HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Civil Service Board - 01/28/2010 RECEIVED
MINUTES JAN 7 2�11
547th CIVIL SERVICE BOARD HEARING
1201 LEOPARD ST., CITY HALL
HUMAN RESOURCES CONFERENCE ROOM CITY SECRETARY'S OFFICE
January 28,2010
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT:
John P. Silvas, Chairperson Cynthia C. Garcia,Director of
Susanne Bonilla,Member Human Resources
Jennifer Knox-Walker,Asst. City
Attorney
Foster Crowell,Director of
Wastewater
Deanna Galan,H.R. Analyst
Chairperson Silvas called the 547th Civil Service Board hearing to order at 9:03 a.m. and
passed on item#1 until all board members are present.
ITEM#1: Review and approve the minutes of the 541St, 542"d 543`d, 544th' and the 545th
Civil Service Board hearings held on April 9, 2009, August 18, 2009,
September 3, 2009, October 26,2009,and November 13,2009.
ITEM#2: Review and consider the termination of Johnny Ojeda, Wastewater Collection
Technician, Wastewater Department.
ITEM#3: Discuss the Rules and Regulations of the Civil Service Board.
All witnesses present were given the oath by Chairperson Silvas and the meaning of invoking
the rule was explained by Chairperson Silvas. Cynthia Garcia recommended allowing several
employees from the Wastewater department to return to work and be called as needed by the
appellant's case. Chairperson Silvas &Member Bonilla agreed
Asst. City Attorney Jennifer Knox-Walker presented the city's opening statement. Johnny
Ojeda was terminated on February 24,2009, for using city equipment at his personal residence
during his working hours.
Maria Flores, representative,presented the case for Johnny Ojeda.
The City called Narcisco Perez as a witness. Mr. Perez is a Foreman for the City of Corpus
Christi, Wastewater department. Mr. Perez stated he has worked for the city for 26 years.
The City called Corina Saenz as a witness. Ms. Saenz is a Sr. Human Resources Analyst for
the City of Corpus Christi. Ms. Saenz has worked for the City of Corpus Christi for 24 years.
SCANNED
The City called Virgil Seward as a witness. Mr. Seward is a Utility Dispatcher for the City of
Corpus Christi and has worked for the city for 9 years.
The City called Steve Klepper as a witness. Mr. Klepper is an Administrative Superintendent
for the City of Corpus Christi. He has worked for the city for 19 years.
The City called Foster Crowell as a witness. Mr. Crowell is the Director of Wastewater
Operations and has worked for the city for 30 years.
The City called Deanna Galan as a witness. Ms. Galan is a Human Resources Analyst for the
City of Corpus Christi and has worked for the city for 7 years.
City exhibits entered as evidence:
#1 —Photo of Mr. Ojeda's home
#2—Photo of city vehicle
#3 —Mr. Ojeda's time sheet
#4—Mr. Perez's time sheet
#5—Map
#6—Work order
#7—City policy HR 3.0
#8—Acknowledgement form FIR 3.0
#9—Schedule for dispatch coverage
#10—Contemplated letter
#11 —Civil Service Board letter
Asst. City Attorney Jennifer Knox-Walker rest her case.
Maria Flores called Michael Rodriguez as a witness. Mr. Rodriguez is a former employee with
the Wastewater department.
Maria Flores called Sylvia Cuellar as a witness. Ms. Cuellar stated Michael Rodriguez worked
for him when he was a foreman, for about one year.
Chairperson Silvas recessed at 1:16 p.m. and asked the hearing to be resumed at 2:30 p.m.
Chairperson Silvas resumed the hearing at 2:50 p.m.
Maria Flores called David Garza as a witness. Mr. Garza stated he has worked for the city for
about 1 %z years.
Maria Flores called Jose Martinez as a witness. Mr. Martinez stated he has worked for the city
for 16 1/z years.
Maria Flores called Tobey Flores as a witness. Mr. Flores stated he has worked for the city for
7 years.
Maria Flores called Nicolas Johnson as a witness. Mr. Johnson stated he has worked for the
city for 5 years.
Maria Flores called Nick Wade as a witness. Mr. Wade stated he has worked for the city for 2
years.
Chairperson Silvas tells Ms. Flores the past testimony has been about work orders and
dispatch. He advised Ms. Flores that the board has heard enough testimony about that.
Maria Flores called Gerald Garcia as a witness. Mr. Garcia stated he has worked for the city for
24 years.
Maria Flores called Patricia Earl as a witness. Ms. Earl stated she has worked for the city for
25 years.
Maria Flores called Patricia Silvas as a witness. Joan McKaughan was told by people in the
Human Resources lobby that Ms. Silvas left earlier in the day.
Maria Flores called Victor Tyler as a witness. Mr. Tyler stated he was a former employee of
the City's Wastewater department.
Maria Flores called Alex Elizondo as a witness. Mr. Elizondo stated he has worked with the
city for 13 years.
Maria Flores called Jose Luis Rodriguez as a witness. Mr. Rodriguez stated he has worked for
the city for 21 years.
Maria Flores called Humberto Barbosa as a witness. Mr. Barbosa stated he has worked for the
city for 16 years.
Chairperson Silvas recessed at 4:35 p.m. and resumed at 4:40 p.m.
Maria Flores called Foster Crowell as a rebuttal witness.
Employee Exhibit entered as evidence:
#1 —Investigation Report from Human Resources
Maria Flores rest her case.
Asst. City Attorney Knox-Walker gave the city's closing statement.
Maria Flores gave Mr. Ojeda's closing statement.
Chairperson Silvas announced it was 5:01 p.m. and the board went into closed session.
Chairperson Silvas announced it was 5:36 p.m. and the board was back in session.
Member Bonilla made a motion to reduce the termination to a suspension and Mr. Ojeda be
reinstated effective February 1, 2010,without back pay. Chairperson Silvas second the motion.
Chairperson Silvas adjourned the meeting at 5:37 p.m.
John P. Silvas, Chairperson Eileen Butler, Vice-Chairperson
Civil Service Board Civil Service Board
Susanne Bonilla,Member Cyn a C. Garcia, Secretary
Civil Service Board Civil Service Board