Civil Service Minutes 03-11-2026

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                                     MUSKEGON BOARD OF CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSIONERS
                                                   Meeting Minutes
                                      Wednesday, March 11, 2026
                                              4:00 P.M.
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           I. CALL TO ORDER

                     Present: Commissioner Johnny Brown, Commissioner Georgia Moss, LeighAnn Mikesell-Deputy City
                     Manager; Joe Buthker-Superintendent of Public Works; Joshua Parmer-Water Plant Supervisor;
                     Dwana Thompson-Director of EEO & Employee Relations; and, Melissa Clark-Human Resource
                     Manager (County). Absent-Excused: Sara Hough-Human Resource Director (County).

                     The Civil Service Commission Meeting was called to order by Commissioner Brown at 3:59 PM.

           II. MINUTES
                  Motion was made by Commissioner Moss and seconded by Commissioner Brown to approve the
                  regular meeting minutes from January 14, 2026.

                                                                      Motion Carried.

            III. ACTION AGENDA
                    A. Review and Approval of Job Description Edits/Updates from Public Works
                        Superintendent Buthker explained the edits/updates to the commission.

                            For this position:

                            i. Equipment Operator,

                            Mr. Buthker stated there has been confusion during recent postings about whether a CDL is
                            required at the time of hire or upon completion of the probationary period. The revisions to
                            the attached job description clarify that a CDL is required upon completion of probation, not
                            as a condition of hire. This language aligns with the SEIU Unite 2 contract and reflects the
                            preference of Department of Public Works supervisors.

                            Mr. Buthker recommended changes to:

                            ii. Water-Sewer Maintenance Worker; and
                            iii. Water-Sewer Maintenance Worker with License.

                            He stated these changes came about as a result of the city’s recent contract negotiations
                            with Unit 2, which split the Water Sewer Maintenance Worker classification into two
                            positions: Water Sewer Maintenance Worker and Water Sewer Maintenance Worker with
                            License. The positions are identical except that the latter requires an S-4 license.




231 .724.6 705   |    933 Terrace St, Muskegon, MI 49440-1397   |   www.shorelinecity.com
                             Supervisor Parmer presented the next three recommend edits/updates:

                             iv. Water Plant Operator;
                             v. Water Plant Maintenance Operator; and
                             vi. Chief Water Plant Maintenance Operator.

                             Mr. Parmer explained the need to edit minimum qualifications regarding a valid Michigan
                             driver’s license upon hire. He is recommending language that would allow a valid driver’s
                             license from any state to meet that minimum qualification requirement, and allow the
                             probation period of six months to obtain a valid Michigan driver’s license. He explained that
                             because of the specialty of their work, they were unintentionally limiting their candidate
                             pool to only Michigan residents by requiring only a valid Michigan driver’s license which was
                             unnecessarily restrictive.

                             A motion was made by Commissioner Moss to approve and accept the six (6) recommended
                             edits/updates and Commissioner Brown seconded.

                                                                       Motion Carried.

            IV.         INFORMATION ITEMS
                        There were no information items.

            V.          OLD BUSINESS
                        There was no old business.

            VI.         OTHER BUSINESS
                        There was no other business.

            VII.        PUBLIC COMMENT
                        Mr. Willie Jay Robinson joined the meeting and expressed concerns about not seeing minorities
                        working on projects around the city. A discussion ensued. Mr. Robinson was referred to Ms.
                        Thompson for EEO Committee follow up.

            VIII.       ADJOURNMENT
                                                                                         Meeting adjourned at 4:16 PM.




231 .724.6 705     |   933 Terrace St, Muskegon, MI 49440-1397   |   www.shorelinecity.com

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