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Board of City Service Commissioners approves slate of temporary extensions, schedules evidentiary review for March 10
Summary
At its Feb. 24 meeting the Board of City Service Commissioners approved multiple temporary appointment extensions, several probationary-period decisions and added a March 10 review of unstipulated exhibits in a discharge appeal; staff will notify the parties and arrange a court reporter.
The Board of City Service Commissioners convened Feb. 24 and approved a series of personnel actions, including temporary appointment extensions, probationary-period adjustments and a procedural addition to its March 10 agenda.
President Frank Bach opened the meeting and commissioners approved the Jan. 27 minutes before taking up personnel items covering several city departments, most requested by the Department of Public Works and Milwaukee Water Works. The board approved retroactive extensions and probation adjustments, including a six‑month retroactive extension for Joshua Umaine as urban forestry crew leader and a two‑month, retroactive extension for John Belinsky to support a new water‑plants manager.
Why it matters: these votes keep critical operations staffed during managerial transitions and reorganization work that departments said is underway. Several extensions were requested so departments can complete reclassification or allow new managers to assess employees’ performance without immediate hiring disruptions.
Milwaukee Water Works administration manager Jane Islow told commissioners the job description for the reinstated accounting coordinator had "remained relatively unchanged," supporting a recommendation to credit six months toward Lucas Skowronik’s probationary period after reinstatement. Andrew Simons, infrastructure human resources administrator, said of another personnel request, "we would like ... to end their probation," explaining the employee had been performing at the higher level. Makeisha Porter, human resources administrator for DPW operations, said the department is coordinating with the DER compensation division on a reorganization and "we are definitely working diligently to get that ... taken care of for all the constituents." Each of those requests was approved by the commissioners present.
Votes at a glance: the meeting record shows unanimous approval by the commissioners present for the items on the regular agenda, including temporary extensions and probationary decisions. Staff confirmed they will notify affected employees and, in the case of the added item about unstipulated exhibits, the parties to the pending appeal and arrange for a court reporter for the March 10 meeting.
The board also voted to add to its March 10 regular meeting a review of unstipulated exhibits in the Omar Barberina discharge appeal so that the parties and a court reporter can address evidentiary questions ahead of the hearing. The commission’s attorney said she had no concerns about that approach and the motion to add the item passed.
The meeting concluded after an administrative reminder about filing statements of economic interest; commissioners then adjourned.
Next steps: staff will notify the parties and secure a court reporter for the March 10 review of unstipulated exhibits and will carry out the personnel actions approved on Feb. 24.
