CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES DATE: APRIL 9, 2015 The City of Cincinnati’s Civil Service Commission met in regular session in Room 307, City Hall on Thursday, April 9, 2015. Commissioners in attendance were Mr. James Robinson, Chair, Mr. Robert Braddock, and Mr. C. Freeman McNeal. Commission staff present included Nancy Olind, Assistant HR Director, Seeta Martindale, Recording Secretary, Senior Human Resources Analyst, Darrell Ludlow, and Human Resources Analysts, Ornita Brown, Bruce Ross, Doris Adotey, Amy Luthanen, Nosa Ekhator, Erica Burks, and Derrick Gentry.
AGENDA ITEMS APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE 3/26/2015 MEETING. Minutes were previously routed for review. Review of the minutes was completed during the closed session of the meeting and unanimously approved in the open session. APPOINTMENT TO THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE Patrice Dawson and Daneka Simpson to the position of Full-Time Customer Relations Representative in the Department of Water. This position was posted as an open-competitive exam. The staff provided information in accordance with the rules for appointment to the classified service through the competitive process. The candidates met the minimum requirements for the position, competed and obtained passing grades on the exam, and were selected from among the candidates referred to the department. The Commission approved this item. Zachary Metz, William Blakey, and Ronald Zude to the position of Plant Operator1 (Water) in the Department of Water. This position was posted as an open-competitive exam. The staff provided information in accordance with the rules for appointment to the classified service through the competitive process. The candidates met the minimum requirements for the position, competed and obtained passing grades on the exam, and were selected from among the candidates referred to the department. The Commission approved this item, pending final authorization from Employee Health Services. Maureen Delanye, Austin Corder, Micah Reese, Jared Roe and Christopher Byrge to the position of Plant Operator 1 (Wastewater) in the Department of Sewers. This position was posted as an open-competitive exam. The staff provided information in accordance with the rules for appointment to the classified service through the competitive process. The candidates met the minimum requirements for the position, competed and obtained passing grades on the exam, and were selected from among the candidates referred to the department. The Commission approved this item, pending final authorization from Employee Health Services. John Strassburger to the position of Inspector 1 (Elevators) in the City Planning Department. The staff provided information in accordance with the rules for the non-competitive appointment process. The candidate met the minimum qualifications for the position as outlined in the job posting, possessed the required skills and licensure, and was selected from among the qualifying candidates referred to the department. The Commission suspended the requirement for competition and approved the appointment. Cecille Domingo-Jones to the position of Community Center Director (Therapeutics) in the Recreation Department. The staff provided information in accordance with the rules for the noncompetitive appointment process. The candidate met the minimum qualifications for the Page | 1
APRIL 9, 2015 MINUTES cont’d… position as outlined in the job posting, possessed the required skills, and was selected from among the qualifying candidates referred to the department. Due to the professional nature of the work, the Commission suspended the requirement for competition and approved the appointment. Sviatiana Haubner, Evan McGuffy and Sergey Portyanko to the position of Laboratory Technician 1 in the Department of Sewers. The staff provided information in accordance with the rules for the non-competitive appointment process. The candidates met the minimum qualifications for the position as outlined in the job posting, possessed the required skills, and were selected from among the qualifying candidates referred to the department. Due to the professional and scientific nature of the work, the Commission suspended the requirement for competition and approved the appointments, pending final authorization from Employee Health Services. NOTICE OF PERSONNEL ACTION Gregory Williams to the position of Truck Driver in the Department of Water. This position was posted as a promotional examination. The candidate met the minimum qualifications for the position as outlined in the job posting, was referred to the department and selected within the Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines. The Commission noted this item. Geneva Goode to the position of Nursing Supervisor in the Health Department. This position was posted as a promotional examination. The candidate met the minimum qualifications for the position as outlined in the job posting, was referred to the department and selected within the Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines. The Commission noted this item. Timothy McCann to the position of Parks/Recreation Maintenance Crew Leader (Grounds Maintenance) in the Parks Department. This position was posted as a promotional examination. The candidate met the minimum qualifications for the position as outlined in the job posting, was referred to the department and selected within the Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines. The Commission noted this item. Matt Hood to the position of Parks/Recreation Maintenance Crew Leader (Grounds Maintenance) in the Parks Department. This position was posted as a promotional examination. The candidate met the minimum qualifications for the position as outlined in the job posting, was referred to the department and selected within the Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines. The Commission noted this item. William T. Ritter to the position of Fire Apparatus Operator in the Fire Department. This position was posted as a promotional examination. The candidate met the minimum qualifications for the position as outlined in the job posting, was referred to the department and selected by rank order within the guidelines of the CSC Rules and the IAAF Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Commission noted this item. Derrick Bearfield to the position of Laborer in the Recreation Department. Commission Staff verified all required criteria for promotion within the guidelines of cited rules. The candidate met the minimum qualifications for the position and was selected from the Municipal Worker seniority list. The Commission noted this item. Matthew Hulme to the position of Assistant Parking Services Supervisor in the Department of Trade and Development. Commission Staff verified all required criteria for promotion within the guidelines of cited rules. The candidates met the minimum qualifications for the position and Page | 2
APRIL 9, 2015 MINUTES cont’d… was selected from among the candidates referred to the department by staff within the Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines. The Commission noted this item. Renee Tyree to the position of Administrative Technician in the City Manager’s Office/Retirement Division. The Parks Department provided notice of the transfer of the candidate to the position of Administrative Technician in the City Manager’s Office/Retirement Division. The candidate was selected based on Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines. The Commission noted this item. Edward Frank to the position of Facility Maintenance Specialist in the Department of Water. The Department of Sewers provided notice of the transfer of the candidate to the position of Facility Maintenance Specialist in the Department of Water. The candidate was selected in compliance with Collective Bargaining Agreement guidelines. The Commission noted this item. Raymond Litkenhaus to the position of Parks/Recreation Maintenance Crew Leader (Airport) in the Department of Transportation and Engineering. Commission staff verified all required criteria for the promotion. The candidate met the minimum qualifications, successfully passed an exam for the position, and was referred to the department in compliance with the CODE bargaining agreement guidelines. The Commission noted this item as a promotion from the eligible list in lieu of a promotion without exam. REQUEST FOR PROMOTION WITHOUT EXAM Christopher Clark to the position of Inspector 1 in the City Planning Department. The candidate completed the minimum requirements of the position and was selected for promotion without exam based on Civil Service Rule 10 § 9(B), as he has acquired the pertinent licensure required from the International Code Council (ICC) within the specified time frame listed in the classification specification. The Commission suspended the requirement for competition and approved the promotion without exam. REQUEST FOR TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT Greg Pychewicz and David Moonitz to the position of Investigator in the Citizen Compliant Authority Department. . The Citizen Compliant Authority Department has an urgent need to process a backlog of investigations and have selected Greg Pychewicz and David Moonitz to fill in temporarily in order to maintain the operational needs of the department. These two candidates possess the specialized background and experience necessary to effectively provide continuity in service to the public at this critical time. The Commission approved the temporary appointments. REQUEST FOR TRANSFER AND VOLUNTARY DEMOTION Carrie Howell to the position of Clerk Typist 3 within the Police Department. The Police Department requested that Ms. Howell be permitted to voluntary demote and transfer from the position of Operator and Dispatcher in the City Manager’s Office/Emergency Communications Center to the position of Clerk Typist 3 in the Police Department. Ms. Howell signed a voluntary demotion form detailing the rules of accepting the demotion and noted her acceptance of those rules. All parties were agreeable to the voluntary demotion and transfer. The Commission approved this item.
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APRIL 9, 2015 MINUTES cont’d… Annette Whaley to the position of Customer Relations Representative within the Health Department. The City Manager’s Office/Emergency Communication Center requested that Ms. Whaley be permitted to voluntary demote and transfer from the position of Assistant Operator and Dispatcher to the position of Customer Relations Representative in the Health Department as a result of a request for reasonable accommodation. Ms. Whaley signed a voluntary demotion form detailing the rules of accepting the demotion and noted her acceptance of those rules. All parties were agreeable to the voluntary demotion and transfer. The Commission approved this item. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF ELIGIBLE LISTS a) Civil Engineering Technician 2 (Office) – Promotional b) Emergency Services Dispatch Supervisor – Open c) Police Recruit (14-00280) – Open The Commission approved these items REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF EXAM SCHEDULES a) Civil Engineering Technician 3 exam b) Wastewater Collection Inspector exam c) Truck Driver exam The Commission approved these items REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SPECIAL EXAMINERS a) Michael Cossins and Mardie Fritts for the Senior Engineering Technician 3 exam b) Dan Wolf, Curtis Chandler and Gilbert Axle for the Fire Specialist (Investigator) exam The Commission approved these items REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF TEST REVIEW MATERIALS a) Civil Engineering Technician 2 (Office) – Promotional b) Civil Engineering Technician 3 - Promotional c) Water Customer Service Representative 2 – Promotional The Commission approved these items REQUEST FOR THE APPROVAL OF CLASSIFICATION STUDY FINDINGS a) Classification Study for Sabrina Burton-Simonson, Administrative Specialist The Commission approved this item REQUEST FOR THE APPROVAL OF NEW AND/OR REVISED CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATIONS a) Assistant Treatment Superintendent (Wastewater Treatment) b) Senior Human Resources Analyst (Human Capital Management) Investigator Internal Auditor Human Resources Analyst Human Resources Analyst (Generalist) Page | 4
APRIL 9, 2015 MINUTES cont’d… c) Plant Maintenance Supervisor (Welding) d) Service Area Coordinator (Parks) e) Division Manager (Debt Management) Division Manager (Financial Reporting) Division Manager (Financial Operations) The Commission approved these items CLASSIFICATION: Request from Departments to add/delete positions to their table of organization a) Department of Public Services: Add (1) HVAC Specialist. Delete (1) Plumber b) Department of Public Services: Add (2) Litter Control Officers. Delete (2) Structure Maintenance Workers c) Health Department: Delete (1) Administrative Technician, (5) Litter Control Officers and (1) Supervising Sanitarian d) Department of Water: Add (1) Water Works Maintenance Field Supervisor. Delete (1) Senior Engineer e) Department of Fire: Add (24) Fire Fighters The Commission approved these items APPEAL TO THE COMMISSION: Information Items a) Appeal Hearing Schedule Name David Johnson
Scheduled for: 2nd Continuance Requested/March 26, 2015 Meeting Cancelled/Appellant Seeking New Representation
Richard Johnson
Hearing Scheduled for April 23, 2015
Phillip Jones
Hearing Scheduled for May 14, 2015
Robert DeBonis
Subpoenaed Documents Delivered/ReScheduling pending acquisition of additional documents by Appellant
Banita Bell (Board of Education)
Appeal Hearing to be Scheduled
The Commission noted this item APPLICATION FOR ENTRANCE EXAM APPEALS Request from Andrew Setters to appeal the rejection of his application for the Supervising Management Analyst (Communications) exam. The candidate was not present at the meeting. Commission staff provided information submitted by the applicant pertaining to the request. The Commission denied the request.
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APRIL 9, 2015 MINUTES cont’d… Request from the below list of Police Recruit candidates to appeal their disqualification from the Police Recruit hiring process. Senior Human Resources Analyst, Darrell Ludlow and Sergeant Steve Saunders from the Cincinnati Police Department were present at the meeting to provide information submitted by absentee applicants and additional information as necessary to the Commission. Ryan Axle – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Jennifer Berkowitz – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to drug use 20 years prior, no convictions, and previous Police Officer for the City of Columbus 9 years ago. The Commission approved the request. Derri Cantlope – Not present at the meeting. Letter regarding family medical issue submitted by the candidate and presented to the Commission for consideration. Request to reschedule approved by the Commission. Daniel Carusone – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Joshua Fox – Not present at the meeting. Staff provided information submitted by the applicant pertaining to the appeal request. The Commission denied the request. Katelyn Hoffbaur – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Christopher Lind – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Karmon Lyshe – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Andrew Mohr – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Joseph Pashea – Not present at the meeting. Sergeant Saunders of the Cincinnati Police Department read the letter provided by the candidate regarding the removal of tattoos. The Commission denied the request. Donshay Peoples – Not present at the meeting. Staff provided information submitted by the applicant pertaining to the appeal request. The Commission denied the request. Courtney Pennington – Not present at the meeting. Staff provided information submitted by the applicant pertaining to the appeal request. The Commission denied the request. Lawrence Perry – Present at the meeting and presented being current on child support payments. Commissioner Perry had been to Court for failure to pay. Sergeant Department provided Mr. Perry’s payment history to approved the request.
additional information pertaining to McNeal inquired as to whether Mr. Saunders of the Cincinnati Police the Commission. The Commission
Chris Reisenberg – Not present at the meeting. Staff read letter submitted by the applicant pertaining to the appeal request and the reason for not being able to attend. The Commission denied the request.
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APRIL 9, 2015 MINUTES cont’d… Douglas Sand – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal, admission of the use of LSD in 1989, Barbiturates in 1984 on the Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ), and thereafter serving in the military for 23 years. The Commission approved the request. Brandon Schmitt – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Joseph Vennemeire – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Justin Van Niman – Not present at the meeting. Staff read letter submitted by the applicant pertaining to the appeal request and reason for not being able to attend due to military obligations. The Commission denied the request. Shameka Walker – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal. The Commission denied the request. Endora Wallace-Harvey – Not present at the meeting. Staff read letter submitted by the applicant pertaining to omissions on the Personnel History Questionnaire (PHQ). The Commission denied the request. Charles Watson – Present at the meeting and presented additional information pertaining to the appeal request. The Commission denied the request. REQUEST TO APPEAR BEFORE COMMISSION Request from Gregg Beasley to appear before the Commission regarding the Water Works Maintenance Field Supervisor temporary placement in the position. Mr. Beasley was present at the meeting and stated that he was temporarily transferred into the higher position of Water Works Maintenance Field Supervisor for over a year and he believes that the Civil Service Rule regarding temporary appointments should be interpreted to allow him permanent appointment to the position. Civil Service Rule 8, Section 3 governs that this qualifies him to be promoted to the position. Ms. Olind, Assistant HR Director, explained that employees placed in temporary positions under the AFSCME contract are governed by the rules of the bargaining unit; which supersedes Civil Service rules and, as a matter of notation, Commission noted this item. Request from Deandre Williams to appear before the Commission regarding the rejection of his transfer application for the Laborer selection process. Mr. Williams was noted as not present, but later entered at the closing of the meeting to provide additional information pertaining to his request. Senior Human Resources Analyst, Darrell Ludlow, was also present. Doris Simmons, from the Recreation Department approached the table to inquire about Mr. Williams’ eligibility for the position. Nancy Olind, Asst. Director of Human Resources explained the 12-month rule related to the labor agreement. Mr. Williams stated he now understood. Commission noted this item. Request from Nancy Shaw to appear before the Commission regarding the rejection of her transfer application for the Laborer selection process. Ms. Shaw was not present at the meeting. Commission staff provided the information submitted with the request. The Commission noted this item.
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APRIL 9, 2015 MINUTES cont’d… INFORMATION ITEMS Juan Collier regarding the position of Truck Driver in the Department of Water. The candidate was not present at the meeting. A request from the Department of Water to hire this candidate to the position of Truck Driver was approved by the Commission on March 26, 2015, pending approval by Employee Health Services. The Employee Health Services did not approve the candidate; therefore, the department withdrew its offer of employment. The Commission noted this item. The Human Resources Department provided notice of a review of Civil Service transactions. A review of departmental Civil Service transactions and actions taken to identify potential gaps in forwarding notices or requests to the Commission for approval and notation. Transactions that were identified have been submitted to the Commission. The Commission noted this item. The Human Resources Department is providing notice of correspondence received from CODE. The Human Resources Department provided notice of correspondence. Commissioner Robinson noted receipt of a letter from Counsel for CODE dated March 27, 2015, and stated that the letter is under consideration at this time. The Commission noted this item. Information on Legal Opinion related to employee political activity. The Commission received the legal opinion formally requested from the City’s Law Department on the matter of employees participating in political activity. The Commission noted this item. The legal representatives of the Cincinnati Organization of Dedicated Employees (CODE) Bargaining Unit have requested to address each item on the agenda per Civil Service Rule 2, Section 5. CODE representatives were not present at the meeting. The Commission noted the request to address all items as waived.
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