A.1

Civil Service Board - Regular Meeting - May 28, 2024 10:00 AM

Motion by Board Member Jackson, Jr., seconded by Board Member Jimenez, that this matter be Approved, passed by the following vote:

B.1

Copy of a memorandum from Chief Manuel A. Morales, Director, Department of Police, requesting an extension of probationary period of Marvin Bravo, Police Lieutenant, for six (6) additional months beyond July 16, 2024. (DISCUSSION)

Major Keandra Simmons, Police Major and Qiana Sanders-Bell, Personnel Manager, appeared before the Board on behalf of the department. Marvin Bravo, Police Lieutenant, appeared and expressed an objection to the probationary extension. Following responses to questioning by the Board, the Board entered amotion to GRANT the extension as requested, which resulted as follows:

B.2

Copy of a memorandum from Chief Joseph F. Zahralban, Director, Fire-Rescue Department, requesting an extension of probationary period of Judith Fernandez, Emergency Dispatcher, for six (6) additional months beyond August 6, 2024. (DISCUSSION)

Chair Sutton asked for the parties in this matter to come forward.Grant Musser, Fire Captain, appeared on behalf of the department. Following discussion, it appeared that the employee was not given a notice to appear. The Board considered a motion to Table this item for the meeting of June 25, 2024, which resulted as follows:

B.3

Copy of a memorandum from Chris Evans, Director, Parks and Recreation Department, requesting an extension of probationary period of Qunyatta Warren, Cultural Center Manager, for four (4) additional months beyond June 26, 2024. (DISCUSSION)

C.1

Angelo Viniegra, Firefighter, requests Military Leave without pay from May 19, 2024, through June 18, 2024. Copy of Orders submitted. (DISCUSSION)

C.2

Steven Miro, Special Advisor, Office of the City Commission, District 1, requests re-employment as a Special Advisor following his return from Military Leave. Copy of an email from the Director of Human Resources of the Florida State Guard submitted. (DISCUSSION)

D.1

Copy of a letter from Arthur Noriega, V., City Manager notifying Daniel Seijo, Web Developer I, of his Termination, effective May 20, 2024. (NOTIFICATION)

D.2

Copy of a letter from Arthur Noriega, V., City Manager notifying Corey L. Taylor, Waste Collector Operator II, of his Termination, effective May 20, 2024. (NOTIFICATION)

E.1

Proposed Amendment adding Civil Service Rule and Regulation Section 16.3- Whistleblower. (DISCUSSION)

Stephanie Panoff, Assistant City Attorney, appeared before the Board and stated it is the City’s position that Rule 16 should not be changed in any way; however, she understood the will of the Board and provided a proposal.

Special Counsel Clyne presented his proposed version and agreed with adding some of the language that ACA Panoff proposed. He went on to explain that he wants the process to be fair to all so he can take into consideration the proposals brought forward today and report back to the Board.

Chair Sutton asked if anyone was in opposition to the proposed Rule change. Eugene Gibbons, Attorney, Bushel & Gibbons Law, appeared via Zoom and agreed that the Rule should be discussed further and welcomed Special Counsel to contact him should the need arise.

Following discussion, the Board agreed to Table this matter, which resulted as follows:

Motion by Board Member Jimenez, seconded by Board Member Garcia, that this matter be Approved, passed by the following vote:

E.2

Findings of Fact concerning the Appeal Hearing on behalf of Hector Macias de Coro, former Grounds Tender, as it relates to his Termination, effective September 11, 2023. (DISCUSSION)

Noting that Mr. Macias de Coro was not present, the Chair asked if there were any objections forwarded to the Office or from the department. Hearing none, a motion to ADOPT the Findings of Fact as presented was considered as follows:

F.1

Hearings Pending List as of June 11, 2024. (NOTIFICATION)

H.1

Appeal Hearing on behalf of Mabel Soto, Police Officer, concerning her 10-hour suspension and 10-hour forfeiture, effective July 1, 2023.

Jazmine Preston-O’Neil, Assistant City Attorney, requested a continuance in this matter pending settlement. ACA Preston-O’Neil advised that once the agreement is executed, a copy will be forwarded to the Civil Service Board Office.

H.2

Appeal Hearing on behalf of Juan Ramos, Grounds Tender, concerning his 192-hour suspension, effective October 5, 2022.