Article 1. The System of California Government Code >> Division 5. >> Title 4. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 1.

It is the intent of this chapter to enable the legislative body of any city to adopt such a personnel system, merit system, or civil service system as is adaptable to the size and type of the city. The system may consist of the mere establishment of minimum standards of employment and qualifications for the various classes of employment, or of a comprehensive civil service system, as the legislative body determines for the best interests of the public service.

By ordinance, the legislative body of any city may establish a personnel system, merit system, or civil service system for the selection, employment, classification, advancement, suspension, discharge, and retirement of appointive officers and employees.

The system may include the librarian, secretary, and other officers and employees, except members of the board of trustees, of the public library established pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 18900) of Part 11 of the Education Code.

The inclusion of any class of officers and employees made prior to September 19, 1947, is operative from the inception of the system.

The legislative body may provide for the appointment of a civil service commission or personnel officer, to which it may delegate such powers and duties in relation to the system as it deems advisable.

(a) Where a hearing is held before a civil service commission or personnel officer pursuant to Section 45004 and where the commission or officer permits an audio or stenographic recording of the hearing, a copy of the recording shall be provided, upon request, to the employee bringing the appeal before the commission or officer.
  (b) If a city or its civil service commission or officer orders or makes a transcript of the recording pursuant to subdivision (a), the city shall also do both of the following:
  (1) Notify the employee bringing the appeal of the transcription and of the employee's right to obtain a copy of the transcript. The city shall notify the employee within three days of ordering or making the transcript.
  (2) Provide a copy of the transcript promptly to the employee at the employee's request.
  (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the city may charge fees covering direct duplication costs for recordings or transcripts provided pursuant to this section.

The ordinance shall designate the departments, and the appointive officers and employees who shall be included in the merit system or civil service system.

By subsequent ordinances, the legislative body may add additional departments and appointive officers, and employees to the original list.

After inclusion in the system, any departments or appointive officers or employees shall not be withdrawn, either by an outright repeal of the civil service ordinance or otherwise, unless the withdrawal has been submitted to the city electors at a special or regular municipal election and approved by two-thirds of those voting on the proposition, except that regular full-time city department heads, may be withdrawn by a majority vote of the city council.

The legislative body may contract with the legislative body of any city or county in the State, any state department, or any private person, corporation, association or partnership, for:
  (a) The conducting of competitive examinations to ascertain the fitness of applicants for positions and employment in the city service.
  (b) The performance of any other service in connection with personnel selection and administration.

The ordinance shall provide that any period of time during which an employee is required to be absent from his position by reason of an injury or disease for which he is entitled to receive compensation under the provisions of Division 4 (commencing with Section 3201) of the Labor Code is not a break in his continuous service for the purpose of his right to salary adjustments, sick leave, vacation, or seniority.