San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - June 4, 2026
San Diego Civil Service Commission Meeting - June 4, 2026
The meeting began with a closed session at 11:00 AM, followed by the regular business meeting at 1:00 PM. Commissioners Merrill, Moore, and Fenn were present; Commissioner Freeman was absent for closed session votes. The commission addressed several personnel appeals, leave requests, and administrative items.
Closed Session
- Four items were considered: litigation (no report), appeal of employment disqualification (Joseph M. Lafayelle) – motion to deny appeal passed with Freeman absent; disciplinary appeal (Samuel Cortillo) – termination upheld 4-0; disciplinary appeal (Stephen Yew) – continued to the next meeting.
Consent Calendar
- Items 3–10 approved, including revised minutes of April 2, 2026, and regular minutes of May 7, 2026. Commissioner Merrill commented on his earlier concern about personnel director involvement in fact-finding panels but expressed satisfaction with the revised minutes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments were made on non-agenda items or on closed session agenda items.
Discussion Items
- Item 11 – Brianna Bruchard (Police Officer 2): Request for one-year leave without pay ending April 23, 2027, with job save. The police department recommended modification to name on eligible list. Bruchard described her extensive service. Assistant Chief Shark commended her but noted standard practice. The commission initially rejected a motion to deny the request (motion died for lack of second) and then voted unanimously to approve the leave with job save.
- Item 12 – Marcos Para (Utility Worker 1): Request for six-month leave without pay ending August 1, 2026, with job save. The Public Utilities Department recommended name on eligible list due to high vacancies. Amy from the department explained the decision. The commission granted the leave with job save unanimously after noting that holding the job until August would not be problematic.
- Item 13 – Revisions to Addendum to Personnel Manual Index Code D3: Proposed to update classification titles, deletions, and new classifications affecting career advancement ladders. Approved unanimously.
- Item 14 – Exemption of Program Coordinator Position from Classified Service (Department of Information Technology): The position would administer cybersecurity policies. Staff recommended approval under Charter Section 117. The commission approved unanimously, noting that budget considerations are for council to decide.
- Item 15 – Personnel Update: David Valvier (Personnel Director) presented three updates: (1) Enrollment in expanded California DOJ subsequent arrest notification service (including FBI national Rap Back), enhancing background checks; (2) Completion of annual contracting out exemption review for FY27 as part of AB 339 compliance; (3) Launch of a new career pathways resource on the city website, with visual charts and subscription notifications for openings. No vote required; commission acknowledged the updates.
Key Outcomes
- Approved leave with job save for Brianna Bruchard (unanimous).
- Approved leave with job save for Marcos Para (unanimous).
- Approved revisions to Personnel Manual Index Code D3 (unanimous).
- Approved exemption of a Program Coordinator position in IT from classified service (unanimous).
- Received and noted personnel update on expanded arrest notification, contracting out review, and career pathways resource.
- Closed session: Denied one appeal (Lafayelle), upheld one termination (Cortillo), continued one appeal (Yew).
Meeting Transcript
Okay, 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 Fenn. Present. And Commissioner Freeman is absent. Thank you. Your attendance has been noticed. Also joining us today are personnel director, David Dallagar, Assistant Personnel Director, and Lamena. Senior Deputy City of Training David Carlin and assistant to the personnel director, Salah only. There are four items on this afternoon's closed session agenda. First is conference with legal counsel, existing litigation pursuant to California Government Code Section 54956-0.9 D1. City of San Diego versus Civil Service Commission of the City of San Diego. Michael B. Fink Junior, San Diego County Superior Court Case Number 24 C U 005449C. Then public employment appeal of employment disqualification pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957. Joseph M. Rafael appealing their conviction record disqualification for the position of laborer. Public employment disciplinary appeal pursuant to California Government Code Section 549571. And four disciplinary appeal pursuant to California Government Code Section 549571. Stephen Newt appealing their termination from the position of suing to manager three. Is there anyone who wishes to make a public comment on an item on the closed session agenda? Anyone on Zoom? No public comment on Zoom. Okay. We will take in-person public comment first and then move on to public comments via Zoom. But there's no so we will now adjourn the public session and go into closed session. The regular business meeting will begin at one PM. Okay, we'll go ahead and call the meeting to order. Welcome to the Civil Service Commission meeting. I am Commissioner President Nico Potillo. We're going to do a roll call to confirm Commissioner attendance. When I call your name, see playing P say present. Commissioner Merrill. Present. Commissioner Moore. Present. Commissioner. Present. And I am um Commissioner Freeman is present in absent. Thank you. Your attendance has been noticed. Also joining us today. Our personnel director, David Salagar, Assistant Personnel Directorman. Senior Deputy City Attorney David Carlin and assistant to the personnel director, Sava.
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