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Notice of Commission Hearing Policies and Procedures

 

• Commission Office

The Civil Service Commission office is located at, 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 720, San Francisco, CA 94102.  The telephone number is (415) 252-3247.  The fax number is (415) 252-3260 and the web address is www.sfgov.org/civilservice/.  Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

 

• Policy Requiring Written Reports

It is the policy of the Civil Service Commission that all items appearing on its agenda be supported by a written
report prepared by Commission or departmental staff.  All documents referred to in any Agenda Document are posted adjacent to the Agenda, or if more than one (1) page in length, available for public inspection and copying at the Civil Service Commission office.  Reports from City and County personnel supporting agenda items are submitted in accordance with the procedures established by the Executive Officer.  Reports not submitted according to procedures, in the format and quantity required, and by the deadline, will not be calendared.

 

• Policy on Written Submissions by Appellants

All written material submitted by appellants to be considered by the Commission in support of an agenda item shall be submitted to the Commission office, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the fourth (4^th) business day preceding the Commission meeting for which the item is calendared (ordinarily, on Tuesday).  An original and nine (9) copies on 8 1/2-inch X 11 inch paper, three-hole punched on left margin, and page numbered in the bottom center margin, shall be provided.  Written material submitted for the Commission’s review becomes part of a public record and shall be open for public inspection.

 

• Policy and Procedure for Postponement

A request for a postponement (continuance) to delay an item to another meeting may be directed to the Commission Executive Officer by telephone or in writing.  Before acting, the Executive Officer may refer certain requests to another City official for recommendation.  Telephone requests must be confirmed in writing prior to the meeting. Immediately following the “Announcement of Changes” portion of the agenda at the beginning of the meeting, the Commission will consider a request for a postponement that has been previously denied.

 

• Policy and Procedure on Hearing Items Out of Order

Requests to hear items out of order are to be directed to the Commission President at the beginning of the agenda.  The President will rule on each request.  Such requests may be granted with mutual agreement among the affected parties.

 

F.   Procedure for Commission Hearings

All Commission hearings on disputed matters shall conform to the following procedures: The Commission reserves the right to question each party during its presentation and, in its discretion, to modify any time allocations and requirements.

 

If a matter is severed from the Consent Agenda or the Ratification Agenda, presentation by the opponent will be for a maximum time limit of five (5) minutes and response by the departmental representative for a maximum time limit of five (5) minutes.  

 

For items on the Regular Agenda, presentation by the departmental representative for a maximum time of five (5) minutes and response by the opponent for a maximum time limit of five (5) minutes.

 

For items on the Separations Agenda, presentation by the department followed by the employee or employee’s
representative shall be for a maximum time limit of ten (10) minutes for each party unless extended by the Commission.  Each presentation shall conform to the following:

 

1. Opening summary of case (brief overview);
2. Discussion of evidence;
3. Corroborating witnesses, if necessary; and
4. Closing remarks.

 

The Commission may allocate five (5) minutes for each side to rebut evidence presented by the other side.

 

 

G.  Policy on Tape Recording of Commission Meetings

As provided in the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance, all Commission meetings are tape-recorded.  These tape recordings of open sessions are available for public review starting on the day after the Commission meeting in the Commission office between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

 

• Speaking before the Civil Service Commission

Speaker cards are not required.  The Commission will take public comment on all items appearing on the agenda at the beginning of each meeting at the time the item is heard and prior to the Commission taking any action on the item.  The Commission will take public comment on matters not on the Agenda, but within the jurisdiction of the Commission during the “Requests to Speak” portion of the regular meeting.  Maximum time will be three (3) minutes.

 

I.   Policy on use of Cell Phones, Pagers and Similar Sound-Producing Electronic Devices at and During Public Meetings

The ringing and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting.  Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting room of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.

 

Information on Disability Access

The Civil Service Commission normally meets in Room 400 (Fourth Floor) City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. However, meetings not held in this room are conducted in the Civic Center area.  City Hall is wheelchair accessible.  The closest accessible BART station is the Civic Center, located 2 ½ blocks from City Hall.  Accessible MUNI lines serving City Hall are 47 Van Ness Avenue, 9 San Bruno and 71 Haight/Noriega, as well as the METRO stations at Van Ness and Market and at Civic Center.  For more information about MUNI accessible services, call (415) 923-6142.  Accessible curbside parking has been designated at points in the vicinity of City Hall adjacent to Grove Street and Van Ness Avenue.

 

The following services are available on request 48 hours prior to the meeting; except for Monday meetings, for which the deadline shall be 4:00 p.m. of the last business day of the preceding week.  For American Sign Language interpreters or the use of a reader during a meeting, a sound enhancement system, and/or alternative formats of the agenda and minutes, please contact the Commission office to make arrangements for the accommodation.  Late requests will be honored, if possible.

 

Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should call our ADA coordinator at (415) 252-3254 or (415) 252-3247 to discuss meeting accessibility.  In order to assist the City’s efforts to accommodate such people, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products.  Please help the City to accommodate these individuals.

 

Know your Rights under the Sunshine Ordinance (Chapter 67 of the San FranciscoAdministrative Code)

Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public.  Commissions, boards, councils, and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business.  This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review.  For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, or to obtain a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance, contact Donna Hall, Administrator of the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 409, San Francisco, CA 94102-4683 at (415) 554-7724, by fax: (415) 554-7854, by e-mail: Donna.Hall@sfgov.org, or on the City’s website at www.sfbos.org/sunshine.

 

San FranciscoLobbyist Ordinance

Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (San Francisco Administrative Code Sec. 16.520 - 16.534) to register and report lobbying activity.  For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness Ave., Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA  94102, telephone (415) 581-2300, fax (415) 581-2317 and web site http://www.sfgov.org/ethics/.