Puyallup Civil Service Commission Meeting – September 22, 2025
Puyallup Civil Service Commission Meeting – September 22, 2025
The Civil Service Commission of Puyallup met on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 9:00 AM. Chair Dan Smith called the meeting to order with four commissioners present (Smith, Knutson, Spracklen, Kelly) and one absent (Case), constituting a quorum. Staff present included Human Resources Director/Chief Examiner Katie Ortega and Administrative Clerk Yessenia Abarca. The meeting lasted until 9:14 AM. All actions during the meeting were unanimous.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of the Agenda: Motion by Commissioner Spracklen, seconded by Vice-Chair Knutson. Passed 4-0.
- Approval of Minutes (August 18, 2025): Motion by Commissioner Spracklen, seconded by Vice-Chair Knutson. Passed 4-0.
Discussion Items
- Advanced Entry Level Corrections Officer Eligibility List: Chief Examiner Ortega reported that oral boards were held September 10th. Four applicants were invited; one canceled due to illness. Three were interviewed by a panel; all three passed the interview process, but one subsequently failed the Chief's interview. Two candidates were placed in order of score on a new list: 1. Garreth Alvarez, 2. Carla Mancilla. (Note: The transcript spells the second candidate as "Carla Mansilla," but the official minutes use "Carla Mancilla.")
- Lateral Entry Corrections Officer Eligibility List: Oral boards held September 10th. Four applicants were invited and all interviewed. All four passed and were added in order of score to a blended eligibility list: 1. Christian Hansen, 2. Rajdeep Singh, 3. Kristen Kraemer, 4. Lisandro Castro (expires 5/19/26), 5. Alfred Schattschneider. (Transcript spellings differ for some names, e.g., "Rosdeep Singh" and "Kristen Kramer"; the minutes are the official record.)
- Advanced Entry Level Police Officer Eligibility List: Oral boards held September 4th and 10th. Three advanced entry candidates interviewed; all passed. Assessors noted they were very strong candidates. Two were from Algona and Auburn PD, one from Grays Harbor Sheriff's Department. Blended eligibility list: 1. Joseph Parrish, 2. Gary Hardnett Jr., 3. Andrew Snyder, 4. Jonathan Crandall (expires 6/16/26), 5. Omar Rivas Cortez (expires 12/20/25).
- Entry Level Police Officer Eligibility List: Oral boards held September 4th and 10th. Fifteen applicants invited; seven interviewed. All seven passed, and the panel was very pleased with the pool. Blended eligibility list: 1. Israel Cuevas, 2. Grant NeSmith, 3. Jared Cortel (expires 7/21/26), 4. Alexander Phan (expires 8/18/26), 5. Oscar Quezada, 6. Matheo Suarez (expires 8/18/26), 7. James Crawford, 8. Michael Boushy (expires 8/18/26), 9. Pavel Zaytesev (expires 8/18/26), 10. Zak Cowman, 11. Guillermo Diaz-Gulaco (expires 3/17/26), 12. Marques Reese (expires 8/18/26), 13. Forrest Preston, 14. Jacob Albers. (Transcript name variations noted but official minutes spellings used.)
- Clarification on Candidate Levels: Commissioner Kelly asked about the difference between advanced entry and entry level. Chief Examiner Ortega explained that entry level candidates have never worked as a police officer or have had a long break. Advanced entry candidates have been hired, completed the Criminal Justice Training Commission academy, and started work but have not yet completed two full years of service. Lateral candidates have two or more years of service.
- Chief Examiner's Report: Chief Ortega reported five current openings in the police department, with one lateral candidate starting September 29th. Two openings remain in corrections. She noted the strong candidate lists and that the next meeting is scheduled for October 20th, subject to change if additional interviews are held. Commissioner Smith commended the panel's consistency in scoring. Ortega also confirmed that the October meeting may coincide with the quarterly IT person meeting, to be confirmed later.
Key Outcomes
- All four eligibility lists (Advanced Entry Corrections Officer, Lateral Corrections Officer, Advanced Entry Police Officer, and Entry Level Police Officer) were approved unanimously by a 4-0 vote on separate motions made by Commissioner Spracklen and seconded by Vice-Chair Knutson.
- The next regular meeting is tentatively set for October 20, 2025, at 9:00 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, we call the meeting to order Monday, September 22, 2025. Um roll call. Commissioner Scott Case. Commissioner Brian Spracklin. Present. Commissioner Jim Kelly. Present. Vice Chair Ed Knutson. Present. Chair Dan Smith. Present. Thank you. With four in attendance, you have a quorum. All right. Next on the agenda approval of the agenda. I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda. Motion to approve. Second. Second. Any discussion? Okay. All in favor of approving the agenda. Signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Okay. Motion passes. Consideration of the minutes. The minutes were included in our packet from August 18, 2025. Very detailed, very well put together. I would entertain a motion to approve those minutes. Motion to approve the minutes. And a second. Second. Okay. Is there any discussion over the minutes? Any corrections, deletions, discussions. Okay, hearing none. All in favor of uh approving the minutes. Uh signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. Okay, minutes are approved. New business, Chief Examiner Ortega. We have four different lists to take a look at. Let's start with the first one. Okay, good morning, everyone.
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