Miami Civil Service Board Meeting - October 6, 2026

The Miami Civil Service Board convened on October 6, 2026, at approximately 9:00 AM (local time) to address a full agenda including routine personnel actions, a lengthy line-by-line review of findings of fact in a termination appeal, and two requests for hearings. All board members were present. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the adoption of the agenda, which was amended to include the election of the board chair.

Consent Calendar

• The board unanimously adopted the agenda as amended and reappointed Chairman Cabrera by a 4-0 vote. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
• Probationary Extensions: The board approved a three-month extension for Police Officer Jessica Kennedy (due to military leave) and a three-month extension for Police Lieutenant Natalie Martinez (to complete probation), both with unanimous votes.
• Reemployment List: Approved a request from Christopher Lemonte to be placed on the reemployment list for Human Resources Technician II (no objection, unanimous).
• Seniority Credit for Promotional Exam: The board approved a request from Police Officer Brian Pino for previous seniority credit toward meeting the time-in-grade requirement for a promotional examination (no objection, unanimous; clarified that no additional seniority points would be granted).
• Military Leave: Approved retroactive military leave without pay for Firefighter Kenneth Lopez (400 days) and reemployment for Police Officer Vanessa Moreno after honorable discharge (both unanimous).
• Continuances for Appeal Hearings: Granted continuances for Shakita Johnson (E1), Calvin Holt (E2), and Lazaro Shapleton (E3) due to employee FMLA leave or attorney request, with no objection from the city (all unanimous).

Discussion Items

• Findings of Fact for Alfonso Davila's Appeal (Item E4): The board spent significant time reviewing the city's proposed edits to the board attorney's findings of fact concerning Davila's termination. Both sides presented objections line-by-line, with the board ruling on each edit. Key outcomes included:
  • The board accepted the city's edits to clarify that testimony (e.g., adding "Rionda testified that...") rather than stating facts as settled.
  • Several city-proposed additions were rejected as redundant or not supported by testimony (e.g., the city's request to add details about the leave approval chain was denied; the board kept the original language that Rionda admitted an employee can request leave without pay).
  • The board permitted inclusion of the phrase "the RFL was unilaterally modified" in finding number 8.
  • A line referencing Mr. Soleiman's comment about a "gross breach" was not added as it was not sworn testimony.
  • The board ultimately approved the findings of fact as finalized during the meeting (motion by Lanier, second by Jimenez, unanimous; Davila objected to certain deletions but board ruled against him).
• Hearings Pending List (F1): The board discussed the hearings calendar. Next scheduled hearings were on November 17 (three hearings) and December 15 (two hearings). The board voted to cancel the October 27 and November 24 meetings (both had no hearings scheduled) to avoid unnecessary costs (motion by Lanier, second by Jimenez, unanimous).

Key Outcomes

• Approved Findings of Fact for Alfonso Davila: The board voted 4-0 to accept the findings of fact as amended during the meeting. These will be forwarded to the city manager.
• Granted Rule 16.1 Investigation Hearing (G1): The board granted Alfonso Davila's request for a hearing under Civil Service Rule 16.1 regarding alleged abuse of power by Mardellas Puig. The motion passed 4-0 (Lanier motion, Cabrera second). No specific questions were pre-submitted to the department; the board will schedule the hearing.
• Denied Rule 16.2 Request for Seniority Restoration (G2): The board denied Police Officer Brian Pino's request for a hearing to restore his full seniority date for bidding purposes, based on the clear language of Rule 12.4 limiting seniority credit to promotional exam eligibility only. Motion to deny by Cabrera, second by Jimenez, passed 4-0 (Lanier dissented, stating he would have granted the hearing). The city cited case law (Carry v. City of Miami) and the voluntary resignation.
• Meeting Cancellations: The board cancelled the October 27 and November 24, 2026 board meetings due to no hearings pending. The next meeting will be November 17, 2026.

Note: The board also handled a tabled item (B4) later in the meeting for Officer Brian Pino, granting the time-in-grade credit as requested without objection.