Civil Service

Official Proceedings of the Battle Creek Civil Service Commission Special Meeting City Hall 10 N. Division Street Commission Chambers Battle Creek, Michigan March 2, 2012 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Jennifer Cappell, Judith Mudge, Gordy Vogt MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Chief Larry Hausman, Susan Bedsole, Vicki Houser, Paul Engels, and Russell Claggett CALL TO ORDER: President Cappell called the meeting to order at 4:02 PM and recognized that a quorum was present. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Clerk Houser noted there were no petitions or communications received. REPORTS There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was none. APPROVAL OF NEW PROVIDERS A motion was made by Commissioner Mudge, supported by Commission Vogt, to approve the new service providers, I/O Solutions & Dr. Forsberg of Psybus, to provide written and physical examinations for the Fire Department hiring process. All in favor, motion carried. Susan Bedsole noted that at the prior meeting, the commission did approve the new testing process, but will need to approve the testing fee for entry level testing. A motion was made by Comm. Vogt, supported by Comm. Mudge, to implement a $20 examination fee for the Entry Level Fire Fighter Examination for each applicant. All yes, motion carried. Ms. Bedsole noted that the commission approved the new promotional testing process at the last meeting, but the members also approved the Civil Service Commission as the entity to continue to conduct promotional interviews because the third party providers had not been approved yet. Ms. Bedsole asked the commission to confirm whether the individual assessment interviews were to be conducted by the Civil Service Commission or an independent assessment board. 1 A motion was made by Comm. Vogt, supported by Comm. Mudge, to have an independent assessment board conduct all promotional interviews. All yes, motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENTS Janelle Justin, Battle Creek Firefighters Local 335, asked the commission to clarify whether the new service provider, Dr. Forsberg, would be facilitating both the physical agility and the psychological portion of the physical testing. The commission confirmed that Dr. Forsberg would be conducting only the psychological portion of the physical test. Chris Love, Local 335, asked Comm. Vogt to open the discussion regarding the interview assessment panel for Entry Level Fire Fighters. Comm. Vogt confirmed that Entry Level interviews were the concern of the Union. Ms. Bedsole confirmed that, if approved by the commission, the Local Union could elect someone of Lieutenant rank, or higher, to be a member of the interview panel. Mr. Claggett noted that the interview panel position is to be a volunteer position, and therefore non-compensable, except for on duty time. The fire representative must be the same person for the entire Entry Level interview assessment process, which could be more than two weeks in duration. A motion was made by Comm. Vogt, supported by Comm. Mudge, to allow a member of the Fire Fighters Union, elected by the union, of Lieutenant’s rank or higher, to be a member of the Interview Assessment Board for Entry Level Fire Fighter interviews. President Cappell noted that the position would be filled by one person, voluntary, non-compensable, except for on duty time, and for the duration of the interview sessions. All yes, motion carried. Ms. Justin inquired as to the exam process for promotional candidates. Ms. Bedsole stated that a third party would administer the written testing for the Battalion Chief testing. Ms. Bedsole further stated that a third party assessment board would conduct and score the individual assessment interview. She confirmed that the process would consist of a review of each candidates Civil Service file and oral interview questions, both conducted and scored by the assessment board. Ms. Justin asked if there was anything in writing on how the promotional scores will be calculated, as addressed in the local rules. Ms. Bedsole stated she did not believe there was a change. Comm. Vogt reviewed the Local Civil Service Rules and confirmed that the written exam will account for 50% of the score and 50% will be for the oral exam, of which 25% of the oral will take into consideration a person’s training, education, commendations, and yearly evaluations. Ms. Justin asked for an updated printing of the Local Civil Service Rules with the amendments that have been passed since the initial printing. COMMISSION COMMENTS There were none. President Cappell adjourned the meeting at 4:23PM. 2