Puyallup Civil Service Commission Meeting - January 20, 2026
Puyallup Civil Service Commission Meeting - January 20, 2026
The Puyallup Civil Service Commission met on January 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM in City Hall Council Chambers, with a quorum present. The meeting covered routine approvals, approval of two new eligibility lists for corrections officer positions, and a staffing update from the Chief Examiner. All motions passed unanimously 4-0.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Agenda: Motion by Commissioner Spracklen, seconded by Vice-Chair Knutson, passed 4-0.
- Approval of December 15, 2025 Minutes: Motion by Commissioner Spracklen, seconded by Vice-Chair Knutson, passed 4-0.
Discussion Items
- Blended Lateral Entry Corrections Officer Eligibility List: Chief Examiner Katie Ortega reported that one lateral corrections candidate (currently with UW Police, previously with tribal law enforcement and Forks PD) was interviewed on January 12, 2026, passed a panel interview, and was added to the list. The list now includes: 1. Christian Hansen, 2. Brent Kempster, 3. Jennifer Roth, 4. Kristen Kramer, 5. Katrina Saunders.
- Blended Advanced Entry Corrections Officer Eligibility List: One advanced entry candidate (currently with Thurston County Corrections) was interviewed on January 12, 2026, passed the panel evaluation, and was added. The list now includes: 1. Garreth Alvarez, 2. Carla Mancilla, 3. Rachel Chavez.
- Chief Examiner’s Report: Ortega provided staffing updates:
- New entry-level corrections officer Mitchell started on January 20.
- Entry-level police officers Brandy Ramsey and Israel Lopez began on January 5.
- One entry-level police candidate and one lateral corrections candidate are in background checks.
- Current openings: one in corrections, three in police.
- Captain Jason Vizna’s retirement will create internal promotions and a new police officer vacancy.
- Interviews were scheduled for later on January 20.
- Request for Chief’s Report Substitute: Commissioner Kelly asked that when the Chief is absent, a command staff member (e.g., Deputy Chief Massey) provide a report. Chief Examiner Ortega agreed to relay the request.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to approve Blended Lateral Entry Corrections Officer Eligibility List (Spracklen/Knutson) passed 4-0.
- Motion to approve Blended Advanced Entry Corrections Officer Eligibility List (Spracklen/Knutson) passed 4-0.
- Next meeting scheduled for February 17, 2026, at 9:00 AM via Zoom.
Meeting Transcript
Yeah, I've not heard from Commissioner Case. So I'll go ahead and get started with the quorum. Right. Let's move ahead. Roll call, please. Commissioner Scott Case. Commissioner Brian Spracklin. Present. Commissioner Jim Kelly. Present. Vice Chair Ed Kenutsen. Present. Chair Dan Smith. Present by Zoom. Thank you. We have a quorum. Okay. Approval of the minutes. I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes that were included in our packet that we received last week. Motion to approve the minutes. And a second. Second. All right. Any discussion about the uh minutes? All right. I'll signify approval of the minutes by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Okay. Um approval of the agenda. Uh the agenda was sent to us in our materials uh last week. I would entertain a motion to approve the agenda as as uh sent to us. Uh motion to approve the agenda. And a second. Second. And any discussion. Okay, all in favor of approving the agenda, signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Aye. All right. Okay. Ms. Ortega, blended lateral corrections officer list. As we scheduled one lateral corrections candidate for an interview on January 12th. Excuse me. Uh the candidate is currently with UW police uh and had prior to been with tribal law enforcement agency. Uh, but he is looking to transition from law enforcement into corrections. Um, so he's applied for us as a lateral. The candidate was interviewed by a panel of assessors whose scores were averaged, and he did pass the interview process and was added in order of score to a blended eligibility list as follows.
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