[CALL TO ORDER]
[ROLL CALL]
[PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE]
[PUBLIC COMMENT Opportunity to address the Civil Service Commission on agenda items. ]
[CONSENT CALENDAR (1. – 5.)]
[1. 24-53907 Recommendation to approve examination results. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
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WHETHER THEY DROP OUT.WE DON'T HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT.
BUT IT DOES GIVE US CLEARER INFORMATION AND IT WOULD CUT DOWN ON THE QUESTIONS THAT WE ASK.
SO I WOULD ASK STAFF TO PUT ANOTHER COLUMN ON THE REPORT SO THAT IT'S MORE CLEAR TO US THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS DEFINITELY DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO DO.
AND WE TOO ARE, ARE, UH, PROVIDING THAT OVERSIGHT.
YEAH, AND COMMISSIONER, I, I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH YOU.
AND I, I BELIEVE THAT US AS A TEAM, A STAFF, WE COULD DO BETTER AND ANTICIPATE WHAT SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS MIGHT BE.
AND IF WE HAVE A THOUGHT, A FOOTNOTE, SO HEY, THEY'RE PROBABLY GONNA ASK IT OR THEY DON'T KNOW TO ASK, AND WE CAN PUT IT ON THERE.
AND ALSO WHEN THERE'S A LARGE NUMBER OF DID NOT MEET MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER IN BREAKING THAT DOWN FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THAT BASICALLY IS THAT FIRST QUESTION ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL, WHEN THE CANDIDATES APPLICANTS APPLY, THEY THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SELF SCREEN THEMSELVES IN, YES, I HAVE MET THE QUALIFICATIONS.
BUT WHEN YOU DO SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF 42, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD ANTICIPATE, YOU'RE GONNA BE LIKE, WHY? SO WE CAN BREAK THAT DOWN A LITTLE FURTHER, AND I'M GONNA MAKE A COMMITMENT ON BEHALF OF STAFF IF IT'S NOT ALREADY BEING DONE, THE 42 SCREENED OUT FOR A LATERAL THAT WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THEM AND, UH, REDIRECTING THEM TO THE ENTRY LEVEL, UH, PULSING.
AND AGAIN, LEVI'S PROBABLY ALREADY DOING THAT, BUT I JUST WANTED TO PUT THAT OUT THERE, THAT IF WE'RE NOT, WE WILL THANK YOU AND WE WILL ADD THE EXTRA COLUMN AS YOU REQUESTED.
AND ALSO, I, I, I DO WANNA BE MINDFUL OF HOW MUCH THIS COMMISSION ASKS THE DEPARTMENT, UH, YOU KNOW, THE INFORMATION TO PROVIDE AND THAT, THAT SOMEONE HAS TO DO THAT, UM, THAT LEGWORK.
AND AS A COMMISSIONER, I REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT THIS DATA IS, AND I REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT, UH, REAL PEOPLE ARE DOING THIS LEGWORK.
UM, SO I'M HOPING THAT THE CITY CAN SUPPORT THIS DEPARTMENT WITH ADDITIONAL STAFF SO WE CAN PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE TO OUR STAKEHOLDERS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE, WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO THE ENTIRE CITY OF LONG BEACH, AND WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT THIS PROCESS WORKS FOR EVERYBODY, UM, AND MAKE IT AS, AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE AND ENABLED.
IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WE NEED STAFF.
AND WE ALSO, WE WANNA BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE, AND WE CAN'T DO THAT UNLESS WE HAVE ENOUGH STAFF.
AND BECAUSE MOST OF THEM DO NOT KNOW HOW THE, THE, THE CAKE IS BEING BAKED BEHIND THE SCENES.
IS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION REGARDING ITEM ONE? ALL RIGHT.
CAN I CALL FOR THE VOTE? UM, THERE'S NOT ITEM ONE, BUT I DO HAVE, UH, ITEM NUMBER TWO.
ANYTHING ELSE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? JUST ITEM NUMBER 2, 2 2 THROUGH FIVE HAVE ALREADY BEEN, UM OH.
SO, TWO THROUGH FIVE HAVE ALREADY BEEN HEARD.
YOU'RE ONLY ON ITEM NUMBER ONE NOW ON THE CONSENT CALENDAR, RIGHT? I DON'T HAVE TO PULL IT OUT FOR A VOTE.
YOU CAN PUT ON THE ITEM, ITEM NUMBER ONE NOW.
I'M TOTALLY CONFUSED AND I ADMIT TO IT.
MY SCREEN IS FROZEN IN THAT SAME, THANK YOU.
WE'LL STILL HAVE A FORM, SO WE'RE GOOD.
RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING OF JUNE 5TH.
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IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.CAN I, COULD I VOTE? THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS.
I DIDN'T ASK IF YOU HAD ANY, UM, COMMISSIONER GARA, ARE YOU ABLE TO CAST YOUR VOTE? OKAY.
I APOLOGIZE IF YOU HAD ANY, UM, CORRECTIONS.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO FEEL LIKE I'M ROLLING OVER YOUR RIGHTS AS COMMISSIONERS.
[6. 24-53912 Recommendation to approve the minutes for the Civil Service Commission Meeting of June 5, 2024. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE BULLETIN FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROJECT COORDINATOR ONE THROUGH THREE.
SO, ON THE LAST PAGE OF THIS, WHICH IS THE TENTATIVE EXAMINATION SCHEDULE, YOU GUYS CAN PULL THAT UP.
SO I, I KNOW WE, WE'VE ALSO HAD A LOT OF, UH, TALK ABOUT, UM, HOW WE CAN MAKE, DO
[7. 24-53913 Recommendation to approve bulletin – Real Estate Project Coordinator I-III. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
YOU WANNA, DO YOU WANNA LET TIFFANY GIVE HER STAFF REPORT FIRST? OH, SURE.I FORGOT WE'RE IN THIS PART OF THE AGENDA.
THE EXAMINATION FOR REAL ESTATE PROJECT COORDINATOR ONE THROUGH THREE WAS LAST ADMINISTERED AS A NON-COMPETITIVE EXAM OPPORTUNITY IN FISCAL YEAR 2019 FROM DECEMBER 7TH, 2018 TO DECEMBER 21ST, 2018.
AT THAT TIME, 92 CANDIDATES APPLIED AND 52 QUALIFIED.
ONE ELIGIBLE LIST WAS ESTABLISHED ON JANUARY 22ND, 2019, AND EXPIRED ON JULY 21ST, 2021.
THE LIST WAS REFERRED TO FIVE REQUISITIONS FROM THREE YEARS OF DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING AIRPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, FORMERLY KNOWN AS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.
FIVE SELECTIONS WERE MADE FROM THAT ELIGIBLE LIST IN AIRPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
AT THAT TIME, THE ELIGIBLE LISTS EXPIRED, ALTHOUGH 43 OF THE 47 CANDIDATES REMAINING WERE NOT CONTACTED OR CONSIDERED BY THE HIRING DEPARTMENTS FOR THE POSITION.
THERE WERE STRONG OPPOSITION FROM THE HIRING DEPARTMENTS TO EXTEND THE ELIGIBLE LIST.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO VACANCIES IN AIRPORT RECEIVED IN CIVIL SERVICE.
BETWEEN AUGUST OF 23 TO JUNE OF 24.
THE PROPOSED RECRUITMENT WILL RUN, WILL BE RUN AS AN OPEN COMPETITIVE RECRUITMENT ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS.
THE RESULTING ELIGIBLE LIST WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR SIX MONTHS AND MAY BE EXTENDED NOT TO EXCEED THREE YEARS.
ADDITIONAL PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE REAL ESTATE PROJECT COORDINATOR BULLETIN ARE UPDATED, FILING DATE AND SALARY INFORMATION.
UM, AND WE ADDED, UM, VACANCY INFORMATION AIRPORTS, TSA LANGUAGE, VETERANS LANGUAGE.
AND THE EQUITY AND INCLUSION LANGUAGE STAFF RECOMMENDS THE EXAMINATION WAITS INCLUDE AN APPRAISAL INTERVIEW, WAITED 100%, AND SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION, AND AN APPLICATION FILING PERIOD OF TWO WEEKS TO BE RAN FROM JUNE 21ST, 2024 TO JULY 5TH, 2024.
A REPRESENTATIVE FROM ONE OF THE USER DEPARTMENTS IS PRESENT TODAY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
UM, SO THE, THE SCHEDULE, THE TENTATIVE EXAMINATION SCHEDULE, UM, AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT AGAIN, HOW TO MAKE PROCESSES MORE, MORE EFFICIENT.
AND WITHOUT KNOWING DOWN, YOU KNOW, INTO THE WEED LEVEL OF ALL OF WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THIS DONE.
I'M WONDERING, UM, IF THESE ARE THE, THE MINIMUM AVERAGE OR KIND OF MORE LOOSE STATES, UM, OR EXPANDED DATES, I SHOULD SAY, UM, FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
'CAUSE IT, WHAT I SEE NOW IS THREE MONTHS FROM SENDING THEM THE BULLETIN TO THE UNION, UH, TO TEST ONE EXAM RESULTS, WHICH IS REALLY FAST.
SO THIS IS, I WOULD SAY THIS IS A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE.
UM, THAT STAFF HAS PUT TOGETHER.
AND TIFFANY IS SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF SAL? OR IS THIS YOURS? ACTUAL TIFFANY? NO, THIS IS YOURS.
THIS IS A, THIS IS A VERY TIGHT SCHEDULE.
AND THE, ONE OF THE, THE BIG ONES, IT'S A, IT'S A LITTLE OVER A MONTH FOR THE UNION TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE BULLETINS.
AND I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THAT AT A PREVIOUS MEETING, UH, HOW THIS WAS PART OF, UH, AN AGREEMENT WITH, UH, WITH THE LABOR UNIONS, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS A TWO WEEK PERIOD.
THAT MAY BE A PADDING OF TIME.
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SO IF WE ARE SUCCESSFUL AND WE GET THAT SOONER, THEN THAT JUST MEANS TIFFANY CAN MOVE HER EXAM PROCESSES UP SOONER.SHE CAN, SHE CAN, UM, COMPLETE IT SOONER THAN WHAT THIS SAYS.
AND I THINK THIS IS JUST TESTAMENT AS TO HOW THIS TAKES EVERYBODY TO MAKE THIS MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE.
AND IT STARTS WITH OUR, WITH OUR LABOR UNIONS, UM, HELPING US HELP THEIR, UH, PEOPLE GET HIRED QUICKER.
SO, UM, I KNOW THAT THAT DOES, THIS DOES NOT ALL REST ON THIS DEPARTMENT.
UH, BUT IT AGAIN, JUST SPEAKS TO HOW THIS IS SUCH A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT BETWEEN, UH, DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND OUTSIDE FACTORS.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING NONE.
CAN I, UM, CLARIFY SOMETHING? 'CAUSE OUR UNION, OUR PARTNERS ARE OUT THERE.
I JUST WANNA, UM, JUST MAKE SURE I CLARIFY FOR THEM, EVEN THOUGH IT WENT TO THE UNION, UM, STAFF, WE HAVE STAFF NOW WORKING ON BULLETINS AND SENDING THEM OUT QUICKLY TO THE UNIONS AS SOON AS THEY CAN.
UM, AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN HAVING A QUICK TURNAROUND, HOWEVER, STAFF IS WORKING WITH THEIR TIMELINE.
SO EVEN THOUGH IT DID NOT COME TO THE COMMISSION BY THE 20TH, WHAT WE CAN DO IS WE CAN FACTOR THAT IN AND SHOW YOU WHEN WE ACTUALLY GOT IT BACK FROM THE UNION.
SO I DON'T WANT IT TO BE UNDERSTOOD THAT, WOW, IT TOOK THE UNION A WHOLE MONTH, THE REASON WE'RE BRINGING IT TO YOU.
BUT WE HAVE STAFF LIKE TRYING TO GET IT OUT THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AHEAD OF TIME, EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THEY MIGHT NOT BRING IT TO COMMISSION WITHIN LIKE THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I CLARIFY THAT.
AND THANK YOU FOR, FOR CLARIFYING THAT.
AND MY, THE LARGER POINT IS THAT IT JUST TAKES ALL OF US TO MAKE, TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
LET'S CALL THIS FOR A VOTE PRESIDENT, UH, GORDON PETERSON, DO YOU WANNA CALL PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST? I'M SORRY.
DO YOU WANNA ASK IF THERE'S ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? WE DON'T DO PUBLIC COMMENT.
WE DO IT AT THE BEGINNING AND AT THE END.
THAT WAS A TEST, HUH? YOU PASSED INSTEAD OF THIS MOTION.
THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION FOR BUSINESS SYSTEMS SPECIALISTS.
AND DONELLE RUSSELL HADI WILL BE PRESENTING FOR SAL, WHO IS AT AN EVENT THIS MORNING.
CORRESPONDENCE HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM NICOLE GROSS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT, REQUESTING THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TO AUTHORIZE THE SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION FOR A BUSINESS SYSTEM SPECIALIST.
WITH EXPERIENCE IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS, SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTING HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PAYROLL SYSTEMS, HR MSS STAFF HAS REVIEWED THIS REQUEST AND RECOMMENDS COMMISSION APPROVAL IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE FOUR, SECTION
[8. 24-53914 Recommendation to approve selective certification – Business Systems Specialist VI. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
28 OF THE CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS AND CIVIL SERVICE PROCEDURE 2.26.THE POSITION IS UNIQUE AND SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER BUSINESS SYSTEM SPECIALIST POSITIONS WITHIN THE CLASSIFICATION.
THE POSITION WILL WORK WITH STAFF OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO CONTINUE WORKING, OR EXCUSE ME, TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING HRMS SYSTEMS AND REPLACING THE SYSTEM WHEN APPROPRIATE.
IT WILL, IT WILL LEAD A TEAM OF TECHNOLOGISTS WHO NEED EXPERIENCE IN PAYROLL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING JOB AND PAY CLASSIFICATION, POSITION CONTROL, LEAVE MANAGEMENT, AND PAYROLL TIME ENTRY.
ADDITIONALLY, THE POSITION WILL TROUBLESHOOT ISSUES, PROVIDE USER SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE SYSTEM ENHANCEMENTS OR UPDATES TO MEET EVOLVING BUSINESS AND REGULATORY CHANGES.
CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 188 CANDIDATES ON EXISTING BUSINESS SYSTEM SPECIALISTS.
ONE TO SEVEN ELIGIBLE LIST, BUT WITHOUT THE SPECIALIZED SKILLS NEEDED TO FILL THE VACANCY.
IF THE SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION REQUEST IS GRANTED, STAFF WILL RUN A TARGETED RECRUITMENT WITH A WORKING TITLE.
THE RECRUITMENT WILL BE SPECIFIC TO THE SPECIALIZED SKILLS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE CORE DUTIES OF THIS POSITION.
THE TARGETED RECRUITMENT WILL REQUIRE CANDIDATE APPLICANTS TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILED, UM, INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND EDUCATION THAT QUALIFIES THEM FOR THIS POSITION.
UPON CIVIL SERVICE STAFF DETERMINATION, CANDIDATES TO MEET THE SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE CERTIFIED
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TO THE TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT REQUISITION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION REQUEST A TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES HERE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.COMMISSIONERS, ANY DISCUSSION ON THE SIDE? HEARING NONE, PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE.
CAN I REQUEST, UH, THAT WE ACTUALLY CONSIDER AN ITEM? I I MAY HAVE TO LEAVE BEFORE THIS.
WE WE'RE GETTING THROUGH THE AGENDA BEFORE THE ENTIRE AGENDA IS DONE, AND I THINK I MAY NOT BE THE ONLY COMMISSIONER IN THAT POSITION.
COMMISSIONER ORONA HAS TO LEAVE AT 10 O'CLOCK.
WHAT ITEM WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE OUT OF ROTATION? UM, CAN WE CONSIDER THE ITEM ON THE CHARTER AMENDMENT NEXT? YES.
IS THERE AN ITEM NUMBER FOR IT? UH, YES.
COMMISSIONER, IT'S BEEN REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER FROST HOLLANDS THAT WE TAKE ITEM NUMBER 12 OUT OF ROTATION BEFORE SHE FINISHED.
BE SO ARE YOU, DONELL IS FINISHING HER REPORT.
I'M, AND I'VE ASKED WAS THERE ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION IN, FOR ITEM NUMBER NINE? YES.
NO, FOR ITEM NUMBER EIGHT, WHICH IS WHAT SHE'S UP HERE FOR.
I CALLED FOR A VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER EIGHT.
I WOULD LIKE TO GO OUT OF ROTATION NOW AND PULL IN ITEM NUMBER 12.
IS THAT A PERMISSIBLE? THAT'S PERMISSIBLE, BUT LET'S WAIT FOR THE VOTE FIRST.
I DON'T, YEAH, I DON'T SEE FOR EIGHT.
DID YOU ALL VOTE ON ITEM EIGHT? UH, ITEM EIGHT HAS BEEN APPROVED.
I WAS WAITING THEN TO SEE WHICH DIRECTION BEFORE WE CALL THE NEXT ITEM.
ITEM NUMBER EIGHT IS COMPLETE.
WE'LL, YOU'LL COME BACK FOR ITEM NINE.
I HAVE, IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, I HAVE A MEETING AT 10 WITH PUBLIC WORKS, SO I'M GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER READ ITEM NINE.
MM-HMM,
UM, THE REQUEST OF COMMISSIONER FOSTER HOLLINS TO DISCUSS ITEM NUMBER 12.
IF WE COULD BRING IT UP PLEASE.
ITEM NUMBER 12 IS A RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE AN UPDATE ON THE CHARTER AMO AMENDMENT.
IT'S BEEN, UH, MOTIONED AND SECONDED.
AND, UH, COMMISSIONER FROST HOLLINS, YOU'D GO AHEAD, SIR.
[12. 24-53917 Recommendation to receive and file an update on the Charter Amendment. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
ABLE TO SPEAK AT THE LAST, UH, CHARTER AMENDMENT COMMITTEE OF, UH, THE COUNCIL.UH, I WOULD SAY THAT WE DID HAVE SOME LABOR PARTNERS WHO EXPRESSED CONCERN AS WELL.
UH, AND THEN CERTAINLY A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE RESPONDING TO THE PURPORTED, UH, PRE, YOU KNOW, PREFERENCES FOR LOCAL HIRES.
UM, I ALSO HAD A CONVERSATION BY TEXT AND I PROBABLY VIOLATED YOUR ROLE, UH, UH, PRESIDENT AND NOT, NOT PUTTING THINGS INTO TEXT WHEN YOU'RE IN A HIGHLY EMOTIONALLY CHARGED SITUATION, BUT I DID, UM, WITH THE MAYOR AND HAD AN EXCHANGE AND I'LL OH, MY PART IT.
BUT IT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF THOSE THAT CHANGES THE RELATIONSHIP I HAVE WITH THE MAYOR.
UM, SO I, I THINK ONE THING THAT A FRIEND HAS THE OBLIGATION TO DO IS WHEN A FRIEND'S ASK ACTING DIFFERENTLY, ASK WHY.
MAYOR'S NEVER ASKED ME WHY I AM SO ENERGIZED BY THIS.
UM, CERTAINLY MY TWO AND A HALF YEARS WITH YOU ALL HAS BEEN IMPORTANT TO ME.
UM, BUT YOU'VE ACTUALLY RECENTLY SEEN ME IN A CRISIS SITUATION, UH, ON THE NEWS.
I'M ONE OF THOSE I EVEN TYPE OF PEOPLE MOST OF THE TIME.
THE REASON I CARE SO MUCH ABOUT THIS IS, IS WHEN I LOST MY BROTHER, HE WAS A VETERAN WHO SUSTAINED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND VTES THROUGH AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ.
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WE, FOR NEARLY A YEAR TRIED TO GET HIM STABILIZED WITH A JOB WITH RESOURCES.HE HAD BEEN UNDER INTENT MEDICAL CARE WHEN HE WAS STILL IN THE MILITARY, BUT WHEN HE WAS RELEASED TO THE VA SYSTEM, HE WAS GIVEN SOME PILLS AND TOLD TO TRY TO MAKE HIS WAY SEVERAL TIMES.
I WOULD FLY TO WHEREVER HE WAS AND TRY TO GET HIM STABILIZED.
THAT INCLUDED A JOB THAT INCLUDED SOMETHING TO DO AND FOCUS ON.
EVENTUALLY, HIS LAST STOP WAS THE LONG BEACH VA.
AND TRYING TO GET HIM A JOB AND TRYING TO GET HIM STABILIZED HERE, YOU KNOW, I LOST MY BROTHER, BUT TECHNICALLY MAKES US A GOLD STAR FAMILY BECAUSE THE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY OF THE PTS WERE DIRECTLY WAR RELATED.
AFTER THAT, I REACHED OUT TO THEN MAYOR GARCIA AND SAID, I WANT TO BE ON A COMMISSION.
I WANT TO BE ON A COMMISSION THAT DEALS WITH VETERANS ISSUES.
I WANT TO DO SOMETHING WITH THIS EXPERIENCE FOR GOOD.
I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT A NON-VET AND SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T OFFER VETERAN SERVICES ONTO A VETERANS COMMISSION.
BUT AS THE CONVERSATION EVOLVED, I WAS PUT ON THIS COMMISSION AND I WAS TOLD PART OF WHAT YOU CAN DO IS MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY UPHOLDING OUR BARGAIN WITH VETERANS.
SO I THINK THE PROCESS, AND I FEEL FOR EVERYONE WHO'S BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS, OUR EMPLOYEES, UM, ARE THOSE WHO HAVE DONE THE WORK, UM, THOSE WHO HAVE WORKED WITH OUR EMPLOYEES, AND I KNOW HOW MUCH DAMAGE, HOW QUICKLY AND SORT OF UNREASONABLY THE MAYOR AND CITY MANAGER HAS PUSHED THIS, UM, WITHOUT ANY REAL CONSIDERATION FOR THE HUMAN BEINGS INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS, UM, THAT THERE IS DAMAGE BEING DONE, UM, THAT WILL AFFECT RELATIONSHIPS.
THERE, THERE WILL BE SOME THINGS THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGIVEN.
UM, SO I, I AM, YOU KNOW, I HAD INITIALLY SORT OF GOTTEN TO A PLACE WHERE I WAS LIKE, I'LL SUPPORT LABOR OR I'LL SUPPORT OTHERS IF THEY'RE ADVOCATING AGAINST THIS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M GONNA HOLD MY ADVOCACY BACK A LITTLE BIT AND I'M SORT OF PAST THAT NOW.
UM, I KNOW THAT IF I GO TO VETERANS GROUPS, AND IF WE WERE TO PUT THIS IN WRITING AND IN PUBLIC FORUMS, UM, THAT WE ARE COMPROMISING VETERANS PREFERENCES BY GIVING IT TO SOMEONE WHO HAS ARTICULATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT HE WANTS TO HIRE HIS, HIS INTERNS, OR HE WANTS TO HIRE SOMEBODY THEY KNOW THROUGH THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AND IS ANGRY THAT WE, HE ISN'T ABLE TO DO THAT, THAT DELEGITIMIZES OUR VETERANS PREFERENCES.
AND I WILL PUT THAT IN WRITING AND KNOW THAT SHOULD THE CITY MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS, SHOULD THEY REMOVE US AS THE CHECK ON THE CITY IN TERMS OF ENSURING THAT OUR PREFERENCES ARE UPHELD, THEN THE ONLY RESOLUTION LEFT WILL BE LAWSUITS AGAINST THE CITY WHEN VETERANS ARE NOT HIRED.
AND I WILL SUPPORT THOSE LAWSUITS, I WILL HELP BRING ATTENTION TO IT SO THAT VETERANS GROUPS ARE LOOKING FOR THEM, AND THAT WILL BRING MASSIVE REPUTATIONAL DAMAGE TO THE CITY, TO OUR ELECTED LEADERS AND TO OUR NON-ELECTED LEADERS.
THAT'S THE REPORT I HAVE TO GIVE ON THIS.
BUT I'LL WELCOME ANYTHING WE CAN DO TOGETHER.
COMMISSIONER UNA, I DO HAVE TO LEAVE AT THIS TIME, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION, UH, BOTH ONE-ON-ONE WITH YOU, UH, FELLOW COMMISSIONER ROSS HOLLANDS AND IN THIS SPACE AS WELL.
BUT, UM, I TAKE EVERYTHING YOU SAY TO HEART AND I WILL PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SAID.
AND AS I SAID, I'D LOVE TO DISCUSS IT FURTHER WITH YOU.
BUT, UM, I DO APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING TO LEAVE AT THIS TIME.
BUT, UM, I'VE GOT TO GET TO DOWNTOWN LA UM, FOR A TOUR WITH OUR CITY PROSECUTOR FOR A REENTRY CENTER DOWN THERE.
THAT'S ACTUALLY WHAT I'M DOING.
SO I'M STILL DOING CITY BUSINESS JUST FOR
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THE PROSECUTOR NOW.UM, SO I'LL SEE YOU ALL IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER UNA, GIVE MY BEST TO DOUG AND THE TEAM, UH, COMMISSIONER GARNICKA IKA.
SO WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER FROST HOLLINS MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS, THAT WAS VERY, UH, PERSONAL AND THANK YOU FOR THE VULNERABILITY IN SHARING WITH US, UH, WHAT WE'VE SAID BEFORE, RIGHT? WE'VE, WE KNOW WE'RE THE PEOPLE'S COMMISSION AND PEOPLE COME FIRST, SO CHANGES, THEY'RE BOUND TO HAPPEN.
BUT WE CAN'T FORGET THE REAL PEOPLE WITH THE REAL FEELINGS, WITH THE REAL LIFE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHEN, WHEN MAKING DECISIONS.
AND SO, UM, YOU KNOW, I I, I SAW AS WE ALL DID FIRSTHAND, HOW, HOW THIS AFFECTED PEOPLE.
AND SO I JUST WANNA, UM, REITERATE THE PEOPLE FACTOR AND THAT NO MATTER WHAT WE DO, WE KEEP PEOPLE IN MIND.
COMMISSIONER LOVE, UM, COMMISSIONER FROST HOLLANDS, UM, YOU KNOW, THAT, UH, YOU CAN CONTACT ME AT ANY TIME.
NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR ANY DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAVE.
UM, BECAUSE I SERVE IN MANY CAPACITIES IN THE CITY, I AM QUESTIONED REPEATEDLY REGARDING THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT.
UH, THE LAST CONVERSATION I HAD ACTUALLY WAS YESTERDAY WHILE I WAS TRYING TO WALK OUT THE DOOR OF THE GRAND, UM, SOMEONE STOPPED AND WANTED MORE INFORMATION.
AND I WAS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE IT'S NOT A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, IT JUST ISN'T.
UH, AND I WAS FRUSTRATED AND I WAS ANGRY BECAUSE I'VE NEVER FELT MORE POWERLESS IN MY LIFE THAN I DO RIGHT NOW.
I DON'T HAVE THE WHEREWITHAL TO GO TO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT MEETINGS THAT ARE HELD IN THE CITY AT VARIOUS GROUPS WITHIN THE CITY ASSOCIATIONS.
SO I CAN'T TAKE MY DOG AND PONY SHOW ON THE ROAD.
I DON'T GET THEM TO GIVE, I DON'T GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THEM THE INSIGHT.
ON THE OTHER SIDE, THERE ARE TWO, THERE ARE THREE SIDES TO EVERY STORY.
HIS SIDE, HER SIDE, AND THE TRUTH.
BUT I DON'T GET TO GIVE THE OTHER SIDE.
I DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES AT MY DISPOSAL.
I CAN'T PUT OUT LARGE MARKETING MATERIALS TO SUPPORT WHAT I BELIEVE SHOULD BE THE MESSAGE CRAFTED TO THE CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY.
I'M RUNNING UP A HILL AND, UH, I'M NOT IN THAT GREAT OF SHAPE.
SO AS I WAS IN THAT CONVERSATION YESTERDAY, I, I JUST FELT HELPLESS.
SO I SAID IT BEFORE, COMMISSIONER HOLLANDS AND COMMISSIONERS, I WILL STAND IN SUPPORT OF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
I BELIEVE IN THE MERIT SYSTEM.
THIS ISN'T THE ONLY BOARD I SERVE ON, UH, WHERE MERIT LEADS US.
AND, UM, I'M NOT GONNA CHANGE HOW I FEEL REGARDLESS OF RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE LOST AND OR WON.
WE ALL HAVE A RIGHT TO STAND IN OUR OWN TRUTH.
AND THE BOTTOM LINE TO THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT IS THIS.
IT'S VERY WELL ARTICULATED, AND IT, IT, UH, IT GIVES A SIDE.
AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT THAT'S NOT THEIR SIDE.
THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO THEIR IMPRESSION OF WHAT'S HAPPENED.
BUT THERE'S, LIKE I SAID, THERE ARE THREE SIDES AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S ONLY ONE SIDE THAT'S OUT THERE.
UH, I DO THE BEST THAT I CAN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS HONESTLY, WITHOUT PUTTING MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS.
I JUST TRY TO GIVE THE FACTS AS I SEE THEM AND AS I'VE RECEIVED THEM.
BUT THIS IS A POLITICAL MACHINE, AND THAT'S WHAT I'M UP AGAINST AND I CAN'T FIGHT IT ALONE.
SO THE, IT COMES DOWN TO THIS, THE VOTERS WILL MAKE THE DECISION.
AND MY PRAYER IS THAT THEY GET ALL OF THE INFORMATION, ALL OF IT,
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NOT JUST THE PART THAT SUPPORTS THE ARGUMENT TO DISSOLVE CIVIL SERVICE.AND YOU DIDN'T NEED A CHARTER AMENDMENT TO GET ANY OF THESE THINGS DONE.
I KEEP HEARING THAT WORD, ACCOUNTABILITY.
MY GOD, IF I HEAR IT AGAIN, I, I, IT, IT ANGERS ME BECAUSE NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, IN 2024, YOU WANNA BE ACCOUNTABLE.
WHERE WERE YOU? WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU FELT THIS WAS GOING SOUTH? WHERE WERE YOU NOW TODAY? YOU WANNA CHARTER AMENDMENT TO FIX SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED? LET'S JUST DIALOGUE.
AND AREN'T YOU SITTING AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN? THAT'S WHAT'S KILLING ME.
YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THAT AREN'T WORKING, BUT YOU ARE IN THE POSITION TO MAKE THE DECISIONS TO MAKE GOOD CHANGE.
BUT NOW YOU COME DOWN TO 2024, WHERE WERE YOU BEFORE? AND DON'T GIVE ME THAT WHILE WE WERE TELLING THEM THAT'S A BUNCH OF BS AND YOU KNOW, IT, LET'S JUST TELL THE TRUTH, TELL THE TRUTH, GIVE ALL OF IT, GIVE ALL OF THE SIDES.
THAT'S, THAT'S ALL THAT I ASK.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT, WHAT WHAT WE'RE RECEIVING.
AND AGAIN, UH, WE'LL DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN.
I AM ALL FOR HIRING PREFERENCES.
UM, AND, UH, ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT IT, IT WILL GO BEFORE THE VOTERS.
AND MY HOPE IS THAT EVERYONE RECEIVES ALL OF THE INFORMATION AND THEY VOTE ACCORDINGLY.
UM, IF THERE'S NO FURTHER DISCUSSION, I HAVE ONE MORE.
GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER KARICA.
SO, JUST ONE MORE THING TO ADD, UH, UM, I'M NOT SURE IF ALL OF YOU, I BELIEVE ALL OF US WITHIN THE CITY HAD TO TAKE THE TRAINING ON, I FORGET THE EXACT NAME, BUT THE CITY'S PLAN.
UM, AND PART OF THAT WAS TRANSPARENCY, HAVING TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENT.
AND I FIND IT SO IRONIC THAT, UH, ALL OF THIS WILL GO BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, UM, IF THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT PASSES.
SO ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS THAT WE'RE ASKING AS A COMMISSION IS TO, TO BETTER OUR CITY, TO BETTER OUR HIRING PROCESS, UH, TO HAVE PEOPLE INFORMED OF WHAT'S WORKING AND WHAT, WHAT ISN'T WORKING AND WHAT WE'RE DOING TO FIX WHAT'S WORKING.
UM, NONE OF THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC, UM, IF THIS CHARTER AMENDMENT PASSES.
SO I FIND IT VERY IRONIC THAT ONE OF THE CITY'S PLANS THAT WE ALL, YOU KNOW, HAD TO REVIEW IS TRANSPARENCY.
THIS IS THE ANTITHESIS OF TRANSPARENCY.
UM, SO HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE ON TOP OF, UH, THAT BATTLE AND KEEP OUR MERIT SYSTEM THE WAY IT IS IN, IN TERMS OF INDEPENDENT, UM, AND MAKE THE CHANGES THAT ARE NECESSARY TO MAKE, UH, THIS WHOLE PROCESS MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT.
WE DEFINITELY WANT THAT FOR ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS.
IF THERE ARE NO, UH, FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM, GO AHEAD AND VOTE.
WE WILL GO BACK INTO, ALL RIGHT, MOTION CARRIES.
UM, MADAM PRESENT, UM, I'M SORRY, I'LL HAVE TO EXCUSE MYSELF FOR YES SIR, THE MEETING.
WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK INTO THE ROTATION.
THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE REDUCTION OF THE ELIGIBLE LIST PORT SECURITY SYSTEM OPERATOR ONE THROUGH THREE.
GOOD MORNING AGAIN, COMMISSIONERS, UM, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ARTICLE HOLD WE GET, I'M SORRY UNTIL WE GET THE MOTIONS ON SECOND.
SO IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE FOUR, SECTION 26 OF THE CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND REGULATIONS, UM, STAFF IS REQUESTING, UM, CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION APPROVAL TO REDUCE THE PORT SECURITY SYSTEM OPERATOR ONE THROUGH THREE ELIGIBLE LIST.
[9. 24-53915 Recommendation to approve reduction of eligible list – Port Security System Operator I-III. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
COMPETITIVE RECRUITMENT FOR THE PORT, UH, SECURITY SYSTEM OPERATOR ON OCTOBER 13TH THROUGH OCTOBER 27TH, 2023.UM, CULMINATE, CULMINATING IN THE CREATION OF, UM, LIST NF FOUR A DASH 24 ON DECEMBER 6TH, 2023.
UM, THIS LIST WAS REFERRED TO A REQUISITION, UM, TO FILL FOUR VACANCIES, UH, FOR THE HARBOR DEPARTMENT.
UM, ON FEBRUARY 25TH OF THIS YEAR, HARBOR STAFF DID ALERT CIVIL SERVICE STAFF, UM, FOR THE NEED OF A NEW RECRUITMENT.
UM, CIVIL SERVICE STAFF HAS VERIFIED, THE CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN CONTACTED, UH, FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
UM, SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LIST,
[01:10:01]
UM, YOUR REPORT DOES REFLECT THE DISPOSITIONS OF THE, THE CANDIDATES THAT WERE ON THAT ELIGIBLE LIST, UM, WHICH TOTALED 24, UM, ON MAY 8TH, 2024, CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION APPROVED THE PORT SECURITY SYSTEM OPERATOR BULLETIN, UM, IN THE FILING PERIOD, UH, OPEN MAY 10TH THROUGH MAY 31ST OF THIS YEAR, UM, GENERATING 171 APPLICATIONS.UM, THE EXAM RESULTS FOR TEST ONE HAVE BEEN ADDED TO TODAY'S AGENDA.
UM, SO STAFF HAS REVIEWED THE UTILITY OF THE, THE LIST IN QUESTION.
UM, AND WE DO RECOMMEND THE REDUCTION, UM, OF THAT LIST IMMEDIATELY.
COMMISSIONERS, ARE THERE ANY DISCUSSION? YES, I HAVE A QUESTION.
IS THE PORT HERE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE PORT? LEVI, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THIS INFORMATION.
UM, I NEVER KNEW I WAS SUCH A DATA GEEK UNTIL I
I MEAN, I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BECAUSE COMMISSIONER, YES, GORDON, YOU SHOULD PRESIDENT GORDON PETERSON, YOU KNOW, KNOWS THAT BEFORE ME.
BUT BEING HERE I'VE COME TO REALIZE I LOVE DATA BECAUSE IT TELLS US A STORY.
UM, AND WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT, UH, AS A RESULT OF YOUR, THE RE YEAH,
SO I WANT TO KNOW, UM, AS OUR STAKEHOLDER, HOW WAS THIS PROCESS FOR THE PORT? GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
THE PROCESS WENT PRETTY SMOOTH FROM THE ASPECTS OF BEING ABLE TO PROCURE A LIST QUICKLY.
THE CHALLENGE FOR US WAS THAT OF THE 24 CANDIDATES, WE DID MAKE 12 OFFERS.
AND BETWEEN THE 12 OFFERS, ONLY TWO CANDIDATES END UP GETTING HIRED.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF OUR EXTENSIVE ONBOARDING PROCESS, WHICH INCLUDES, UH, A LENGTHY BACKGROUND PROCESS.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S GOOD INFORMATION.
AND UH, UM, AND I, I'M NOT SURE, I MEAN, WE DID HIRE OR HAVE THE LIST FOR NEW FINGERPRINT PEOPLE, SO HOPEFULLY, I DON'T KNOW, THAT'S NOT PART OF OUR WHEELHOUSE, UH, BUT HOPEFULLY THAT THAT CAN GET, UH, SPED UP.
UH, BUT IN TERMS OF REPORTING THESE NUMBERS, UM, THAT AGAIN, ARE VERY HELPFUL TO THIS DEPARTMENT AND THIS COMMISSION TO UNDERSTAND, UM, HOW WAS, HOW WAS THAT PART OF IT JUST PROVIDING THE INFORMATION? WAS IT, WAS IT CUMBERSOME? WAS IT EASY? WAS IT, UH, DID YOU FIND THAT PROVIDING THE INFORMATION WAS, WAS HELPFUL, UM, IN TERMS OF THE DESIRED GOALS FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT? YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.
WE, WE FOUND THE PROCESS NOT TOO DIFFICULT.
WE ALREADY DO A LOT OF TRACKING WHEN IT COMES TO OUR METRICS, SO BEING ABLE TO CAPTURE THE INFORMATION AND PROVIDE THAT TO CIVIL SERVICE WASN'T DIFFICULT AT ALL.
UM, I THINK THAT WE'VE BEEN A PRETTY STRONG PARTNER WITH SAL AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY GET HIM THE DISPOSITION INFORMATION AND WE WERE ABLE TO DISSEMINATE QUICKLY THAT A NEW LIST NEEDED TO BE, UH, CREATED FOR THIS ROLE.
AND I, I AM SO PLEASED TO HEAR THAT IT WAS, THAT IT WAS NOT CUMBERSOME ON, UH, YOUR SIDE OF THINGS AND EVERYTHING WENT SMOOTHLY.
UM, THE LENGTHY BACKGROUND PROCESS, WHEN YOU SAY LENGTHY, HOW LONG ARE WE TALKING? SOMETIMES OUR BACKGROUND CHECK PROCESS CAN TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS AND IT DOES INCLUDE FINGERPRINT, UH, A DOJ BACKGROUND CHECK.
WE ALSO HAVE A INVESTIGATOR A POLYGRAPH, AND WE ALSO CONDUCT A, UM, UH, A, UM, UM, A PSYCH, UH, PSYCHOLOGICAL BACKGROUND CHECK AS WELL.
SO IT'S MULTIPLE PARTS THAT CAN TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS.
I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A BACKGROUND CHECK.
I'M GLAD THAT I ASKED THOSE QUESTIONS BECAUSE WHEN YOU SAID LENGTHY IN MY MIND I WAS GOING LENGTHY.
I'VE CONDUCTED SEVERAL BACKGROUND THOUSANDS AND OH, IT DOESN'T TAKE THAT LONG.
BUT NOW WHEN YOU GO INTO EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING, I CAN SEE WHY IT WOULD TAKE SIX MONTHS.
THAT IS NOW AN ANSWER I CAN GIVE TO SOMEONE WHEN THEY ASK ME WHY DOES THE BACKGROUND, UH, CHECK IT, WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG? I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU HAD A POLYGRAPH IN THERE AS WELL.
YOU WELCOME YOU FOR YOUR ANSWERS.
THANK YOU FOR ASKING THE QUESTION BECAUSE I TOTALLY ASSUMED
I WAS LIKE, WHICH IS WHY I MENTIONED THE FINGERPRINTING THING.
UM, SO A FOLLOW UP QUESTION TO THAT, KNOWING, UM, HOW CRUCIAL SAFETY IS FOR THIS PORT, UM, SO I UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY, UM, BACKGROUND COMPONENTS ARE PART OF THIS WHOLE BACKGROUND CHECK.
IS THIS COMPARABLE TO WHAT, UH, THESE APPLICANTS MAY EXPERIENCE APPLYING FOR A SIMILAR POSITION ELSEWHERE? IT IS COMPARABLE TO WHAT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY DOES.
AND SO WE'RE VERY UNIQUE IN A SENSE THAT THERE IS A LOT OF, UM, OPPORTUNITY FOR OVERLAP WITH WHAT WE DO WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY AND SAFETY.
[01:15:01]
THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS ARE MET AT THE SAME LEVEL OF WHAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES.AND THAT'S WHY THE, THE BACKGROUND CHECK IS SO EXTENSIVE.
AND, AND, UH, DO CANDIDATES KNOW, I MEAN, I I WOULD IMAGINE THAT UH, PEOPLE WORKING IN CERTAIN POSITIONS UNDERSTAND THE, THE DELICATE NATURE OF, OF POSITIONS.
UM, SO DO THEY KNOW COMING IN THAT THIS IS A PROCESS THAT THEY'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY'RE APPLYING TO? YES.
SO WE DO PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION AND WE, WE DO MAKE THE CANDIDATES AWARE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND PROCESS.
THEY'RE ALSO PROVIDED A WAIVER TO SIGN, UH, DURING THE OFFER PROCESS, EXPLAINING THEM THAT THIS PROCESS CAN TAKE UP TO SIX MONTHS.
AND SO THAT THE CANDIDATE, UM, SHOULDN'T BE, YOU KNOW, UH, NECESSARILY DISHEARTENED BY THE LENGTH OF THE PROCESS AND NECESSARILY HAVE TO DROP OUT EVEN THOUGH WE DO GET A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF DROPOUTS.
AND THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS KEEPING US SAFE.
SO KEEPING IN MIND ALL OF THOSE, UH, FACTORS TO KEEP OUR PORT SAFE.
YOU TAKE WHATEVER TIME YOU NEED IN THAT BACKGROUND PROCESS BECAUSE I, I LIKE FEELING SAFE, SO THANK YOU.
UM, CAN I CALL FOR THE VOTE COMMISSIONERS? THANK YOU.
ITEM NUMBER 10, RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE PRESENTATION FROM RECRUITMENT AND OUTREACH DIVISION.
AND THIS IS THE CITY OF LONG BEACH CAREER FAIR? IT IS, BUT WE'RE ACTUALLY GONNA PULL THIS ITEM.
SO SORRY WE HAD A PRESENTATION READY FOR YOU, BUT, UM, LAURA WAS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE'S THE ONE THAT GETS TO PRESENT TO YOU.
ALRIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, ARE WE OKAY WITH PULLING THAT? YES.
ALRIGHT, LET'S MOVE ON TO NUMBER 11.
[10. 24-53916 Recommendation to receive and file presentation from Recruitment and Outreach Division – City of Long Beach Career Fair. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
TO APPROVE THE PROTEST OF EXAMINATION ITEMS. AND THIS IS FOR THE FIREBOAT PILOT.CAN I GET A SECOND MOTION AND A SECOND? I APOLOGIZE FOR THIS.
YEAH, IF YOU WANNA DO A VERBAL SECOND.
[11. 24-53921 Recommendation to approve protest of examination item(s) – Fireboat Pilot. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
TODAY AS A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMISSION BEFORE THIS MEETING TO REVIEW THE EXAM PROTESTS WITH STAFF AND WITH SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS.I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF STAFF TO OMI ITEM SIX OF THE FIREBOAT PILOT WRITTEN EXAMINATION.
ANY DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT, WOULD YOU CAST YOUR VOTE PLEASE? THANK YOU,
ITEM NUMBER 13, RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE AND FILE REPORTS FROM CIVIL SERVICE MANAGERS.
YES, UH, MARIA, GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
I JUST HAVE A QUICK UPDATE REGARDING OUR BUDGET PROCESS FOR FISCAL YEAR 25.
UH, WE'VE COMPLETED ENTERING MOU ENTRIES TO THE, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025.
WE COMPLETED THE CHAPTER BOOK.
WHAT, WHICH GOES IN THE BOOK FOR THE BUDGET BOOK.
SO WE'RE IN THE PROCESS THAT WE
[13. 24-53918 Recommendation to receive and file reports from the Civil Service Managers. Suggested Action: Approve recommendation. ]
GOT THAT BACK AND WE REVIEWING IT TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING'S CORRECT.AND THEN, UM, IF EVERYTHING GOES OUT WELL, THERE'S GONNA BE BUDGET MEETINGS, WHICH I CAN SEND THAT INFORMATION TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS.
AND THEN JUST BE MINDFUL THAT THE FIRST POTENTIAL BUDGET ADOPTION WILL BE SEPTEMBER 3RD, AND THEN THE SECOND ONE WOULD BE SEPTEMBER 10TH.
SO THAT IS FOR YOUR FISCAL YEAR 2025 FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR 2024.
UM, WE'RE QUICKLY PUTTING TOGETHER, MAKE SURE THAT, UM, THIS BUDGET YEAR IS GONNA BE PRETTY TIGHT, SO WE'RE CAREFULLY MONITORING ALL THE EXPENSES AND AS WE GET THE INVOICES, STAFF IS QUICKLY, UH, PROCESSING THOSE INVOICES SO THAT WE CAN GET 'EM INTO OUR BUDGET BOOK.
UH, OUR, OUR BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2024, UM, AS I MENTIONED, IT IS A CLOSED YEAR, SO WE
[01:20:01]
ARE MONITORING REALLY CLOSE AND WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE NOT GONNA RUN INTO, UM, A YEAR THAT WE MAY NEED TO ASK FOR A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT.SO WE ARE CAREFULLY LOOKING THAT WE STILL STAY WITHIN BUDGET.
UM, THAT'S ALL I HAVE, UM, REGARDING MY BUDGET UPDATE, UNLESS YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME.
COMMISSIONER GRANTA, ARE WE, UH, ADDING POSITIONS? NOT RIGHT NOW.
WHO, WHAT? I DIDN'T HEAR YOUR ANSWER.
THE QUESTION WAS ARE WE ADDING POSITIONS? AND I SAID NOT RIGHT NOW.
SO, SO WE REQUESTED ADDITIONAL POSITIONS AND, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT AT THIS TIME THERE WOULD BE NO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS.
SO FOR THE RECORD, WE REQUESTED POSITIONS AND WE WERE TOLD THAT FOR NOW WE WOULD HAVE NO ADDITIONAL POSITIONS GRANTED.
WHEN THINGS DON'T WORK, YOU KNOW WHY.
OH, WAS IT MY TURN? CHRISTINA
DO WANNA THANK THEM FOR ALL THAT WORK.
COULD WE USE YOUR MIC? THANK GUYS.
UH, CHRISTINA, I JUST HAVE A, A QUICK QUESTION.
UM, OUR STAFFING LEVELS ARE LOW.
OUR PEOPLE ARE WORKING DOUBLE DUTY.
WE ASK FOR HOW MANY POSITIONS, JUST BALLPARK, ROUGHLY 10 POSITIONS.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHY WE REQUESTED 10 POSITIONS? SO WE REQUESTED SOME SUPPORT STAFF FOR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
UM, WE REQUESTED ADDITIONAL ANALYSTS TO ASSIST EMPLOYMENT SERVICES WITH THE TESTING PROCESS.
AND THEN WE ALSO, UH, REQUESTED AN ANALYST IN ADMIN SUPPORT TO HELP US WITH MANAGING THE ELIGIBLE LIST SO THAT WE CAN DO CLEANUPS, SO THAT WE CAN DO LOOK AT THE LIST IN ITSELF MORE.
AND THEN WE ALSO REQUESTED ADDITIONAL, UM, ANALYST IN THE RECRUITMENT SECTION TO AGAIN, UM, BEING THAT WHEN YOU REQUEST ADDITIONAL ANALYST IS GONNA REQUEST ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF AND ADMIN SUPPORT.
SO, I'M SORRY, IN ADMIN SUPPORT WE REQUESTED AN ANALYST AND THEN WE REQUESTED ANOTHER STAFF SUPPORT SO THAT IT WOULD, UM, HELP WITH THE ADDITIONAL STAFFING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES.
UM, AND AGAIN, THAT WOULD ALSO FALL WITHIN THE RECRUITMENT AND OUTREACH DIVISION.
SO IT WAS MAINLY TO SUPPORT THE EXAMS AND THEN JUST A, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE IN THE OTHER DIVISIONS TO HELP.
SO WE REQUESTED FROM THE CITY MANAGER 10 POSITIONS BECAUSE WE ARE GROSSLY UNDERSTAFFED.
IS IS THAT, IS THAT I I DON'T WANNA PUT WORDS IN ANYONE'S MOUTH.
AND WE WERE, WE WERE TOLD NO, WELL, THE, YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WE ARE BUILDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2025.
SO IT IS STILL IN THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT PHASE.
YOU WILL NOT KNOW WHAT WAS, UM, APPROVED OR PRESENTED TO THE CITY COUNCIL UNTIL, UM, WHEN THEY, THEY RELEASED THE PROPOSED BUDGET, WHICH WOULD BE IN AUGUST 2ND.
SO IT WOULD BE UNFAIR FOR US TO SAY THAT IT HASN'T GONE THAT FAR BECAUSE THERE'S STILL ROOM THAT THEY MAY, UM, BUT WHATEVER'S GONNA BE PROPOSED TO CITY COUNCIL WILL BE AUGUST 2ND.
SO FISCAL YEAR 2025 IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT AS FAR AS WE KNOW.
UM, WE DIDN'T GET OUR REQUEST CORRECT.
SO, UM, IS TODAY JUNE 19TH? 20TH.
AND YOU SAID THAT THIS WOULD GO TO COUNCIL IN AUGUST? YES, THE PROPOSED.
SO WE DON'T KNOW NOW WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO BE REQUESTING COUNCIL TO GIVE US ANY FURTHER SUPPORT.
IT'S STILL FISCAL YEAR 2025 IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT.
[01:25:01]
GO BACK TO YOU, CHRISTINA.SO WE REQUESTED ADDITIONAL STAFF SUPPORT OF 10.
SO, SO MARIA, MARIA IS CORRECT.
UM, AND I PROBABLY SPOKE TOO SOON.
UM, WE, WE HAVE MADE THE REQUEST ULTIMATELY, UM, WHAT IS GIVEN TO US WILL NOT BE KNOWN UNTIL AUGUST.
UM, HAVE YOU HAD DISCUSSION ABOUT THE REQUEST? WE HAVE.
SO YOU'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DISCUSSING IT.
SO YOU HAVE PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT MORE INFORMATION THAN THE REST OF US.
BUT BUT NOTHING IS, BUT NOTHING IS FINALIZED.
SO, UH, THE COMMISSIONERS WANT TO BE KEPT ABREAST OF THE BUDGET THAT'S GOING TO BE SUBMITTED TO COUNCIL.
WE WANT TO KNOW BEFOREHAND IF WE'RE GOING TO GET ADDITIONAL SUPPORT, I NEED TO KNOW IF I HAVE TO SHOW UP AND BEG THE COUNCIL FOR SOME PEOPLE TO DO THE WORK.
SO, UM, I I WANNA BE KEPT IN THE LOOP AND, AND I'M VERY SERIOUS ABOUT THIS.
I WANNA BE KEPT IN THE LOOP ON WHEN YOU GET THE INFORMATION AS TO WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO HONOR THE REQUEST OF THE 10 ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF AND OR HOW MANY THEY WANT TO OFFER YOU AND WHAT'S GOING BEFORE COUNCIL.
AND, AND I WANNA BE REAL CLEAR ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND WE'RE IN THE TALKING PHASE, BUT I BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION THAN WE DO.
SO WE, WE CAN WAIT, BUT I DON'T WANNA WAIT UNTIL THE DATE OF THE COUNCIL MEETING TO FIND OUT THAT IT HASN'T BEEN PROPOSED TO GIVE US ADDITIONAL STAFF.
HIS, HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, WOULD WE KNOW BY THIS TIME? NO.
AGAIN, IT'S, WE DON'T, NOTHING IS FINAL.
UM, AND SO, UM, WE WOULD NOT, SO WE, WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL THE, THE PROPOSED BUDGET.
BUT HISTORICALLY SPEAKING, WOULD WE KNOW BY THIS TIME IF WE WERE GOING TO GET BUDGET INCREASES OR DECREASES OR REQUEST FULFILLED? I THINK THAT THE, THE CHALLENGE IS THAT WE ARE INSTRUCTED, YOU KNOW, THE COUNCIL CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.
SO FOR US TO SAY WE'RE GONNA GET X, Y, OR Z, OR WE'RE GONNA NOT GET X, Y, OR Z, CORRECT.
IS, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T SAY THAT BECAUSE IT'S UP TO COUNCIL.
SO WE CAN ONLY SAY WHAT WE'VE REQUESTED.
ARE YOU GETTING SUPPORT FOR, UM, IN FRONT OF CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL STAFFING REQUEST FULFILLED? WHAT? SO IS THE CITY MANAGER SUPPORTING THIS IN FRONT OF CITY, UH, COUNCIL, ULTIMATELY CITY COUNCIL, AS YOU SAID, MAKES THE DECISION CORRECT.
UM, IS THIS DEPARTMENT GETTING THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO HAVE COUNSEL PROVIDE THOSE ADDITIONAL POSITIONS? I DON'T KNOW THAT.
I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU WOULD ASK OUR CITY MANAGER IF HE INTENDS TO SUPPORT OUR REQUEST.
I THINK IT'S A VERY SIMPLE ANSWER AND IT'S EITHER A YES OR A NO.
AND LET'S JUST GET RIGHT TO THE NITIN.
WE DON'T NEED TO PLAY AROUND, JUST TELL US WHAT, WHAT WE HAVE COMING DOWN THE PIKE BECAUSE THIS AMENDMENT HASN'T BEEN VOTED ON YET.
AND UM, DEPENDING ON WHERE WE GO, WE DON'T WANNA HAVE TO RUN A 50 YARD DASH TO GET PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENT.
WE, WE WOULD WANT TO DO THAT HIRING SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE CITY.
IS THERE ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? THANK YOU CAPRICE.
I APPRECIATE YOU FOR LETTING ME TAKE A FEW MOMENTS.
YOU KNOW, I DO REALLY APPRECIATE THE COMMISSION.
EARLIER WE HEARD TWO SIDES OF THE, YOU KNOW, OPINIONS AND I APPRECIATE A WELL DIVERSE COMMISSION WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT FIRE RECRUIT, I JUST WANNA LET YOU GUYS KNOW, I HEARD GOOD INFORMATION ON BOTH SIDES.
SO BUILDING SERVICES SUPERVISOR, UM, LEVI, HE'S OUR, UH, LEAD ANALYST ON THAT.
HE'S COMPLETED THE ASSESSMENT FOR THAT RECRUITMENT.
AND OF COURSE, UH, TIFFANY WAS THE LEAD ON FIRE RECRUIT.
SO THANK YOU TIFFANY FOR GETTING THAT GOING.
A STRENGTH MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR THAT WAS, UM, AN IN-PERSON EXAM AND WE'RE STAFF IS STARTING TO MOVE TOWARDS, UM, THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE CANDIDATE POOL.
SO THAT RECRUITMENT, UM, IT WAS HUGE.
UH, TARSHA AND STEPHANIE HAD TO LEAVE OUT AND IT KIND OF BROUGHT, BROUGHT BACK, UM, WHAT IT TIMES USED TO BE, YOU GOT AN EXAM ON MONDAY, YOU DON'T HAVE ALL YOUR RATERS, BUT THEY, THEY MANAGED, THEY PULLED THROUGH, THEY HAD THREE PANELS WHICH MET SIX, UH, IN-PERSON RAIDERS FOR, UM, 20 PLUS CANDIDATES
[01:30:01]
THAT SHOWED UP FOR THE RECRUITMENT.SO THAT WAS, UM, REALLY, I APPRECIATE THEM DOING THAT.
AND AS WELL, UM, JANELLE, SHE HAS SENIOR COMBINATION BUILDING INSPECTOR, AND I THINK SHE'S THE ONE THAT KIND OF PIONEERED, LIKE, WE'RE GONNA START HAVING IN-PERSON EXAMS FOR SOME OF THESE, UH, THE CANDIDATE POOL THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU WANT THEM TO SHOW UP, HOW DO YOU GET THEM TO SHOW UP? YOU READ, READ YOUR AUDIENCE AND SEE HOW CAN YOU HELP THEM? SO THAT CANDIDATE POOL, WE WOULD'VE HAD A LOT OF NOHOW IF, YOU KNOW, YOU DIDN'T BRING THAT GROUP IN PERSON.
UM, DANELLE ALSO HAS A EQUIPMENT MECHANIC ON MONDAY, UM, AND FOR NEO GOV PROJECTS, UM, I, I KNOW YOU PROBABLY THE CITY ORGANIZATION HAS HEARD HOW, UM, HUMAN RESOURCES, UH, THEY KIND OF LOOKED AT THEIR REQUISITION PROCESS TO KIND OF STREAMLINE IT.
WELL, UM, THEY REACHED OUT TO CIVIL SERVICE AND LEVI, WHO'S OUR NEO GOV ADMINISTRATOR, BRAINSTORM WITH THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE LIKE, HOW CAN WE MAKE THAT NEW PROCESS, PUT IT IN PLACE? AND TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE ERRORS THAT THEIR, THE DEPARTMENTS WOULD MAKE? SO LEVI CAME UP WITH SOME IDEAS.
I DIDN'T NECESSARILY LIKE THEM ALL, AND ONE, I SAID, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'RE GONNA PULL THAT ONE OFF, BUT HE DID
SO HE WORKED WITH NEIL GOV TO CREATE SOME ADDITIONAL, UM, DIVISIONS AND, UM, THEY WERE ABLE TO DO THE UPLOAD.
AND SO NOW THEY'RE ON THE TELL END OF THAT PROCESS.
AND I THINK, UM, HUMAN RESOURCES, THE CITY'S GONNA BE REALLY HAPPY THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR CIVIL SERVICES CONTRIBUTION TO THAT PROCESS.
SO, AND ALSO HE'S CLOSING OUT ANOTHER PROJECT WITH HUMAN RESOURCES ON NEO GOV AND I THINK THEY, THEY WERE LISTENING WHEN YOU WERE SAYING, HEY, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THIS HIRING SHOULD BE CENTRALIZED.
WELL, THAT'S THEIR GOAL WITH THEIR UNCLASSIFIED RECRUITMENTS.
SO HE'S WORKING WITH THEM TO LIKE, OKAY, HOW DO WE TRANSITION SOME OF THOSE USERS THAT ARE USING, UM, NEO GOV FOR THEIR UNCLASSIFIED RECRUITMENTS BECAUSE THEY'RE WANTING TO CENTRALIZE THAT IN HUMAN RESOURCES.
AND THEN, UM, WE HAD RECENTLY, WE HAD A TOUR HARBOR.
THEY INVITED, UM, CIVIL SERVICE OUT THERE TO STAFF TO TOUR.
SO SAL ACTUALLY, UH, COORDINATE THAT AND THANK YOU ARI.
UM, AND THEN JUST THIS WEEK, UM, STEVEN TOOK THE LEAD.
HE ARRANGED WORK WITH, UM, PARKS AND REC AND THERE WAS A, A TOUR, UM, AT THE ANIMAL CONTROL.
SO I HEARD A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ABOUT, UM, YOU KNOW, AND A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND A LOT OF, OOH OZ, YOU KNOW, SO I WANNA THANK PARKS AND REC.
UM, I THINK MELANIE WAGNER WAS THE, UM, PERSON IN POINT OF CONTACT THAT, UM, BROUGHT CIVIL SERVICE STAFF OUT THERE FOR THAT TOUR.
UM, AND THEN I, FOR MYSELF, YOU KNOW, I'M, UH, LEAD PRETTY MUCH SOLO ON THE ADVENT ANALYST PROCESS.
I AM WORKING WITH A SUBJECT MATTER COMMITTEE WITH THE CITY, UM, ON THAT PROCESS.
AND JUST TO GIVE YOU SOME INFO, WE HAD 571 APPLY, AND I WILL TELL YOU IT'S A GOOD THING, BUT IT WAS A LOT.
UM, JUST TO SHOW YOU, UM, 2023, 2023, WE HAD 363 APPLIED.
WELL, UM, IN PRESENT DAY HERE, WE HAD 571.
SO, YOU KNOW, IT WAS TRYING TO MEET THE DEADLINE.
I, YOU KNOW, IT WAS, UH, TOUGH.
I, YOU KNOW, WE, YOU TRY TO FACTOR IN TIME BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF WORK BEHIND THE SCENES AS FAR AS SCREENING APPLICANTS AND COMMUNICATING WITH THEM.
UM, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW OUT OF 571, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE THE PEOPLE THERE SCREENED OUT, THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK.
UM, BUT WHAT WE DID DO THIS PROCESS MOVING FORWARD THAT WE AS A TEAM DECIDED TO DO UNDER CHRISTINA'S LEADERSHIP IS WE ARE GIVING, UH, CANDIDATES A APPLIC, I MEAN, AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT THEIR PROOF AFTER IT CLOSES.
AND NEIL GOV ACTUALLY HAD A NEW FEATURE WHERE YOU CAN OPEN THAT WINDOW AND LET THEM UPLOAD IT.
SO AFTER IT CLOSED, UM, YOU KNOW, I FACTORED IN, IN THAT TIME PERIOD FOR THE SAKE OF HAVING MORE CANDIDATES, UM, LET, UH, THE APPLICANTS UPLOAD THE PROOFS THAT THEY DIDN'T.
THEY'RE LIKE, OH, THANK YOU SO MUCH, BECAUSE THEY WERE GONNA GET SCREENED OUT WITHOUT IT.
UM, AND THE WRITTEN EXAM IS SCHEDULED FOR
[01:35:01]
FRIDAY AND MONDAY.AND, AND THIS IS SOMETHING I AGAIN, WE'RE PIONEERING THROUGH AND, YOU KNOW, BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM, YOU KNOW, BAKER, TILLY AND CHRISTINA, IT WAS LIKE, HEY, WE'RE GONNA START USING MORE VENDORS, YOU KNOW, AND SO BASICALLY WE'RE NOW HA BEING ABLE TO SEE THIS IS WHAT IT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE.
BUT WHEN YOU'RE USING VENDOR TESTING, YOU HAVE TO ALSO REMEMBER THEY HAVE, UH, YOU KNOW, PROPRIETARY INFORMATION TO PROTECT.
SO THEY HAVE, UH, LIVE PROCTOR.
SO IT'S GONNA BE DIFFERENT FOR THE CANDIDATE POOL.
THEY'RE, UM, IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE, WELL, SOMEONE'S GONNA BE LOOKING, UH, THEY HAVE TO LOG INTO THEIR COMPUTER, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE TO SCAN THEIR ROOM BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST LIKE TAKING THE LSAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN, UH, TEST SECURITY IS, YOU KNOW, IS AT A MUCH HIGHER LEVEL THAN WHEN WE'RE, UM, DOING OUR OWN EXAMS ON OUR, OUR TEST PLATFORM.
SO IT'S, IT'S GONNA BE AN EXPERIENCE AND A, A LOT OF WORK, A LOT OF COMMUNICATION.
UM, AND THEN I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A, UH, A POSITIVE SHOUT OUT TO, UH, ACTUALLY TWO MEMBERS OF OUR STAFF.
ONE PERSON IN MY DIVISION IN, UH, UM, RECRUITMENT AND OUTREACH.
WE HAVE TWO COLLEGE GRADUATES.
UM, ELLA, SHE, UM, COMPLETED HER BACHELOR'S DEGREE.
AND I GOT PERMISSION FROM BOTH OF THEM TO, UH, SHOUT OUT.
SO, YOU KNOW, BOTH OF THEM, THEY'RE, UH, PART OF OUR STAFF, OSIRIS AND BOTH ELLA GOT THEIR DEGREE.
AND THEN I, I DO WANNA CLOSE OUT WITH SAYING, YOU KNOW, I WAS, UM, PART OF, WITH STAFF AT THAT LAST, UH, COUNCIL MEETING AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE SPEAKERS THAT CAME ON IN SUPPORT FOR THE BALLOT MEASURE, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'VE SEEN THIS PERSON BEFORE.
WHAT STRUCK ME WAS WHEN HE WENT TO THE MIC TO ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL, THE FIRST THING HE HAD TO DO GET OUTTA THE WAY IS APOLOGIZE.
BECAUSE HE FELT LIKE, I KNOW I DON'T LOOK LIKE I HAVE A JOB.
AND I WAS LIKE, THAT'S WHY CIVIL SERVICE EXISTS, BECAUSE WE MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU'RE GOING THROUGH A TESTING PROCESS, HIRING PROCESS, IT'S NOT ABOUT WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE.
BUT YOU KNOW, ONLY IF YOU, I WOULD SAY ONLY IF YOU WORK WITH CIVIL SERVICE DID THAT STRUCK A NERVE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THE CITY COUNCIL DIDN'T EVEN BLINK AN EYE WHEN THEY HEARD THAT.
AND, YOU KNOW, AND I STAND WITH, UH, COMMISSIONER VAL AND YOU KNOW, IN FACT WHEN HE BROUGHT UP ABOUT BEING A GOLD STAR FAMILY, I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT? I DON'T KNOW.
IT WAS OFTEN AS I HEARD THAT, THAT DIDN'T EVEN REALLY RESONATE WITH ME.
I'M LIKE, ARE WE CANCELING OUT
FIRST WE SHOULD ASK LEVI TO TAKE A BOW
AND IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, I'M GONNA, I HAVE NO REPORT.
YOU HAVE YOUR MICROPHONE ON PRESIDENT.
ARE THERE ANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION? AND THANK YOU FOR COMING.
CHERYL BENDER, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER FOR PARKS, RECREATION AND MARINE.
UM, I DON'T OFTEN FIND MYSELF ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN BECAUSE USUALLY MY ANALYST COMES AND REPRESENTS OUR DEPARTMENT AT THIS MEETING.
BUT SINCE I FOUND, FOUND MYSELF HERE THIS MORNING, I FELT IT
[PUBLIC COMMENT Opportunity to address the Civil Service Commission on non-agenda items. ]
WAS IMPORTANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICLY THANK CIVIL SERVICE AND HR, UH, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOLVED AN EXCEPTIONALLY PROBLEMATIC STAFFING ISSUE IN MY DIVISION.UM, MY PAYROLL TEAM FOR THE BETTER PART OF A YEAR HAD BEEN IN KIND OF MAN DOWN MODE.
UM, I HADN'T ANTICIPATED VACANCY AND, AND AT, AT A PPA AND THEY HAD A LIST AND WE MADE A SELECTION.
UM, AND, YOU KNOW, I HAD SOME, THERE WERE ACTUALLY SOME REALLY EXCELLENT CANDIDATES ON THERE THAT I INTERVIEWED.
AND SO I'M LIKE, OOH, IF, YOU KNOW, IF SUCH AND SUCH DOESN'T WORK OUT, THEN I CAN SELECT EITHER OF THESE TWO AS ALTERNATIVES.
UM, FAST FORWARD A FEW MONTHS AND THEN WE HAD AN UNANTICIPATED VACANCY, UH, IN THE SAME POSITION.
AND SO I WAS FULLY READY TO GO
[01:40:01]
AND, YOU KNOW, SELECT MY NUMBER TWO CANDIDATE.UM, AND IT, AS IT SO HAPPENS OF MY TWO, UH, BACKUPS, THE OTHER ONE HAD ALSO ALREADY BEEN PICKED UP BY THE CITY.
UM, I WAS READY TO MAKE MY SELECTION AND MOVE FORWARD.
WE HAD A REQUISITION IN, UH, AND THEN I RAN INTO A SLIGHT, UM, UH, ELIGIBILITY LIST CHALLENGE.
UM, AND I, I PUT UP THE, I PUT UP THE WHITE FLAG IMMEDIATELY 'CAUSE I'M LIKE, OH, NO, I CANNOT, I CANNOT WAIT TO FILL THIS POSITION.
UM, AT THAT POINT IN TIME, STEPHANIE AND CAPRICE JUMPED IN WITH A VERY CREATIVE SOLUTION THAT WOULD KEEP THINGS GOING, UH, AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN LESS WORK FOR EVERYBODY.
UM, AND, YOU KNOW, AND IT, IT WAS GONNA WORK AND I WAS GONNA GET MY PERSON AND WE STARTED PUSHING IT THROUGH, AND THEN WE STARTED GETTING SOME PUSHBACK FROM A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.
UM, AND RUSS WAS THE HERO THAT THEN JUMPED IN AND MADE SURE TO, MADE SURE TO GET IT APPROVED SO THAT WE COULD GET MY, GET OUR PERSON.
UM, AND THEN I GUESS BECAUSE FOLKS JUST DECIDED THEY JUST WANTED TO SHOW OUT, UM, OC HEALTH, UH, WAS ABLE TO GET ME AN APPOINTMENT, LIKE IMMEDIATELY TO GET THIS PERSON IN FOR THEIR MEDICAL SCREENING.
SO FAST FORWARD, I WAS ABLE TO GET MY PERSON AND THEY, MY TEAM WAS RELIEVED AND THEY WERE ABLE TO COME IN AND START MAKING AN IMPACT IN VERY, VERY SHORT ORDER.
AND THIS PERSON HAS BEEN A FABULOUS ADDITION TO MY TEAM.
OH, NOW DOES THAT MAKE US WANNA FLOAT OUT OF THE BUILDING?
OH, MS. BENDER, YOU DIDN'T GET ME A CHANCE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR COMING.
THAT WAS SO KIND OF YOU TO TAKE TIME OUT OF YOUR MORNING TO COME TO THE MEETING AND TELL US HOW GREAT, UH, CIVIL SERVICE IS DOING.
WE KNOW THEY'RE GREAT, BUT WE ALWAYS LIKE TO HEAR FROM SOMEONE ELSE.
AND OF COURSE OUR LIAISONS WITH HR.
I MEAN, SMILE, LOOK AT OUR SMILES ARE HUGE.
PROVIDED THE PUSHBACK INITIALLY,
LISTEN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU ARE THE HERO.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PROVIDING THAT FEEDBACK AND, UH, AND STEPHANIE FOR FINDING CREATIVE WAYS YES.
ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE ONTO ANNOUNCEMENTS.
UH, DO YOU HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS? I DO.
UM, ONE, I KNOW I DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT, SO GARY, STOP ME IF I, UM, AM OUT OF ORDER.
BUT I WANNA SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR RETIREES 50 YEARS COMBINED IN, UH, PUBLIC SAFETY, BOTH FIRE AND POLICE.
UM, ALSO, I WANNA SAY HAPPY JUNETEENTH.
[ANNOUNCEMENTS]
UH, BUT AS I'VE SAID BEFORE, WE'RE NOT FREE UNTIL WE'RE ALL FREE AND WE STILL HAVE SOME WORK TO DO.AND IT WAS VERY, UM, HEARTENING TO SEE THE CELEBRATION IN LONG BEACH.
AND, UM, AS A NON-BLACK PERSON, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN NECESSARILY SPEAK TO THAT, BUT AS, UH, A PERSON OF COLOR, IT WAS SO GREAT TO SEE BLACK JOY IN THE VIDEOS, UH, FROM, FROM JUNETEENTH.
SO, UM, HAPPY JUNETEENTH AND ALSO, I DON'T KNOW IF WE'VE ALREADY SAID THIS, BUT HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.
UM, WE ARE SO HAPPY
I LOVE RAINBOWS ANYWAY 'CAUSE MY, ONE OF MY SONS LOVE RAINBOWS.
SO, UM, IT'S JUST, UH, SO HAPPY.
IT, IT CREATES, UH, SUCH A HAPPY ENVIRONMENT WHEN WE SEE, UH, BLACK JOY AND, AND PRIDE AND ALL OF THE, UH, BEAUTIFUL COLORS AND, UM, HAPPINESS THAT POURS OUT OF EVERYONE.
SO HAPPY JUNETEENTH, HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.
IT JUST GOES TO, UM, THE CITY OF LONG BEACH, PERIOD.
UM, I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER CITY IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
UM, WITH THAT, I'M GOING TO, UM, CALL, UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER.
ALRIGHT, WELL, THIS MEETING IS IN ADJOURNMENT.
HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY EVERYBODY.
GETTING RID OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE JUST DEAD OFF.