San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - November 3, 2023

On November 3, 2023, the San Diego Civil Service Commission held a regular meeting chaired by Commissioner Moore (in the absence of President Gover). Commissioners Moore and Olson were present. The meeting covered consent agenda approvals, staff recommendations on special salary adjustments, a reinstatement waiver, whistleblower training, process improvement updates from the Personnel Department, a report from the Deputy Chief Operating Officer on hiring partnerships, and discussion of future recruitment for the Personnel Director position.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (12 items, including minutes from October 5, 2023) was approved unanimously by Commissioners Moore, Olson, and the chair.
• Item 14 (leave of absence without pay for Library Assistant 3 Barahe Asadelahi) was approved unanimously.
• Item 16 (revisions to addendum to personnel manual index code D3) was approved unanimously.
• Item 17 (reinstatement waiver for Maury Hayes) was approved unanimously.
• Item 18 (whistleblower training for Personnel Department employees) – the commission approved a motion that the City Auditor’s Office make training available, recommended but not mandatory, for personnel department employees.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Nick Wright (MEA labor relations manager) spoke in support of the special salary adjustment recommendations for Recreation Center Directors and Special Event Traffic Controllers, but raised concerns about potential compaction with Area Manager Twos (for rec centers) and requested a larger increase (20%) for SETCs due to overtime costs.
• Deputy Director Louis Morland (Parks & Recreation) supported the rec center series adjustment and also supported MEA’s proposal for Area Manager Twos to avoid compaction.
• Sylvia Satram (Police Human Resources Deputy Director) confirmed the police department’s support for a 20% increase for SETCs, citing heavy overtime reliance.
• Nick Wright also spoke in support of the reinstatement waiver for Maury Hayes, noting high vacancy rates in the management analyst series.

Discussion Items

• Item 15 – Special Salary Adjustments
  Subitem 1 – Recreation Center Director series: Personnel staff recommended a 20% adjustment for Assistant Rec Center Director, Rec Center Directors 1, 2, and 3 based on turnover. MEA requested an additional 7.5–10% for Area Manager Twos to maintain differentials. The commission approved the 20% adjustment for the entire rec center series and directed staff to bring an analysis on Area Manager Twos at a future meeting. Vote: unanimous.
  Subitem 2 – Special Event Traffic Controller (SETC) series: Personnel recommended 7% for SETC1, SETC2, and supervisor. MEA and the Police Department requested 20% due to recruitment problems and high overtime costs. After discussion, the commission approved a 15% adjustment for the entire SETC series (motion by Commissioner Olson, second by Moore). Vote: unanimous.
• Item 19 – Personnel Department Progress Update
  Interim Personnel Director David Dallagar reported on process improvements: reducing hiring time (targeting a 109-day pre-requisition window down to ~30 days), modernizing regulations and technology (applicant tracking software, electronic submission pilots, reducing interview documents from 30 to <10, live scan fingerprinting), and implementing all 8 of the City Auditor’s classified hiring audit recommendations (5 by early 2024, 3 by December 2024). Commissioners praised the cultural shift toward collaboration.
• Item 20 – Report from Deputy COO Alia Corey
  Ms. Corey (Deputy COO, Operational Support) outlined partnerships with Personnel: pilot departments (Environmental Services and Library), a refocused innovation think-tank, a rolling three-month recruitment outlook to prioritize critical vacancies (e.g., Park Rangers), and a new Lead Hiring Manager position (to be filled in 30 days). Commissioners expressed strong support for the collaborative approach.
• Item 21 – Update on Employee ID Number Delays
  David Dallagar described the three-stakeholder process (originating department, Personnel, and IT security). Efforts include electronic PCR submissions (pilot expanding in December, full by March), pre-hire paperwork allowed before start date, and discussions with DOIT to automate AD account activation. Commissioner Moore stressed the need for rapid resolution and called for monthly updates.
• Item 22 – Expansion of the Civil Service Commission – Tabled/continued to a future meeting.
• Item 23 – Recruitment for Personnel Director Position – Discussion of using in-house vs. consultant (CPS HR at $25,000/recruitment). The commission decided to continue discussion to the next meeting when President Gover (with HR expertise) can participate. A motion to continue passed unanimously.
• Item 24 – Request from Communications Department (exempt position) – Continued to a future meeting unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda, items 14, 16, 17, and 18 all approved unanimously.
• Special Salary Adjustments: 20% for Recreation Center Director series approved; 15% for Special Event Traffic Controller series approved. Both motions passed unanimously.
• Area Manager Two analysis – staff directed to bring a future recommendation; timeline: at a future Civil Service Commission meeting.
• Whistleblower training – directed to be offered (recommended) by City Auditor’s Office to Personnel Department employees.
• Personnel Director recruitment – discussion continued; ad hoc committee to work with HR and report back.
• Items 22 and 24 continued to future meetings.
• Meeting adjourned after unanimous vote.