HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CSC-2009-04-01CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
Regular Meeting
April 1, 2009
Commissioners Present: Commissioner Richardson
Commissioner Abrams
Commissioner Thompson
Staff Present: Valerie Saul (Deputy Director of Human Resources)
Brian Wilbur (Fire Chief)
Commissioner Richardson called the meeting to order at 9:55 am.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2009
meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to go into executive session to discuss two
personnel matters involving employee medical issues. Seconded by Commissioner
Thompson. Motion carried 3-0. During executive session, the Commission took the
following actions:
Appointment of Section 72 Medical Officer
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to appoint Dr. John Bezirganian as the medical
officer for an independent medical examination to be conducted pursuant to Section 72 of
NYS Civil Service Law. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Request for Extension of Medical Leave of Absence
The request was not submitted by the Ithaca City School District. No action was taken.
NEW BUSINESS
New Position Duties Statement and Update of Job Description: DPW – Bridge
Systems Engineer
The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the
Department of Public Works, and their request to update the corresponding job description
of Bridge Systems Engineer. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to classify the
position as Bridge Systems Engineer and to update the Bridge Systems Engineer job
description as requested. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Civil Service Commission
April 1, 2009
Page 2
New Position Duties Statement and Adoption of Job Description: DPW –
Wastewater Treatment Plant Instrumentation Technician Trainee
The Commission reviewed and discussed a New Position Duties Statement from the
Water and Sewer Division of the Department of Public Works and the proposed job
description for Wastewater Treatment Plant Instrumentation Technician Trainee.
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to classify the position as Wastewater
Treatment Plant Instrumentation Technician Trainee and adopt the job description as
proposed. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0.
Update of Job Description: Head Building Maintenance Mechanic
The Commission reviewed and discussed a request from the Ithaca Housing Authority to
update the job description for Head Building Maintenance Mechanic to reflect its current
job duties and responsibilities. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to update the job
description as requested. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 3-0.
Revision of Special Requirements – Supervisor of Electrical Services
The Commission reviewed and discussed a request from Assistant Superintendent of
Public Works Rick Ferrel to revise the special requirements for the Supervisor of Electrical
Services position to accept municipal electrician licenses from other NYS municipalities
during the first two years of employment. The new special requirements will read as follows:
“SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
A. Candidates must hold certification from the City of Ithaca or other New York
State municipality that issues municipal Electrician licenses as a Licensed
Electrician at the time of appointment.
B. Candidates must obtain certification from the City of Ithaca as a Licensed
Electrician within two years of the date of appointment and must maintain said
certification for the duration of employment.
C. Possession of a valid New York State Class B Commercial Drivers License at the
time of appointment and maintenance of said license for the duration of
employment.
D. Candidates must obtain Traffic Signal Level 1 and Level 2 Certification issued by
the International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA) within two (2) years of
appointment and must maintain said certification for the duration of employment.”
Commissioner Thompson made a motion to revise the special requirements as proposed.
Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Request to Expand Residency Requirement – Supervisor of Electrical Services
The Commission reviewed and discussed a request from Assistant Superintendent of
Public Works Rick Ferrel to expand the residency requirement for the current Supervisor
Civil Service Commission
April 1, 2009
Page 3
of Electrical Services vacancy to include all of New York State. The two recent
recruitment efforts did not yield any qualified candidates. With the revised special
requirement that allows for reciprocal electrician licenses from other NYS municipalities, a
greater pool of applicants will be available if the residency requirement is expanded
statewide. After discussion, Commissioner Thompson made a motion to expand the
residency requirement for the Supervisor of Electrical Services position to include all of
New York State, through the completion of the next exam process. Seconded by
Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Residency Requirements for Open-Competitive Examinations
The Commission reviewed data regarding current residency requirements of other City
civil service agencies in NYS, recruitment statistics for open-competitive examinations for
the past three years, and current residency statistics for the City workforce. Deputy
Human Resources Director Saul confirmed that the Commission cannot establish
separate residency requirements for open-competitive exams that apply exclusively to
current City employees. The residency requirements for open-competitive exams must
apply consistently to all applicants. The Commission discussed options for residency
requirements for open-competitive exams and confirmed their current position that local
Tompkins County residents should have preference in hiring for City of Ithaca jobs.
Residency waivers will continue to be granted if recruitment difficulties within Tompkins
County are demonstrated. No action was taken to amend the current residency policy.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to go into executive session to discuss civil
service examination matters. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0.
During executive session, the Commission took the following actions:
CONTINUING BUSINESS
Approval of Rosters of Candidates for Examination
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the Rosters of Candidates for
Examination listed below. Seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Motion carried 3-0.
Geographic Information System Map Technician #66-058
Geographic Information System Specialist #73-995
Establishment of Eligible Lists
Commissioner Abrams made a motion to establish the eligible lists specified below for the
time period indicated. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0.
Occupational Therapist #10-453 (1 year)
Tenant Relations Coordinator #68-817 (2 years)
Civil Service Commission
April 1, 2009
Page 4
Addition of Names to Continuous Recruitment Eligible Lists
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to add names to the continuous recruitment
eligible lists. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0.
Approval of Personnel Transactions
Commissioner Richardson made a motion to approve the Personnel Transactions.
Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0.
The next Civil Service Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at 9:30
am.
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:37 am.