The Commission of the City of Royal Oak shall provide by ordinance
for a merit system for all positions in the City's service except
as hereinafter qualified or exempted. Such ordinance shall provide
a professional and impartial approach to municipal personnel problems
based solely upon the fitness, training, and experience of the individual
with no discriminations on account of political or religious opinions.
It is the intent of this Charter amendment to establish a merit system
program as an integral part of the administrative service, to the
end that the handling of the personnel activities will be done in
a manner equitable to the employee, satisfying for the administrative
officials to use, and by increased efficiency and improved administration,
economical to the citizens.
The merit system ordinance shall:
(a)
Constitute a Civil Service Board to administer the program and
shall delegate to such Board appropriate power required for the effective
administration of the merit system. The Civil Service Board shall
consist of five electors of the City to be appointed by the City Commission,
two to serve for one year, two for two years, and one for three years,
to take office on January 1, 1952, or as soon thereafter as appointed
and qualified. Thereafter, members of the Civil Service Board shall
be appointed to serve for three years and until their successors have
been appointed and have qualified. Members of the Board shall serve
without compensation and shall not hold any other public City office
or serve on any City political committee or take active part in the
management of any City political campaign. The Commission may remove
any member of the Board upon stating in writing the reasons for removal
and allowing him or her an opportunity to be heard in his or her own
defense. Any vacancy shall be filled by the Commission for the unexpired
term. The City Clerk shall act as Secretary for the Board.
[Amended and adopted 11-6-1951]
(b)
Define the scope of the program except as herein limited and
qualified and provide for the establishment of professional standards
and methods in obtaining the following objectives:
(1)
A duties classification plan based on a study of the duties
and responsibilities of all positions in the City's service.
(2)
A compensation plan for positions in the City's service
in order that there may be equal pay for equal work, and in order
that proper pay differentials may be established between positions
which differ materially in duties performed and responsibilities exercised.
(3)
Selection, certification, and appointment of qualified candidates
seeking employment in or promotion to all positions within the City's
service except those positions hereinafter exempted.
(4)
The separation of employees from the City's service when
for the good thereof there is need for such separation, except as
such authority is herein limited and qualified.
(c)
Specifically exempt from the jurisdiction of the Civil Service
Board, the appointment, discharge, transfer, or promotion of all officials
which by other provisions of this Charter are appointed by the City
Commission and one deputy or other employee or assistant to each of
said officials; the acting heads of the Police and Fire Departments
and any other departments created by the City Commission; and all
temporary appointments or employments.
(d)
Provide that no employee within the civil service shall be demoted
or discharged except for cause and provide a means whereby such employee
shall be entitled to a hearing and have the right to appeal to the
Civil Service Board. Said Board shall have the power to subpoena witnesses
for any such hearing and to provide for the punishment of any person
who having been personally served with a subpoena refuses or neglects
to comply with the same. Nothing herein shall prevent the discharge
of any employee, when the position he or she holds has been abolished,
or when a reduction of personnel is made necessary by lack of funds.
(e)
Delegate to the authority or authorities constituted to administer
the merit system the right to formulate, adopt, and administer operating
rules and regulations governing the specific administrative matters
affecting the operation of the personnel program.
(f)
Define the status of present employees and the basis whereby
they are to be inducted into the regular civil service.
(g)
Provide a means whereby the City Commission may enter into contractual
arrangement for securing technical, professional services of persons
qualified in the personnel field to assist the Civil Service Board
in carrying out the provisions of said ordinance.
