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Lorain Civil Service Commission approves multiple appointments, waives testing for select hires
Summary
At its Dec. 16 meeting the Lorain Civil Service Commission approved laborer, building inspector and police appointments, voted to waive testing provisions for certified candidates and set its next meeting for Jan. 13, 2026. All motions on the agenda passed.
The Lorain Civil Service Commission on Dec. 16, 2025, approved a slate of personnel actions and procedural motions, including appointments to the streets division, a state‑certified building inspector and two exceptional police hires, and voted to waive certain testing requirements for certified candidates.
Safety Service Director Kieran requested the appointment of Jordan Barnard and Jacob Hallowell to laborer positions in the Streets Division of the Lorain Public Property Department; both candidates were described as bringing seasonal and hands‑on municipal experience. The commission moved, seconded and voted to approve both appointments.
Commissioners also considered an exceptional appointment for Christopher Yates to the Building Division of the Building, Housing and Planning Department. Staff described Yates as holding state certifications required for the role and outlined an 8‑year tenure with the City of Oberlin and prior work in Moraine; the commission voted to waive the testing provisions and approved his exceptional appointment.
On the police hires added to the agenda by a 72‑hour waiver, the commission waived testing requirements for two officer candidates based on licensing and experience. The commission approved an exceptional appointment for Officer Miguel Baez to move from part‑time to full‑time in the Community Relations Division, citing his long service with the department since 1998. The commission likewise approved the exceptional appointment of Rudy Arcey, a recent retiree with about 31 years' service, to return on a part‑time basis for marine patrol duties; staff said his separation of about 75 days fell within the period that negates polygraph and psychological testing requirements.
Other routine business included a motion to receive and file correspondence since the last meeting, authorization to pay bills owed by civil service, and certification of payrolls for the Lorain City School System and the City of Lorain; all motions were seconded and approved.
The commission set its next meeting for Jan. 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. in the Lorain City Council Chambers and adjourned at approximately 5:15 p.m.
Votes at a glance - Excuse absence of "Mr. Takas": approved. - Receive and file correspondence: approved. - Appoint Jordan Barnard, Streets Division laborer (OAC reference in transcript): approved. - Appoint Jacob Hallowell, Streets Division laborer (OAC reference in transcript): approved. - Waive testing provisions and exceptionally appoint Christopher Yates, Building Division (state certifications cited): approved. - Waive 72‑hour rule to add two police items: approved. - Waive testing provisions for two police officer positions: approved. - Exceptionally appoint Miguel Baez, full‑time police officer: approved. - Exceptionally appoint Rudy Arcey, part‑time police officer: approved. - Authorize payment of bills: approved. - Certify payrolls for Lorain City School System and City of Lorain: approved.
What the commission said and next steps Safety Service Director Kieran presented the personnel requests and the interview panel also summarized candidates' experience and certifications. The hiring actions for certified positions were justified in the meeting record by applicants' existing state licenses and prior municipal experience; where testing waivers were approved the commission cited those certifications and experience as the rationale. The agenda items approved at this meeting will proceed to implementation through the respective departments; no further public hearings were announced.
