Recommendations of Inspector General Schorr Over Mrijaj Hiring Requested By JOAN GRONOWSKI

Hello Dan,

I have a few questions after giving your report a cursory read.  I will leave the finer points to our counsel and my colleagues who remain on the city council.

Again, I have just given the report a once-over.  I see your "conclusions" but no "recommendations."

 Page four of your report notes that the position of Parking Authority Executive Director has been classified as exempt "pursuant to New York State Civil Service Law since 1994", and that the YPA does not have to interview other candidates, etc.  However, your report also notes that "Civil Service Law requires the YPA to first ask the state or municipal Civil Service Commission to "study and evaluate" whether the position should remain exempt before the YPA appoints a new Executive Director.  Such action by the Yonkers Civil Service Commission is rarely, if ever, taken for exempt positions."

In this regard, I would ask you for a direct opinion as to whether these long-standing lapses in procedure, i.e. violations of civil service procedure, should be allowed to continue and do they not at least in this case, mandate that this position be filled only on a temporary three-month basis, given the failure of the City to follow civil service law.   This is especially significant in light of your page three discussion that "there is no requirement that other candidates be considered for an exempt position" if this position clearly has not been certified as exempt by the NYS Dept. of Civil Service, due to the failure of the City of Yonkers to properly seek this exemption.

I await your earliest response to this inquiry.

Joan Gronowski is a member of the Yonkers City Council, representing District Three.