San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - February 5, 2026

This meeting of the San Diego Civil Service Commission began with a closed session at 11:30 a.m. and was followed by a regular business meeting at 1:00 p.m. Commissioners President Nico Potillo presided. Commissioners Freeman, Merrill, and Moore were present; Commissioner Fan was absent. Personnel Director David Dallagar, Assistant Personnel Director Mayton Aban, Senior Deputy City Attorney David Carlin, and Assistant to the Personnel Director Sabat McNeil also attended. The commission addressed 11 closed session items covering employment disqualification appeals and disciplinary appeals, then moved to consent and discussion items in open session.

Consent Calendar

• The consent agenda (items 3 through 10) was approved unanimously, with the exception of item 4, which was withdrawn at the request of the San Diego Unified School District.
• The approved items included the minutes from December 4, 2025.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made on closed session items or on non-agenda items during the open session.

Discussion Items

• Item 11: Special Leave Without Pay – Brandon Howard
  Staff presented a request from Brandon Howard, Senior Wastewater Operations Supervisor, for a two-month special leave without pay through March 6, 2026, for outside employment. The Public Utilities Department recommended modifying the request to place Mr. Howard on an eligible list rather than granting job-saving leave, citing critical operations at the Pure Water project. Mr. Howard was not present on Zoom. After discussion, Commissioner Merrill moved to grant the leave with job saved, noting the short duration and Mr. Howard's performance. The deputy director explained the need to fill the position quickly. The motion passed 3–1 (Commissioner Freeman, Merrill, Moore in favor; Commissioner Potillo opposed).

• Item 12: Proposed Salary Review Schedule for FY2028
  Staff presented the proposed schedule and forms for the FY2028 salary review process as required by City Charter Section 130. The commission approved the schedule unanimously.

• Item 13: Investigatory Interview Process vs. Fact-Finding Interview – Presentation
  Deputy Director Abby Geraldsa presented a resource guide distinguishing between fact-finding investigations (panel-led, outside chain of command) and supervisor investigatory interviews (informal, for conduct issues). She clarified that the guide applies to employees covered under MOUs (not Local 145 or POA, who are under FOBAR). Commissioner Merrill asked clarifying questions about employee rights to representation, the distinction between conduct and performance, and the process for stopping a conversation. No vote was taken.

• Item 14: Annual Report on Limited Appointments, Restricted Appointments, and Special Shift Differential Positions (Calendar Year 2025)
  Staff reported 1,234 limited appointments, no restricted appointments, and no shift differential positions. The item was informational; the commission asked for a breakdown by qualification. No vote taken.

• Item 15: Update on Civil Service Commission EEO Report
  Staff provided an update on the 2024 Equal Opportunity Report and described memos sent to departments with demographic snapshots. Only two departments had reached out for assistance. Personnel Director David Dallagar noted the loss of the recruiting team and cited success in increasing applications from underrepresented communities (e.g., the Promise Zone saw a 300% increase in applicants over three years). Commissioner Moore suggested requiring departments to acknowledge receipt and state their intent to work with the Division of Race and Equity. The commission discussed adding accountability language to future memos. No vote taken.

• Item 16: Update on New Applicant Tracking System Contract (NeoGov)
  Personnel Director David Dallagar reported that on February 2, 2026, the City Council approved a new five-year contract with NeoGov (governmentjobs.com), with five optional one-year renewals, effective April 1, 2026. The contract adds two modules: Onboard (digitizes onboarding paperwork, integrates with E-Verify) and Attract (candidate relationship management, talent pipelines, branded landing pages). Commissioners asked about notification dashboards to track hiring delays and department accountability. Dallagar indicated they would work with HR partners on reports. Next meeting set for March 5, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Closed Session Appeals (Reported by Staff):
  • Armando A. Beltron (heavy truck driver 2): Appeal granted (4–0).
  • Massia Petter (utility worker 2): Appeal granted (4–0).
  • Cesar Montano Jr. (laborer): Appeal granted (4–0).
  • Francisco J. Mota Jr. (utility worker 2): Appeal denied (4–0).
  • Daniel and Webb (utility worker 2): Appeal denied (3–1, Commissioner Merrill dissenting).
  • Dialatia M. Williamson (sanitation driver trainee): Appeal denied (4–0), with applicant barred from competing in any city examinations for three years.
  • Tracy A. Simpson Hayes (laborer, medical disqualification): Appeal denied (3–1, Commissioner Merrill dissenting).
  • 2024-2 (police officer 2 suspension): Trailed to next meeting.
  • 2025-1 (police officer 2 suspension and disciplinary transfer): Upheld (4–0).
  • Stephen Glover (sanitation driver 2 termination): Trailed to next meeting.
  • Derek Whitlock (associate department human resources analyst termination): Motion to uphold termination tied 2–2 (Commissioners Merrill and Freeman dissenting), trailed to next meeting.
• Open Session Votes:
  • Consent agenda (except item 4) approved unanimously.
  • Item 11 (Brandon Howard special leave): Motion to grant with job saved passed 3–1.
  • Item 12 (FY2028 salary review schedule): Approved unanimously.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 5, 2026.