Commission Actions 2/2000

A G E N D A
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2000
STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

(HEARING ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, 1201 CAPITOL ACCESS ROAD, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, (ANNEX BUILDING BEHIND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT BUILDING))

1) Election of Officers.

· Chairman – JAMES A. SMITH WAS RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN BY ACCLAMATION.

· Vice Chairman – A. J. CAPRITTO WAS RE-ELECTED VICE- CHAIRMAN BY ACCLAMATION.

2) 9:00 a.m. Public hearing of the appeal of WAYNE P. TEMPLET vs. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS, (OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL), Docket No. 12962. The hearing has been limited to interest and attorney’s fees. Mark E. Falcon representing the appellant; Wayne R. Crouch representing the appellee. THE HEARING WAS CONTINUED.

3) 9:00 a.m. Public hearing of the appeal of WAYNE P. TEMPLET vs. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS, (OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL), Docket No. S-13548. Mark E. Falcon representing the appellant; Wayne R. Crouch representing the appellee. THE HEARING WAS CONTINUED.

4) 9:00 a.m. Public hearing of the appeal of JOHN GOSA vs. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS, (JETSON CORRECTIONAL CENTER FOR YOUTH), Docket No. 13558. Mark E. Falcon representing the appellant; Ana Litvinoff representing the appellee. THE APPEAL WAS HEARD AND TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT BY THE COMMISSION.

5) 9:00 a.m. Public hearing of the appeal of MERLEANE JONES vs. LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, Docket No. S-13597. Mark E. Falcon representing the appellant; William A. Norfolk representing the appellee. THE APPEAL WAS SETTLED.

6) 9:00 a.m. Public hearing of the appeal of FLEUR VICKERS vs. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, (OFFICE AND MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE), Docket No. S-13615. Daniel L. Avant representing the appellant; William A. Norfolk representing the appellee. THE APPEAL WAS ASSIGNED TO A CIVIL SERVICE REFEREE AND THEN WAS SETTLED.

GENERAL BUSINESS SESSION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2000

(HEARING ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, 1201 CAPITAL ACCESS ROAD, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, (ANNEX BUILDING BEHIND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT BUILDING))

7) Director’s Report – (NO ATTACHMENT)

8) Employee Opportunity to Address the Commission. (NO ATTACHMENT) THERE WERE NO EMPLOYEES WHO REQUESTED TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION.

9) Public hearing to consider proposed amendments to rules related to details to special duty, job appointments and restricted appointments and Policy Standards for the use of these appointments. Rules proposed for change include the following: Rules 8.16(d); 1.18; 8.14; 1.38.1; 6.5(d); and 8.10, as outlined in General Circular No. 1382. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Civil Service.) THE RULES WERE ADOPTED BY THE COMMISSION AS PROPOSED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

10) Request of the Department of Public Safety for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 4.1(d)2, for a one-year extension, beginning January 1, 2000 through December 31, 2001, for the unclassified position of Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Motor Vehicles. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Public Safety.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

11) Request of the Port of New Orleans for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 4.1(d)2, for a two-year extension of the unclassified authority for 15 positions, starting February 15, 2000 through February 15, 2002. (Appearance by a Representative of the Port of New Orleans.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

12) Request of the Department of the Treasury for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.27(a), to pay overtime at the time and one-half rate for employees in positions above GS-12 who worked at the Emergency Operations Center on December 31, 1999 and January 1 and 2, 2000. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of the Treasury.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

13) Request of the Department of State for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16©, for an individual pay rate adjust for Ms. Troy Hayes, Archivist Supervisor (GS-16), which entails raising her from $2243 per month that she made on detail to $2479 per month which would have been her pay upon job correction from Archivist 1 to Archivist Supervisor. (Appearance by a Representative from the Department of State.) THE COMMISSION DENIED THE REQUEST.

14) Consideration of the following requests for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service rule 6.16(a), for one-time payments in premium pay: THE COMMISSION APPROVED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUESTS.

1) Department of Health and Hospitals - $500 for Anita M. Delaup for attainment of a Certificate of Supervisory Training through the CPTP Program.

2) Department of Health and Hospitals, (Office of Public Health) - $500 each for both Melanie Dew and Nancy Frazier for attainment of their Certificate of Supervisory Training through the CPTP Program.

3) Department of Public Safety and Corrections, (Probation and Parole) - $500 for Kay T. Gilley for attainment of a Certificate in Supervisory Techniques through the CPTP Program.

4) Port of New Orleans for Mary Eileen Pansano - $1,000 for attaining the designation of Certified Public Accountant.

5) Louisiana Real Estate Commission for Christine Feldner - $250 for attainment of the designation of Certified Professional Public Buyer.

15) Consideration of the following requests for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.10(d), for exceptions to the mandatory pay cut upon demotion: THE COMMISSION APPROVED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUESTS.

1) Department of Health and Hospitals, (Office of Management and Finance), for Oscar Lynn Cooley. He demoted, effective December 20, 1999 from the job of Eligibility Examiner 1 (GS-12) to the job of Accounting Specialist 2 (GS-11). This will allow him to demote and retain his current rate of pay at $ 1647 per month.

2) Department of Health and Hospitals, (Region 1) for Sylvia Sevante. She demoted, effective December 13, 1999, from the job of Mental Health Acute Unit Manager (GS-20) to the job of Mental Health Special Services Director 2 (GS-19). This will allow her to demote and have her pay set at the maximum of the lower range at $4076 per month.

3) LSUMC-Health Sciences Division, (Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center) for Barbara Lanford. She demoted, effective October 4, 1999, from the job of Stock Clerk 2 (GS-8) to Clerk 3 (GS-7). What was to be a reassignment resulted as a demotion when the Governor signed the pay changes effective October 4, 1999. This will allow her to be paid at the maximum for the GS-7 range at $1722 per month.

4) LSUMC-Health Sciences Division, (University Medical Center for Tina Theriot. She demoted, effective November 15, 1999, from the job of Nursing Assistant 2 (GS-8) to the job of Physical Therapy Aide (GS-4). This will allow her to demote and have her pay set at the maximum of the lower range at $1405 per month.

5) Department of Public Safety and Corrections, (David Wade Correctional Center), for Deborah Gilmore. She demoted, effective December 6, 1999, from the job of Executive Secretary (GS-13) to the job of Corrections Classification Officer 1 (GS-12). This will allow her to demote and retain her current rate of pay at $2399 per month.

6) University of Louisiana at Lafayette for Michelle Mahana. She demoted, effective November 20, 1999, from the job of Secretary 2 (GS-9) to the job of Secretary 1 (GS-7). This will allow her to demote and retain her current rate of pay at $1242 per month.

7) Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement for Katherine Guidry. She demoted, effective November 15, 1999, from the job of Administrative Specialist 3 (GS-15) to the job of Criminal Justice Policy Planning Analyst Trainee (GS-14). This will allow her to demote and retain her current rate of pay at $2373 per month.

8) Department of Agriculture and Forestry for Rebecca Dupree. She demoted, effective November 15, 1999, from the job of Accounting Specialist 2 (GS-11) to the job of Clerk Chief 1 (GS-9). This will allow her to demote and retain her current rate of pay at $1428 per month.

9) Department of Environmental Quality for Maureen Miller. She demoted, effective December 20, 1999, from the job of Statistical Technician 2 (GS-11) to the job of Secretary 2 (GS-9). This will allow her to demote and retain her current rate of pay at $1748 per month.

10) Division of Administration for Tyrone Williams. He demoted, effective December 28, 1999, from the position of IT Management Consultant 1 (GS-23) to the position of IT Statewide Systems Analyst 3 (GS-22). This will allow him to demote and retain his current rate of pay at $4488 per month.

11) Department of Public Safety and Corrections, (David Wade Correctional Center) for L. P. Coleman. He demoted, effective July 26, 1999, from the job of Mobile Equipment Master Mechanic (GS-13) to the job of Corrections Sergeant (GS-11). This will allow him to demote and retain his current rate of pay at $1841 per month.

12) Department of Environmental Quality for Thomas B. Woods. He demoted, effective December 13, 1999, from the job of OCDD Active Treatment Program Home Manager (GS-17) to the job of Human Resources Analyst 1 (GS-14). This will allow him to demote and retain his current rate of pay at $2051 per month.

13) Housing Authority of Alexandria for Barbara Tate. She demoted, effective December 1, 1999, from the job of Secretary 2 (GS-9) to the job of Word Processor Operator 2 (GS-8). This will allow her to demote and retain her current rate of pay at $1242 per month.

16) Request of the Housing Authority of New Orleans, for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16.2, to establish a policy for an Optional Pay Adjustment Program to reward employees in certain areas with an effective date of January 1, 2000. (Appearance by a Representative of the Housing Authority of New Orleans.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

17) Request of the Department of Treasury for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16.2, to establish a policy for an Optional Pay Adjustment Program to reward employees in certain areas with an effective date of January 1, 2000. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Treasury.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

18) Request of the Department of Treasury for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16.1, to establish a policy for a Rewards and Recognition Program to reward employees in certain areas with an effective date of January 1, 2000. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Treasury.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

19) Request of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16.1, to establish a policy for a Rewards and Recognition Program to reward employees in certain areas with an effective date of July 1, 2000. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

20) Request of the Natchitoches Parish Housing Authority for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16.1, to establish a policy for a Rewards and Recognition Program to reward employees in certain areas with an effective date of January 1, 2000. (Appearance by a Representative of the Natchitoches Parish Housing Authority.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

21) Consideration of Opinions from the Court of Appeal, First Circuit, from Decisions by the Civil Service Commission. THE COMMISSION TOOK NOTE OF THE OPINIONS. NO ACTION WAS REQUIRED.

22) Consideration of a Motion to Dismiss in the appeal of Marcia Richardson vs. Louisiana School for the Deaf, Docket No. S-13326. (Appearance by Laura Holmes.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE APPELLANT’S MOTION FOR PAUPER STATUS.

23) Consideration of Requests for Special Entrance Rates. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE REQUESTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

24) Consideration of Requests for Special Pay Rates. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE REQUESTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

25) Consideration of the Minutes of the Commission Meeting held on December 7-8, 1999. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE MINUTES AS WRITTEN.

26) 9:00 a.m. Public hearing of the appeal of ROBERT WESTMORELAND vs. DHH-OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Docket No. 13871. Joel Loeffelholz representing the appellant; Billy Coco representing the appellee. AFTER HEARING ARGUMENT ON THE LEGAL ISSUES THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE APPEAL AND AWARDED $500 ATTORNEY’S FEES.

27) 10:30 a.m. Commission Work Session.

28) 11:00 a.m. Applications for Review.

29) 12:00 noon Consideration for Formal Charges.

SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA

STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
APPEAL HEARINGS
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2000

(HEARING ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, 1201 CAPITOL ACCESS ROAD, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA, (ANNEX BUILDING BEHIND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT BUILDING))

1) The appeals of WAYNE P. TEMPLET vs. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS, (OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL), Docket No. 12962 and S-13548 have been continued.

GENERAL BUSINESS SESSION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2000

2) General Business No. 14 – Addendum to the requests for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16 (a), for one-time payments in premium pay: THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE FOLLOWING REQUEST.

6) Department of Natural Resources for James D. Rives for $500 for attainment of a Certificate of Supervisory Techniques through the CPTP Program.

3) General Business No. 23 – Addendum to the Requests for Special Entrance Rates THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE REQUESTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

4) General Business No. 24 – Addendum to the Requests for Special Pay Rates. THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE REQUESTS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

5) General Business No. 26 – Appellee’s Memorandum in Opposition in the appeal of Robert Westmoreland vs. DHH-Office of Public Health, Docket No. 13871.

6) Consideration of a Resolution for funding a 5% General Increase for state employees and for a concurrent salary structure adjustment of 5% to range minimums and 5% to range maximums in both the General and Medical Schedules. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Civil Service.) THE COMMISSION APPROVED THE RESOLUTION AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DEPARTMENT WITH AMENDMENTS THERETO.

7) Request of the Department of Health and Hospitals, (Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, Southwest Louisiana Developmental Center), for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 4.1(d)2, for two unclassified positions of companions to clients from March 5, 2000 through March 4, 2001. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Health and Hospitals.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST ON AN ONGOING BASIS.

8) Request of the Department of Economic Development for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 4.1(d)2, for one unclassified position of Assistant to the Chief Clerk at Evangeline Downs Racetrack. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Economic Development.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

9) Request of the Capital Area Human Services District for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 4.1(d)2, for one unclassified position of Chief Financial Officer. (Appearance by a Representative of the Capital Area Human Services District.) THE COMMISSION DEFERRED ACTION ON THE REQUEST.

10) Request of the Department of Public Safety for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16©, for an individual pay rate adjustment for John C. Watson, Motor Vehicle Regional Manager/Field. The request is for a permanent 14% promotional pay adjustment based upon his salary which included the Base Supplement ($3545 per month) retroactive from the date of his promotion, October 4, 1999, which entails raising his monthly salary from $3545 to $4042 per month. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Public Safety.) THE COMMISSION DENIED THE REQUEST.

11) Request of the Department of Public Safety for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16©, for an individual pay adjustment in the amount of $331 per month retroactive to November 22, 1999 for Kip Fellon, State Police Investigator. He was advised on November 29, 1999, that his salary would be set at $2219 (true mid-point of the GS-14). This amount was $331 less per month that he expected, which was thought to be $2250 per month. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Public Safety.) THE COMMISSION DENIED THE REQUEST.

12) Request of the Department of Revenue for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.27(a), to pay overtime at the time and one-half rate to employees who work in various computer operations titles and Revenue Accounts Auditor titles who are currently working schedules that regularly exceed 40 hours due to staffing shortages in the IT area and a backlog that exists in the Personal Income Tax Division. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Revenue.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

13) Request of the Department of Revenue for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.27(a), to amend the Commission’s December 8, 1999 approval to pay overtime at the time and one-half rate for staff who were needed to work on Y2K conversion problems between Friday, December 31, 1999 and Sunday, January 2, 2000. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Revenue.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

14) Request of the Department of Corrections for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16.1, to amend their Rewards and Recognition Policy, with an effective date of February 2, 2000. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Corrections.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

15) Request of the Department of Social Services for approval of their Dual Career Ladder Policy for the Division of Information Services Information Technology Series. (Appearance by a Representative of the Department of Social Services.) THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

16) Request of the Department of Elections for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 12.5, to suspend James Kirby King, Kernie Wayne King, Tammy Beaman Milazzo, Ronald W. Parker, Charles Stillman Schatzle and Tony Lesley Trichel, without pay, pending criminal proceedings. THE REQUEST WAS CONTINUED UNTIL MARCH 15, 2000 MARCH MEETING.

ITEMS ADDED TO THE AGENDA AT THE MEETING

1) Request of the Bunkie Housing Authority for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16.1, to establish a policy for A Rewards and Recognition Program to reward those employees in various areas to be effective January 1, 2000. THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

2) Request of the Pineville Housing Authority for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.16.1, to establish a policy for A Rewards and Recognition Program to reward those employees in various areas to be effective January 1, 2000. THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.

3) Request of the Department of Health and Hospitals for authority, under the provisions of Civil Service Rule 6.10(d), for an exception to the pay rate upon demotion for Rosa Davila Patt. She demoted, effective December 6, 1999 from the position of Disability Determinations Examiner 2 (GS-14) to the position of Eligibility Examiner 2 (GS-13). This will allow her to demote and retain her current rate of pay at $2067 per month. THE COMMISSION GRANTED THE REQUEST.