City Service Commission approves slate of personnel actions, exemptions and reinstatement

MILWAUKEE — The Board of City Service Commissioners on Jan. 14 approved a series of routine but consequential personnel actions including classification reports, temporary appointment extensions, probationary extensions, exemptions for several grant-funded or time-limited positions and the reinstatement of a city employee.

The approvals came during the commission’s regular meeting and were filed through communications from departments including the Department of Employee Relations (DER), Department of Public Works, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee Health Department, Employee Retirement Services (ERS), Department of Neighborhood Services and the city attorney’s office.

The commission approved minutes from the Dec. 14, 2024 meeting and a communication (file 241-1429) from DER to reclassify or create three positions: an innovation policy analyst in the Department of Administration (repurposed from a budget and fiscal policy analyst), a program assistant I in Public Works Administrative Services for inventory reconciliation, and a position control specialist for the Fire and Police Commission to support Workday and position management. Andrea Knickerbocker presented the classification reports to commissioners.

Commissioners also approved temporary appointment extensions and probationary-period extensions as presented in department communications. Notable personnel actions include:

- Extension of a temporary appointment for Cameo Coleman, sanitation supervisor in Sanitation Services, for six months retroactive from Jan. 5, 2025, to July 5, 2025 (Department of Public Works Operations). Danielle Rodriguez provided the supporting letter and paperwork.

- Extension of a temporary appointment for Jason Golick, building construction inspection operations manager (Department of Neighborhood Services). Commissioners amended the proposed six-month extension to nine months, approving an extension from Jan. 19 through Oct. 19, 2025, after a discussion about realistic recruitment and examination timelines.

- Extension of a temporary community education assistant appointment at Milwaukee Public Library for Jan. 1–July 1, 2025; the library reported remaining grant funds for the post (Jennifer Meyer Stearns, deputy library director).

- Probationary-period extensions for several employees, including Dr. David Payne (public health assistant laboratory director) to June 30, 2025 (Milwaukee Health Department), Jeanette Baldwin (ERS fiscal services assistant) to Aug. 4, 2025 (Employee Retirement Services), Fernando Martinez (plan grama specialist I) for three months retroactive to Jan. 8–April 8, 2025 (Department of Neighborhood Services), and Eric Rios Brooks (equipment operator I) for six months retroactive to Jan. 12–July 11, 2025 (Sanitation Services). Departments supplied letters, job descriptions and, where applicable, performance-improvement plans or evidence of training schedules.

- Reinstatement of Jonathan Stecner to the business systems coordinator position, following a department and commission review. The city attorney’s office submitted a letter in support of the reinstatement.

- Exemption approvals for several positions recommended as temporary or grant-funded, including three environmental sustainability coordinator positions, two environmental sustainability program manager (green housing and metrics and milestones) posts, a Water-Centric City initiative program manager, two grant compliance manager positions and two grant monitor positions. Departments described the positions as time-limited, grant-funded or historically exempt and provided job descriptions and supporting memos.

- Approval of the proposed findings and decision in the separation appeal of Darryl Alberti as submitted by the city attorney’s office.

- Final approval of an administrative policy amendment to Rule 8 (probationary period) that adds language allowing a department head to pass an employee to regular status after nine months of probation if an assessment of the employee’s demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities meets the essential-job-function standard. The staffing services manager circulated a memo and the text of the policy in advance of the meeting.

Most motions were moved and seconded on the floor and carried by roll-call votes recorded as “Yes” by Commissioners Miller, Smith and Cleary. Departments provided required paperwork in advance for each item and commission staff confirmed that, for vacant or new positions in some cases, no probationary-period action was required because positions were unfilled.

Votes at a glance (select approvals and outcomes): - Minutes (Dec. 14, 2024): Approved. - File 241-1429 (three classification reports): Approved. - Temporary appointment — Cameo Coleman (sanitation supervisor): Approved (6-month extension retroactive to Jan. 5–July 5, 2025). - Temporary appointment — Jason Golick (building inspection operations manager): Amended and approved (9-month extension Jan. 19–Oct. 19, 2025). - Temporary appointment — Milwaukee Public Library community education assistant (Miss Moon): Approved (Jan. 1–July 1, 2025). - Probationary-period extensions — Dr. David Payne (to June 30, 2025); Jeanette Baldwin (to Aug. 4, 2025); Fernando Martinez (Jan. 8–April 8, 2025); Eric Rios Brooks (Jan. 12–July 11, 2025): Approved. - Reinstatement — Jonathan Stecner to business systems coordinator: Approved. - Exemptions — multiple environmental sustainability and grants positions: Approved. - Findings and decision — Daryl Alberti separation appeal: Approved. - Policy amendment — Rule 8 (probationary period): Approved.

Commissioners and department representatives emphasized ensuring accurate paperwork, realistic recruitment timelines and alignment with grant funding timelines. Executive Secretary Donahue and commission staff confirmed that departments had supplied the required paperwork and that where additional clarification was needed (for example, correct appointment dates or job titles) departments noted corrections in meeting exchanges.

The commission did not postpone or table any of the above items; most passed by recorded unanimous votes. Departments and DER will follow up administratively to implement the approved reclassifications, extensions, exemptions and scheduling of any required follow-up steps.