Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1321st CSC Meeting (June 10, 2014)1321°' REGULAR MEETING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION The 1321st Regular Meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on Tuesday, June 10, 2014. The meeting was called to order at 5:41 p.m. Members Present: Ronald Reinke, Chairman Charlotte S. Mahoney Harry C. Tatigian Also Present: Michael DiFazio, Program Supervisor Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director Jerome Hanna, Assistant Director of Inspection Derrick L. Washington, Personnel Analyst II Linda McCann, Director of Community Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III Resources Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian and unanimously adopted, it was 14-74 RESOLVED, that the Minutes of the 1320'^ Regular Meeting held Wednesday, May 21, 2014, be approved as submitted. Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, provided an update to the Commission regarding the recent discussion with Police Officer Nolan. Mr. Biga stated the Civil Service Department recently received an application for a Deferred Retirement from Officer Nolan. Mr. Biga advised the Commission that Officer Nolan was going to appeal the decision of the Commission which denied his grievance, but after consultation with the Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) representatives, it was decided not to take it to arbitration. Officer Nolan has decided to terminate his employment with the City. He is not eligible for retirement due to his age, therefore he will be a Deferred Retiree until he meets the age requirement. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Biga for the update. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 14-75 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the Departmental Correspondence of May 23, 2014, from Michael Persha, Firefighter, as approved for submission by Shadd A. Whitehead, Fire Chief, requesting an unpaid personal business leave of absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of Mr. Persha's request for an unpaid personal leave of absence, not to exceed thirty (30) days, and commencing after Mr. Persha exhausts his vacation bank, with the understanding that Mr. Persha is responsible during the unpaid period to pay the copayment for his medical insurance; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should Mr. Persha not return to work after the approved thirty (30) day unpaid leave of absence, he will be responsible to reimburse the City of Livonia for any costs for insurance benefits paid for Mr. Persha during his time off, in accordance with Section 25.6(c), Insurance Premium Payments, of the Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations. Paget 1321 st Regular Meeting June 10, 2014 Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-76 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of May 29, 2014, from Joseph Solimanto, Police Service Aide, as approved for submission by Curtis Call Police Chief, requesting an unpaid medical leave of absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative denial of Mr. Solimanto's request for an unpaid medical leave of absence, pursuant to Civil Service Commission Rule 25, Leaves, Section 25.5. Since Mr. Solimanto has less than six (6) months of employment with the City of Livonia, he is not eligible for an approved leave of absence by either Civil Service Rules or the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-77 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of June 2, 2014, from Ralph Mohr, Water Operations Mechanic II, as approved for submission by Brian Wilson, Superintendent of Public Service, and Kevin Maillard, Director of Public Works, requesting an unpaid medical leave of absence, the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of Mr. Mohr's request for a ninety (90) day unpaid medical leave of absence, for the period June 25, 2014 through September 22, 2014; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that should Mr. Mohr not return to work for at least thirty (30) calendar days after the approved unpaid medical leave of absence, he will be responsible to reimburse the City of Livonia for any cost for benefits paid for Mr. Mohr 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. Mohr's control. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-78 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of June 3, 2014, from Alex Bishop, Director of Inspection, requesting an extension of leave of absence from the classified service, the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval of a leave of absence from the classified service for Mr. Bishop for one (1) year, commencing June 1, 2014, pursuant to Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations, RULE 16, CERTIFICATION, APPOINTMENT AND REINSTATEMENT, Section 16.5, Appointment of an Employee in the Classified Service to a Position in the Unclassified Service. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-79 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum of June 4, 2014, from Robert Martin, Personnel Analyst I, to Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, regarding the passing point for the written test for Building Mechanic IV — Electrician (986 o.c.), the Civil Service Commission does hereby Page 1321 st Regular Meeting June 10, 2D14 affirm the administrative approval of the passing point of 64% out of a maximum total score of 68 or a score of 44 on the written test for Building Mechanic IV - Electrician (986 o.c.). The Commission received and fled the following: a. Status of Temporary Employees Report for May 2014. b. Non -Resident Report as of June 1, 2014. C. Current Open -Competitive and Promotional Eligible Lists as of June 1, 2014. d. Affirmative Action Report for May 2014. e. Removal of names from active eligible list report for the month of May 2014: D. Kudzynski, Custodian (967 o.c.), removed 4/1/14 N. Rollins, Custodian (967 o.c.), removed 4/1/14 T. Grooms, Custodian (967 o.c.), removed 4/1/14 f. Council Resolution from the meeting of May 7, 2014 with Minutes to be approved May 19, 2014: #128-14, confirming the appointment of Jeremy Curtis, to the Livonia Plymouth Road Development Authority as a Resident Member at Large, for a four-year term expiring May 16, 2018. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-60 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the expiring eligible lists for July 2014 — Accountant II (951 o.c.), Civil Engineer II (969 o.c.), Custodian (967 o.c.), Plumbing Inspector (970 o.c.), and Sr. Plumbing Inspector (971 o.c.), the Civil Service Commission does hereby affirm the administrative approval to extend the Custodian (967 o.c.) eligible list for six (6) months to December 10, 2014. Mr. Biga staled he is retiring on January 9, 2015 and he is submitting a request to replace him as Human Resources Director. Mr. Biga indicated the proposed qualifications are essentially the same qualifications as when he applied, with a few adjustments. One of the changes was to request experience with pension plans. That was added to qualification #5, with a preference to have a Certification from the Michigan Association of Public Employees Retirement Systems achievement program. Ms. Mahoney asked Mr. Biga approximately how much of his time is spent dealing with pension business. Mr. Biga stated it was approximately 1/3 of his time. Mr. Reinke asked if the Assessment Center included the In -Basket test and Mr. Biga said yes. Mr. Biga stated the Assessment Center will have a writing sample, an In - Basket test, an Interview and work product situational assessment. Mr. Biga stated the In - Basket test is where one is given a series of activities and needs to prioritize which of the activities need to be done; which need to be referred, and which ones need more research. Derrick Washington, Personnel Analyst II, requested to see the qualifications for this examination. He wondered if they could be read out loud. Mr. Biga read the qualifications out loud. Mr. Tatigian directed that his copy of the memorandum and the proposed qualifications and parts of examination and weights be given to Mr. Washington. Mr. Washington was given Page 4 1321st Regular Meeting June 10, 2014 Mr. Taligian's copy of the memorandum. Ms. Mahoney read the Parts of Examination and Weights as 100% Assessment Center as well as Pass/Fail on a Background Investigation. Mr. Reinke stated the Commission received a request to table the open -competitive examination for Human Resources Director from the Mayor. Chairperson Reinke asked the Commissioners if there was a motion to table this. No motion was made. Mr. Tatigian suggested to approve the announcement of the open -competitive examination for Human Resources Director. Mr. Tatigian understood that the request to table this item was presented in order for further discussion to take place. He indicated further discussion is always possible, even during the examination process. Ms. Mahoney was concerned about tabling this announcement and she wanted to begin the process to get this examination posted. Chairperson Reinke stated it was extremely important the new employee be on board to work with Mr. Biga in December before his retirement in January. Mr. Tatigian agreed. Mr. Reinke also recommended this examination be conducted regionally, not on a national level. Mr. Biga indicated the last posting was done somewhat nationally, but there was little interest at the national level and there are no relocation allowances or pay for travel. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was 14-81 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the memorandum of June 10, 2014, from Robert F. Biga Human Resources Director, requesting an open - competitive examination for Human Resources Director 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 the announcement, applicants 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 Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Personnel or Human Resources Management, Industrial Relations, Business or Public Administration or a closely related field which includes course work in personnel administration, research and statistical methods, and employment and labor law. A graduate level degree is preferred; and 3. Have a minimum of five (5) years progressively increasing responsible generalist experience in human resource management/personnel administration in a unionized environment, including at least two years management level experience in a governmental unit, municipal or county level preferred; and 4. Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification and/or International Personnel Management Association Certified Professional (IPMA-CP) certification preferred. Page 5 1321st Regular Meeting June 10, 2014 Some experience in the administration of a Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution plan is desirable and a level 3 Advanced Fiduciary Designation in the MAPERS Achievement Program is preferred. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Assessment Center -100% Background Investigation Pass/Fail Mr. Washington thanked the Commission for the opportunity to speak with them about the Human Resources Director position earlier in the day and he wanted to reiterate that for the last ten years, he has been the only full-time Analyst that has worked in the Civil Service Department. Mr. Washington stated he has conducted ninety percent of the examinations. He also stated he was in charge of making sure that they are done and many times under time constraint factors. Mr. Washington stated he created the badge program, the Title VI program that is currently used, and the cost of the examination is going to run about $7,000 to $10,000. Mr. Washington stated he had been a loyal employee for past 20 years and he's tried to do the job. He also indicated his main focus has always been on the Civil Service program and the City of Livonia. Mr. Washington stated not everybody has agreed with his methods, however, he stated he has always done what he thought was right and he fell that he was ready to take over the reins of this job. He will apply to take the examination. However, as Mr. Washington said he stated earlier, if he does not get the position, then he looks forward to working with whomever becomes the Human Resources Director, and will work as part of the team. The Commission thanked Mr. Washington for his comments. Mr. Washington presented a request from Shadd Whitehead, Fire Chief, for an Account Clerk I promotional examination. Chief Whitehead's request listed ten years of clerical experience in the City of Livonia in the Qualifications. However, this is a promotional examination. The Fire Department currently has a Clerk II in the position and the Appointing Authority would like to promote that person to an Account Clerk I. Mr. Washington stated these are the same qualifications that were used in April when a promotional Account Clerk I examination was announced in DPW, except the person had to work in DPW. Instead of ten years of experience, the qualification should remain at 4 years of experience, and the person has to be working in the Fire Department to be consistent with the prior examination. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-82 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of May 27, 2014, from Shadd A. Whitehead, Fire Chief, 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: Page 6 13214 Regular Meeting June 10, 2D14 QUALIFICATIONS This 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 Fire Department; 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. Linda McCann, Director of Community Resources, was present at the meeting because Ms. McDowell was out of town. Ms. Mahoney asked what a Recreation Supervisor - Associate Producer was. Ms. McCann stated it is a new position replacing someone the Department is losing because of the Affordable Health Care Act. Ms. McCann stated since this is a part-time position they didn't want to give it the same title that Chris and Nathan have. Ms. McCann stated the responsibilities will be a little different. Mr. Tatigian asked if this person would be videoing the City Council meetings. Ms. McCann said yes. Ms. McCann explained that the hours were part-time in order to pay for benefits for this position and remain within the Department's budget. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-83 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of June 3, 2014, from Donna McDowell, Co -Director of Community Resources, requesting an open - competitive examination for Recreation Supervisor — Associate Producer (RPT) 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 At the time of application, applicants 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 Bachelors Degree in Communications, Media Arts or a closely related field; and 3. Have a minimum of six (6) months of paid full-time Video Production experience; and 4. Have experience in supervising paid and volunteer staff; and Page 7 1321st Regular Meeting June 10, 2014 5. Be able to demonstrate creative production skills, including non-linear editing, graphics creation and digital photography/photo editing. A demo reel is required from all applicants. NOTE: Must be available to work a 35 -hour, Flexible week which includes evenings and occasional weekends and must have reliable transportation. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Interview -100% Evaluation of Demo Reel — Pass/Fail NOTE: In the event 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. Jerome Hanna, Assistant Director of Inspection, was present to discuss the request for an open -competitive examination for Heating Inspector (Mechanical). Ms. Mahoney noticed there appear to be new qualifications to this position. Mr. Washington explained that over the last few years Mr. Bishop and Mr. Hanna have ensured we get more in line with the International Code Council certification program and that is what the new language refers to. Ultimately, Mr. Bishop would like to change the name of our Heating Inspector classification to Mechanical Inspector. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-84 RESOLVED, That having reviewed the letter of June 2, 2014, from Alex Bishop, Director of Inspection, requesting an open -competitive examination for Heating Inspector (Mechanical) 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 the announcement, applicants must: Be a citizen of the United Stales or resident alien with the right to work in the United States; Have a high school diploma or valid equivalency certificate; AND Have four (4) years' experience in either the work classification of heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) or hydronic heating and process piping or a combination of experience in both classifications defined in 1984 P.A. 192, M.C.L. 338.971 ET.SEQ., and known as the Forbes Mechanical Contractors Act. Two (2) of the four (4) years of experience shall have been at the Journey level or at a higher level; AND Have a Mechanical contractor license with work classifications necessary to become certified as a Mechanical Inspector/Plan Reviewer; OR Page 1321 st Regular Meeting June 10, 2014 5. Have ACT 54 State registration as Mechanical Inspector and Plan Reviewer; AND 6. Obtain International Code Council (ICC) certification for Residential Mechanical Inspector, Commercial Mechanical Inspector and Plan Reviewer within one (1) year of hire. This certification will be at applicant's own time and expense and the renewals will be applicant's own time and expense. Failure to obtain and maintain registration will be cause for dismissal; AND 7. Possess and maintain a valid State of Michigan drivers license with acceptable driving record. PARTS OF EXAMINATION AND WEIGHTS Interview — 100 In the event the number of qualified applicants exceeds fifteen (15), an evaluation will be made of the applicants and the fifteen (15) applicants with the most appropriate and responsible combination of experience and training will be invited to the Interview. Candidates must pass the Interview in order to be placed on the eligible list. Mr. Biga stated for the information of the Commission, he had some discussion with the Finance Director regarding the Affordable Health Care Act that Ms. McCann brought up. He indicated the City has some Temporary Full -Time employees. Because of the Affordable Health Care Act, any employee who works more than 30 hours is supposed to be offered health care benefits. After Mr. Biga and Mr. Slater discussed this matter, they thought the City should be in a position where we don't have any Temporary Full -Time employees anymore because if we do, we would have to offer them health care benefits. However, by Civil Service Rules, employees don't get benefits until they pass a Civil Service examination. Even though you might be a Temporary Full -Time employee, the City can't offer benefits. However, the Affordable Health Care Act says employers have to provide health care benefits if employees are paid for at least an average of 30 hours per week per year. Either we would have to change our Rules to permit employees to get health care benefits or limit the number of hours Temporary employees work or are paid for, to less than 30 hours per week. Ms. Mahoney asked what supersedes what? Mr. Tatigian informed Ms. Mahoney that the Federal law prevails and we need to do what's necessary for us to comply with that. Mr. Biga stated the other option is we change our Rules to start paying health care to Temporary employees or Seasonal employees and he didn't think the City had resources to do that. Mr. Biga stated that in order to be in compliance we have to restrict employees to working no more than 1560 hours in a year, or, if they are working year round, 28 hours or less per week. Ms. Mahoney asked if that is what happened in Ms. McCann's Department. Ms. McCann stated All had to leave because she started her own company and moved out west. Ms. McCann stated they are going to hire someone part-time. Mr. Ell stated you could afford to pay someone part-time and the rest of the budget could be used to pay for the benefits. Ms. Mahoney stated the issue was the Affordable Care Act did not use the same distinctions as the City regarding which employees qualified for benefits. Mr. Biga stated if someone is paid for more than 30 hours a week, the employee is entitled to health care benefits from the employer. What some employers are doing is obtaining health care, which increases their Page 1321 sl Regular Meeting June 10, 2D14 costs, or require that employees work no more than 28 hours. Mr. Biga stated other cities are restricting temporary and seasonal employees to less than 28 hours per week. Mr. Tatigian suggested we do the same. Ms. Mahoney asked if Mr. Biga needed the Commission to adopt a resolution to that effect. He stated yes. Upon a motion by Ms. Mahoney, seconded by Mr. Tatigian, and unanimously adopted, it was 14-85 RESOLVED, That having discussion with Robert F. Biga, Human Resources Director, regarding medical benefits for temporary full-time employees and the requirements of the Affordable Health Care Act, the Civil Service Commission does hereby approve moving the year-round full-time temporary employees to a maximum of 28 hours paid time per week. Ms. Mahoney confirmed with Mr. Biga that these employees are non-union employees. Upon a motion by Mr. Tatigian, seconded by Ms. Mahoney and unanimously adopted, it was RESOLVED, that the meeting be adjourned at 6:06 p.m. Gretchen Guisbert, Secretary III Ronald Reinke, Chairman Charlotte Mahoney, Commissioner Harry C. Tatigian, Commissioner