Civil Service Commission

CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM Charles Hicks Jr., President Lawrence Keller, Vice President Jonathan Gotz, Commissioner Jeanne Karatsu, Commissioner Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Commissioner Tara M. McLean, Acting Executive Director FINISHED AGENDA AND MINUTES OTHERS PRESENT: Tara M. McLean, Acting Director & Secretary Melinda George, Deputy Director Marilyn Hall, Executive Assistant Gary Anderson, Deputy City Attorney Salvador Ambriz, Personnel Analyst Debbie McCluster, Personnel Analyst Caprice McDonald, Personnel Analyst Robert Pfingsthorn, Personnel Analyst Ken Walker, Personnel Operations Manager, Human Resources Commissioners Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu, Present: Charles Hicks and Lawrence Keller ROLL CALL 1. 14-055CS Recommendation to approve minutes: Regular Meeting of March 19, 2014 A motion was made by Commissioner Gotz, seconded by Vice President Keller, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu, Charles Hicks and Lawrence Keller CONSENT CALENDAR (2-7): Page 1 of 9 CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM Passed The Consent Calendar A motion was made by Vice President Keller, seconded by Commissioner Smith Watts, to approve Consent Calendar Items. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu, Charles Hicks and Lawrence Keller 2. 14-056CS Recommendation to approve examination results: Battalion Chief - 8 Applied, 4 Qualified Maintenance Assistant (Established 3/19/14) - 1002 Applied, 979 Qualified Telemetering Instrument Technician - 47 Applied, 8 Qualified A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. 3. 14-057CS Recommendation to receive and file retirements: Rickie Thomas/Community Services Supervisor/Parks (38 yrs., 8 mos.) Robert Moran/Senior Survey Technician/Harbor (21 yrs., 6 mos.) Peter Jensen/Surveyor/Harbor (33 yrs., 2 mos.) Deborah Wilson-Davies/Special Services Officer II/Police (25 yrs., 8 mos.) Jorge Pedroza/Fire Captain/Fire (27 yrs., 11 mos.) A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. 4. 14-058CS Recommendation to receive and file resignations: Nicholas Meach/Office Systems Analyst/Harbor (4 mos., 9 days) Phillip Herrero/Clerk Typist II/Development Services (5 yrs., 7 mos.) A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. Page 2 of 9 CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM 5. 14-059CS Recommendation to approve downgrades (voluntary): Alejandro Rodriquez/Special Services Officer III/Police to Special Services Officer II/Police Shana Schwer/Public Safety Dispatcher IV/Police to Public Safety Dispatcher II/Police A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. 6. 14-060CS Recommendation to reschedule hearings: Suspension Appeal 03-S-1314, Suggested Date May 28, 2014 Suspension Appeal 42-S-1213, Suggested Date June 18, 2014 A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. 7. 14-061CS Recommendation to withdraw appeal: Dismissal Appeal 09-D-1314 A motion was made to approve recommendation on the Consent Calendar. REGULAR AGENDA 8. 14-062CS RECOMMENDATION FOR PROVISIONAL APPOINTMENT - Miguel Aburto, Building Maintenance Engineer Communication from Cynthia Stafford, Personnel Officer, Public Works A motion was made by Commissioner Karatsu, seconded by Vice President Keller, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu, Charles Hicks and Lawrence Keller Page 3 of 9 CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM 9. 14-063CS COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING FIRE CAPTAIN EXAMINATION PROCESS a. Communication from Dennis Garrett, Fire Engineer b. Communication from Robert Keller, Fire Engineer c. Communication from John Lauro, Fire Engineer d. Staff report prepared by Rob Pfingsthorn, Personnel Analyst The Secretary briefed the Commission regarding this communication, stating that Civil Service staff met with Fire Department management staff and agreed that prior to the next Fire Captain examination, Civil Service staff would work with the Fire Department to review the Fire Captain promotional examination process, including the pass point method. Dave Segura, Deputy Fire Chief, addressed the Commission, stated that Fire Department staff will more forward to work with staff for the next Fire Captain examination. He also stated that he was concerned that some highly qualified candidates were eliminated from the process, and wants to make sure it does not happen with the next administration. Dennis Garrett, Fire Engineer, addressed the Commission regarding his concerns with the process and how he feels the standards of the Long Beach Fire Department prepare them for promotion. A motion was made by Commissioner Gotz, seconded by Commissioner Smith Watts, to receive and file. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu, Charles Hicks and Lawrence Keller Page 4 of 9 CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM 10. 14-064CS PROTEST OF EXAMINATION RESULTS - Port Security Systems Operator a. Communication from Jose G. Martinez b. Staff report prepared by Melinda George, Deputy Director President Hicks recused himself for this item. The Secretary briefed the Commission regarding this request, stating that Mr. Martinez is currently a provisional appointment in the Port Security System Operator classification, and that Mr. Martinez believes that because he is satisfactorily meeting the standards of his provisional position, the examination did not reflect the task, duties and requirements of the classification. He is also requesting that his Veterans' preference points be awarded because he qualified on the first phase of the examination. Mr. Martinez addressed the Commission, stating that there were certain parts of the test that did not actually reflect what the job involves. Doug Rangel, Special Services Officer IV, addressed the Commission in support of Mr. Martinez. A motion was made by Commissioner Smith Watts, seconded by Commissioner Gotz, to deny. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 4 - Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu and Lawrence Keller Excused: 1 - Charles Hicks Page 5 of 9 CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM 11. 14-065CS RECOMMENDATION TO EXTEND EXPIRING ELIGIBLE LISTS (6 months): Staff report prepared by Tara McLean, Acting Executive Director Civil Engineering Assistant Combination Building Inspector Aide Criminalist Equipment Mechanic Mechanical Engineer Public Health Nutritionist Registered Nurse (10/3/12; 10/29/12) - (1 month) Stock and Receiving Clerk A motion was made by Commissioner Gotz, seconded by Vice President Keller, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu, Charles Hicks and Lawrence Keller 12. 14-066CS RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE BULLETIN: Staff report prepared by Tara McLean, Acting Executive Director Sr. Equipment Operator - Crane A motion was made by Commissioner Karatsu, seconded by Vice President Keller, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu, Charles Hicks and Lawrence Keller NEW BUSINESS President Hicks stated that City Council confirmed the appointment of a new Civil Service Commissioner, Robin Perry, who will be replacing Commissioner Karatsu, who has served almost nine years as a Commissioner. He thanked Commissioner Karatsu for her dedication and commitment to the Commission and civil service staff.Commissioner Keller, Gotz and Smith Watts, along with staff members, also expressed their gratitude to Commissioner Karatsu for her service as a Commissioner. Page 6 of 9 CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM MANAGERS' REPORT Melinda George, Deputy Director, briefed the Commission regarding the Clerk Typist examination, which was administered on Monday, March 31, 2014, at the convention center. She stated that over 1800 candidates were invited to the examination with a show rate of approximately 75%. She thanked Caprice for the work she is doing with the Clerk Typist examination process and the completion of the Battalion Chief examination. The Secretary provided the Commission with an update on the examination backlog, stating that the year started with 54 examinations identified as high priority by departments, to date, 19 have been completed, 13 in progress and 23 pending. She also stated that there are nine outstanding provisionals with five examinations in progress. COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC – The Civil Service Commission will hear from members of the public on matters within the Commission’s jurisdiction. Chris Rowe, Assistant Fire Chief, thanked Civil Service staff for the work they are doing with the Fire Department promotional examinations. Stacey Lewis, Assistant Director of Human Resources, Harbor, expressed her gratitude to Commissioner Karatsu for her service as a Commissioner. Caprice McDonald, Personnel Analyst, thanked Commissioner Karatsu for her support to staff as a Commissioner. Page 7 of 9 CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED PROCESS TO CONDUCT ORAL INTERVIEWS FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – CIVIL SERVICE Ken Walker, Manager, Personnel Operations. Human Resources, reviewed the process as agreed upon by the Commission, stating that interviews will be conducted on April 23 and 24, 2014, by two interview panels: the first panel is the Commission, and the second panel will be made up of the subject matter experts, to include a representative from the Water, Harbor, City Manager and probably two representatives from public safety. He stated that candidates would interview with both panels, after which the subject matter expert panel would brief the Commission. Then the Commission could possibly go into deliberations to consider the candidates and either follow up with additional questions, or make an offer of employment. Norm Roberts informed the Commission that 30 candidates submitted resumes, and two withdrew, leaving 28 candidates. He stated that after receiving the resumes, the candidates deemed to be the most qualified were asked to complete a supplemental application developed to measure their experience with their organization, what they have done with civil service classified positions and their background in labor relations. He also stated that as stated on the recruitment brochure, they developed a criteria and had a description of how the position would operate which would also be included in the process. Additional screening was to talk to candidates on the phone to determine why they wanted to make job changes and to find out more about them. After this process, three candidate groups were provided to the Commission for review, the most qualified, qualified and City employee. CONSIDERATION OF RESUMES FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Closed Session, Pursuant to Government Code 54957.8) A motion was made by Vice President Keller, seconded by Commissioner Smith Watts, to recess to a closed session, pursuant to Government Code 54957.8. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Jonathan Gotz, Carolyn M. Smith Watts, Jeanne Karatsu, Charles Hicks and Lawrence Keller Page 8 of 9 CITY OF LONG BEACH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION 333 W. OCEAN BLVD., 7TH FLOOR MINUTES CIVIL SERVICE BOARD ROOM, 8:00 AM NOTE: If written language translation of the Commission agenda and minutes for non-English speaking persons is desired, please make your request by phone to the City Clerk Department at (562) 570-6101, 72 hours prior to the Commission meeting. Kung ang nakasulat na pagsasalin-wika ng adyenda at mga katitikan ng Komisyon ay hinahangad para sa mga taong hindi nagsasalita ng Ingles mangyaring gawin ang iyong kahilingan sa pamamagitan ng telepono sa Kagawaran ng Klerk ng Lunsod sa (562) 570-6101, 72 pitong oras bago ang pulong ng Komisyon. Si desea obtener la traducción lingüística escrita de la agenda y las actas de la Comisión para las personas que no hablan inglés, realice su pedido por teléfono al Departamento de la Secretaría Municipal al (562) 570-6101, 72 horas antes de la reunión de la Comisión. Page 9 of 9