MINUTES FORSYTH COUNTY CIVIL SERVICE BOARD REGULAR MEETING AND HEARING THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024, AT 10:00 A.M. FORSYTH COUNTY JUVENILE COURT BUILDING 875 Lanier 400 Parkway, Room 117, Cumming, GA 30040 MEMBERS PRESENT: Jerry Bowman, Chairman; Terry Smith, Vice Chairman; John Mullin, Member; Jack Allen, Alternate Member; Richard Neville, Counsel and Hearing Officer; Kathy Echols, Clerk; Dee Jordan, Assistant Clerk; GUESTS PRESENT: Charity Clark, Employment Services Director; Brandi Zuckerman, Employee Relations Manager; Scott Adams, Director - Water & Sewer; Doug Smith; Paul Menair, Leibel Law; Dustin Townsend, LoRusso Law Firm I. Call Meeting to Order The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Chairman Bowman. II. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Mr. Smith and a second by Mr. Mullin to adopt the agenda as presented. Motion passed unanimously. III. Adoption of Minutes (1) Regular Meeting October 10, 2024 A motion was made by Mr. Mullin and a second by Mr. Allen to adopt the minutes of the October 10th regular meeting as presented. Motion passed unanimously. (2) Executive Session - October 10, 2024 A motion was made by Mr. Allen and a second by Mr. Mullin to adopt the minutes of the October 10th executive session as presented. Motion passed unanimously. IV. Items for consideration and discussion: (1) Attorney Updates Richard Neville, General Counsel/Hearing Officer Mr. Neville had no updates. (2) Administrative Updates - Kathy Echols, Civil Service Board Clerk Ms. Echols reminded the Board they would be electing officers at the December meeting. (3) Appointment of Civil Service Board Neutral Member A motion was made by Mr. Smith and a second by Mr. Allen to appoint Mr. Bowman as the Neutral Member to the Board. Motion passed 2-0 with Mr. Bowman abstaining. The Board recessed at 10:03 a.m. The Board reconvened at 10:08 a.m. Mr. Neville arrived. Forsyth County Civil Service Board November 14, 2024 (4) Decision in the Appeal for Michale Downing, Sheriff' S Office Mr. Neville presented the decision notification letter stating the Civil Service Board's decision in the appeal hearing for Michael Downing held October 16, 2024. A motion was made by Mr. Mullin and a second by Mr. Allen to approve the letter and decision as presented. Motion passed unanimously. Chairman Bowman stated the decision of the Board was to uphold the decision of the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. (5) Scheduling Conference for Appeal from Andrew Chilton, Sheriff S Office At this conference were Dustin Townsend (Attorney for Andrew Chilton) and Paul Menair (Attorney for the Sheriff's Office). There was a discussion regarding how long each side would take in their case. It was indicated by both parties that one day would be sufficient. Both parties indicated that December 12, 2024, would be acceptable. There was a motion by Mr. Smith with a second by Mr. Mullin to hold the hearing on December 12, 2024, regular meeting to begin at 9:30 a.m. The Board recessed at 10:13 a.m. The Board reconvened at 10:19 a.m. (6) Civil Service Appeal Hearing for Doug Smith, Water & Sewer Department Chairman Bowman turned the meeting over to Mr. Neville. Mr. Neville announced that Mr. Doug Smith was appealing his dismissal from the Forsyth County Water & Sewer Dept. instructed the parties on the hearing procedures. Mr. Smith represented himself. Ms. Clark represented the County. Neither party invoked sequestration. 10:26 a.m. Ms. Clark gave the County's opening statement. 10:28 a.m. - Mr. Smith gave his opening statement. 10:29 a.m. - Ms. Juanita Starr testified. 10:48 a.m. - Ms. Jessica Owens testified. 11:00 a.m. - Ms. Brandi Zuckerman testified. 11:38 a.m. - Mr. Scott Adams testified. The County rested their case. 11:52 a.m. Hearing recessed until 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. Hearing resumed. 1:00 p.m. Mr. Smith testified. 1:17 p.m. Hearing recessed. 1:39 p.m. Hearing resumed. 1:39 p.m. Closing arguments. The County waived opening argument. 1:47 p.m. - Hearing concluded. VI. Executive Session 2of3 Forsyth County Civil Service Board November 14, 2024 There was a motion by Mr. Smith with a second by Mr. Mullin to enter Executive Session. Motion passed unanimously. There was a motion to close the Executive Session by Mr. Smith with a second by Mr. Mullin. Motion passed unanimously. The Executive Session closed at 1:58 p.m. VII. Adjourn There was a motion by Mr. Mullin with a second by Mr. Smith to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. The meeting was adjourned at 1:58 p.m. The above and foregoing Minutes are hereby certified as being correct and ordered recorded. borh Schl Clerk BOARD MEMBERS: 3 bu K RAAt JERRY BOWMAN, CHAIRMAN lery dmt / TERRY SMITH, VICE CHAIRMAN JOHN MULLIN, MEMBER JACK ALLEN, ALTERNATE MEMBER 3of3