Civil Service Commission

CITY OF SARATOGA SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CIViL SERVICE COMMISSION SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK 12866 REGULAR MEETING City council chambers Friday, September 5, 2014 MINUTES PRESENT: elio delsette, chairperson robert mains, commissioner KIMBERLY GALVIN, COMMISSIONER CHAIRPERSON DELSETTE CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT 9:33am. Chairperson DelSette opened the public speaking session at 9:33am There being no one wishing to speak, Chairperson DelSette closed the public speaking session at 9:34am. PUBLIC SAFETY: Police Chief Gregory Veitch appeared before the Commission to request a change to the minimum qualifications for Police Officers. Chief Veitch provided the Commission with information from the agencies he surveyed and Police Agencies. Chief Veitch stated that the information provided him indicated that an increase in education has resulted in: increased critical thinking skills, less use of force at arrests, lower sick use, less situations of prejudices. Chief Veitch indicated that the City of Saratoga Springs Police Department with approximately 70% of the current police officers meeting this standard confirms the survey results. Commissioner Galvin stated that she felt the addition of 60 semester credit hours were too restrictive and could possibly cut our candidate pool; which would be a problem for Chief Veitch – not Civil Service if these qualifications were adopted. Commissioner Galvin asked if we could give we give the exam in 2014 without the new minimum qualifications and then again in 2015 with the new qualifications. The secretary stated that it was possible but very difficult to hold the exam two years in a row because of the amount of time it takes to administer the exam with only one staff person. Chief Veitch stated that he is trying to become a more professional force. A college education, in any field, does tend to increase critical thinking skills when in difficult situations. Also the college atmosphere introduces students to different ethnic groups which also help unconscious or conscious prejudices. Chairperson DelSette and Commissioner Mains stated that they were willing to support the Chief in his request with the understanding that the Commission could review the minimum qualifications at a future date. Commissioner Galvin asked how these new qualifications would affect those candidates on the current Police Officer eligible list. The secretary informed the Commission that the new minimum qualifications would be for the applicants of the upcoming November examination; would have no impact on those candidates on the current eligible list. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma or a comparable diploma as described in Section 58 of the Civil Service Law and successful completion of at least 60 semester credit hours from a New York State accredited or registered college or university OR Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma or a comparable diploma as described in Section 58 of the Civil Service Law and at least two years of Active military service, possessing an honorable discharge, or at least two years of full time employment as a certified police officer. *NOTE: Applicants who do not possess the required college credits are eligible to take the examination but will not be eligible for appointment until they obtain the college credits. * Must be at least 20 years of age. Must be a citizen of the United States. The secretary asked Chief Veitch if the proposal for the educational substitution was for “two” years or “three” years of experience in the military or police department? Chief Veitch responded there was a typo – three (3) years of experience is being requested. PUBLIC SAFETY: continued Commissioner Galvin asked if the Chief would be approaching the Commission regarding up-grading (adding college education) to the promotional positions. Chief Veitch said that there is already an educational component to the current promotional qualifications but he would be looking at those positions in the future. Chairperson DelSette made a motion to revise the minimum qualifications for the entry-level Police Officer position as requested by Police Chief Gregory Veitch. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the temporary Non-Competitive appointments to the position of Vehicle Traffic Control effective 07-09-14 to 09-02-14. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all Melissa Brown Jodi Cooley Charles Fay Cassandra Fuller Nicholas Hladik Noah Jameson Robert Lloyd Daniel Lovaglio Atry Moats Susan Morehouse Myah Ondreyko Richard Robischon Janice Starteri Robert Stiles Paul Swiers Griffin Thomas Anthony Unser Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the Non-Competitive appointments to the position of School Crossing Guard part-time effective September 3, 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Linda Cocco Jody Cooley Susan Dockrell Cassandra Fuller James Haley Thomas Humes Kathleen Kelly Irving Lacy Sandra Lacy Eithne Lerman Robert Lloyd Stephen McCarthy Susan Morehouse CITY CENTER: Chairperson DelSette made a motion to confirm the Non-Competitive appointment of Andrea Gardner to the position of Sales Director effective July 19, 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Chairperson DelSette made a motion to confirm the Non-Competitive appointment of Judith LeCain to the position of Account Clerk part-time effective July 21, 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all LIBRARY: Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the Non-Competitive appointment of Meghan Siobhan Webber to the position of Library Clerk part-time effective August 28, 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. George DuMortier Laborer effective June 24, 2014 David Kownack Laborer effective July 08, 2014 Christopher Robenstein Laborer effective June 23, 2014 Sara Zacek Laborer effective September 02, 2014 RECREATION: Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the following Non-Competitive appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. effective Christian Bartlett Sports Program Counselor July 07, 2014 Adison Bonacio Sports Program Counselor August 04, 2014 William Capuano Sports Program Counselor July 14, 2014 Sarah Covell Sports Program Counselor August 04, 2014 Jacquelyn Danek Sports Program Coordinator August 15, 2014 Emily DeVizzio Sports Program Counselor July 07, 2014 Thomas Fornabia Skate Guard July 12, 2014 Francesca Masrianni Skate Guard August 17, 2014 Samantha Rydzewski Skate Guard September 07, 2014 Carson Salaway Skate Guard July 07, 2014 Charles Samuels Sports Program Instructor July 07, 2014 Ryan Sesselman Skate Guard September 07, 2014 Sean Sessleman Skate Guard September 07, 2014 Jacob Sewell Sports Program Instructor August 09, 2014 Patricia Sutton Sports Program Coordinator August 04, 2014 Emily Wickert Sports Program Instructor May 04, 2014 Christopher Wildy Sports Program Coordinator July 07, 2014 RECREATION: Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the following temporary appointments to the summer camp program: June 2014 through August 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Michael Boyce School Bus Driver effective June 30, 2014 Linda Byres School Bus Driver effective June 30, 2014 Chloe Hay Counselor effective June 17, 2014 Marcia Hildenbrandt School Bus Driver effective July 2, 2014 Cathy LaMontain School Bus Driver effective June 30, 2014 Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the following temporary appointments to the summer Youth Parking program: July 112014 through September 2, 2014. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Gunnar Conway William Capuano Mary Eddy Isaac Fisher Justin Klotz Mariah Mattison Thomas Pelletier Richard Schrade Benjamin Sugarman Marlena Zygadlo SCHOOL DISTRICT: Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the Temporary summer employment to the Labor Class position of Cleaner. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Christian Alvord effective 07-03-14 Gabrielle Batista effective 07-03-14 Grant Burns effective 07-03-14 Zackary Clarke effective 07-03-14 Andre Coleman effective 07-03-14 Matthew Coleman effective 07-03-14 Michael Coonradt effective 07-03-14 Jacob Deyoe effective 07-03-14 Dan Eckert effective 07-03-14 Kalid El Sawi effective 07-03-14 Kurt Faulhammer effective 07-03-14 Ryan Feulner effective 07-03-14 Molly Knott effective 07-07-14 Eric Lasell effective 07-03-14 David Lee effective 07-03-14 Lonnie Linen effective 07-03-14 Ian Mahoney effective 07-03-14 Peter Palumbo effective 07-07-14 Dexter Pardon effective 07-03-14 Joshua Parker effective 07-03-14 Michael Rhodes effective 07-07-14 Alya Ruggles effective 07-30-14 Hunter Rumpf effective 07-03-14 Zachary Stacey effective 07-03-14 Breanna VanAernem effective 07-03-14 Ashley Young effective 07-03-14 Kahku Weatherwax effective 07-03-14 Commissioner Galvin made a motion to confirm the following Labor Class appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all Tami Benjamin Food Service Helper effective 09-03-14 Casey Hart Food Service Helper effective 09-03-14 Dianne Horan Food Service Helper effective 09-03-14 Katrina Keech Food Service Helper effective 09-03-14 Diana Madio Food Service Helper effective 09-03-14 Karen O’Keefe Food Service Helper effective 09-03-14 Anna Rodrique Food Service Helper effective 09-03-14 Kristine Rotter Food Service Helper effective 09-03-14 Commissioner Mains made a motion to confirm the following Non-Competitive appointments. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Christian Alvord Custodian part time effective 08-29-14 JoAnn Cummings Teacher Aide effective 07-25-14 Mary Gilhooly Teacher Aide effective 08-28-14 Casey Hart Clerk part time effective 08-13-14 Katrina Keech Clerk part time effective 08-29-14 Kimberly Kimball Cook effective 08-13-14 John Lanci School Bus Driver effective 07-29-14 Sean McMullin School Bus Driver effective 07-29-14 Kimberly Perry Clerk part time effective 08-29-14 Teacher Aide effective 08-29-14 Debra Phillips Clerk part time effective 07-25-14 Anna Rodrigue Keyboard Specialist part time effective 08-13-14 Senior Clerk part time effective 08-13-14 Clerk part time effective 08-13-14 Pamela Soccio Clerk part time effective 08-13-14 Senior Clerk part time effective 08-13-14 Keyboard Specialist part time effective 08-13-14 Mary Woodward Clerk part time effective 08-29-14 CIVIL SERVICE: The secretary presented the 2015 operational budget to the Civil Service Commission. The Commission approved the budget request as presented. The secretary explained that the 2014 budget would be amended. The additional funds in the projected revenue budget line item will be used to purchase a new copier. The old copier has broken down and due to the age of the equipment there are no parts available for repair. The grade results have been received from the New York State Department of Civil Service for the Fire Promotional examination. The State did not find any reason for concerns regarding the administration of these examinations. Commissioner Mains made a motion to remove the duties assigned to the Executive Assistant in the City Attorney’s office from the Administrative Aide job specification. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. Chairperson DelSette approved the title and job specification for the Director of Facilities III position as directed by the New York State Department of Civil Service. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. The Commission reviewed the Mayor’s request for revisions to the Human Resources Administrator job specification. Commissioner Mains stated that his concern with moving the responsibility for contract negotiations from the Human Resources Administrator to the City Attorney is one of accountability. The Human Resources Administrator is a competitive position with the protections of Civil Service Law, which is designed to insulate it from political pressure and the short-term needs of the election cycle. The Human Resources Administrator's employment is dependent on his or her execution of the requirements of the position. By contrast, the City Attorney is, effectively, an elected position, as the City Attorney is appointed by the Mayor. His or her employment is thus dependent on Mayoral politics as well as performance of his or her duties. Thus, the Human Resources Administrator has no incentive to negotiate contracts with an eye toward the next election. The City Attorney has, at very least, the appearance of such an incentive. Chairperson DelSette stated that Human Resources Administrator was a vital part of the negotiating team due to the “permanency” of the position. The Human Resources Administrator would be able to provide valuable historical information during contract negotiations. Commissioner Galvin made a motion to approve the revisions to the Human Resources Administrator’s job specification as requested by the Mayor. Seconded by Commissioner Mains. Ayes all. Commissioner Mains made a motion to remove “switchboard relief” from the Secretary to the Office of Planning and Economic Development job specification as requested by the Deputy Mayor. Seconded by Commissioner Galvin. Ayes all. EXAMINATIONS WERE ORDER for the following Class titles: Assistant Police Chief ordered August 11, 2014 Civil Service Clerk ordered August 11, 2014 Executive Assistant ordered August 11, 2014 Head Custodian ordered August 11, 2014 Police Chief ordered August 11, 2014 Police Sergeant ordered August 11, 2014 School District Registrar ordered August 11, 2014 Secretary to the Office of Planning and Economic Development ordered August 19, 2014 Water Meter Service Worker ordered August 11, 2014 APPROVE APPLICATIONS for the following examination: Chief Water Treatment Plant Operator approved – 4 disapproved - 0 ESTABLISH ELIGIBLE LISTS for the following class titles: Assessment Clerk #69-851 established 09-07-14 to 09-07-18 Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations III #68-764 established 09-07-14 to 09-07-18 Assistant Facilities Manager #64-182 established 09-07-14 to 09-07-18 Fire Captain #74-086 established 09-07-14 to 09-07-18 Fire Lieutenant #74-087 established 09-07-14 to 09-07-18 EXTEND ELIGIBLE LIST for the following class title: Account Clerk #10-812 Extend 2 years expires December 6, 2016 Chairperson DelSette adjourned the meeting at 10:45am. The next Civil Service Commission meeting is scheduled for November 7, 2014 @ 9:30am. Approved: November 7, 2014 Respectfully submitted by:____Patsy Berrigan______ Secretary