06/23/2003 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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r Mr. Thomay reviewed that an employee from the Wastewater Treatment plant inquired as to which North Olmsted City positions are considered classified. The clerk was asked what she was able to find going through archived minutes. Mrs. Rote indicated that the Personnel Department submitted a list of each city position as well as the name of the individuals holding the positions. Excerpts of minutes were gathered that mentioned positions, names, or employees lists to help the commissioners. Mr. Thomay indicated that the Personnel's list does not show whether the employees are Civil Service, Union or Administrative Personnel. He questioned if the clerk knew of any classified list. Mrs. Rote found a file in archives which has classified lists showing police officers, fire fighters, secretary I & II's, dispatchers, NOMBL personal, Correction officers and positions at the Recreation Center. She noticed that as individuals on the list retired, quit or were relieved of duty the names were removed from the list and in some cases whole listings/titles were removed. The clerk thought that as the classified lists mainly list the department and then individual names instead of department, names, and titles protected by the Civil Service, protected positions disappeared from the list. Mr. Thomay directed the clerk to contact past commissioners to find out if they recall receiving any type of official classified lists to give the commissioners a starting point. Ms. Giesser questioned if Union employees could be considered classified. Mrs. Rote suggested that all employees listed except Fire Chief, Asst. Fire Chief, Police Chief, Recreation personnel, and NOMBL personnel are in fact union members. Mrs. Rote thought that Union employees have a 1 to 2 year probation period. During that probation period Civil Service overseas or represents the employee, but once the union employee's probation is over the union has full jurisdiction. Mr. O'Malley advised that the question of who is classified and un- classified should probably be a question directed to the Law Director for an answer. The collective bargaining agreement is quite clear as to its parameters or jurisdiction. Mr. Thomay commented then Civil Service is basically here for entry-level tests only then. Ms. Giesser voiced that Mr. Binggeli is entitled to an answer at some point in time from this commission. However, his question has opened a Pandora's box if you will, as it raises the same question within other departments as well. Mr. O'Malley questioned who initiates the expansion of one employee's question. Should the Civil Service commission take it upon itself to go around granting designation to positions or is it initiated by the administration or an individual employee who petitions the commission to become a classified Civil Servant. He questioned if the Civil Service had an official certified list of employees listing the positions that are classified. The commissioners voiced that they do not have an official list that they know of. A brief discussion regarding a classified list that at one point was turned into the finance department bi-weekly took place. Discussion regarding what information is reported to the state in the yearly report took place. Discussion returned to. who is classified and who is unclassified. Mrs. Rote read allowed North Olmsted Codified Ordinance Article VI section (3) Duties (A), which reads "A. The Unclassified Service shall include: 1. All officers elected by the people. 2. All directors of departments. 3. The members of all boards or commissions appointed by the Mayor or the Council. 4. The Clerk of Council and the secretary of the Civil Service Commission. 5. Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Division Heads, and Assistants to Division Heads, except the Police Chief and Fire Chief. 6. All unskilled laborers. 7. Three secretaries, assistants or clerks to the Mayor; one (1) secretary to each Director or Department Head, and all temporary part-time office help". `B. The Classified Service shall comprise all positions not specifically included in this Charter in the Unclassified Service (Amended 11-5-85)". Mrs. Rote thought that as most secretary I are secretaries to the Directors or Division Heads the Charter would exclude them from being covered by Civil Service. A lengthy discussion took place regarding positions being created and deleted throughout the years and no accurate list to speak of and the Civil Service or the Administration updating the classified and unclassified list. Mr. O'Malley advised that if the Civil Service is responsible to turn in an accurate report each year to the state it should be complete. He voiced that it sounds like an accurate classified list showing titles. including the employee holding the positions is needed. He strongly recommend the commission submit a written request for advise on the specific question to the Law Director. Even an interpretation 2