San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - May 8, 2026
San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - May 8, 2026
The San Diego Civil Service Commission met on May 8, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. under President Nico Portillo. The meeting included a report from closed session, approval of consent agenda items (4–14), discussion and vote on a special leave request, approval of overtime eligibility for new classifications, and an update from the Personnel Director on NeoGov modules and budget.
Closed Session Report
- Withdrawn Item: Conference with labor negotiator (Item 1).
- Anthony M. Cisneros: Appeal of medical disqualification for Lifeguard 1 position. Motion to deny the appeal passed 4-0 (Commissioner Freeman absent).
- Daniel Oliver: Appeal of termination from Cement Finisher position. Motion to uphold termination passed 4-0 (Commissioner Freeman absent).
- Personnel Director Performance Evaluation: Nothing to report.
Consent Calendar
- Items 4–14: Approved unanimously 4-0.
- Item 3 (Minutes of April 2, 2026): Pulled by Commissioner Merrill due to insufficient detail on action items. Moved and seconded to table for update; motion passed unanimously 4-0.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made on non-agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Item 15 – Special Leave Request (Nicole Rinconeno Alvarez): Ms. Rinconeno Alvarez, a Police Officer 2, requested a one-year special leave without pay due to relocation to San Antonio, Texas for her husband's job. The Police Department recommended modification to place her name on an eligibility list (rather than holding the position), citing the need to fill vacancies. Ms. Rinconeno Alvarez expressed intent to return after 6–7 months. After discussion on the rehiring process (modified background and review), a motion to grant one-year special leave without pay with job saved passed unanimously 4-0.
- Item 16 – Overtime Eligibility for New Classifications: Staff recommended that all seven new classifications (Emergency Medical Technician, Junior Engineer Corrosion, Paramedic 1, Paramedic 2, Parking Enforcement Officer Trainee, Digital Equity Specialist, Senior Digital Equity Specialist) be eligible for overtime. Motion to approve passed unanimously 4-0.
- Item 17 – Personnel Director Update: David Alligar reported on:
- NeoGov implementation: new Attract (8-week timeline) and Onboard (12-week timeline) modules. Attract will enable targeted recruitment by classification, certification, zip code, and agencies.
- Meeting with Division of Race and Equity: Invitation extended for a future commission presentation, likely after budget season.
- Proposed budget: Personnel department faces reduction of two staff (from seven initially), affecting the Outstation section that supports operational departments with hiring. Final budget decision expected June 9, 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Appeals: Denied medical disqualification appeal (Cisneros) and upheld termination (Oliver), both 4-0.
- Consent Agenda: Items 4–14 approved; minutes (Item 3) tabled for revision.
- Special Leave: Granted one-year leave with job saved (4-0).
- Overtime Eligibility: All seven new classifications approved for overtime (4-0).
- Future Items: Division of Race and Equity to present after budget season (likely June or later).
- Budget: Two positions in Personnel at risk; outcome unknown until June 9.
Meeting Transcript
Recording started. We're ready to begin. Okay, welcome to the civil service commission meeting. I am Commissioner President Nico Portillo. We are going to do a roll call to confirm commissioner attendance. When I call your name, please say present. Commissioner Merrill. Commissioner Moore. Present. Commissioner Fagna. President. Commissioner Freeman is absent. You uh also joining us today. Our personnel director David Dallagar, Assistant Personnel Director and Namin Avan, Senior Deputy City Attorney David Carlin, and assistant to the personnel director, Saba O'Neal. And there are three items actually on this afternoon's closed session agenda with the conference with neighboring labor negotiators. Um has been withdrawn. So we will include uh public employment appeal of employment disqualification pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957B1. Anthony M. Cisneros appealing their medical disqualification for the position of lifeguard one and public employment disciplinary appeal pursuant to California government code section 54957B1. Daniel Oliver appealing their termination from the position of cement finisher. And public employee performance evaluation pursuant to government code section five four nine five seven for the personnel director. Is there anyone who wishes to make a public comment on an item on the closed session agenda? Any on any electronically or any no public comment on Zoom? We will take in-person public comment first and move to public comments via Zoom. All right. Closed session. The regular business meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Order uh Brandon, please. Recording in progress. All right, thank you. Welcome to the Civil Service Commission meeting. I am Commission President Nico Portillo. We are going to do a roll call to confer Commissioner attendance. When I call your name, please say present. Commissioner Merrill. Present. Commissioner Moore. Present. Commissioner Pham. Present. And Commissioner Freeman is absent. Thank you. Also joining us today are personnel director David Dallagar, Assistant Personnel Director and Laminavan, Senior Deputy City Attorney David Carlin, and assistant to the personnel director, Sala O'Neill. Item two is the report from closed session. I'll call on Sala to read out the report. Item one from closed session conference with labor negotiator.6 with the draw. Item two public employment appeal of employment disqualification for students of California Government Code Section 54957B1. Anthony M. Cisneros appealing their medical disqualification for the position of life are motion to deny the appeal passed 4 to 0 with Commissioner Freeman accent. Number three, public employment disciplinary appeal to California Government Code Section 54957B1.
openpublica.com