HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CSC-2022-06-01CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
June 1, 2022
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Richardson
Commissioner Abrams
Commissioner Thompson (arrived at 11:50 AM)
Staff Present: Valerie Saul (Deputy Director of Human Resources)
Schelley Michell-Nunn (Director of Human Resources)
Pursuant to NYS bill S.50001/A.40001, the meeting was conducted via Zoom.
The Commission received recommended modifications to the proposed revisions to the
Police Chief job description from Alderperson Cynthia Brock in advance of the meeting.
Commissioner Richardson called the meeting to order at 11:42 AM.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the minutes from the May 4, 2022
meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 2-0.
NEW BUSINESS
New Position Duties Statement: Ithaca City School District – Microcomputer
Technician
The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the Ithaca
City School District. Commissioner Richardson made a motion to classify the position as
Microcomputer Technician. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 2-0.
[Commissioner Thompson joined the meeting at 11:50 AM.]
Update of Job Description and Revision of Minimum Qualifications – Police Chief
The Commission discussed proposed revisions to the Police Chief job description and
minimum qualifications at length. The proposed revisions included draft changes that were
submitted by Acting Mayor Laura Lewis, in collaboration with Director of Human Resources
Schelley Michell-Nunn and Chief of Staff Faith Vavra, and additional revisions requested by
Alderperson Cynthia Brock. Deputy Director of Human Resources Valerie Saul noted that
the spec ial requirement referenced by Alderperson Brock reflects the provisions of NYSCSL
58-1(b), and that the state law will prevail regardless of what is written in the local job
description.
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to adopt the revisions to the Police Chief job
description as submitted by the Acting Mayor. The motion was not seconded. After further
discussion, Commissioner Richardson made a motion to incorporate an amended version
of the second sentence of the proposed revisions to the “Distinguishing Features of the
Class” section which shall read as follows: “The position provides administrative oversight
to the Police Department and maintains collaborative relationships with the County -wide
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June 1, 2022 Page 2
public safety dispatch center and other regional law enforcement agencies, as well as mental
health and human service providers and law enforcement assisted diversion programs.” and
to amend the sixth typical work activity to read “Oversees crime reduction, violence
intervention, crime prevention, participation and engagement with the City of Ithaca
Community Police Review Board, and community policing programs designed to improve
public safety and ensure the highest possible quality of life for all individuals.” Seconded by
Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to adopt the proposed revisions to the Police Chief
job description as submitted by the Acting Mayor and amended by the Civil Service
Commission as noted above, and to revise the minimum qualifications to read as follows:
“MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or
university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Police Science,
Criminology or a closely related field with similar course curriculum and four (4)
years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, at least two (2)
years of which must have been at or above the second-line supervisory level; or
B. Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college with
an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Police Science, Criminology or a
closely related field with similar course curriculum and six (6) years of
progressively responsible law enforcement experience, at least two (2) years of
which must have been at or above the second-line supervisory level; or
C. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma
and eight (8) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience, at
least two (2) years of which must have been at or above the second-line supervisory
level.
NOTE: “Second-line” supervision refers to the second level of supervisory authority in an
agency. For the purpose of these qualifications, it must include the supervision of
supervisory law enforcement officers. In the Ithaca Police Department, for example, it
would equate to the level of Police Lieutenant. Sec ond-line supervisory experience must
have been gained through an actual appointment into a second-line supervisory position.
“Acting” or “out-of -title” second-line supervisory experience is not qualifying experience.”
Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Update of Job Description and Revision of Minimum Qualifications – Microcomputer
Specialist
The Commission reviewed proposed updates to the Microcomputer Specialist job
description. The updates reflect current reporting relationships, work tasks, and activities ;
they do not change the overall scope or nature of the position. Additionally, the minimum
qualifications are being updated as follows:
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June 1, 2022 Page 3
“MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A. Graduation from a NYS registered or regionally accredited college or university with a
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Technology or a closely related field
with similar course curriculum AND one (1) year of full-time paid experience, or its part-
time paid equivalent, in the management or support of computer systems including
substantial experience in the setup and installation of computer hardware and software;
or
B. Graduation from a NYS registered or regionally accredited college or university with a
Bachelor’s Degree AND a repair or proficiency certification from relevant technology
companies (Apple, Google, Microsoft, JAMF, Aruba, CompTIA, or other comparable
company) AND one (1) year of full-time paid experience, or its part-time paid equivalent,
in the management or support of computer systems including substantial experience in
the setup and installation of computer hardware and software, or
C. Graduation from a NYS registered or regionally accredited junior or community college
with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science, Computer Technology or a closely
related field with similar course curriculum AND three (3) years of full-time paid
experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, in the management or support of computer
systems including substantial experience in the setup and installation of computer
hardware and software; or
D. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma AND
five (5) years of full-time paid experience, or its part-time paid equivalent, in the
management or support of computer systems including substantial experience in the
setup and installation of computer hardware and software; or
E. Any equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A),
(B), (C) and (D) above.”
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to update the Microcomputer Specialist job
description and revise the minimum qualifications as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner
Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Reclassification Request: IPD – Office Assistant to Administrative Assistant
The Commission reviewed and discussed the proposed reclassification of the Office
Assistant position at the Ithaca Police Department to Administrative Assistant.
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to reclassify the position to Administrative
Assistant. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
New Position Duties Statement and Adoption of Job Description: Ithaca Police
Department – Police Records Supervisor
The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the Ithaca
Police Department and the proposed job description for Police Records Supervisor .
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to classify the position as Police Records
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June 1, 2022 Page 4
Supervisor and adopt the job description as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner
Thompson. Motion carried 3-0.
New Position Duties Statement and Adoption of Job Description: Planning
Department – Assistant Planner
The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the
Planning Department and the proposed job description for Assistant Planner. Commissioner
Abrams made a motion to classify the position as Assistant Planner and adopt the job
description as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 3-0.
Revision of Minimum Qualifications – Planner and Senior Planner
The Commission reviewed proposed expansions to the qualifying degree fields for the
Planner and Senior Planner positions. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to revise
the minimum qualifications for Planner and Senior Planner as follows:
Planner
“MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:
(a) Graduation from a regionally accredited university or one accredited by the
New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Master’s degree in
planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, historic
preservation, public administration, public policy, economic development,
environmental studies or a closely related field with similar course curriculum;
or
(b) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited
by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s
degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, historic
preservation, public administration, public policy, economic development,
engineering, environmental studies or a closely related field with similar course
curriculum and one (1) year of full-time paid experience, or its part-time paid
and/or volunteer equivalent, in municipal, community or regional planning; or
(c) An equivalent combination or training and experience as defined by limits of
(a) and (b).”
Senior Planner
“MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Either:
(a) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited
by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Master’s
degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, historic
preservation, public administration, public policy, economic development,
engineering, environmental studies or a closely related field with similar course
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June 1, 2022 Page 5
curriculum and one (1) year of full-time paid professional experience, or its
part-time paid equivalent, in municipal, community or regional planning; or
(b) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited
by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor ’s
degree in planning, architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, historic
preservation, public administration, public policy, economic development,
engineering, environmental studies or a closely related field with similar course
curriculum and two (2) years of full-time paid professional experience, or its
part-time paid equivalent, in municipal, community or regional planning; or
(c) An equivalent combination or training and experience as defined by limits of
(a) and (b).
Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Motion to Add an Item to the Agenda
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to add a request to expand the residency requirement
for the Customer Service Representative Trainee position to the agenda. Seconded by
Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 3-0.
Request to Expand Residency Requirement – Customer Service Representative
Trainee
The Commission reviewed and discussed a request from the Deputy City Chamberlain to
expand the residency requirement for Customer Service Representative Trainee to include
the contiguous counties. The position has been advertised multiple times over the past six
months and only one of the three vacant positions has been successfully filled.
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to expand the residency requirement for Customer
Service Representative Trainee to include the contiguous counties, through the completion
of the next civil service examination process. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson.
Motion carried 3-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to go into executive session and pause recording
of the meeting to discuss civil service examination matters. Seconded by Commissioner
Abrams. Motion carried 3-0. During executive session, the Commission took the following
actions:
CONTINUING BUSINESS
Establishment of Eligible Lists
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to establish the eligible lists specified below for the
time period indicated. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 3-0.
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June 1, 2022 Page 6
Financial Management Assistant #68-820 (1 year)
Senior Account Clerk -Typist #70-549 (1 year)
Addition of Candidates to Continuous Recruitment Eligible Lists
Commissioner Abrams m ade a motion to add candidates to the continuous recruitment
eligible lists. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Personnel Transactions
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the monthly personnel transactions.
Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 3-0.
The next Civil Service Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at 11:30
AM .
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:11 PM .