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Consideration of a Request for a Closed Hearing to Appeal a Disciplinary Action
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Meeting Date: October 1, 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 (09/26/25); (Email) All City Staff (09/26/25)
Department Approval: Dana Anderson, Director of Human Resources (09/24/25)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Civil Service Commission discuss the request to schedule a closed hearing for an appeal of a disciplinary action, and determine whether to schedule the hearing, including a possible pre-hearing conference, or to refer the matter to a hearing officer.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On August 11, 2025, the City issued a notice of intent to discipline for dismissal from employment to an employee on the grounds that the employee violated the following Culver City Civil Service Rules:
1. Culver City Civil Service Rule 11.3 Causes for Disciplinary Action Section 11.3 c. (3): Willful disobedience and insubordination, such as: (3) any other disobedient behavior or insubordination;
2. Culver City Civil Service Rule 11.3 Causes for Disciplinary Action Section 11.3 h.: Failure to treat other employees or the public with courtesy, respect, and dignity;
3. Culver City Civil Service Rule 11.3 Causes for Disciplinary Action Section 11.3 p.: Retaliatory behavior towards witnesses who participate in a City-related investigation, lawsuit or court proceeding;
4. Culver City Civil Service Rule 11.3 Causes for Disciplinary Action Section 11.3 q. (1), (3), and (4).: Misconduct, including but not limited to: (1) Any act of conduct, undertaking in bad faith, which, either during or outside of duty hours, is of such a nature that it causes discredit to fall up on the City, the employee’s department or division; (3) Careless or negligent behavior which causes or contributes to injury to the employee or others; (4) Creating, promoting or perpetuating a hostile working environment for other employees;
5. Culver City Civil Service Rule 11.3 Causes for Disciplinary Action Section 11.3 s. (10) and (22): Engaging in any of the following: (10) Conduct which is inconsistent with the proper administration of the department in which the employee is employed; (22) Violation of City’s Anti-Harassment Policy, as amended; including retaliation towards employees;
6. Culver City Civil Service Rule 11.3 Causes for Disciplinary Action Section 11. 3 t.: Employee has violated any provision relating to conduct of employees in the City of Culver City’s Charter, Memoranda of Understanding, ordinances, Administrative and City Council Policy Manuals, standards adopted by the employee’s department, other written policies, documents or standards adopted by the City or any division thereof, or City Council, or of these Rules and regulations, provided that the employee has been notified of the foregoing.
(City of Culver City Policy Number I-03 - Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Prevention in the Workplace)
The employee was afforded due process rights an opportunity to respond, and provided a written response letter on August 18, 2025.
The final notice of dismissal was issued on August 21, 2025.
AUTHORITY
According to Civil Service Rule 11.8, an employee in the classified service who is subject to a disciplinary action has the right to appeal to the Civil Service Commission. Further, Civil Service Rule 11.13 provides authority to the Civil Service Commission, upon majority vote, to appoint a hearing officer to conduct the hearing if it finds and determines that “the use of a hearing officer would benefit the City and the employee to ensure the expeditious completion of the hearing process.” If the Commission determines it will hear the matter, the Commission should also decide if the parties will be required to attend a pre-hearing conference, as set forth in Civil Service Rule 11.14.
In the event the Commission elects to conduct the appeal hearing, the Chair and Commissioners should have their calendars available to schedule the pre-hearing conference (if desired by the Commission) and hearing dates.
MOTION
That the Civil Service Commission:
1. Determine to conduct a closed hearing to consider the appeal of the disciplinary action, and schedule dates for a pre-hearing conference, if desired, and hearing dates.
OR
2. Make the appropriate findings under Civil Service Rule 11.13 a, and refer the requested appeal of the disciplinary action to a Hearing Officer or Board pursuant to Civil Service Rule 11.13 a.