Civil Service Board discipline appeals
At a glance
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The board upheld a termination on a unanimous 3-0 vote, approved final findings in another discipline case, and dismissed one appeal hearing after the appellant did not appear.
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What this means
The Civil Service Board made several decisions related to employee discipline. It approved the final findings in one case and, in another, overturned the hearing officer’s recommendation and sided with the City’s decision to terminate. The board also dismissed one scheduled appeal hearing because the appellant failed to show up, then heard a separate appeal and voted 3-0 to sustain all charges and uphold the termination.
Key decisions
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- Approved the April 8, 2026 meeting minutes.
- Approved and returned signed the final findings, decision, and order in item ID 26-667 by a 3-0 vote.
- Overturned the Hearing Officer’s recommendations in item ID 26-657 and upheld the City's decision to terminate.
- Granted the City's motion to dismiss item ID 26-616 after the appellant failed to appear, by a 3-0 vote.
- Sustained all charges and upheld termination in item ID 26-617 by a unanimous 3-0 vote.
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Meeting information
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Civil Service Board
Regular Meeting
Agenda
- The meeting room is accessible to the physically disabled. If you require special assistance to participate in the meeting, notify the Personnel Services Director at 621-6963 at least three business days prior to the meeting.
- 9:00 A.M. ROLL CALL
- APPROVAL OF MINUTES
- Meeting Minutes April 08, 2026
- OLD BUSINESS
- Closed Session- Government Code Section 54957- Continued Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release - Review of Findings [Pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 3-283]
- Closed Session - Government Code Section 54957 Consideration and adoption of the Hearing Officer’s findings and recommendations. [Pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 3-283]
- NEW BUSINESS
- Closed Session - Schedule Meeting(s) to conduct a Public Employee Discipline Appeal Hearing Pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 3-284
- HEARING ON APPEAL
- Closed session - Government Code Section 54957 Public Employee Discipline/Dismissal/Release [Pursuant to Fresno Municipal Code Section 3-284]
- UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION
- Members of the public may address the Civil Service Board regarding items that are not listed on the Agenda and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Board. Each person is limited to a three (3) minute presentation. Board action on unscheduled items, if any, shall be limited to referring the item to staff for a report and possible scheduling on a future Civil Service Board agenda.
- ADJOURNMENT
- Board Counsel; Mike Prentice assisting James McCann was preset and represented the board. Also present was Acting Secretary Designee; Brittany Blanco, Assistant Personnel Director; Sandra ChavezMartin, Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer DeRousi, Deputy City Attorney III; Sylvia Luna, Deputy City Attorney III; Virginia Madrid-Salazar. At 9:00AM, after roll, call, the Board was in open session to approve item ID 26-611.
- The Board reviewed the final findings, decision, and order after hearing, was approved and signed by a 3-0 vote.
- The board went into executive session to discuss this matter. Once discussed, the board resumed into closed session and made the decision to overturn the Hearing Officers Recommendations and uphold the City's decision to terminate.
- The board continued with the agenda items. Regarding item ID 26-616, appellant was not present and presenting the City was Deputy City Attorney III; Virginia Madrid-Salazar. The City made a motion to dismiss the hearing due to the appellant failing to appear. The motion was granted by unanimous vote 3-0. At 9:39 AM the board had a break.
- At 9:49 AM resumed and the Hearing on Appeal item ID 26-617 began in closed session. Present and representing on behalf of the City was Assistant City Attorney; Jennifer DeRousi. Present and representing the appellant was Attorney Ann Bennett, and the appellant was also present. Witnesses were sequestered and the reading of Order was waived and moved into the record. Witnesses were cross-examined throughout the hearing. All exhibits were entered into motion. The Board went into executive session to deliberate the hearing at 4:01PM. The Board re-convened into closed session to vote on the matter. All charges were sustained as well as the decision to uphold termination with a unanimous vote 3-0. There being no further communication or items on agenda, the meeting concluded at 4:30pm
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