd A. Whitehead, Fire Chief, requesting to carry over excess vacation hours, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve Mr. Unmh's request to carry over 74 excess vacation hours into 2006 with the understanding that these hours will be used in 2006; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That no request will be considered to carry over excess vacation hours into 2007. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-114 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the request for an open - competitive examination for Systems Analyst II, 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: Page 6 1225th Regular Meeting June 14, 20D6 QUALIFICATIONS By the closing date of this announcement, the applicant must: 1. Be a citizen of the United States or resident alien with the right to work in the United States; and 2. Have at least five (5) years full-time paid work experience in managing an IT infrastructure for a Police and/or Fire Department. 3. Have experience in the management of a 911 Operations Center and a demonstrated knowledge of the 911 MSAG administration. 4. Have experience in wireless networking, Computer Aided Dispatching, Field Based Reporting, Jail Management software and procedures, as well as the Microsoft software platform and Citrix software. NOTE: Candidate must have strong technical and interpersonal skills to lead a Computer Services Bureau and be able to work effectively with both civilian and uniformed Police personnel. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds fifteen (15), an evaluation of the applications will be made and the fifteen (15) applicants who have the most appropriate and responsible combination of experience and training will be invited to the Interview. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Interview -100% Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was RESOLVED, That the meeting be adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III Harry C. Tatigian, Chairperson Ronald E. Campau, Commissioner Charlotte S. Mahoney, Commissioner