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Consideration of a Request for a Closed Hearing Appeal of a Grievance Decision
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Meeting Date: September 3, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Dana Anderson / Human Resources
Phone Number: (310) 253-5640
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Civil Service Commission (08/XX/25); (Email) All City Staff (08/XX/25)
Department Approval: Dana Anderson, Director of Human Resources (08/19/25)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Civil Service Commission (Commission) discuss the request to schedule a closed hearing for an appeal of a grievance decision and determine whether to (1) schedule a hearing, (2) adjudicate the appeal without a hearing, or (3) refer the matter to a hearing officer.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On March 24, 2025, the Transportation Department (Department) received a formal written grievance request from a department employee, pursuant to Civil Service Rules, Rule 12.5 b.(1): Step One (Grievance to Supervisor). The employee completed Steps One through Three of the grievance process: Step One (Grievance to Supervisor), Step Two (Grievance to Department Head), and Step Three (Grievance to City Manager). The employee has now requested a closed appeal hearing under Step Four (Grievance to Commission), pursuant to Civil Service Rules, Rule 12.5 b. (4), be agendized at the earliest available date for the parties and Commission.
In accordance with the Rules, the Commissioners will be provided the grievance record prior to determining an action for the Grievance Hearing Appeal request. The entire record of the grievance, including the completed grievance form along with all records relating to Step One through Step Three of the grievance process, will be provided to the Commission for its review in consideration of the employee’s appeal.
AUTHORITY
According to Civil Service Rule 12.2, any permanent classified employee may file a grievance concerning claims that the City has violated, misinterpreted or misapplied an obligation to the employee as such obligation is expressed and written in the Memorandum of Understanding. Further, Civil Service Rules, Rule 12.5 b. (4) iii., Rule 12.9, and Rule 12.12 provide authority to the Civil Service Commission, upon majority vote, to schedule a hearing to review the appeal; adjudicate an appeal without a hearing, at its discretion; or appoint a grievance hearing officer or board to conduct the grievance hearing and make findings and recommendations if it finds and determines that “the use of a grievance hearing officer or board shall be based on a reasonable determination that it would benefit the City and the grievant to ensure the expeditious completion of the grievance hearing process.”
In the event the Commission elects to conduct the grievance appeal hearing, the Chair and Commissioners should have their calendars available to schedule the grievance hearing dates.
MOTION
That the Civil Service Commission:
1. Determine to conduct a closed hearing to consider the appeal of a grievance decision, and schedule grievance hearing date(s), pursuant to Civil Service Rules, Rule 12.5 b (4) iii a);
OR
2. Determine to exercise its power to adjudicate an appeal without a hearing, at its discretion, pursuant to Civil Service Rules, Rule 12.5 b (4) iii b), and conduct a closed session deliberations to consider the appeal of a grievance decision considering the entire record of the grievance, and issue its decision and written findings on the grievance, within fifteen (15) working days after the conclusion of deliberations, pursuant to Civil Service Rules, Rule 12.16 and Rule 12.17;
OR
3. Make the appropriate findings under Civil Service Rules, Rule 12.12, and refer the requested appeal of the grievance decision to a Hearing Officer or Board, pursuant to Civil Service Rules, Rule 12.12 a.