“Whatever we’re doing is just fundamentally not working,” she told department leaders. She emphasized her support for an improved website as well as job fairs.
Alderman Marlene Davis, 19th Ward, said the department “is not giving us the outcomes that we need,” and she hoped the board’s public employees committee would hold hearings to delve into the department’s operations.
Personnel Deputy Director Linda Thomas, who represented the department at the hearing, said it is probably time to look at the city’s application process. She has been working with the information technology department on a project overhauling city systems including personnel management.
“The system that they’re planning on replacing was actually, the legacy system was put in place in 1968,” Thomas said. “I helped put it into place. It worked back then. But it’s not working so good anymore.”
A personnel department spokesman said Wednesday that there has not been a struggle with the online application system because about 95% of applications are filled through the website.
‘A big deal’
Jim Sahaida, a 40-year resident of the Bevo Mill neighborhood in south St. Louis, said he has seen city resources decline as population has fallen. He lives close to Carondelet Park and said its general appearance and upkeep just isn’t as nice as it used to be. His concern extends to neighborhoods.