Civil Service Commission

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK 12866 REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, February 7, 2014 9:30am MINUTES PRESENT: Elio DelSette, Chairperson Robert mains, commissioner Kimberly Galvin, Commissioner Greg Veitch, Police Chief Paul Veitch, Police Sergeant, PBA President Sarah Burger, City Attorney Joseph Odgen, Deputy Mayor CHAIRPERSON DELSETTE CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 9:33am. Chairperson DelSette opened the public speaking session at 9:34am. Chief of Police Greg Veitch informed the Commission that he was in the process of reviewing policies, the call-in practice and process in an effort to reorganize the Police Department. In an effort to make the department run more efficiently, he has reviewed the entire personnel organization and is proposing the divvying up of the vacant Captain’s position duties. The requested revisions would assign a Lieutenant to a division and there would be a clear definition between Police Sergeant and Police Lieutenant – there would not be any overlapping. Commissioner Galvin asked what impact these revisions would have on promotions to Captain and the fiscal consideration of the requested revisions. Chief Veitch responded that the Captain’s position is not currently funded and that these changes would make the department run more efficiently. Police Sergeant Paul Veitch, PBA Union President, requested that the Commission consider performing a desk audit of the Police Sergeant and Police Lieutenant positions, He stated that it has been less than 2 years since the last revisions to these positions job specifications; resulting in the placing of more Lieutenant duties upon the Sergeants. Chairperson DelSette asked if the PBA had had an opportunity to review these requested revisions. Sgt Veitch stated that he had not been given ample time to review and that the only copies of the changes that he received was from the Commission Secretary. Chairperson DelSette asked the secretary when a desk audit could be conducted. The secretary responded that it would be about 6 months before being able to being the process. Chief Veitch stated that all department tasks have been adjusted including the Lieutenants. Police Officers are now assigned duties that were originally assigned to Police Sergeants. Some duties are contractual – such as acting Lieutenants – these revisions are also financially efficient. Commissioner Mains stated that he did not see a reason to delay; the issue is between the Union and Administration. Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the requested revisions to the Police Lieutenant and Police Sergeant job specifications. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. City Attorney Sarah Burger addressed the Commission regarding the reinstatement of Dennis Langley to the position of Human Resources. Ms. Burger questioned this decision in regards to the 211 waiver granted until June of 2014. The secretary explained that these were two different issues which did not have any impact on each other. The appointing authority could appoint with or without the waiver; the examination results have not been determined; at this time there are many variables to make a determination as to whether or not a 211 waiver would be approved again. City Attorney also questioned the Commission regarding the classification of the position assigned to the City Attorney’s office. Ms. Burger did not particular like the title of Executive Assistant to the City Attorney as it infers that the position is strictly for the City Attorney’s office when actually the duties would be approximately 80% City Attorney and 20% Mayor’s office. Commissioner Galvin asked what title did Ms. Burger felt would be better. After a brief discussion, the City Attorney recommended the title of Executive Assistant (dropping to the City Attorney). The Chairperson asked the Deputy Mayor if he was in agreement with the proposed title. Deputy Mayor Ogden asked if the change in title would delay the process. The secretary assured the Deputy Mayor that it would not. Deputy Mayor Ogden said then he did not have any problem with the title of Executive Assistant. There being no one else wishing to speak, Chairperson DelSette closed the public speaking session at 10:00am. Chairperson DelSette made a motion to approve the February 7, 2014 minutes. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. CITY CENTER: Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the Labor Class appointment of Corey Soderstrom to the position of Laborer effective January 17, 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. HOUSING AUTHORITY: Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the temporary appointment of Paul Feldman to the Competitive Class position of Assistant Housing Director effective February 3, 2014 up to and including February 3, 2015. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. LIBRARY: Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the following Labor Class appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Amy Moore Cleaner effective January 23, 2014 Elizabeth Orzel Library Shelver effective November 22, 2013 Clint Stomski Cleaner effective December 3, 2013 Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the following Non-Competitive Class appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Robert Carter Library Clerk part time effective November 22, 2013 Shabban Parthasarathy Librarian I part time effective February 2, 2014 Richard Taras Working Supervisor effective January 2, 2014 MAYOR: Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the following temporary Exempt Class appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Sarah Burger City Attorney effective January 1, 2014 Joseph Ogden Deputy Mayor effective January 6, 2014 Gayle LaSalle Executive Assistant to the Mayor effective January 1, 2014 Commissioner Galvin made a motion to approve the following Student Interns. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Becky Stern effective February 1, 2014 up to and including April 28, 2014 Noah Tanenbaum effective February 21, 2014 up to and including April 28, 2014 PUBLIC SAFETY: Commissioner Galvin made a motion to approve the Military Leave of absence for Aaron Moore effective January 31, 2104 up to and including August 7 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. PUBLIC WORKS: Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the following Labor Class appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Joshua Spiezio Laborer effective January 14, 2014 Stephanie Zabala Laborer effective January 16, 2014 Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the Non-Competitive Class appointment of Louis Flanagan, Jr to the position of Maintenance Mechanic effective February 3, 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. RECREATION: Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the following Non-Competitive appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Madison Hall Skate Guard effective January 14, 2014 Riley Smith Recreation Leader effective January 06, 2014 Raegan Toomey Skating Program Instructor effective January 18, 2014 Mason Wheelock Skate Guard effective February 03, 2014 Sports Program Counselor effective February 3, 2014 Zachary Zaloga Recreation Leader effective January 06, 2014 SCHOOL : Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the temporary appointment of Karen Whipple to the position of Keyboard Specialist to cover a leave. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the following Labor Class appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. effective Ute Phelan Food Service Helper January 29, 2014 Karol Woodcock Food Service Helper February 12, 2014 Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the following Non-Competitive appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. effective Michael Beagle School Bus Driver January 14, 2014 Catherine Burnett Keyboard Specialist part time January 31, 2014 Clerk part time January 31, 2014 Kalid ElSawi Custodian part time January 15, 2014 Marcia Hildenbrandt School Bus Driver January 14, 2014 Barbara Holmes Teacher Aide February 12, 2014 Van Johnson School Bus Driver January 14, 2014 Richard Marvin Custodian part time February 12, 2014 Joy Parisi Keyboard Specialist part time January 31, 2014 Clerk part time January 15, 2014 Cynthia Stadelmeyer Teacher Aide February 12, 2014 Elizabeth Van Auken Custodian part time February 12, 2014 Karol Woodcock Clerk part time January 15, 2014 CIVIL SERVICE : Chairperson DelSette made a motion to approve the reinstatement of Dennis Langley to the position of Human Resources. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the revisions to the Police Lieutenant Job specification as requested by the Department of Public Safety. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Commissioner Galvin made a motion to approve the revisions to the Police Sergeant Job specification as requested by the Department of Public Safety. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Commissioner Mains made a motion to approve the requested revisions the Keyboard Specialist job specification. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all.  ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs including word processing, spreadsheet and data bases at an acceptable rate of accuracy and speed ;  NOTE: BY the end of the probationary period, the incumbent must be able to demonstrate an acceptable rate of accuracy and speed Commissioner Mains made a motion to revise the minimum qualifications for the Firefighter position to state must possess an entry-level NYS Basic Level I EMT Certification at time of application for exam as requested by the Department of Public Safety. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. ORDER EXAMINATIONS for the following class titles: Director of Community Outreach and Communications ordered – January 14, 2014 Librarian II open to the public and promotional ordered – January 21, 2014 ANNOUNCE EXAMINATIONS for the following class titles: Firefighter #60-920 Human Resources Administrator #61-342 APPROVE APPLICATIONS for the following examination: Human Resources #61-343 approved – 1 disapproved - 0 EXTEND ELIGIBLE for the following class titles: IT Administrative Assistant/Accounts Manager #63-593 extended 2 years expires February 27, 2016 Principal Account Clerk #63-149 extended 2 years expires February 27, 2016 Senior Account Clerk #67-223 extended 2 years expires February 27, 2016 Meeting was adjourned at 6:00pm. The next meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2012 at 5:15pm. Approved: March 19, 2014 Respectfully submitted by:_____Patsy Berrigan____ Secretary