Board of City Service Commissioners Meeting - July 21, 2026
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My name is Frank Bach and I serve as the president of the Board of City Service Commissioners.
The first item on today's call to order agenda is the call to order.
This July 21st meeting of the board is called to order.
The next item is the roll call.
Would the executive secretary please call the roll?
Vice President Miller.
Present.
Commissioner Cleary.
Present.
Commissioner Smith.
I believe he's excused.
Is excused.
Commissioner Woodsboro.
Present.
President Bach.
Present.
Or present.
Thank you.
The next item.
Could you please announce the next item?
Next item item three, file number two six zero four six four.
Communication for the approval of the July 7th, 2026 meeting minutes.
Do commissioners have any questions or comments regarding the proposed minutes?
No.
No.
No.
I move approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the proposed minutes of our July 7th meeting.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wicksporl.
Yes.
The minutes are approved as submitted.
Next item, please.
File number 260465.
Communication for the approval of the classification reports as submitted.
Do commissioners have any questions or comments concerning the proposed reports.
No, but they were extensive.
Well, that is a comment.
If quickly, if I can, Andrea Nickerbacker, uh, employee relations.
The reason we have so many this time is because of the impending workday project.
And this meeting of the City Service Commission and the previous fire and police commission and next week's finance committee are the last times that we'll be able to put forward changes.
So yeah, the next time we will likely be back is end of November.
Okay.
Okay.
All right.
Okay.
Well, if there's no questions or other comments, then I would move approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the reports as submitted.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wixporl.
Yes.
The reports are approved as submitted.
The next item, item five, file number two six zero four six six.
Concerns staff recommendations regarding probationary periods for reclassified positions.
The classification reports that were submitted.
They include a number of situations, such as the incumbent's been performing the duties for some time.
It just involves a title change.
The position is vacant.
The position is exempt.
Or it is an underfilled title for an exempt position.
And the person is under filling and will serve a probationary period when promoted to the full level.
Or it is just an underfill title for a position.
In all of those cases, no new probationary period is recommended.
However, staff does recommend a new probationary period for the following individuals due to new duties and responsibilities.
Cynthia Reynolds in the city attorney's office.
Raymona Ramos in the Department of Compliance and Engagement.
And Jessica Cross at the Municipal Court.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions concerning the staff recommendations regarding new probationary periods.
No.
I move approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the staff recommendations regarding new probationary periods.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yes.
The staff recommendations are approved as recommended.
Next item, please.
Item number six, file number two fourth.
I'm sorry.
Yes, item number six, file number two six zero four six seven.
Communication from the Department of Compliance and Engagement to extend the temporary appointment for Imani Ortiz, Business Services Manager for 90 days from July 19, 2026 through October 24, 2026.
This is the second extension request.
Prior to the meeting, Commissioners, we have a letter from Mary Reed, Director, who explains this new department is in the process of establishing its organizational structure and is working with DER regarding related manager manners.
Ms.
Ortiz is responsible for various administrative and business activities beyond those in her own job description.
They did provide temporary appointment paperwork, job description, and Ms.
Ortiz's resume.
Do commissioners have any questions or comments?
No.
I move with grant approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the request to extend this temporary appointment.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sparl.
Yes.
The request is grant to extend the temporary appointment is granted.
Next item, please.
Item number seven, file number 260468.
Communication from the Department of Compliance and Engagement to extend the temporary appointment for Ramona Ramos, operations policy and grant manager for 90 days from July 19, 2026 through October 24, 2026.
This is the second extension request.
Prior to the meeting, Commissioners, we received a letter from Mary Reed, who's the director.
She explains this new departments and in process of establishing their new organizational structure.
Ms.
Ramos in the director's absence addresses operational concerns.
Temporary appointment paperwork, a job description in Ms.
Ramos's resume were provided.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
No.
I move approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the request to extend this temporary appointment.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wixporl.
Yes.
The request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item number eight, file number 260469.
Communication from the Department of Public Works Administration to extend the temporary appointment for Myra Perez, DPW business services specialist for four months from August 16, 2026 through December 19, 2026.
This is the first extension request.
Prior to the meeting, Commissioners, we received a letter from Gerald Jarell Krushke, Commissioner of Public Works, who explains the incumbent of this position has been assigned to another position due to a retirement.
The temporary appointment of Ms.
Perez will cover any delays related to the hiring process.
Temporary appointment paperwork, a job description, and Ms.
Perez's resume were provided.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
No.
I move approval.
I second.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve this request to extend the temporary appointment.
I'll poll the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary?
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sparl.
Yes.
The request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item nine, file number two six zero four seven zero.
Communication from the Department of Public Works Administration to extend the temporary appointment for Shannon R.
Goodwin, administrative services director for four months from August 16, 2026 through December 19, 2026.
This is the first extension request.
Prior to the meeting, Commissioners, we received a letter from Gerald Krushke, Commissioner Public Works.
He explains the need for Ms.
Goodwin to carry out key personnel actions and notes or extensive background in this area.
They provided temporary appointment paperwork, job description, and Ms.
Goodwin's resume.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
I do not.
I move approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the request to extend this temporary appointment.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yeah.
The request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item 10, file number 260471.
Communication from the Department of Public Works to extend the temporary appointment for Jason Jason Schmelling, urban forestry technician for six months, retroactive from June 27, 2026 through December 28, 2026.
This is the third extension request.
Commissioners, we did receive a letter from Gerelle Krushke, Commissioner of Public Works.
And he explained that this person administers city ordinances related to trees, snow and ice, and city-owned properties, among other things.
He is filling in for an employee on leave of absence.
They did provide temporary appointment paperwork, a job description in Mr.
Schmeling's resume.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
I have a question, President Bach.
We have is it for the for DER or for the operating department?
For the department, I think.
Okay.
Do we have a reper?
Do we have a representative for for this department?
Good afternoon, President Bach.
Um, fellow commissioners, Makisha Porter, um human resource administrator for DPW operations.
Thank you.
Commissioner.
Thank you, President Bach.
Um, I'm trying to figure out why.
Uh Mr.
Schmaling has been in this position since April 14th of 2025.
Um, I understand the issue of trees and debris and removing and tall grass and all of those things.
But is are you really covering an employee leave of absence for over a year and a half?
Um, we actually were covering uh two absences um with Mr.
Schmeling.
Uh one for an employee who was out on extended leave of absence for medical reasons, and then uh now we currently have um a technician, um long-term technician who's uh doing lead work because we have two vacancies and urban forestry manager right now.
Okay.
Um, it's it's just unusual to see so many temporary appointments.
Um I I'm sure he's eminently qualified.
I have no question about that.
I just tried to figure out why a leave uh, you know, covering a leave would would extend such a long time.
But now that you've explained it's two different leaves, it makes a little bit more sense.
It's still concerning to me, but it makes a little bit more sense.
Uh, but I also understand that there are other vacancies in the department, and those have to be covered as well.
So I guess you've given me enough information that if no one else has a question, I would move approval.
Well, thank you, Commissioner Cleary.
I I agree with you that it's a an egg a rather long temporary appointment, but uh it is an assignment that we need to have somebody on, but both in the winter and I mean in the summer and winter seasons because of the complaints, both public and from within the department, uh, that he has to cover in this assignment.
So uh it just a little ex a little too extensive, but uh we have I think we have to do it.
Oh, with that.
Uh second uh Janice's motion.
All right.
Thank you.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the request to extend this temporary appointment.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller, yes, commissioner cleary, yes, commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yes.
Uh the request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item 11, file number 260472.
Communication from the Department of Public Works to extend the temporary appointment for Lamont Downey, fleet operations and training supervisor for six months from August 16, 2026 through February 16, 2027.
This is the first extension request.
Commissioners, we received a letter from Gerald Krushke, Commissioner of Public Works.
He explains the department is working with DER on the recruitment process to fill this job on a permanent basis.
They provided the temporary appointment paperwork, a job description, and Mr.
Down Downey's resume.
Do you, commissioners have any comments or questions?
I do not.
I would move approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve this request for a temporary appointment.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sparl.
Yeah.
This request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item 12, file number 260473.
Communication from the Department of Public Works to extend the temporary appointment for Natalie Herman, Transportation Financial Analyst for six months from August 16, 2026 through February 16, 2027.
This is the first extension request.
Commissioners, prior to the meeting, we received a letter from Gerald Kroshke, Commissioner of Public Works, who explains Ms.
Herman has nearly 20 years of service in the parking transportation section of the operations division.
The department is working with DER to reclassify the position.
They did provide temporary appointment paperwork, a job description and Ms.
Herman's resume.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
No.
I move approval.
Is there a second?
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the request to extend this temporary appointment.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yes.
The request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item 13, file number 260474.
Communication from the City of Milwaukee Municipal Court to extend the temporary appointment for Jessica Clos, Administrative Services Supervisor for five months from August 16, 2026 through January 1st, 2027.
This is the first extension request.
Prior to the meeting, Commissioners, we received a letter from T Norfolk.
Chief Court Administrator, who explains this appointment was caused by the recent retirement.
The position supports the front desk operations at the court.
They provided temporary appointment paperwork, a job description, and Ms.
Claus's resume.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
No.
No.
I'll move approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve this request to extend this temporary appointment.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yeah.
The request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item 14, file number 260475.
Communication from the Milwaukee Waterworks to extend the temporary appointments for Nicholas Costello and Angel Sanchez, water repair crew leader for five months from July 19, 2026 through January 2nd, 2027.
This is the first extension request.
Prior to the meeting, we received a letter from Jane Islow, Waterworks Administration Manager.
She explains these positions supervised field crews.
But in addition, it gives the appointees an opportunity to gain experience for future promotional opportunities.
They provided the temporary appointment paperwork, job description, and resumes for both Mr.
Costello and Mr.
Sanchez.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
No.
I move approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the request to extend these two temporary appointments.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yeah.
The request to approve these two temporary appointments is approved.
Next item, please.
Item 15, file number 260476.
Communication from the Milwaukee Waterworks to extend the temporary appointment for Richard Van Reaper, water field supervisor for five months from August 2nd, 2026 through January 2nd, 2022.
This is the second extension request.
Prior to the meeting, Commissioners, we received a letter from Jane Isla, Waterworks Administration Manager.
She explains this appointment allows the department to provide supervision to their work crews and on the job training to potential supervisors of the future.
They have temporary appointment.
Paperwork, job description, and Mr.
Van Reaper's resume.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
No, I move that we grant approval.
I second.
Then moved and seconded to approve this request to extend this temporary appointment.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioners, Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yeah.
The request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item 16, file number 26047.
Communication from the Office of the City Clerk to permanently exempt six part-time auxiliary executive administrative assistant positions, pay range 2 CN.
Prior to the meeting, Commissioners, we received a letter from Dana Zelazny, Deputy City Clerk, who explains these positions will fill in, will provide fill-in coverage in the absence of a district legislative assistant.
Who and those legislative district assistants are exempt from city service.
The request reflects the desire for at least some council members to have someone they know and trust serving in their office.
We had a memo from Kristen Hennessy Urban, human resources manager and support and a job description.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions.
I do not.
I move for approval.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the request to exempt this position.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yeah.
The request is approved.
Next item, please.
Item 17, file number 260492.
Communication from the Department of Administration to re-exempt the Intergovernmental Relations Division Manager Senior position, pay range 20X.
Commissioners, prior to the meeting, we received a letter from Stephen Mahan, Deputy Director.
He explains his position serves as a lobbyist for the administration.
The person represents city policy to outside governmental agencies and elected officials.
We have a memo from Ms.
Urban, human resources manager in support of the request.
She notes the positions of key advisor to the mayor regarding proposed legislation at both the state and federal levels.
They provided a job description.
Do commissioners have any comments or questions?
No.
I move with grant approval.
It's been moved and seconded to approve the request to re-exempt the position.
I'll pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yes.
The request is approved.
Please announce item 18.
File number 260478.
Communication from Jennifer Evans, working compensation and safety manager to appeal the classification recommendation for the workers' compensation and safety manager position to pay range 1LX.
I think I see Ms.
Evans is here.
And Ms.
Knickerbacher is here.
So I'm going to uh briefly introduce our hearing and then we'll get into the substance of the matter.
Item 18 is a classification appeal from Jennifer Evans concerning a recent report to our commission, which included her position of workers' compensation and safety manager.
The commission hears appeals of major disciplinary actions, and those appeals are conducted under Rule 14.
This commission also hears appeals from employees and applicants regarding classification and staffing selection issues.
This appeal from Ms.
Evans is a classification matter, and this appeal will be conducted under Rule 2, Section 7.
We handle these types of appeals informally.
We do not swear in witnesses, and we do not have a court reporter to document the hearings.
Staff notified the appellant that she will represent herself.
It is my understanding that Ms.
Evans filed a timely appeal in accord with Rule 2 Section 7, paragraph A.
Rule 2, Section 7 provides the following.
Any exhibits or documents are to be provided in advance of the hearing.
Submission of new or additional materials will not be allowed.
And I and I assume the other commissioners did in fact receive a uh a number of exhibits in this matter.
Rule two, section seven, paragraph C allows each side a maximum of 19 minutes.
It limits the presentation as follows up to two minutes for opening statements, up to 15 minutes for main arguments, and up to two minutes for rebuttal comments.
By rule, if a witness is called by either side, the time used by the witness counts against the presenter.
If a commissioner asks a question of a presenter or a witness, we will not count that time against the presenter's time limit.
Ms.
Moore has agreed to uh help help me by uh timing the presentations of the two sides.
Rule two does not specify the specific order of statements and arguments, but we will follow, we will proceed as we normally do for both discipline and these personnel administrative type of appeals at each step in the process, opening statement, main argument and rebuttal.
DER will go first, the appellant second.
Before we begin the presentation, I'll note that the commission received five appellant documents, ten department of employee relations documents, and one joint document.
At the outset of each of the opening statement, the presenter will state their name and job title.
Ms.
Moore, are you ready to time the presentations?
Yes, I am.
But President Bach, I just want to uh clarify something.
You said that you have received five appellant exhibits.
Is that what you stated?
Well, they were there five items were listed.
And then you said you received 10 department exhibits.
Is that what you stated?
And there are five joint statements.
I think you said one.
Okay.
And I'm ready to show them.
Pardon me.
If need be, we will.
Yes, I'm prepared to do the timing, sir.
All right.
Well, as I indicated, we'll have opening statements and the Department of Employee Relations, which um Ms.
Knickerbacher is here.
She will um start with her name and job title, and then she will have up to two minutes to state what the issue is from her perspective.
Ms.
Knickerbacker Good afternoon.
Andrea Knickerbacher.
I am the classification administration manager in the Department of Employee Relations.
My opening statement will be DER compensation has recommended an increase in classification level for the workers' compensation and safety manager.
Previously, it was in pay range one JX, and in looking at changes to responsibilities as well as comparable positions.
The recommendation is to go up to pay ranges to pay range 1 LX.
And that includes a change in recruitment rate from roughly 105,000 to roughly 116,000.
The initial human resources business operation market study recommendations that came out prior to this classification, assumed that there were no changes to the workers' competence compensation and safety manager responsibilities.
Director Carter did request that we perform a classification study of the title, but it came at exactly the same time that we had distributed the market study recommendations for the City Service Commission and the Fire and Police Commission.
And because of that, we could not move forward at that time.
Subsequently, the human resources business operations market study recommendations were held in the common council fire and police finance and personnel committee.
And because of that, Director Carter asked that the classification study be completed and results be submitted as a part of a follow-up report to the city service and finance and personnel committee.
That is time.
Thank you.
Now we'll have an opening statement from Ms.
Evans.
Would you please start with your name and job title?
Yes, Jennifer Evans.
I'm the current workers' compensation and safety manager for the city.
Opening statement, please.
Thank you, commissioners, for the opportunities to speak with you today regarding the recent reclassification changes to my position.
I know your time is extremely important, so I will be brief.
I intend to prove that there has been no significant changes in the level of job duties or responsibilities in this position since its classification in 2003 and the subsequent reclassification again in 2022.
And that this position was singled out exclusively not for the job duties, but for the person who is performing the position.
Thank you.
We um we've had the opening statements.
And you have up to 15 minutes to provide the main argument or arguments, plural, uh, in regards to this matter.
Ms.
Knickerbacher.
Thank you.
This title was last studied for classification in 2003.
We agree.
At that time, the section manager was responsible for the day-to-day operations of an in-house adjusting staff.
This included 18 employees.
Subsequently, the employer relations department of employee relations outsourced this component of the work to a third-party administrator.
And so the employees that are currently in the section do audit the external contractor, provide oversight of contract terms, and strategize with a contractor.
The other thing I will say about the changes that happened in 2003 is that prior to the time that time, the position was not equivalent in classification level to what were recently the human resources managers.
And the director at that time wanted to make a change that this become a member of the senior management team.
And it continued that way for several directors.
And the difference the information that we have received in compensation is that currently this position is not serving as a member of senior management.
And in looking at the comparables, which I'll get into a moment, find it most aligned with a couple of other titles.
And I won't pull it out, but we do have an organizational chart for DER included in this summary indicating which positions are part of senior management.
The study analysis recommended an increase in classification to be comparable with the human resources administration managers throughout city departments, as well as the clinic operations director in the health department.
And I have submitted, I won't read it through, but the function of each of these, and just briefly, the workers' compensation and safety manager does manage the workers' compensation and safety section.
It oversees the third party administrator, works with the city attorney's office to ordinate talking.
Coordinated defense of litigated files, works with risk management and safety officer and training, return to work programs, and disabled employee programs, and ensures compliance with state of Wisconsin development rules, safety and health standards, and also reporting.
So just a quick part of that.
The human resources managers are located throughout city departments, and they lead each department's comprehensive human resource functions.
And these include talent management, staffing and hiring, performance management of employees, professional development, organizational design initiatives, compliance, and worker safety.
Another position that we saw as comparable to this position is the public health clinic operations director.
This position serves as the principal staff advisor regarding operations and administrative services and provides leadership and day-to-day guidance to senior management personnel.
It means collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, supports compliance and safety protocol implementation, and assures OSHA standards, ADA and other legal operations are met.
Our analysis also reviews the other what are considered the senior management positions in employee relations under the direction of Director Carter.
This included the employee benefits director and the position in question does report to this position.
The labor negotiator that deals with everything across the city with labor unions as well as the meet and confer initiatives.
The compensation administration manager, that's me.
Wide range of HR issues and projects serves on ad hoc committees, responsible for providing guidance and training to city managers, staff and personnel officers on employees' rights, roles, and responsibilities in a variety of areas.
The last comment I would make in this part of my presentation is just to hit the differences in what a market study is and what a classification study is.
And to see are these at an equivalent level or are they different?
A market study does not evaluate any changes to a position.
It looks strictly at the current job description and then looks externally to the labor market to see what would be the rates that we need to have for the position in order to ensure the city can recruit and retain.
And that's my conclusion for this part.
Thank you.
Well, first of all, I should ask do commissioners have any questions for Ms.
Kickerbacher at this point.
No, I don't, I do not.
Hearing no questions, I'm going to uh go to the appellant and point out that she also has up to 15 minutes.
Uh, Ms.
Evans, would you like to make your main arguments?
Yes, thank you.
Uh, the first thing I would like to point out is that the um organizational chart that was submitted by DER is factually flawed.
Um, you will show see that it is showing the employee benefits director reporting to the DER director according to Wisconsin statute uh 62.51, uh, the benefits director for a city of a first class is appointed by the mayor and reports directly to the mayor.
You will see that the benefits director um job description was also submitted by DER, and it shows on page two that she reports directly to the mayor.
She does not report to the DER director.
So it is factually inaccurate that I would not be a senior senior manager or a senior employee because I do not report to a director because I do report to a director.
I report to the director of employee benefits who reports directly to the mayor.
So that would put me on the same level as the other positions on that org chart that was submitted.
So that was factually inaccurate.
Um, next, I want to discuss the 2003 market study.
Um, the job description that was used for that classification was from 1989.
Um, the only essential job duty that changed was the number of staff being managed, and the fact that now the management is outsourced.
However, um at that time, the job description had 18 employees that were reported up to them to manage the claims, which included a supervisory staff as well as claims adjusters and clerical staff.
And now that includes now, currently, because it is outsourced, um, the manager has to manage all of the claims and outsource TPA.
So it is actually more work to have it outsourced than it is to have it in-house because there is no management team to do the work for me.
Um, the fact that the incumbent at the time in 1989, according to the job description, only required three years of experience instead of eight to 10 years of experience that was required now, according to the job description changed as well.
Um the job description requires oversight, as I stated, liaison with all departments, negotiating claim settlements, management of a budget, which now is exceeds 11 million dollars.
Those are all still core functions of the position.
The original 2003 classification report expressly points out that no other section or division, and for the most part, the entire city of Milwaukee deals with as many different departments and separate hiring authority or the sheer volume of employees as the workers' compensation and safety section.
This is why it was moved to the senior level management area.
And this has not changed since 2003.
This position scope is also responsible for ergonomic assessments and the expansion of the city's emergency preparedness program as well as occupational safety.
I ask you to please look at page 12 of the 2003 reclassification study.
There was an evaluation done that created a score, and based on monetary impact, which has gone up since 2003, scope of operations, which has not changed, staffing, which of course has decreased, technical knowledge, which has not changed, relationships within the city and outside of the city, which has not changed.
Um, the score that was created at the time would need to go down 31 points in order for the classification to change.
I don't think that has happened based on the number of supervised staff.
Um, and the reclassification that was just done to change my um position to a lower score had no point value.
I didn't see one.
It changed, and there was no fundamental score change, and there was no fundamental change in my job duties.
The 2002 classification market study that was done according to the cover page, the department reviewed the position duties, job responsibilities, impact and accountability, relationship responsibilities, working conditions, as well as a minimum education and experience requirements.
The process also compared classification rates of pay.
Why wasn't the job classification changed in 2022 before the new job was before the position was rehired in 2023, if it was such a fundamental job change when the TPA was outsourced in 2016?
As per section seven of the CSC rules, the presumption would exist that this position was properly classified back in 2022, or even back in 2003.
The classification team does an amazing job and a difficult job, just based on the small amount of research I did online.
I have no doubt that the work that they do is accurate.
I marked as exhibit G and H, which were had with the DER director on July 7th, you will see that the director felt that I did not deserve to be at the same level as other DER employees.
This was a personal take on an individual employee who had nothing to do with job duties or job descriptions of this position.
The DER director expressed that since this position did not report directly to her, a director, it was not senior enough to be classified where it was.
Again, nothing was stated about job duties.
If you review the organizational chart, which was misrepresented for this hearing, I report to the employee benefits director who reports to the mayor.
Also expressed that other DER employees would ask for additional money in a budget deficit year if I continued at that current pay grade.
I question if this is true, as they've never asked for additional money in the last 20 some years as I continued on the same pay grade as them.
Um, and why is my position the only one who you would take into consideration in a budget deficit year?
If you look at the other job descriptions I've submitted, there has been no significant change to the job description of the workers' compensation and safety manager for the last 10 years or more.
When this position became available for hire, and you can compare the 2018 to 2023 job description, they are identical.
There were no changes, there was no reclassification.
I do, President Bach.
Commissioner Cleary.
Sure.
Um, when this was reclassified, um, I was informed of the changes.
I actually was given no notification that I could have appealed it.
I had to find out from another employee that I had the right to appeal.
Um, when I asked for um information on how to appeal the information, uh, if you look at the transcripts, I was uh tried she the director tried to talk me out of it and told me I would look bad if I appealed.
Umce um since the director came on board, um, I feel like I've been targeted and singled out, and that um just that everything I do is being watched, and that um I'm just for some reason she just does not seem to like me, and I feel like I'm being harassed, and this is just another step and not and that harassment that I that has been occurring.
Ms.
Evans, if I may follow up, President Bach.
Um I don't see any um documentation from the director of employee benefits or from anyone else in the organization attesting to their knowledge that the position should be at a higher level, or that the organizational chart is incorrect because the director of benefits does not report to the director of HR, but in fact reports to the mayor, which would imply it shouldn't even be in your in the HR department.
Um, so I'm trying to figure out if is there anyone who you are aware of or you have spoken to who uh is able to speak to uh or is there a reason why they haven't agreed to uh speak at this meeting or provide written documentation?
Written documentation.
Um if you look at uh the employee benefits director's job description, it shows she reports to the mayor.
I know that, but I I read that myself.
Thank you.
My question to you was is there a reason why your superior officer, the director of benefits has not supported you in this appeal by providing a documentation to this commission, uh nor has anyone else come forward to bring us information.
Got it.
She was actually on vacation, she just got back today.
She's on the call, she didn't have time to submit information by the deadline.
It was while she was on vacation.
Okay.
Um and honestly, I didn't know people could submit something on my behalf.
I've only been with the city for two years.
I didn't understand the process.
I didn't even know I had the right to appeal to begin with.
Um can I know how to ask this?
If you've only been with the with the city for two years, um what basis do you believe that you are being singled out and uh that um you're being treated differently, and um it doesn't sound like you have any personal knowledge of any of the documents that you've submitted.
Which documents, I'm sorry.
Well, you submitted uh documents about other people and the what they did when they were in the job.
Clearly, I can read that, but I'm wondering what basis you have to believe that you're being singled out personally.
Um by whom are you pointing a finger at Ms.
Carter, for example.
It's just my experience that since she's come on board.
I can only go by my experience since I've been here.
Okay, and you've been here through probably three directors.
But now is just because now is when this uh re-evaluation of your position is happening.
You believe it's her that's making this negative decision about you?
Correct, yes.
Okay, I have no other questions, President Bach.
Um if that's the case, then um we'll go to the final step, the rebuttals.
Um you have two minutes.
Thank you.
Two points that I would bring up.
The first is it is absolutely correct that when we do a market study, we take a look at the job descriptions to understand everything about the position, not for the purpose of comparing the position to the past for that position, but in order to make sure that we are choosing the right comparables in the market.
So they have to be apples to apples in terms of the comparison.
And the second thing I would mention is that the Milwaukee code 340-7 personnel.
Number one, the employee benefits manager, the employee benefits manager who is the equivalent to the employee benefits administrator under section 625 of the Wisconsin statutes, shall be subject to the direction and control of the director of employee relations.
And those are my comments.
In the opening statement, I think you indicated that Ms.
Evans will receive a uh an increase.
Is that correct?
Yes, absolutely.
All right.
Is it also true that the staffing services manager will see receive an increase, but it'll be somewhat more than what Ms.
Evans received.
Is that correct?
That is correct.
Okay.
Um so both positions are going up somewhat, but the staffing services manager is going up somewhat more than Ms.
Evans's position.
Um that reflects from your perspective.
Does that reflect the market?
Uh the evaluation of the market conditions for these two jobs for the staffing administration manager, that is based upon market data gathered from a number of survey sources that we used where we were comparing apples to apples.
And uh for this analysis for the workers' compensation and safety manager, we took a different tack, and we're looking at the comparison of duties and responsibilities to other in-house positions in terms of level of responsibility and oversight.
Okay, so it's it's really a hybrid evaluation, a part classification study in the traditional sense, but also part um market study.
For the um workers' compensation manager, the classification, the classification itself did not provide in the classification study what were other comparables that we saw in the market.
Oh, I'm I'm sorry.
Okay.
All right, that's my my question.
Do the other commissioners have any uh comments or questions for Ms.
Knickerbocker?
Um so Andrea, so how long did this whole process take?
I'm trying to figure out when did it start most recently up until now.
Uh clarification question.
Are you are you speaking in terms of how long did it take for us to do the classification study part?
Yeah, yes.
Okay.
We we found out from uh director Carter that she wanted us to go back and look at this from a classification point of view.
We found that out just as we were revealing the recommendations of the market study.
So there is a city service commission meeting every two weeks.
We did do the analysis over that two-week period of time.
So what can you give me dates?
Or do you I mean I'm trying to figure out the timeline?
Sure.
I don't I would say the actual time we had available to work was was literally two weeks, because then we had to prepare the report.
And and the other thing I'd mention is that report that we prepared had another of other changes where departments had come back to us and said, take another look at this.
Okay.
If I try to give you dates, I'll probably botch it.
Okay.
I'll just try to in my mind.
It was two weeks.
Okay.
Any other questions for Ms.
Knickerbacher?
Hearing hearing no request for comment or questions in that regard.
The appellant has two minutes for rebuttal, and she may be subject to questions or comments.
Ms.
Evans.
I yes, just the comparison of positions that they compared it to for the market study in those two weeks time are human resources, administrative manager, which are on the department level, and only administer information on the department level.
The workers' compensation and safety manager oversees work on a citywide level.
So to compare the information on a department level versus a citywide level and expect the comparison to be the same.
It is not.
And to try and get a reclassification and a market study done in two weeks while you're preparing information on other departments to meet a deadline, it just does not seem like adequate time to do it accurately.
Commissioners, do you have any comments or questions for Ms.
Evans in regards to uh her rebuttal remarks?
I know not.
Um, we've we've had the full hearing process as I understand it.
Uh from reviewing uh rule two, and then we should cover it in these a manner somewhat similar to the uh to the discipline major discipline type hearings, uh, but more informally.
Um I think at this point, I have to ask my fellow commissioners.
Um do they prefer to um review this in closed session, or if you want to do it in open session, in either case we're gonna reach a decision this afternoon.
Uh I presume we will, um, unless it's referred back to staff for some reason.
Um what's the what's the thinking of my fellow commissioners?
Um President Bach, I I think I would feel more comfortable if we did a closed session and then came back into open session and announced our decision.
Ms.
Moore, um I think you indicated to me that we are prepared to um I guess I'd call it a second a second hearing room for the commissioners.
Uh is that true?
Yes, sir, it is, and I would ask that um the commissioners and attorney rollings and um Miss Fleck would do absolutely nothing.
I will virtually move you to the room when I open it, uh those assignments uh will automatically go into the closed session.
So don't leave the meeting, stay where you're at.
Okay, well if um if the other commissioners, there would have to be a motion.
I um commissioner cleary, did you want to make a motion motion to that effect?
Yes, I I move I move that we go into closed session as uh allowed by the statutes to deliberate on the matter of the classification appeal of uh Jennifer Evans.
The motion it's been moved and seconded to go into closed session to consider matter matters related to item 18, the classification appeal of Ms.
Evans.
Um I'll pull the commissioners commissioner Miller, yes, commissioner Cleary.
Yes, Commissioner Wicksparrow, yeah.
You're ready to resume.
All right.
Um the commission deliberated regarding item eighteen, and the commission voted to come back into open session to announce its decision in this matter.
Um I want to check to make sure.
Do we have do we have Ms.
Evans with us?
Yes.
Do we have Ms.
Knickerbacher with us?
Okay, so that the two presenters are here.
Uh, we have our attorney.
Um, and do we and Ms.
Moore is here?
Are all three Commissioner?
I'm just this is an informal check.
We're not voting or anything.
Um, are you with us?
Uh I am here.
Okay.
And I see Heidi's number.
Yeah, I'm here.
All right.
And uh Commissioner Cleary.
Uh having deliberated on the matter of the appeal of gentlemen.
Oh, there you are.
There you are.
Okay.
Is there a motion in this map in this matter?
I have a motion, President Bach.
I move that based on the preponderance of the evidence and the um testimony here today that we deny the appeal of Ms.
Evans.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to deny the appeal in this matter.
I will pull the commissioners.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes.
Commissioner Cleary.
Yes.
Commissioner Wick Sporl.
Yeah.
And the chair also votes.
Yes.
Evans, the appeal's been denied.
We uh we'll meet again in early September.
We have the month of August off, which is always one of the high points for me of my season with the commission.
Uh uh any comments, commissioners?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Who's speaking?
This is Sultan Law Farm.
Um, Attorney Sultan wants us to go on record that we have been present during the hearing on behalf of Ms.
Evans.
Well that that's that's fine.
You've you've uh you've indicated that to us.
Um thank you.
And it is on the record because the meeting has not been adjourned yet.
Um Ms.
Carter is our uh who's our director of employee relations and also serves as executive secretary to our commission.
Do you have any comments to make for us before we go on recess?
I do not um just enjoy your recess and we'll see you in September.
All right.
Well, I want to echo uh Ms.
Carter.
Uh I hope everybody has a uh enjoyable August and uh I'll see you folks.
Labor Day.
I uh I would entertain a motion to adjourn at this point.
I I move that we adjourn the meeting.
I second.
It's been moved and seconded to adjourn this meeting of the Board of City Service Commissioners.
I'll call the roll.
Commissioner Miller.
Yes, commissioner Cleary.
Yes, Commissioner Wicksporel.
Yeah.
We are adjourned.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
Take care, everybody.
Board of City Service Commissioners Meeting - July 21, 2026
The Board of City Service Commissioners met on July 21, 2026, at 7:45 PM. President Frank Bach presided. Commissioners Miller, Cleary, and Wicksporl were present; Commissioner Smith was excused. The board unanimously approved several routine personnel actions, including the July 7 minutes, classification reports, probationary recommendations, temporary appointment extensions, and exemption requests. The board also heard and denied a classification appeal from Jennifer Evans, workers' compensation and safety manager.
Discussion Items
- Approval of Minutes and Classification Reports: The board approved the minutes of the July 7, 2026, meeting. Andrea Knickerbacher, employee relations, noted that the large volume of classification reports was due to the impending Workday project; this was the last meeting for such changes until November.
- Probationary Periods for Reclassified Positions: Staff recommended no new probationary period for most positions but recommended new probation for three individuals: Cynthia Reynolds (City Attorney’s Office), Ramona Ramos (Department of Compliance and Engagement), and Jessica Cross (Municipal Court). The board approved.
- Temporary Appointment Extensions: The board approved nine extension requests (some with multiple appointees). Details:
- Imani Ortiz, Business Services Manager, 90 days (second extension).
- Ramona Ramos, Operations Policy and Grant Manager, 90 days (second extension).
- Myra Perez, DPW Business Services Specialist, 4 months (first extension).
- Shannon R. Goodwin, Admin Services Director, 4 months (first extension).
- Jason Schmelling, Urban Forestry Technician, 6 months retroactive (third extension). Commissioner Cleary questioned the length; DPW representative Makisha Porter explained it covered two employee absences and other vacancies. The board approved.
- Lamont Downey, Fleet Operations and Training Supervisor, 6 months (first extension).
- Natalie Herman, Transportation Financial Analyst, 6 months (first extension).
- Jessica Clos, Administrative Services Supervisor, 5 months (first extension).
- Nicholas Costello and Angel Sanchez, Water Repair Crew Leaders, 5 months (first extension).
- Richard Van Reaper, Water Field Supervisor, 5 months (second extension).
- Exemption Requests: The board approved the permanent exemption of six part-time auxiliary executive administrative assistant positions (City Clerk’s Office) and the re-exemption of the Intergovernmental Relations Division Manager Senior position (Department of Administration).
- Classification Appeal of Jennifer Evans: The board conducted an informal hearing under Rule 2, Section 7. The appellant, Jennifer Evans, appealed the classification of her position (workers’ compensation and safety manager). DER representative Andrea Knickerbacher recommended an increase from pay range 1JX (approx. $105,000) to 1LX (approx. $116,000), citing changes in duties and comparability with human resources administration managers and clinic operations director. Evans argued that job duties had not significantly changed since the 2003 classification, that the DER organizational chart was factually incorrect (the employee benefits director reports to the mayor, not the DER director), and that she was personally targeted by the DER director. During rebuttal, Knickerbacher cited city code 340-7 indicating the benefits manager is subject to the direction of the DER director. After closed session deliberation, the board voted 4-0 to deny the appeal, upholding the DER recommendation.
Key Outcomes
- Approved July 7, 2026, meeting minutes.
- Approved classification reports as submitted.
- Approved staff recommendations on probationary periods.
- Approved all temporary appointment extensions (items 6-15).
- Approved exemption of six auxiliary administrative assistant positions.
- Approved re-exemption of Intergovernmental Relations Division Manager Senior.
- Denied classification appeal of Jennifer Evans (4-0 vote).
- All other motions passed unanimously.
Meeting Transcript
My name is Frank Bach and I serve as the president of the Board of City Service Commissioners. The first item on today's call to order agenda is the call to order. This July 21st meeting of the board is called to order. The next item is the roll call. Would the executive secretary please call the roll? Vice President Miller. Present. Commissioner Cleary. Present. Commissioner Smith. I believe he's excused. Is excused. Commissioner Woodsboro. Present. President Bach. Present. Or present. Thank you. The next item. Could you please announce the next item? Next item item three, file number two six zero four six four. Communication for the approval of the July 7th, 2026 meeting minutes. Do commissioners have any questions or comments regarding the proposed minutes? No. No. No. I move approval. I second. It's been moved and seconded to approve the proposed minutes of our July 7th meeting. I'll pull the commissioners. Commissioner Miller. Yes. Commissioner Cleary. Yes. Commissioner Wicksporl. Yes. The minutes are approved as submitted. Next item, please. File number 260465. Communication for the approval of the classification reports as submitted. Do commissioners have any questions or comments concerning the proposed reports. No, but they were extensive. Well, that is a comment. If quickly, if I can, Andrea Nickerbacker, uh, employee relations. The reason we have so many this time is because of the impending workday project. And this meeting of the City Service Commission and the previous fire and police commission and next week's finance committee are the last times that we'll be able to put forward changes. So yeah, the next time we will likely be back is end of November. Okay. Okay. All right.
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