Civil Service Commission

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012 PRESENT: ELIO DELSETTE, CHAIRPERSON ROBERT MAINS, COMMISSIONER KIMBERLY GALVIN, COMMISSIONER Chairpersons DelSette called the meeting to order at 5:07pm Chairperson DelSette opened the public comment period at 5:11pm. Phil Diamond addressed the Commission regarding the Reservation Coordinator position. The proposed Provisional appointment is and end run by the Commissioner of Public Works; is controversial and will do harm to the incumbent in the position. Do not approve the appointment of Heather Mabee; not an appropriate time to take one job and create two. It is the time to make one job out of two. John Kaufman asked the Commission what is the range of action that could be taken if the Executive Director of Housing Authorityis found to be in violation of Civil Service Law. The secretary responded that if an individual is found to violate civil service law, they could be charged with a misdemeanor and be required to repay the “illegal” salary with personal funds. Commissioner Galvin questioned the Commission’s authority to do so. Chairperson DelSette clarified the secretary’s statement by adding that the City Attorney, if available, would assist the Commission. Commissioner Galvin asked what law would cover such action. The secretary responded that she believed it to be Section 100 of the Civil Service Law. Mr. Kaufman stated that if he had not reported the “violation” to the Civil Service Commission, the Executive Director would have continued to employ his son in the position that he had created without coming to this board. Phil Diamond again addressed the Commission. Mr. Diamond stated that he use to work for Federal civil service and there are laws against nepotism-could not work in the same bureau. Commissioner Mains informed those present that as far as the City of Saratoga Springs Municipal Civil Service Commission is aware, there is no nepotism clause or policy within the City of Saratoga Springs or the City of Saratoga Springs Housing Authority. There being no one else wishing to speak Chairperson DelSette closed the pubic comment period at 5:30pm Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the December 22 2011 meeting minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin.Ayes all. ACCOUNTS: Commissioner Mains made a motion to classify one temporary Clerk position funded by grant money effective January 9, 2012 up to and including June 30, 2012.Seconded by Commissioner Galvin.Ayes all. Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the temporary appointment of Nathan Voigt to the position of Clerk effective January 9, 2012 up to and including June 30, 2012.Seconded by Commissioner Mains.Ayes all. CITY CENTER: Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the Non-Competitive appointment of Heather Hamelin to the position of Working Supervisor effective January 14, 2012. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin.Ayes all. CSC Minutes 1-31-12 page #2 HOUSING AUTHORITY : The secretary reported on her meeting with the Chairperson and the Executive Director of the Housing Authority. The Laborer doing out of title work as the” head of security” has returned to his Laborer duties; the tenants had requested a security person after the incident at the Cohoes Housing Authority; the tenants were concerned with the lack of monitoring after business. The secretary requested that the Housing Authority be granted 3 months (under CSL 61.2) to analyze the needs of the facility. The temporary position would follow those duties as outlined in a current building monitor position which would include such duties as securing the front and back door, check that the windows are locked, log in and out the tenants; perform minor Laborer duties such as mopping, cleaning the restrooms, collect trash and rubbish etc. Commissioner Galvin expressed the need to be definite on the job specification and duties that will be performed. Chairperson DelSette agreed with Commissioner Galvin; do not want to give an open approval for out-of-title work. MAYOR: Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the Provisional appointment of Michael Carlson to the position of Assistant Building Inspector effective January 9, 2012. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin, Ayes all. PUBLIC WORKS: Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the revisions to the Water Treatment Plant Maintenance Supervisor job specification as recommended by the Commissioner of Public Works.Seconded by Commissioner Galvin.Ayes all. Commissioner Galvin made a motion to classify one temporary DPW Coordinator for the duration of a leave of absence effective January 3, 2012 up to and including April 3, 2012. Seconded by Commissioner Mains.Ayes all. Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the temporary appointment of Lois Scarangello to the position of DPW Coordinator effective January 3, 2012 up to and including April 3, 2012. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin, Ayes all. The secretary asked the Commission to consider tabling this agenda item due to the position not being funded at this time. The secretary explained that technically the position does not exist without the funding. Commissioner Galvin asked if the Commission is routinely involved in the budgets of other departments/positions. The secretary confirmed that the Commission is not responsible for the department budgets. The secretary stated that when there is a newly classified position; she does not bring any action to the table until she has confirmation (city council minute) verifying that the position is funded. Commissioner Galvin asked if the candidate meets all civil service requirements. The secretary verified that the candidate did meet the minimum qualifications and was eligible for a Provisional appointment. The problem is that there is no funding, therefore no position to approve the candidate too. Commissioner Galvin stated that Civil Service is typically put in the middle. If the candidate meets civil service requirements it is not our purview to disapprove due to funding. Chairperson DelSette made a motion to table the approval of the provisional appointment of Heather Mabee to the position of Reservation Coordinator until the appropriation of funds.Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Chairperson DelSette – Aye Commissioner Mains – Ayes Commissioner Galvin – Nay Commissioner Galvin stated that the tabling of the provisional appointment has no impact on the candidate or the classification of the position. Chairperson Delsette and Commissioner Mains agreed with Commissioner Galvin. Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the provisional appointment of Gary Spencer to the position of Water Treatment Plant Maintenance Supervisor effective January 26, 2012. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin.Ayes all. The Commission reviewed the payroll information submitted by the secretary. Commissioner Galvin made a motion to table the reclassification of several positions to give the secretary time to assist the Commissioner. Seconded by Commissioner Mains.Ayes all. The Commission reviewed the information submitted by Al Flick, recently reclassified to the position of Utility System Location Technician. The secretary was instructed to have the Commissioner review and sign the paper work. The Commission will address this request for reversal of the reclassification at the February meeting CSC Minutes 1-31-12 Page #3 RECREATION: Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the following Non-Competitive appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin.Ayes all. effective Elizabeth Bouyea Skate Guard 01/16/12 Emma Briceland Skate Guard 01/12/12 Christopher Clayton Skate Guard 01/16/12 Dorothy Cooper Recreation Leader 01/12/12 Kendell Grace Skate Guard 01/16/12 Bryan Guild Skate Guard 01/12/12 Larry Hazel Recreation Leader 01/12/12 Kevin Hopkins Recreation Leader 01/12/12 Cody Kerns Skate Guard 02/12/12 Molly McGuiggan Skate Guard 01/12/12 TygerMcGuiggan Senior Skate Guard 01/12/12 Alison Mewer-Cowan Sports Program Coordinator 01/12/12 Gabrielle Montenegro Skate Guard 01/12/12 Nicole Pennamacoor Recreation Leader 01/12/12 Jill Ramos Skating Program Coordinator 01/19/12 Skate Guard Supervisor 01/12/12 Recreation Leader 01/12/12 Lawrence Schwarz Skate Guard 01/28/12 Mackenzie Shannon Skate Guard 01/12/12 Amanda Shelburne Skating Program Assistant 01/12/12 Benjamin Sugarman Recreation Leader 01/12/12 Brian Van Horne Skate Guard 01/12/12 Daniel Winters Skate Guard 01/12/12 Kathleen Wittges Recreation Leader 01/12/12 Anthony Zabielski Skate Guard 01/16/12 AndieZajaceskowski Senior Skate Guard 01/12/12 Jon Zinter Skate Guard 01/16/12 SCHOOL DISTRICT : Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the provisional appointment of John Thuener to the position of Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations effective January 19, 2012. Seconded by Commissioner Mains.Ayes all. Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the following Labor Class appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin.Ayes all. effective Marlise Ford School Monitor 01/14/12 Food Service Helper 01/27/12 Lisa Hika School Monitor 01/10/12 Linda Hurme School Monitor 01/26/12 Sandra Johnson School Monitor 01/12/12 Cheryl LaPierre School Monitor 02/14/12 Lauren Morley School Monitor 02/14/12 Kristina Opp School Monitor 02/14/12 Kevin Schwardt School Monitor 01/10/12 Christine Vito School Monitor 01/26/12 Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the following Non-Competitive appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Mains.Ayes all. effective Christopher Burnett Custodian part time 01/10/12 Marlise Ford Food Service Cashier 01/27/12 Lisa Hika Teacher Aide 01/10/12 Linda Hurme Teacher Aide 01/26/12 Bridget Kolakowski Clerk part time 01/24/12 Keyboard Specialist 01/24/12 Cheryl LaPierre Clerk part time 02/14/12 James McElroy School Bus Driver 01/31/12 Landon Moore Custodian part time 01/05/12 CSC Minutes 1-31-12 Page #4 SCHOOL DISTRICT: Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the following Non-Competitive appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Mains.Ayes all. effective Lauren Morley Keyboard Specialist part time 02/14/12 Clerk part time 02/14/12 Teacher Aide 02/14/12 Kristina Opp Teacher Aide 02/14/12 Patricia Panzer Teacher Aide 01/24/12 Ronald Shultes School Bus Driver 01/31/12 Nicole Strothenke Keyboard Specialist part time 01/24/12 Clerk part time 01/24/12 Teacher Aide 01/24/12 Annie Talma Motor Vehicle Operator 01/24/12 Victoria Tremper Clerk part time 01/05/12 Keyboard Specialist part time 01/05/12 Christine Vito Clerk part time 01/26/12 Teacher Aide 01/26/12 Amy Ward Teacher Aide 01/26/12 Shawn Willard Custodian part time 01/10/12 CIVIL SERVICE: The Commissioner reviewed the position classification form submitted by the Commissioner of Finance. Chairperson DelSette made a motion to retain the Exempt Class jurisdiction for the position of Deputy Commissioner of Finance. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all, The Commission reviewed the position classification form submitted by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Chairperson DelSette made a motion to retain the Exempt Class jurisdiction for the position of Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. The Commission reviewed the information submitted by Al Flick, recently reclassified to the position of Utility System Location Technician. The secretary was instructed to have the Commissioner review and sign the paper work. The Commission will address this request for reversal of the reclassification at the February meeting. The secretary explained that while drafting the job specification for the Communication Clerk position, she had left out telephone coverage for the Urban Heritage Center and the Recreation Department. The secretary also changed “micro-computer” to personal computer as recommended at the January meeting. Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the Communication Clerk job specification as revised. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. The secretary requested approval for an alternate test date for Mary Weeden for the Clerk examination to be held on March 24 2012. Ms. Weeden had been approved previously as a Sabbath Observer. Commissioner Mains made a motion to set an alternate test date for Ms.Weeden as Monday, March 26, 2012 at 9:30am in the Civil Service Commission office. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin .Ayes all. The secretary requested approval for an alternate test date for Jason Lang for the Firefighter examination to be held on March 3 2012. Mr.Lang had been approved previously as needing special accommodations. Chairperson DelSette made a motion to set an alternate test date for Mr. Lang as Monday, March 5, 2012 at 9:30am in the Civil Service Commission office. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. The secretary shared with the Commission a newsletter from the New York State Department of Civil Service announcing a training session to be held in the Town of Colonie on Thursday, February 16, 2012. The secretary requested permission to attend the training session. After a brief discussion, the Commission granted the secretary permission to attend the training session. EXAMINATIONS WERE ORDERED for the following class titles: Assistant Facilities Manager ordered – January 4, 2012 Communication Clerk ordered – January 4, 2012 Clerk ordered – January 4, 2012 School Bus Driver Cleaner ordered – January 4, 2012 CSC Minutes 1-31-2012 EXAMINATIONS WERE ANNOUNCED for the following class titles: Clerk #10-312 Program Coordinator #63-152 School Bus Driver Cleaner #10-712 APPROVED APPLICATIONS for the following examinations: Program Coordinator #63-152 approved - 7 disapproved - 1 Transportation Routing Specialist #65-190 approved – 3 disapproved – 1 Transportation Routing Specialist #79-532 approved – 2 disapproved - 0 Meeting was adjourned at 6:00pm. The next meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2012 at 5:15pm. Approved: 02-27-12 Respectfully submitted by:___Patsy Berrigan ________Secretary