Personnel Board Meeting Summary – August 10, 2026

This meeting of the Merced Personnel Board was held on Monday, August 10, 2026 (agenda listed 4:00 PM local time; source metadata indicates 12:15 UTC). The board reviewed consent calendar items, discussed proposed job description changes, received the monthly personnel report, and began scheduling an appeal hearing for a terminated employee. No public comments were made.

Consent Calendar

• Item E.1: Informational report on employment opportunities that closed in July 2026 – approved.
• Item E.2: Proposed new job description for Lead Recreation and Field Facility Worker and revised descriptions for Water Distribution Operator I-II-III and Water Systems Operator – pulled for separate discussion (see Discussion Items).
• Item E.3: Minutes of the June 8, 2026 meeting (noted that the meeting did not occur due to lack of quorum) – approved.
• Motion to adopt consent calendar for E.1 and E.3 (omitting E.2) passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided oral comments.

Discussion Items

Item E.2 – Job Description Revisions

• Board member Phyllis questioned why the job description for the proposed Lead Recreation and Field Facility Worker did not include the word "lead" in the title or any supervisory language. Staff (Christopher) explained that the Parks and Recreation Department had submitted the description based on an existing lead park worker classification; the role will supervise temporary (not full-time) staff, and there will be only one such position.
• Board members expressed concern that without "lead" in the title, candidates would not distinguish it from a regular field facility worker. They directed that the word "lead" be added to both the title and description.
• Regarding the Water Distribution Operator I-II-III and Water Systems Operator descriptions, board member Melissa noted that the governing authority for certifications had changed from the California Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board for all levels (not just Grade 3). Staff acknowledged the change but said the department’s intent was only to update the wastewater operator requirements; they agreed to clarify the governing body across all levels.
• The board voted (unanimously) to not approve the job descriptions as presented and requested revised versions with the corrections before being brought back for future approval.

Item G.1 – Personnel Department Monthly Report for July 2026

• Staff reported:
  • 5 recruitments: Container Maintenance Worker, Development Services Technician, Firefighter, Police Officer Trainee, Senior Planner.
  • 7 new full-time hires: 3 maintenance workers, a street sweeper operator, 2 dispatchers, an accounting technician.
  • 5 temporary hires: 2 temp maintenance workers, a temp recreation supervisor, a temp recreation leader, a temporary police officer.
  • 6 full-time separations: 5 resignations (senior planner, two sewer/storm drain workers, a dispatcher, a water meter/backflow technician) and 1 retirement (police officer).
  • 18 temporary separations (seasonal recreation leaders).
  • Total city workforce: 591 employees – 509 full-time and 82 temporary.
• Board member Alberto requested that future monthly reports include a vacancy percentage relative to approved positions. Staff agreed to generate that data.
• Motion to accept the report passed unanimously.

Item H.1 – Setting Dates for Personnel Board Hearing 2026-1 (Appeal Hearing)

• The board discussed scheduling a 4-day appeal hearing for a terminated employee, tentatively planning 6-hour sessions (e.g., 2–8 or 3–9 p.m.) in September or October.
• Board members provided their availability:
  • Phyllis: unavailable September 15–24.
  • Melissa: available last week of September (21st–25th, 28th–30th) and after October 10th.
  • Dorothea: unavailable September 25–28; available October except 22nd–26th.
  • Pamela: unavailable October 28–30.
• Staff will coordinate with attorneys to finalize dates and notify board members.

Key Outcomes

• E.2: Job descriptions sent back for revision (add “lead” to recreation title; clarify governing authority for water certification levels).
• G.1: Monthly report approved; vacancy percentage to be added in future reports.
• H.1: Board provided availability; staff to confirm hearing dates with attorneys.
• Meeting adjourned without further business.

Note on Date/Time Discrepancy

• The agenda lists the meeting as starting at 4:00 PM on August 10, 2026 (local time). The metadata provided by the user indicates 12:15 UTC on the same date, which likely reflects a time zone conversion or recording timestamp; the board convened at 4:00 PM local time.