Miami Civil Service Board Meeting: Hearing on Alfonso Davila Termination Appeal - June 23, 2026

The Civil Service Board met on June 23, 2026, to conduct a disciplinary hearing on the appeal of Alfonso Davila, a former heavy equipment mechanic helper, regarding his termination effective July 11, 2026. The hearing was not completed due to time constraints and was continued to July 7, 2026. The meeting also included routine administrative items.

Consent Calendar

• The board adopted the agenda after a motion and second, with an amendment to add a tabled item from a previous meeting.
• Minutes from the prior meeting were approved unanimously.
• The board noted items E1, E2, and the hearings pending list (F1).
• A motion was made and passed to cancel the July 7, 2026 meeting due to no pending hearings at that time. (This was later reversed and the meeting reinstated for the continuation of this hearing.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public offered comments.
• The hearing consisted entirely of testimony from witnesses called by the appellant and the city.

Discussion Items

• Agenda Amendment: The board voted to amend the agenda to address a tabled item from the last meeting, which was a request for a hearing decision.
• Hearing – Alfonso Davila Termination:
  • Appellant: Alfonso Davila, representing himself, argued that the job abandonment charge was invalid because he had an approved 40-hour vacation, never received written revocation, and claimed selective enforcement and retaliation by payroll liaison Mardelis Puig, who he alleged overstepped her authority in initiating his termination.
  • City: Represented by Lenette Gary, argued that Davila was only approved for eight hours of vacation (not 40), that he was verbally informed three times (by supervisor Robert Rionda and twice by Puig), and that he failed to return to work from July 8-11, 2025, without calling or showing up, constituting abandonment under Article 17 of the collective bargaining agreement and Civil Service Rule 14.
  • Witnesses: Davila called one witness, Lassaro Chapotin (former GSA employee), who testified about alleged abuse of power by Puig and stated Davila told him he was approved for 40-hour vacation. City called four witnesses: Robert Rionda (supervisor), Hector Macias (night supervisor), Carlos Powell (superintendent), and Mardelis Puig (payroll liaison). Key testimony focused on whether Davila was properly informed of the reduced approval, discrepancies in emailed statements, and lack of written notification.
  • Time Constraints: The city planned to call a fifth witness, Director Jennifer Ramirez, but ran out of time. The board adjourned after 3:22 PM with the hearing incomplete.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Cancel July 7 Meeting: Initially passed, but later reversed; the meeting was reinstated and scheduled for July 7, 2026, to continue the hearing.
• Hearing Continued: The evidentiary portion will resume on July 7, 2026, with the city’s last witness (Jennifer Ramirez), followed by appellant’s cross-examination, board questions, and closing arguments.
• Settlement Option: The board encouraged the parties to explore settlement before the next hearing. Appellant is to submit a settlement offer to the city attorney.
• Board Member Term Issue: A board member noted his term expires July 9, 2026, but the board continued regardless, as no replacement had been named.
• Appellant’s Access to Personal Belongings: The board suggested Davila coordinate with the city attorney to retrieve his tools from GSA.