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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1230th csc minutes1230' REGULAR MEETING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION The 1230' Regular Meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Wednesday, November 8, 2006. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. Members Present: Also Present: Dan Durst, Equipment Mechanic III Gary Garrison, Equipment Maintenance Foreman Brian Gnagey, Equipment Mechanic II Fred Grates, Equipment Mechanic II Kenneth Grzembski, Vice -President, AFSCME Union Local 192 Jim Kirby, Equipment Mechanic II Yvonne Lillibridge, President, AFSCME Union Local 192 Tim Makulski, Equipment Mechanic II Harry C. Tatigian, Chairperson Ronald E. Campau Charlotte S. Mahoney Kathleen Monroe, City Librarian Gregory Pirtle, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor Sharon Sabo, Treasurer, AFSCME Union Local 192 Steve Schoonover, Equipment Operator II 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 Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-182 RESOLVED, That the minutes of the 1229th Regular Meeting held Wednesday, October 18, 2006, be approved as submitted. 06-183 RESOLVED, That the minutes of the 94th Special Meeting held Tuesday, October 31, 2006, be approved as submitted. The Commission received and fled the Status of Temporary Employees Report for October 2006. The Commission received and fled the Non -Resident Report as of November 1, 2006. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-184 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of October 24, 2006 from Kathleen Monroe, City Librarian, requesting determination of an appropriate pay rate for Debra Finkbeiner, Clerk I, who has been approved for a voluntary demotion, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve a salary rate of step 4 in the salary range for Clerk I, in accordance with Section 5.1 Entrance Salary Rates: (4) Rate of Pay on Promotion, of the Compensation Plan to reflect her satisfactory service in higher level classifications. Paget 1230th Regular Meeting Noven'ber 8, 2006 Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-185 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of October 23, 2006, from Ruth Love, Clerk -Typist II, as approved for submission by Robert Stevenson, Police Chief, requesting a military leave of absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby grant a leave of absence for Ms. Love until December 17, 2006. Ms. Mahoney expressed appreciation of all employees who serve our country in the armed forces. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-186 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of October 31, 2006, from Brian Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Public Service, requesting a promotional examination for Water Foreman 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 this announcement, are: 1. Employed in the Public Service Division of the Department of Public Works; and 2. Have at least five (5) years experience in the Water & Sewer section with a minimum of three (3) years experience in water distribution maintenance and repair operations; and 3. Possess or be eligible to obtain and maintain a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality S-3 or higher (S-1 or S-2) Drinking Water Operator Certificate; and 4. Have general computer knowledge. Interview -70% Departmental Rating -30%` 'In the event there is only one qualified applicant for this position, the Parts of Examination and Weights will be 100% Departmental Rating. Candidates must pass the Interview and Departmental Rating in order to be placed on the eligible list. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was 06-187 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum dated October 26, 2006, from Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, requesting a Page 3 1230th Regular Meeting Novarber 8, 2006 promotional examination for Police Sergeant 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, are employed in the Police Division of the Department of Public Safety and have five (5) years full-time paid experience in the classification of Police Officer. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Written Test -60% Interview -15% Departmental Rating -25% Candidates must pass the Written Test, Interview and Departmental Rating in order to be placed on the promotional eligible list. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-188 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum dated November 7, 2006, from Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, requesting a promotional examination for Police Lieutenant and proposed qualifications and parts of examination and weights, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the following parts of examination and weights: QUALIFICATIONS This examination is open only to employees of the City of Livonia, who, at the closing date of this examination, are employed in the Police Division of the Department of Public Safety as a Senior Sergeant or have regular status in the classification of Sergeant and, have had at least four (4) years of experience, immediately preceding the closing date of the examination, as Sergeant in the City of Livonia. Experience is counted through April 8, 2007. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Written Test -50% Interview -25% Departmental Rating -25% Candidates must pass the Written Test, Interview and Departmental Rating in order to be placed on the promotional eligible list. The Commission received and fled the expiring eligible list for the report dated November 1, 2006, for the month of December 2006, and determined to let the Fire Chief (871 o.c.) list expire. Page 1230th Regular Meeting November 8, 2006 Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-189 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the passing point in the written test for Clerk -Typist 1 (1231 p.), the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve a passing point of 144 out of a maximum score of 255, in the Short Employment Tests, CA -2, N-2 and V-1 and Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) spelling test. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-190 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the eligible list for Clerk -Typist 1 (1231 p.). Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-191 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the eligible list for Custodian (886 o.c.). Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-192 RESOLVED, That the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the eligible list for Secretary 1 (887 o.c.). The Commission received and fled the following: a. Letter of October 26, 2006, from Mayor Jack Engebretson to Val Vandersloot, City Clerk, requesting to expedite the salary and fringe benefit adjustments for Appointed Department Head Classifications for the period December 1, 2004 through November 30, 2007. b. Letter of October 26, 2006, from Mayor Jack Engebretson to Val Vandersloot, City Clerk, requesting to expedite the salary and fringe benefit adjustments for Administrative, Professional, Exempt and Confidential Classifications for the period December 1, 2004 through November 30, 2007. C. Livonia Housing Commission Classification and Wage rates effective December 1, 2004 through November 30, 2007. d. Letter of October 19, 2006, to City Council from the Livonia Fire Fighters Union, regarding the establishment of language to fill the Deputy Fire Chief position. e. Letter of October 30, 2006, to City Council from Michael T. Slater, Director of Finance, recommending a contract for administration of worker's compensation claims and for excess insurance coverage. f. Affirmative Action Report for October 2006. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was 06-193 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the passing point in the written lest for Police Service Aide, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the Empco, Inc. recommended passing point of 70, or 70% of the maximum raw score of 100. Page 1230th Regular Meeting Novarber 0, 2006 Ken Grzembski, Vice -President, AFSCME Union Local 192, Park Maintenance Worker and employee with status as an Equipment Mechanic 11, stated the Union received the proposed qualifications and parts of examination and weights for the Equipment Mechanic III lest. The major difference in the language is that a person must be currently employed in the Equipment Maintenance section of the Public Service Division. The previous announcement listed a person must have status as an Equipment Mechanic 11, which he stated he has and there are five (5) other individuals who are not currently employed in the Equipment Maintenance section with status. The Union would like to see the promotional examination open to all employees with status as an Equipment Mechanic 11. He added that they are all Journeymen mechanics through AFSCME. Mr. Campau stated the previous qualifications listed an employee must have three (3) years of full-time paid experience and the proposed language is five (5) years experience. He inquired if there was any reason far that. Mr. Wilson explained that the last time the Equipment Mechanic III was announced was 1990 and that a lot of things have changed over time. The Equipment Mechanic III position of sixteen (16) years ago doesn't resemble what that mechanic does now. That is reflected in the new qualifications and the new description of work. The sophistication of equipment and repair work has changed. Mechanics that previously worked in the Equipment Maintenance section have left to pursue other career paths within the Department of Public Works. These mechanics include two (2) that have been gone for six (6) years plus, and two (2) that have been gone for ten (10) years plus. Dump trucks have computerized salt spreading equipment. We have a computerized gas dispensing system, vehicles have on -board computerized systems and other electronic equipment. A street sweeper purchased ten (10) years ago doesn't resemble a street sweeper purchased today. Mr. Wilson further stated the Equipment Mechanic III is a leadership position. It requires knowledge of policies, practices and the procedures within that section. The employee acts as a trainer and as a trainer, it is vital they are up to date on all of the equipment. The objection is that the employee must be currently employed in the section. While this has been a qualification in other announcements, it would have been better proposed by listing an applicant must have five (5) years experience in the Equipment Maintenance section with the experience being in recent years. The potential candidates outside of the section have not worked in the position for years. These employees elected to take a different career path and would have the same kind of objections if they had someone, who has not worked in their section in many years, want to take a promotional exam for a position that they have not had experience with for many years. He explained this may be a moot point because the position requires a current State of Michigan Mechanics Certification and if any of these individuals have let that lapse, they are not qualified anyway. When the Equipment section has a vacancy, it automatically becomes an Equipment Mechanic I. The Department will be requesting an examination for Equipment Mechanic I. He suggested that the Civil Service Commission not act on announcing an Equipment Mechanic examination, but the Civil Service staff delay the announcement. Mr. Wilson stated he would post an Equipment Mechanic II position for anyone to transfer who had status as an Equipment Mechanic 11. This will give them the opportunity to sign the posting for that position and return to the garage. If an employee wanted to return, it would afford them to take the training classes that will bring them back up to speed and give them an opportunity for future Page 6 1230th Regular Meeting November 0, 2DO6 Equipment Mechanic III examinations. The Department would gain because rather than hiring a trainee Equipment Mechanic I, they would get an Equipment Mechanic that has some previous City work experience. Mr. Grzembski made another point by stating the same criterion wasn't met on a supervisor's test. He stated for the Equipment Mechanic III an unqualified applicant would be weeded out. There is also a probationary period which is an integral part of the test. Mr. Wilson explained that a Department representative would address the interview panel before the interviews start. The discussion would detail the Equipment Mechanic III duties and responsibilities; the Section structure; the job expectations; review of experience including recent experience; knowledge of the current practices and procedures in the garage; repair knowledge of City equipment; and communication skills because this is a trainer's position. Mr. Tatigian clarified that Mr. Wilson was suggesting the Civil Service Commission approve both Equipment Mechanic III and Equipment Mechanic I examinations, but to hold off on announcing an Equipment Mechanic I examination until a posting is done for Equipment Mechanic II. Ken Grzembski stated that there could be a long period of time before this opportunity comes up again and a written test would weed out unqualified candidates. He reiterated that the probationary period is an integral part of the test. Mr. Campau stated he didn't like the practice of excluding employees. He recommended the first qualification state an employee "must be employed in the Public Service Division of the Department of Public Works' and eliminate the words "must be employed in the Equipment Maintenance section." He added that an interview would be able to determine the qualifications better than a written test. Mr. Wilson stated he should have added the word "recent" listed in number three of the qualifications. Ms. Mahoney asked Mr. Wilson to define "recent" Mr. Wilson replied he would add "within the last three to five years." Mr. Tatigian asked Mr. Biga if there would be a written test with this examination. Mr. Biga explained the testing would be the interview with an outside interview panel. The interview portion would make sure the candidate has adequate experience. A written test can be used to determine if a person has the mechanical aptitude. If an interview was used along with the written test, the interview would concentrate on the candidate having the personal characteristics of being a crew leader. In this case, the interview would review basic mechanical knowledge of the candidate as well as the ability to be a crew leader. Greg Pirtle, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor, agreed with Mr. Wilson that things have changed drastically in the last ten years and the equipment is very sophisticated and the need to hire somebody who is knowledgeable and able to fill that role in a timely fashion. Mr. Tatigian agreed with Mr. Campau in that Civil Service should not exclude qualified people. If you have a testing procedure that can test a person's knowledge, then the test will determine qualified candidates. Obviously, they don't want unqualified people to be promoted. If these people have the knowledge and can pass the interview process, they should be considered for promotion. Page] 1230th Regular Meeting Noven'ber 8, 2086 Mr. Pirtle responded that in the past, if an outside board is brought in for the primary interviews, they may not be knowledgeable of the City's equipment and they may not know the correct questions to determine if the people are qualified to fill the position. To open this position up to anyone who has past mechanic experience even ten years ago, they may not have current knowledge. Mr. Campau stated then there would be nothing to worry about because then the candidate would not pass the test. Mr. Wilson explained that as with all interview boards, there is a pre -interview discussion to focus on what the City of Livonia expects with the knowledge, practices, policies and procedures of that section. Mr. Campau again stated that if the individual isn't knowledgeable, he won't pass the test and he didn't see what the Department was worried about, but the Department shouldn't exclude someone. Ms. Mahoney stated if we revert to the language of "must be employed in the Public Service Division of the Department of Public Works,' she would like to see the word 'recent" added to qualification number three regarding experience. Mr. Tatigian stated that the last test listed the parts and weights of examination as Written Test — 80% and Departmental Rating 20%, and inquired why we don't have a written test for this. Derrick Washington, Personnel Analyst II replied that we do have written tests, but at the Department's request for this examination, Equipment Mechanic III, they opted to use an interview instead of a written test. Mr. Tatigian stated by using a written test, it would be fair to everybody. Mr. Wilson explained there are written tests for many classifications at DPW. This classification is a leadership position, a crew leader position and the department wants those attributes drawn out in an interview process. Ms. Mahoney asked how the interview panel is selected. Mr. Washington responded that he would call a municipality that has an Equipment Maintenance section similar to ours. He would describe the job functions of an Equipment Mechanic III and ask for a person who would supervise such an employee. Mr. Biga recommended that the State of Michigan certification is needed in qualification number six (6), just as it is listed in the Equipment Mechanic I qualifications. In the event someone was a mechanic and is working somewhere else in the City, if they don't have a current certification, they would be excluded. He suggested that if the Civil Service Commission went with a written test, the parts of examination and weights be Written Test — 40%, Interview — 40% and Departmental Rating — 20%. Mr. Wilson responded it was the Department's preference not to have a written exam because it would draw the process out longer and they feel they can get qualified candidates through the interview process. Mr. Tatigian restated they don't want to exclude qualified candidates. Mr. Wilson stated the Department would prefer to have the parts of examination and weights remain as requested; Interview — 80% and Departmental Rating — 20% due to the vacancy created by a retirement at the end of the month. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-194 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of November 1, 2006, from Brian Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Public Service, requesting a Page 8 1230th Regular Meeting November 8, 2006 promotional examination for Equipment Mechanic III and proposed qualifications and parts of examination and weights, and having discussion with Ken Grzembski, Vice -President, AFSCME Union Local 192; Greg Pirtle, Equipment Maintenance Supervisor; Brian Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Public Service, Derrick Washington, Personnel Analyst II, and Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, 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, are: Employed in the Public Service Division of the Department of Public Works; and Have regular status in the classification of Equipment Mechanic II; and Have at least five (5) years experience in the Equipment Maintenance Section; and Must possess and maintain a valid group "A" Commercial Driver's license with Air Brake and "N" Endorsement and must have a valid Industrial Truck Driving Permit for operation of a forklift. An employee in this classification is subject to all requirements of the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991, as amended; and Have general computer knowledge; and Possess a State of Michigan Mechanic's license in engine repair, brakes and at least one other area is required. (Original certification must be presented at time of application). PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Interview -80% Departmental Rating -20% Candidates must pass the interview in order to be placed on the eligible list. Pursuant to AFSCME Local 192, PROMOTIONS 20.1b, in competitive examinations which include departmental ratings, the departmental rating from 0 to 100 will count as 20% of the examination, but a score under 70 will not disqualify the candidate from continuing in the process. Upon a motion by Mr. Campau, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 06-195 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of November 1, 2006, from Brian Wilson, Assistant Superintendent of Public Service, requesting an open -competitive examination for Equipment Mechanic I and proposed qualifications and parts of examination and weights, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve the following parts of examination and weights: Page 9 1230th Regular Meeting Noven'ber 8, 2006 QUALIFICATIONS By the closing date of this announcement, an applicant must: Be a citizen of the United States or a resident alien with the right to work in the United States; and Have a high school diploma or a valid equivalency certificate; and Possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and have an acceptable driving record; be eligible for a Group "A" Commercial Drivers License with Air Brake and an "N" endorsement; and must have or be eligible for a valid Industrial Truck Driving Permit; and 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; and Have a State of Michigan Mechanic's certification in engine repair, brakes and at least one other area is required. (Original certification documents must be presented at time of application.) 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. Mr. Biga referenced Receive and File item (d), the agreement between the Fire Chief and the President of the Livonia Fire Fighters Union to create a position of Deputy Fire Chief. He reminded the Commission that any such action to create a new position has to come back to the Civil Service Commission for approval and subsequent City Council approval. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Campau and unanimously adopted, it was RESOLVED, That the meeting be adjourned at 6:03 p.m. Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III Harry C. Tatigian, Chairperson Ronald E. Campau, Commissioner Charlotte S. Mahoney, Commissioner