Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-04 CSC MINUTES• CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION CITY OF CHULA VISTA MINUTES January 4, 2007 Thursday, 5:15 p.m. Conference Room C106 City Hall Building 1. MEETING CALL TO ORDER 5:15 p.m. 2. MEMBERS PRESENT Commissioners Silva P , Saucedo P Floros E , Marrufo •P , Stevenson A . Commissioner Stevenson arrived at approximately 5:25 p.m. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - The Minutes of the regular meeting of August 3, 2006 and December 7, 2006 were approved with corrections. 4. APPROVAL OF EXAMINATION ANNOUNCEMENTS .5 Library Assistant Open 06715709 Maintenance Worker 1/II Open 06637710 Nature Center Programs Manager Open 06771910 Open Space Inspector Open 06631110 ' MSC (MARRUFO/SAUCEDO) 3-0 To approve the Examination Announcements. (STEVENSON- ABSENT/FLOROS-EXCUSED) 5. APPROVAL OF ELIGIBLE LIST .5 Library Assistant Open 06715709 Nature Center Programs Manager Open 06771910 Police Agent Promotional 06505107P Senior Civil Engineer Open 06601904 Chair Silva questioned if the Senior Civil Engineer list is appropriately noticed since the list is broken down by five different exams. Marcia Raskin, Director of Human Resources responded that the classification is still the same. Chair Silva asked if applicants who take only the Project Design exam portion would know that today would be the day to address the Commission regarding the exam? Marcia Raskin, Director of Human Resources responded that the exam is posted on the Agenda. She also stated that Department Heads and employees that manage any of the Senior.Civil Engineer positions would have notified the Human Resources Department if there were any concerns orissues. Marcia Raskin asked if the Commissioners were aware of any concerns. Chair Silva answered that there are no concerns but explained that both the Examination and the Eligible List for the most part, is approved without much discussion. But the issue is to notify the public so they can address any concerns. Marcia Raskin, Director. of Human Resources commented that Civil Engineers in general have a bargaining unit; are aware that there is a Civil Service Commission, and that there is a larger body beyond the Human Resources Department or the appointing authority. Chair Silva said that it was fine and that perhaps in the future staff can list exams categories to give the best chance for the public to address any concerns. 0 MSC (SAUCEDO/MARRUFO) 4-0 To approve the Eligible List. (FLOROS-EXCUSED) ` Civil Sbrvice Commission Minutes January 4, 2007 6. NEW BUSINESS - A. Request for Special Merit Increase for Merce LeClair, Senior Management Analyst, submitted by the Director o1' General Services. Jack Griffin, Director of General Services discussed Ms. LeClair's outstanding performance and dedication to her job. Mr. Griffin stated that she is well deserved of a merit increase. MSC (SAUCEDO/MARRUFO) 4-0 To approve the Special Merit Increase for Merce LeClair submitted by Jack Griffin, Director of General Services. (FLOROS-EXCUSED) , B. Appeal of Termination. (CSC.043) — Staff coordinating calendars to schedule appeal date. Staff discussed possible dates for the appeal.' Marcia Raskin asked if the Commission bad any concerns in holding the appeal hearing in the Council Chambers. A request has been made by one of the appellants to have an open hearing. No concerns by the Commissioners. 7. OTHER BUSINESS - A. City Newsletter and Communication Notices B. Staffing Reports 8. COMMUNICATIONS A. Chair's Comments Chair Silva asked how would vision impaired persons find job opportunities. Marcia Raskin, Director of Human Resources answered that the vision -impaired public can visit the Human Resources office and ask which positions are posted or they can access the city's website. Ms. Raskin also said that job announcements are not in Braille and that the Human Resources Department staff has assisted those individuals and individuals with assistants through the process. Also, as an organization, the City has accommodated employees who have become visually impaired as part of their long time employment with the City and have made modifications to their workstations. Chair Silva stated that the State was sued for it s non -ADA compliance in the parole process which is a government program that entitles everyone to participate. The State has been accommodating in terms of providing ADA assistance and assistance in the revocation process. Chair Silva stated that Human Resources should be aware of and have a policy in place that talks about accommodations for the disabled. Chair Silva stated that it would be difficult to provide information in Braille all the time and perhaps providing a reader would be helpful. This should be available for the hearing impaired as well. Marcia Raskin, Director of Human Resources stated that Human Resources has provided accommodations in the testing process, in access to facilities and providing additional time when taking an exam. When requested, the Human Resources staff have provided readers during an exam. Ms. Raskin also stated that the Human Resources Department provides accommodations when requested. B. Commissioners' Comments Commissioner Stevenson has heard that the City might have a lay-off. Marcia Raskin, Director of Human Resources stated that the City has a case-by-case hiring freeze. A contingency plan memo will be submitted to Council as soon as today. Revenues are projected not to be on target and departments need to cut back expenditures. For example, Human Resources needs to cut back at least $106,000 between now and the end of June. Citywide, we are committing to close to $650,000 expenditure cuts. Positions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis when vacancies occur. Each department is doing what it can to get through this fiscal year and have put 4L Civil service Commission Minutes January 4, 2007 together a 2 -year budget. With the new Council, they will let departments know priorities for the organization and for the community. Also what services, if any need to be curtailed. Revenues from the new shopping center are not known and the Finance Department has prepared conservatively. Ms. Raskin stated that the Mayor would like to have a financial audit to see how healthy is the City and can the City move forward with all programs in place. Ms. Raskin also commented, that individual departments have a contingency plan for the rest of the fiscal year with a hiring freeze evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The City has not laid anyone off from a permanent, benefited position. BMs. Raskin stated that some unclassified hourly employees that do not have Civil Service protection have been asked to separate and the City has not separated anyone on probation. Ms. Raskin stated that the City has not laid anyone off and is hoping not to do that. Commissioner Stevenson asked what percentage of the Human Resources budget is the $106, 000. Marcia Raskin, Director of Human Resources stated the funds are taken from various parts of the Human Resources'budget. There is one front counter position that will not be filled; there will be a reduction in training that is provided and cuts in our Volunteer Recognition event. Ms. Raskin stated that all departments are doing their fair share to get through this fiscal year. The Council will be reviewing 2 -year budgets as submitted and will be making reductions as needed. Commissioner Marrufo asked about the Mid -Management Study. Marcia' Raskin, Director of Human Resources stated that it has been completed and in the process of reviewing appeals. The Department does not have approval to proceed with implementation at this time. Commissioner Stevenson asked for an update on the hiring of a City Manager? Marcia Raskin, Director of Human Resources stated that Mayor Cox mentioned that Council would be reviewing a short list on the 150'. Bob Murray & Associates has provided a list of candidates to the Council and may have pre -semifinal interviews on 15th, which could narrow it down to 1 or 2 people. C. Staff Comments - Comments were addressed under Commissioner's Comments. D. Public Comments - None 9. ADJOURNMENT — 5:45 p.m. The Civil Service Commission adjourned to the next regular scheduled meeting on February 1, 2007, at 5:15 p.m., in Building 400, Council Conference Room C106 at City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910. WP: MINUTES:\CSC1.07 0 ANNA KEMERY, SE ETARY