02/13/1996CIVIL SERVICE BOARD
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 13, 1996
Present:
John Doran
Bill Carroza
Sydney Snair
Annette Patterson
H. Michael Laursen
Leslie Dougall-Sides
Susan Highsmith
Gwen Legters
Chair
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Human Resources Director
Assistant City Attorney
Employee Relations Manager
Board Reporter
Absent:
Mary Drew Kane
Board Member
To provide continuity, the items are listed in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order.
The regular session of the Civil Service Board was called to order at 5:00 p.m. Ms. Highsmith left the meeting after the introductions. Charyll Jones of the Clearwater Gas Division
was present to speak under Citizens to be Heard.
Member Carroza moved to approve the minutes of December 12, 1995, according to written copies submitted to each member by the board reporter. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
3. Hearing Officer’s Recommended Order -- Calvin Holley vs. City of Clearwater
Member Patterson moved to waive reading of the charges. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Mr. Laursen noted, as Mr. Holley did not appear at the January 5, 1996
hearing of his employee dismissal appeal, no hearing was held and no transcript exists.
Member Carroza moved to accept the Hearing Officer’s recommended order. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Determination of Penalty was signed by the Chair and
submitted for the record.
Discussion ensued regarding the certified mailing procedure.
4. Annual Report to the City Commission -- February 15, 1996
After a brief discussion, Member Doran agreed to present the report and invited Board members to attend.
5. Director’s Reports -- Civil Service Board Election
Mr. Laursen stated Member Kane’s term expiration is approaching and the City Clerk has initiated the employee election process. Nominations will be received from City employees through
February 27. The election date is to be determined.
Member Snair reported Ms. Kane is interested in seeking reelection.
6. Old Business
Member Doran expressed appreciation for implementation of the new hearing officer process. Board members thanked Ms. Dougall-Sides for her part in the long-awaited achievement of this
objective.
Member Doran questioned if another follow-up is needed regarding conditions in the Police Department communications center. It was indicated the situation will be resolved when the
police move into the new Municipal Services Complex.
7. Board Discussion
Members Carroza and Patterson were congratulated for receiving appointments to serve second terms.
Mr. Laursen reported the City Manager has requested addressing the overlap of Civil Service Rules with union contracts. He will bring this forward at a future meeting.
8. Employees / Citizens to be Heard
Charyll Jones, a City employee, expressed her dissatisfaction with the circumstances surrounding her transfer from the City’s Solid Waste division to the Clearwater Gas System. She
said she was instructed by her attorney to appear at this meeting to have her concern placed on the record prior to filing a grievance. Ms. Jones explained in detail how she accepted
the transfer upon the recommendation of Mr. Laursen without being fully aware her seniority and chances for promotion would be decreased. She recounted details of conversations with
Mr. Laursen, her relationships with other employees, and working conditions on both jobs. She complained she had been sold out and felt it was because she is a black female.
Ms. Jones responded to Board questions regarding a personality conflict with another employee in Solid Waste, others having been moved into positions Ms. Jones was seeking, and why
she felt her race was an influencing factor.
Mr. Laursen responded he had been working with Ms. Jones prior to her transfer because she was not happy with working conditions and supervision in the Solid
Waste division. He said he offered to perform an audit of her job, but she did not complete the questionnaire to initiate the process. He explained how he worked with Deputy City Manager
Kathy Rice, Gas System Managing Director Chuck Warrington, and Solid Waste Director Bob Brumback, to find positions for both Ms. Jones and another employee whose position was cut from
the City Economic Development department. Mr. Laursen said he believed the transfers would benefit both employees and the City. He said Ms. Jones’ transfer was not mandated, but offered
as a possible solution that she accepted.
In response to questions, Mr. Laursen said Ms. Jones had expressed an interest in becoming a customer service representative. A number of customer service positions exist in the Gas
System, although none were open at the time of her transfer. While Solid Waste has no customer service positions, future recycling positions could open for which Ms. Jones may qualify.
Responding to further questions, Mr. Laursen explained the grievance procedure. He said the process requires the employee to allege a violation has occurred and to follow a series
of progressive steps. He will provide to Ms. Jones: 1) a copy of the Civil Service Rules to include the grievance process; 2) instructions how to proceed, if she desires; and 3) a copy
of the draft minutes of today’s meeting.
9. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
Chair
Civil Service Board
Attest:
Board Reporter