HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Civil Service Commission Agenda 10/24/2024
AGENDA
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
CITY HALL COUNCIL
CHAMBERS 515 CLARK
AVENUE
October 24, 2024
CALL TO ORDER: 8:15 a.m.
1. Approval of the Minutes of the September 26, 2024, Regular Civil Service Commission
Meeting
2. Certification of Entry-Level Applicants
3. Request to Remove Names and Exhaust GIS Specialist List
4. Request to Exhaust HR Officer List
5. Request to Remove Names and Exhaust Maintenance Worker – Streets List
6. Request to Remove Names from Police Officer List
7. Discussion: Suspension of Aspects of Civil Service for Police Officer Recruiting
8. Next Regular Commission Meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2024
9. Special Civil Service Commission Meeting set for November 6, 2024
COMMENTS:
ADJOURNMENT:
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE
AMES CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
AMES, IOWA SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
The Regular Meeting of the Ames Civil Service Commission met in regular session in the Council Chambers
of City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, with Commission Members, Harold Pike, Kim Linduska and Larry Conley
present. Linduska called the meeting to order at 8:15 AM on September 26, 2024. Also in attendance was
HR Director, Bethany Ballou, and Legal Counsel, Erin Clayton with Brick Gentry P.C. and with
Commission Clerk, Vicki Hillock.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF AUGUST 22, 2024: Moved by Pike, seconded by Conley, to approve
the Minutes of the August 22, 2024, Regular Service Commission meeting. Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion
declared carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 13, 2024: Moved by Linduska, seconded by Pike, to
approve the Minutes of the September 13, 2024, Special Service Commission meeting. Vote on Motion: 3-
0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
CERTIFICATION OF ENTRY-LEVEL APPLICANTS: Moved by Conley, seconded by Linduska, to
certify the following individuals to the Ames City Council as Entry-Level Applicants:
GIS Specialist Freddy Segura 81
Taha Adlulaimi 74
Housing Inspector Noah Kuehl 85
Lance Martens 78
Human Resources Officer I Shaylene Houston-Ballentine 87
Amber Davis 78
Ice Arena Coordinator Alex Tiengkham 77
Abigail Nelson 73
Power Plant Custodian Laurie Molle 86*
Tammy Jo Sonich 79
Renae J. Sudbeck-Lowe 79
Michael Whaley 78
Nichole Schall 73
Principal Clerk – CyRide Matthew Crain 78
Baylee Fassler 75
Public Safety Dispatcher Laurie Molle 86*
Jason Vennard 85*
Ashley Benson-Holmes 77
Benjamin Brotherson 75
Kristina Brekke 72
Transit Trainer Timothy Burry 79*
Heidi Ragusi 76
Philip Roetman 74
*Includes preference points
Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
RECEIVE AND FILE JOINT MOTION TO RESET HEARING DATE: Moved by Linduska, seconded
by Conley, to receive and file Joint Motion to Reset Hearing Date for Termination Appeal for Sarah McClure
for November 13 and November 14, 2024.
Vote on Motion: 3-0. Motion declared carried unanimously.
RATIFY NOTICE OF HEARING DATE: Moved by Pike, seconded by Conley, to ratify Notice of
Hearing Date November 13 and November 14, 2024.
COMMENTS: The next Regular Meeting will be held in-person on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 8:15am
in Council Chamber of City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 8:26 AM.
__________________________________ _______________________________________
Kim Linduska, Chairperson Vicki Hillock, Commission Clerk
ENTRY-LEVEL:
Electrical Engineer I Patrick Musoy 79
Aladdin Adam 70
Maintenance Worker - Streets Rodger Cox III 80
Gabriel Ford 78
Gabriel Tedrow 76
Maintenance Worker - Utilities Owen Hunter 80
Gabriel Ford 78
Gabriel Tedrow 76
Management Analyst Jeramy Neefus 80
Ethan Wherry 76
Recreation Coordinator Alex Krook 84
- Programs and Facilities Jarrett Van Wyk 73
Streets Operations Supervisor Erick Hill 81
Matthew Elbert 79
Ben Silvers 77
* Includes preference points
** Indicates carryover from prior certified list
PROMOTIONAL-LEVEL:
ADDITIONAL ITEMS:
Memo to remove names and exhaust GIS Specialist list
Memo to exhaust HR Officer I list
Memo to remove names and exhaust Maintenance Worker - Streets list
Memo to remove names from Police Officer list
Discussion: Suspension of Aspects of Civil Service for Police Officer Recruitment
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING
October 24, 2024
Certified entry-level (10/24/2024):Score
Patrick Musoy 79
Aladdin Adam 70
ELECTRICAL ENGINEER I - 4319
Certified entry-level (10/24/2024)Score
Streets - sublist
Rodger Cox III 80
Gabriel Ford 78
Gabriel Tedrow 76
MAINTENANCE WORKER - 6112
Certified entry-level (10/24/2024)Score
Utilites - sublist
Owen Hunter 80
Gabriel Ford 78
Gabriel Tedrow 776
MAINTENANCE WORKER - 6112
Certified entry-level (10/24/2024):Score
Jeramy Neefus 80
Ethan Wherry 76
MANAGEMENT ANALYST - 0614
Certified entry-level (10/24/2024):Score
Alex Krook 84
Jarrett Van Wyk 73
RECREATION COORDINATOR - 3217
Certified entry-level (10/24/2024):Score
Erick Hill 81
Matthew Elbert 79
Ben Silvers 77
STREETS OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR - 6213
Caring People Quality Programs Exceptional Service
515.239.5199 main
515.232.5297 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
Human Resources Department
MEMO
Date: October 24, 2024
To: Civil Service Commission
From: Bethany Ballou, Human Resources Director
Subject: Remove Name from and Exhaust Certified List
for GIS Specialist
On the agenda for the October 24, 2024, Civil Service Commission meeting, the
Commission will discuss a request from City staff to remove names from the
certified list for the GIS Specialist classification, which was approved on
September 26, 2024
Freddy Segura – Declined offer of appointment on October 16, 2024 via email.
Section 4.5 (Removal of Names from Certified Lists) of the Civil Service
commission Policies and Procedures states: “A person appearing on a certified
list for original appointment shall have their name removed from the list by the
Commission whenever that person has requested that their name be removed , or
refuses an interview or an offer of appointment…or fails to respond to a written
notice.”
One candidate would remain on this list.
Section 4.2 (Curation of Entry Level Eligibility Lists) of the Civil Service
Commission Policies and Procedures states: “When a list has diminished to three
or fewer candidates, the Commission may declare the list exhausted.”
Staff requests that the Civil Service Commission remove the above name s from
the Civil Service list and exhaust this current list so we may continue with an open
recruitment.
Caring People Quality Programs Exceptional Service
515.239.5199 main
515.232.5297 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
Human Resources Department
MEMO
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
To: Civil Service Commission
From: Bethany Ballou, Human Resources Director
Subject: Exhaust Certified List for Human Resources Officer I
On the agenda for the October 24, 2024, Civil Service Commission meeting, the
Commission will discuss a request from City staff to Commission will discuss a
request from City staff to remove a name from the certified list for Human
Resources Officer I classification, which was approved on September 26, 2024.
Shaylene Houston- Ballentine – declined an offer of employment
Section 4.5 (Removal of Names from Certified Lists) of the Civil Service
commission Policies and Procedures states: “A person appearing on a certified list
for original appointment shall have their name removed from the list by the
Commission whenever that person… refuses an interview or an offer of
appointment…”
One candidate would remain on this list after Houston-Ballentine would be
removed.
Section 4.2 (Curation of Entry Level Eligibility Lists) of the Civil Service
Commission Policies and Procedures states: “When a list has diminished to three
or fewer candidates, the Commission may declare the list exhausted.”
Staff requests that the Civil Service Commission remove the above name from th e
Civil Service list and exhaust this current list so we may continue with an open
recruitment, if needed.
Caring People Quality Programs Exceptional Service
515.239.5199 main
515.232.5297 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
Human Resources Department
MEMO
Date: October 24, 2024
To: Civil Service Commission
From: Bethany Ballou, Human Resources Director
Subject: Remove Names and Exhaust list for Maintenance Worker (Streets
Sublist)
On the agenda for the October 24, 2024, Civil Service Commission meeting, the
Commission will discuss a request from City staff to consider there to be no
certified list for the Maintenance Worker classification Streets sublist, which was
approved on November 16, 2023.
Christian Pitt – Candidate refused an interview for the appointment on August 1,
2024, via email.
Logan Keisling – Candidate requested their name be removed from the Civil
Service list on July 26, 2024, via phone.
Andrew Lockey – Candidate failed to respond to a written notice.
Section 4.5 (Removal of Names from Certified Lists) of the Civil Service
commission Policies and Procedures states: “A person appearing on a certified
list for original appointment shall have their name removed from the list by the
Commission whenever that person has requested that their name be removed , or
refuses an interview or an offer of appointment…or fails to respond to a written
notice.”
No candidates remained on this list, therefore we considered there to no longer be
a list and proceeded with an open recruitment and would like to certify a new list.
Caring People Quality Programs Exceptional Service
515.239.5199 main
515.232.5297 fax
515 Clark Ave. P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
www.CityofAmes.org
Human Resources Department
MEMO
Date: Thursday, October 24, 2024
To: Civil Service Commission
From: Bethany Ballou, Human Resources Director
Subject: Removes Name from Certified List for Police Officer
On the agenda for the October 24, 2024, Civil Service Commission meeting, the
Commission will discuss a request from City staff to remove a name from the
certified list for the Police Officer classification, which was approved on August 24,
2024.
Tolidji Hogbonouto – Candidate requested their name be removed from the Civil
Service list via email.
Carlos Hobbs - Candidate withdrew from the Civil Service list via email.
Section 4.5 (Removal of Names from Certified Lists) of the Civil Service
commission Policies and Procedures states: “A person appearing on a certified list
for original appointment shall have their name removed from the list by the
Commission whenever that person has requested that their name be removed...”
Staff requests that the Civil Service Commission remove the above name from th is
exhausted Civil Service list.
ITEM #:35
DATE:10-08-24
DEPT:POLICE
SUBJECT:TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN CIVIL SERVICE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
COUNCIL ACTION FORM
BACKGROUND:
Chapter 400 of Iowa Code requires that cities follow civil service rules in the hiring, promotion,
discipline, and discharge of most full-time employees. The purpose of these rules is to ensure that
employment decisions are made on the basis of merit. One aspect of the civil service regulations is
that the process to hire employees can be more cumbersome than hiring for non-civil service
positions, which is challenging in areas where there are a substantial number of vacancies to fill.
The current process for hiring employees in the Police Department includes certifying a list of eligible
candidates at a monthly Civil Service Commission meeting. Once a list has been certified, all names on
the list are considered eligible for hire, and the City cannot begin a new recruitment process until the
people on the list have been hired or removed from the list. The background process in the Police
Department is extensive, and oftentimes candidates are removed from the list due to a failure of some
aspect of this process. This means recruitments can take considerably longer than for other departments.
There are currently six vacant Police Officer positions. Five other officers are in training and not yet
able to be assigned to shifts. Five other officers are currently on military leave or light duty assignments
as a result of injuries. Therefore, the staffing situation within the department currently is a substantial
challenge.
In July 2024, legislation went into effect that created Iowa Code Section 400.12A. This new section
provides the option for a city council, by majority vote, to suspend certain Civil Service
requirements for a City department for a period of 12 months. Specifically, the City Council now
has the authority to suspend Section 400.11(1)(a), which describes the process of creating a Civil
Service list. City staff is asking the Council to utilize this new flexibility to suspend the
requirements of Iowa Code section 400.11(1)(a), as they apply to the Ames Police Department.
In approving this measure, all candidates would continue to be evaluated for positions based on
previously used requirements (including a preliminary qualifications screening, oral interview,
written exam, Chief's interview, background investigation, psychological exam, polygraph exam,
clinical interview, and physical exam, as applicable for the position). However, by removing the
requirement for the Civil Service Commission to certify a list of qualified candidates, the City
will be able to run continuous recruitments. This will allow a more efficient hiring process that
should allow the department to reach full staffing levels more quickly.
The suspension of the Civil Service Commission certification process does not affect the rights of
an employee once they have been appointed to a position--the employee would still have the right
to appeal certain employment actions to the Civil Service Commission if such an action occurred.
The suspension of the civil service hiring practices may be in effect for no more than one year, unless
the City Council votes for an extension upon the expiration of the original suspension period.
If approved by the City Council, staff would intend to begin a new, non-Civil Service recruitment effort
for Police Officers immediately.
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ALTERNATIVES:
1. In accordance with the authority in Iowa Code Section 400.12A, approve the suspension of the
Civil Service hiring requirements in Iowa Code Section 400.11(1)(a) fo r the Police Department
for the period of October 9, 2024 through October 8, 2025.
2. Direct staff to continue to recruit Police Department employees in accordance with normal civil
service requirements.
3. Refer this item back to staff for additional information.
CITY MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Iowa Code Chapter 400.12A is a new provision that allows a City Council to suspend the creation
of a list of eligible hires (Iowa Code Section 400.11(1)(a)) for a department of the City for a period
of 12 months. Taking this action for the Police Department will create a more efficient process
that will allow for continuous recruitments and help the department fill vacancies more quickly.
Therefore, it is the recommendation of the City Manager that City Council adopt Alternative No. 1, as
outlined above.
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