Miami Civil Service Board Meeting - July 21, 2026: Probation Extensions, Military Leaves, and Appeal Continuances
Miami Civil Service Board Meeting - July 21, 2026
The Civil Service Board convened on July 21, 2026, to address personnel matters including probation extensions for firefighters and a police officer, military leaves, and status updates on several appeal hearings. All votes were unanimous, and several appeals were continued to later dates.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous meeting were approved by a motion from Board Member Lanier, seconded by Board Member Solimon, with all in favor.
- B1-B5, B7: Probationary period extensions of six months beyond August 4, 2026, for firefighters Ricardo Yeah, Danielle Portes, Joshua Quintana, Jalen Shepherd, Jesus Tornez, and Nicholas Grant. Each was requested by Fire Rescue Chief Robert Heavier due to identified performance deficiencies; the firefighters agreed. All were approved unanimously.
- B6: Probationary period extension of two months beyond August 4, 2026, for firefighter Joseph Garcia (who was on light duty during probation). The city requested the additional time to evaluate him fairly. Approved unanimously.
- B8: Second probationary period extension of three months beyond July 24, 2026, for police officer Genita Milhome, requested by Police Chief Edwin Lopez due to light duty. Keana Sanders Bell (police department personnel manager) explained the extension. Approved unanimously.
- C1: Active duty military leave of 400 days for Detective James Klein, effective June 25, 2026. Approved unanimously.
- C2: Active duty training without pay for Police Lieutenant Michelangelo Rojas, effective June 29–July 10, 2026. Approved unanimously.
Discussion Items
- E3 – Status update on appeal of Alfonso Davila: Davila (heavy equipment mechanic helper) and the city attorney, Lynette Geary, were present. The city did not have authority to settle; both parties agreed to continue the hearing to September 1, 2026. The board confirmed that date.
- E4 – Continuance request for appeal of Frankitha Roberts: Attorney Chelsea Lewis requested a continuance because a pending EEOC charge was still unresolved. The city (through Lynette Geary) had no objection. The board continued the matter, with staff to coordinate a future date.
- E5 – Continuance request for appeal of Daniel Lamartre: Lamartre (former senior building inspector) requested a continuance as he had no legal representation. The city had no objection. The board granted the continuance.
- E6 – Continuance request for appeal of Tashara Aline: Attorney Lynette Geary requested a continuance because Sergeant Aline’s related Miami-Dade hearing was continued (she needed to secure counsel). The board continued the matter, holding it in abeyance until further notice from the county.
- F1 – Hearing schedule: The next board meeting was set for August 4, 2026, with one case currently scheduled.
Key Outcomes
- Probation extensions: Six firefighters received 6-month extensions, one firefighter received 2 months (B6), and one police officer received 3 months (B8). All were approved unanimously by voice vote.
- Military leaves: Approved for two officers with no opposition.
- Appeal continuances:
- Alfonso Davila hearing rescheduled for September 1, 2026.
- Frankitha Roberts hearing continued pending EEOC outcome; date to be determined.
- Daniel Lamartre hearing continued; no new date set.
- Tashara Aline hearing continued pending resolution of Miami-Dade matter.
- Next meeting: Scheduled for August 4, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the July twenty first, twenty twenty six Civil Service Board meeting. We will begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Second by Board Member Jimenez. All in favor? Approving of the minutes. Motion by board member Lanier. Second. Second by Board Member Solimon. All in favor? Aye. B personn matters. B one copy of a memorandum from Chief Robert Heavier, director of fire rescue department requesting an extension of probationary period for Ricardo Yeah, firefighter for six additional months beyond August fourth, twenty twenty-six. Anyone from the city? Good morning. Good morning, board members. Steve Perez, Chief City of Mindman Fire Rescue. Morning. Do you understand what's being proffered here today? Yes, sir. Are you in agreement? Yes, sir. All right. City. We have a reason, I guess, why we're extending for probation here for him. Yes, so we have a few members here today. Um the purpose of this member in particular's extension is gonna be the purpose of this member's extension particularly is uh we have identified some deficiencies on performance areas that we'd like to uh evaluate further, and therefore um once we have some more time, we uh hope to have all these members become permanent. Wonderful. Board members, we'll entertain a motion. I have a question. You you uh I ask you requesting an extension for how long? This one is for six months. All right, motion motion by board member Jimenez. Second, second by board member Soleiman. Any discussion? All in favor? Aye, aye, all right. Good luck out there. We look forward to having you out here for a long time. Thank you, sir. B2, copy of a memorandum from Chief Robert Hevia, director for fire rescue department requesting an extension of probationary period for Danielle Portes, firefighter for six additional months beyond August 4, 2026. Morning. Everyone, uh firefighter Daniel Portes. Morning, sir. Um do you understand what you're here for today? Yes, sir. I agree. You're you're in agreement, yes, sir. Wonderful. Um, Chief, same board members. This member is uh no different than the last one we just spoke of.
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