Board approves package of personnel actions, extends probation and places discharge appeal on file

The Board of City Service Commissioners approved several personnel actions during its meeting, including a reallocation of a director position’s pay range, a six-month probation extension for a city laborer who has not yet obtained a commercial driver’s license, a reinstatement to the city attorney’s office, two position reexemptions, and placement on file of a discharge appeal after the parties reached a settlement.

The most consequential item for the city’s retirement governance was the board’s vote to reexempt the executive director position for the Employee Retirement System. Bernard Allen, the executive director, submitted a letter saying the position “assists the board with its fiduciary responsibilities regarding a $6,000,000,000 fund and 30,000 members and beneficiaries.” A memo from Kristen Hennessy Urban, human resources manager, supported reexemption on the basis that the position “directs daily operations of the ERS and advises the board on policy matters.” The motion to reexempt the position passed with each commissioner voting yes.

On classification and compensation, Sarah Cinski of Compensation Services presented a recommendation to reallocate one position of community wellness and safety director from pay range 1JX to pay range 1NX after reviewing duties and comparable positions, including environmental sustainability director and innovation director. “We are therefore recommending reallocating the 1 position of community wellness and safety director that’s currently in pay range 1JX to pay range 1NX,” Cinski said. Commissioners approved the classification report as submitted.

Personnel actions approved by the board included: - Approval of the Feb. 11, 2025 meeting minutes (approved). - Reallocation of the community wellness and safety director position from pay range 1JX to 1NX (approved). - Extension of the probationary period for Anthony Jones, city laborer, by six months (from 02/25/2025 through August 2025) because he has not obtained the CDL required for the role (approved). - Reinstatement of Benjamin Rovers to the assistant city attorney 3 position, following a reinstatement request and a letter of support from City Attorney Evan Goike; board rules require both the former department’s support and commission approval for reinstatement (approved). - Reexemption of the Employee Retirement System executive director position (approved). - Reexemption of the director of African American affairs position, supported by a memo noting the role’s public-facing and policy-development responsibilities (approved).

A discharge-appeal hearing for Sharon Crow, a human resources administrator in the city attorney’s office, was withdrawn after both parties reached a settlement. City Attorney Evan Goike told commissioners the parties had agreed to terms and that a brief confirming letter would be provided for the record. “Both parties were in agreement of the terms … and we will follow-up with that letter, as soon as possible,” Goike said. The board voted to place the matter on file based on the settlement.

Most motions were moved and seconded during the meeting and carried unanimously; commissioners present recorded votes of yes from President Bach, Vice President Miller, Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Cleary on the actions taken.

Procedural notes from the meeting record: several items were supported by written materials submitted before the meeting, including letters and job descriptions. Some commissioners experienced temporary connection problems during roll call and votes; the board paused briefly until remote attendance was restored. The executive secretary and director of employee relations, Mr. Donahue, recorded no additional announcements before adjournment.