San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - March 8, 2024

The San Diego Civil Service Commission met on March 8, 2024, at 9:00 AM Pacific (17:00 UTC) to consider consent agenda items, several special salary adjustments (SSAs), classification changes, and other personnel matters. The commission took votes on numerous items and heard public testimony from union representatives, city department heads, and employees.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from February 1, 2024, and the consent agenda unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Non‑agenda public comment: A staff member thanked former Commissioner Aaron Olson for four years of service.
• Item 21 (Special Salary Adjustments) – Equipment Operators: Multiple speakers expressed support for a 15% SSA:
  • Andres Salva (Local 127) cited a 16% average vacancy rate and argued that the city’s compensation survey should include comparable large cities; he requested 15% for landfill equipment operators, equipment operator series, motor sweeper operators, traffic striper operators, sewer maintenance operators, and light equipment operators.
  • Chris Gascon (Transportation Department) reported a nearly 25% vacancy rate citywide and noted a Rothman Associates study indicating San Diego equipment operators lag City of Los Angeles salaries by at least 30%.
  • Yvette Garsed (Public Utilities Department) highlighted that these employees worked through the pandemic and the January 22 floods.
  • Lewis Merlin (Parks and Recreation) stated their department has nine vacancies for equipment operators.
  • Matt Kastrinski (AFSME) emphasized that the SSA would help attract new hires.
  • Tim Douglas (Local 127) asked the commission to approve the full series to address recruitment and retention.
• Marine Safety Lieutenant: Connor Robbins (Teamsters Local 911) requested 7.5% for recruitment issues; noted only six lieutenants for the city, with three retiring soon.
• Stock Clerk and Storekeeper: Nick Wright (MEA) and City Clerk Deanna Fuentes explained that duties have shifted to digital records management, but turnover is not captured because employees transfer within the city. They requested 20% increases; Yvette Garsed (Public Utilities) also spoke in support.
• Lifeguard 2 (Item 26): Connor Robbins (Teamsters 911) and Steven (union rep) presented data showing lifeguard wages have not kept pace with inflation (CPI) or housing costs; starting pay is $30.53/hr, and it takes 6+ years to become a permanent lifeguard 2. They requested a 5% SSA for Lifeguard 2, 3, and Sergeant classifications. Seasonal lifeguards Erica, Mary Kate Comas, and others described the difficulty of making ends meet.

Discussion Items

• Item 25 – Ad Hoc Committee on Personnel Director Recruitment: Commissioner Moore and President Gover reported that they decided not to use a $25,000 outside consultant; instead, HR will post a 30‑day job bulletin via NeoGov, screen resumes, and provide qualified candidates to the committee. The committee will bring an action item to a future meeting. Deputy City Attorney Garcia advised that the item was informational only.
• Item 19 – Leave Request: Daniel Learman (Clerical Assistant) requested a one‑year leave without pay ending February 11, 2025, to pursue education and address family health needs. Approved 5‑0.
• Item 20 – Suspension of Competition: Approval to appoint seven incumbents to Court Support Clerk Supervisor without a new selection process. Approved 5‑0.
• Item 21 – Special Salary Adjustments (SSAs):
  • Subitem 1 (Equipment Operator 2): Staff recommended 8% for equipment operator 1, 2, 3 and disposal site supervisor. The commission voted to recommend 15% for a broader set of classifications: landfill equipment operators, equipment operator 1–3, motor sweeper operators, traffic striper operators, sewer maintenance operators, and light equipment operators. Passed 5‑0. (Legal discussion about Brown Act notice was resolved to proceed.)
  • Subitem 2 (Marine Safety Lieutenant): The commission approved a 7.5% SSA (above staff’s 5% recommendation) for Marine Safety Lieutenant and Marine Safety Captain. Passed 5‑0.
  • Subitem 3 (Principal Planner): Approved creation of a new classified Principal Planner classification and deletion of the unclassified Principal Planner classification. Passed 5‑0.
  • Subitem 4 (Stock Clerk): Staff did not recommend an increase. The commission approved a 20% SSA, citing changed duties and low starting pay ($17.68/hr). Passed 4‑0 (Commissioner Merrill recused).
  • Subitem 5 (Storekeeper): Staff did not recommend an increase. The commission approved a 20% SSA. Passed 4‑0 (Commissioner Merrill recused).
• Item 22 – Motion to Dismiss Appeal: Hector Sanchez’s appeal was dismissed for failure to appear at his December 15, 2023 hearing. Approved 5‑0.
• Item 23 – Personnel Director Update: David Daliger reported on improvements:
  • A draft classified hiring guide and flowchart completed.
  • Streamlined interview packet: required documents reduced from 27 to 7.
  • Reference check form now includes an email field.
  • Rating factor sheet simplified to one overall rating per candidate.
  • Noted that the city faces a significant budget deficit; new hires will require COO‑signed memos, extending hiring timelines.
• Item 26 – Unfinished Business (Lifeguard 2 SSA): After public testimony, Commissioner Merrill moved for a 5% SSA for Lifeguard 2, 3, and Sergeant classifications. The motion passed 3‑2 (Merrill, Fam, and Commissioner Moore? Actually recorded: Commissioner Merrill Yes, Commissioner Portillo No, Commissioner Moore No, Commissioner Fam Yes, Commission President Gover Yes? Wait tally: The transcript says "Commissioner Merrill Yes, Commissioner Portillo No, ... yes, commissioner more, no, commissioner Pam. And a mute. I was to say yes. Motion passes three to two." So three yes (Merrill, Fam, President Gover?), two no (Portillo, Moore). So passed 3-2.).

Key Outcomes

• Approved special salary adjustments (recommendations to proceed to meet‑and‑confer):
  • 15% for multiple equipment operator and related classifications (5‑0).
  • 7.5% for Marine Safety Lieutenant and Captain (5‑0).
  • 20% for Stock Clerk (4‑0, one recusal).
  • 20% for Storekeeper (4‑0).
  • 5% for Lifeguard 2, 3, and Sergeant (3‑2).
• Approved classification actions:
  • Created new classified Principal Planner; deleted unclassified Principal Planner (5‑0).
  • Suspended competition for seven Court Support Clerk Supervisor appointments (5‑0).
• Granted leave request: Daniel Learman, one‑year unpaid leave (5‑0).
• Dismissed appeal: Hector Sanchez appeal dismissed for non‑appearance (5‑0).
• Ad hoc committee: Will bring an action item on personnel director recruitment at a future meeting.
• Hiring process changes: New COO approval requirement for most hires will lengthen hiring timelines; commission will be kept informed.