Mario V. D'Amico

The Commission addressed the removal of two candidates from the certified police list due to background investigation discrepancies. Discussions were held regarding the implementation of a lateral hiring policy for the police department, including the requirement to post the proposed rules for public comment. The Commission also reviewed and approved resolution recommendations for protest questions on a captain promotional exam, opting to grant credit for the contested items. Additionally, the Commission discussed the need to initiate a new hiring process for firefighters to accommodate an increase in authorized personnel.

The meeting included a review of the first-quarter 2023 financial reports, with discussions focused on revenue projections, expenditure tracking, and the strategy to eliminate the negative cash balance in the Oakland Cemetery endowment account. Operational updates covered staffing turnover, recruitment of seasonal and intern personnel for GIS grave site mapping, and facilities projects. The board discussed ongoing maintenance and pest control efforts for the limestone chapel, potential storage solutions for equipment, and the feasibility of seeking grant funding to improve the chapel's interior.

The Commission discussed an application for the substitution of a non-conforming use at 3712 Venice Road, specifically proposing to convert a former motel into apartments for long-term rentals. Key topics included the potential for substandard housing given that some units measure under 200 square feet, the need for parking, compliance with state requirements for occupancy, and the overall impact of the project on traffic compared to its previous use. Staff expressed support for the project as a more restrictive residential use that aligns with housing goals for the city.

The commission reviewed a formal protest regarding a question included in a Lieutenant promotional exam. The protest challenged the question's relevance to the leadership principles taught in the source material, 'Extreme Ownership'. After hearing arguments and confirming that the city had no objection to the protest, the commission voted to uphold the objection and remove the contested question from the exam.

The commission reviewed and approved a zoning map amendment for parcels along Milan Road, changing the designation from R140 single-family residential to General Business. Additionally, the commission deliberated on a separate application to rezone properties at 702 and 706 Perry Street from single-family residential to Residential Business, with discussions centering on parking, future land use, and concerns regarding potential transient rental use.