San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - July 3, 2025

The San Diego Civil Service Commission convened on July 3, 2025, at 11:30 AM. The meeting included a report from closed session, approval of consent agenda, consideration of several requests for special leave without pay, approval of overtime eligibility for new classifications, and an update from the Personnel Director on departmental successes and proposed budget impacts.

Report from Closed Session

• Commissioner Saba reported the following outcomes from closed session (all motions to deny appeals passed 3-0):
  • Alec Borreno: Appeal of medical disqualification for Lifeguard 1 – denied.
  • Jamie M. Craig: Appeal of medical disqualification for Lifeguard 1 – denied.
  • Richard J. Richmond Jr.: Appeal of medical disqualification for Lifeguard 1 – denied.
  • Melanie Brown: Appeal of suspension and termination from Equipment Operator 1 – denied.
  • Stephen Choi: Appeal of termination from Fire Engineer – denied.

Consent Calendar

• The commission approved the consent agenda, which included approval of the minutes. Commissioner Cortillo raised a question about including the closed session report in the minutes; staff clarified it is not typically included in open session minutes. The consent agenda passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on non-agenda items or on agenda items during the public comment periods.

Discussion Items

Item 12: Request from Isaiah Cross for Medical Leave Extension

• Request: Isaiah Cross, Utility Worker 2, requested a one-year first extension of special leave without pay ending February 12, 2026, with name placed on eligible list for Utility Worker 2. Reason: medical reasons.
• Department Position: Transportation Department (represented by Philip Lowry) recommended denial, stating Cross had been on leave for over a year, had permanent physical limitations since February 2020, and the reasonable accommodation process twice found no accommodations possible. He had been placed on a 90-day transfer list but applied only for positions outside Transportation.
• Commission Action: Motion to deny passed unanimously (3-0).

Item 13: Request from B. Jones for Leave for Outside Employment

• Request: B. Jones, Laboratory Technician, requested a one-year special leave without pay ending April 27, 2026, for outside employment.
• Department Position: Public Utilities Department (represented by Violet Rennick) recommended modification to name on eligible list, as the position is critical for drinking water sampling (4-500 routine samples and 1-200 special samples per week) and cannot be vacant for up to a year.
• Commission Action: Motion to approve as modified (name on eligible list) passed unanimously.

Item 14: Request from Angela Shelton for Family Care Leave Extension

• Request: Angela Shelton, Recreation Center Director 2, requested a one-year third extension of special leave without pay ending March 21, 2026, with name on eligible list for multiple recreation classifications. Reason: family care (father awaiting kidney transplant).
• Department Position: Parks and Recreation Department (represented by Deputy Director Lewis Merlin) recommended approval.
• Commission Action: Motion to approve passed unanimously.

Item 15: Overtime Eligibility for New Classifications

• Staff Recommendation: Staff recommended that the new classifications of Senior Pump Station Operations Supervisor and Pump Station Operations Superintendent be eligible for overtime compensation based on duties and responsibilities.
• Commission Action: Motion to approve staff recommendation passed unanimously.

Item 16: Personnel Director's Report

• Director's Update: Personnel Director David Dallinger reported two successes:
  • Partnering with Environmental Services to administer nearly 100 bilingual certification tests on-site at the landfill over 10 days using remote testing, saving time and logistics.
  • Partnering with Parks and Recreation for a one-stop shop hiring event for seasonal pool guards: candidates completed swim tests, interviews, conditional job offers, I-9 documentation, medical evaluations, and fingerprinting in one visit.
• Proposed Budget Impact: Dallinger explained that the initial 20% efficiency reduction target (20-30 staff) was reduced to six positions in the proposed budget. Four are already or will be vacant, leaving two staff members directly impacted. The recruiting section (responsible for over 250 community events and 84 library information sessions) is proposed for elimination. The budget is not final; the May Revise and final adoption occur in June. Commissioners expressed concern and appreciation for staff.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda (unanimous).
• Denied Isaiah Cross's leave request (unanimous).
• Approved B. Jones's leave request as modified (unanimous).
• Approved Angela Shelton's leave request (unanimous).
• Approved overtime eligibility for two pump station classifications (unanimous).
• Noted Personnel Director's report and expressed support for affected staff.