Miami Civil Service Board Meeting - August 4, 2026
Miami Civil Service Board Meeting - August 4, 2026
This meeting of the Civil Service Board covered personnel actions, military leaves, continuances of appeal hearings, and scheduling. The board approved an extension of a probationary period, granted military leaves of absence, granted joint and unilateral continuances for disciplinary appeal hearings, and cancelled the next scheduled meeting due to no pending hearings.
Personnel Matters
- B1: The board approved a six-month extension of the probationary period for Karen Facy, Environmental Resource Specialist 2, from August 4, 2026. Acting Chief of Environmental Resources Sean Smith stated the extension is needed to assess improvement in Facy's communication and interpersonal skills. Facy did not object and expressed continued commitment to the department. Motion by Board Member Soliman, second by Cabrera. All in favor.
Military Leaves of Absence
- C1: Melvin Gomez Castellanos, 911 operator, was granted military leave without pay from July 2, 2026 through September 30, 2026. Motion by Board Member Jimenez, second by Lanier. All in favor.
- C2: Daniel Quintana, stable attendant, was granted military leave without pay from August 28, 2026 for a period of 278 days. Motion by Board Member Solomon, second by Lanier. All in favor.
Continuances
- E1: A joint request for continuance from Isabela Dubon (Attorney, One Call Legal) and Tiffany Ruth Brooks (Assistant City Attorney) concerning the appeal hearing of Jose Mena Crespo, former heavy equipment mechanic, regarding a termination effective March 13, 2026. Both attorneys agreed to reschedule the hearing to a date after October 13, 2026. Motion by Board Member Solomon, second by Lanier. All in favor.
- E2: A request for continuance from Lynette M. Ageri (Assistant City Attorney) concerning the appeal hearings of Marcel Jackson, former police officer, relating to a 10-hour suspension effective December 13, 2025, a 40-hour suspension effective December 14, 2025, and a 60-hour suspension effective December 21, 2025. The city is working with the union to resolve all matters; the employee had no objections. The hearing scheduled for August 18, 2026 was continued. Motion by Board Member Lanier, second by Jimenez. All in favor.
Reports and Scheduling
- F1: The executive secretary noted that all hearings scheduled for the next board meeting on August 18, 2026 have been removed. The board voted to cancel the August 18 meeting and move all business to the next meeting on September 1, 2026. Motion by Board Member Lanier, second by Soliman. All in favor.
Key Outcomes
- Approved extension of probationary period for Karen Facy (unanimous).
- Approved military leaves for Melvin Gomez Castellanos and Daniel Quintana (both unanimous).
- Granted continuance for Jose Mena Crespo appeal hearing to after October 13, 2026 (unanimous).
- Granted continuance for Marcel Jackson hearings (unanimous).
- Cancelled the August 18, 2026 board meeting; next meeting scheduled for September 1, 2026 (unanimous).
Meeting Transcript
Good morning and welcome to the August fourth, twenty twenty-six Civil Service Board meeting. We'll begin with the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion. Motion by Board Member Lanier. Second by Board Member Solomon. All in favor? Aye. Approving of the minutes. Motion. Motion by Board Member Lanier. Second. Second by Board Member Solomon. All in favor? B personn matters. B1. Copy of a memorandum from Eduardo Santamaria, Director, Department of Building, requesting an extension of probationary period of Karen Facy, Environmental Resource Specialist 2 for six additional months beyond August 4, 2026. Excuse me, Chair. Just for the record, board member would like you all to know he is appearing via Zoom. Board member Rodrigo. Board Member Jimenez, good morning. Good to see you here. So we have a full panel. Board member Jimenez is available via Zoom. Good morning. Good morning. Please state your name and position for the record. Karen Facy, environmental resource specialist, too. Okay. Good morning. Do you understand what's what's being proffered here before you? Yes, I do. Are you in agreement? No, I do not object to the extension of my probationary period. I have enjoyed working in the environmental resources department for the last four years and looking forward to continue to contribute to the department and working closely with the acting chief of environmental resources, Sean Smith, during this extension period. I understand and and respect the purpose for the extension and appreciate the opportunity it provides for continued growth and development. Very well, thank you. Good morning. Morning, uh Sean Smith, Acting Chief of Environmental Resources. Oh, the speaker. Um Sean Smith, Acting Chief of Environmental Resources. Um, we're just seeking an extension to continue um, you know, to assess improvement in regard to um Mrs. Faycey's communication and interpersonal skills. Um is this a new position for her? The environmental resources specialist too. Yes, it is. Okay, so how long has she been in that position? Uh almost six months. Almost six months, yes, and so you're asking for an additional six months to evaluate. All right. If she meets the requirements before that, you'll be able to before.
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