Milwaukee City Service Commission approves classification changes, extends temporary appointments and reinstates employee

The Milwaukee Board of City Service Commissioners on March 11 approved a package of personnel actions, including classification changes, several temporary appointment extensions and the reinstatement of a former Milwaukee Water Works communications assistant.

Andrea Knickerbocker, presenting human resources materials to the commission, said the packet included two retitles in the Department of Public Works operations division and two new classifications created in the 2025 budget for the Health Department: an inventory control assistant 3 and a "scales neighborhood nursing program manager." "There are 2 reports before you for your consideration," Knickerbocker said.

The commission approved the classification items as submitted. The change in DPW would retitle an existing fleet position from fleet operations and training manager to fleet demolition manager; another change would reclassify a garage custodian position to garage coordinator to reflect changed responsibilities.

Separately, the commission approved multiple temporary appointment extensions submitted by city departments. The comptroller's office requested a seven-month extension for Teresa Spidell, account lead (city payroll specialist temporarily assigned), from May 25, 2025, through Dec. 20, 2025, to cover additional responsibilities related to implementation of the city's Workday enterprise resource planning system; the request was supported in a letter from Deputy Comptroller Charlie Bridal and approved by the commission.

The Department of Public Works Infrastructure Services Division requested extensions for two city laborers, Ryan Metcalfe and Mark Tufte. City engineering staff said Metcalfe and Tufte had been reassigned from bridge-operator positions to city laborers after layoffs and that the extension would cover the intervening period until they are recalled as bridge operators later this spring; the commission approved the request as submitted (file 241,784).

The operations division also requested a three-month, retroactive extension for Reynaldo Cortez to remain available as an ice control driver from March 2, 2025, through May 10, 2025; the commission approved that extension (file 241,785).

The Department of Employee Relations asked to extend a temporary appointment for Dorothy McCall for 10 months, retroactive from March 2, 2025, through Dec. 20, 2025, to cover the period until a new benefits specialist is hired and trained; the commission approved the extension (file 241,786).

The commission also approved a reinstatement request from Leilani Lopez Blasini to the Department of Public Works, Milwaukee Water Works communications assistant 5 position. The reinstatement packet included a letter from Dan Thomas, DPW administrative services director, supporting the request; the commission approved the reinstatement (file 241,787).

All of the listed personnel approvals were moved, seconded and adopted by roll call. President Bach called each commissioner for a vote; Commissioner Miller, Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Cleary responded "Yes" on each of the formal approvals recorded on the agenda.

During the meeting's final minutes, commissioners discussed the outstanding vacancy on the commission and whether the mayor's office had identified candidates. Staff said they were working with the staffing manager and would follow up with commissioners. The commission then unanimously moved to adjourn.

Votes at a glance: minutes approval (file 241,780) ' approved; classification reports (file 241,781) ' approved; extension for Teresa Spidell (file 241,783) ' approved; extension for Ryan Metcalfe and Mark Tufte (file 241,784) ' approved; extension for Reynaldo Cortez (file 241,785) ' approved; extension for Dorothy McCall (file 241,786) ' approved; reinstatement of Leilani Lopez Blasini (file 241,787) ' approved. The record shows unanimous "yes" votes from the commissioners present.

The actions affect city classifications and short-term staffing for payroll implementation, winter operations and benefits coverage; no further implementation dates or budgetary details were provided in the meeting record.