Civil Service

Official Proceedings of the Battle Creek Civil Service Commission City Hall 10 N. Division Street Commission Chambers Battle Creek, Michigan February 25, 2013 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Jennifer Cappell, Judith Mudge, Gary Green MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Vicki Houser, Susan Bedsole, Russell Claggett, Larry Hausman, Martin Erskine and Chris Love CALL TO ORDER: President Mudge called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM and recognized that a quorum was present. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: 1. Jeannell Justin 2. Chris Love APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. A motion was made by Comm. Green, supported by Comm. Cappell, to approve the Civil Service Commission January 28, 2013 meeting minutes, with the correction to Comm. Green’s name. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. REPORTS: Russ Claggett, Employee Relations Director, stated he researched the Civil Service rules to determine if a request by Derek Maddox to be placed back on the 2012 Entry Level Fire Fighter Eligibility List should be reconsidered. Mr. Claggett stated he could not find anything within the act that would allow the Civil Service Commission to place Mr. Maddox back on the list. Mr. Claggett noted the Commission’s authority was limited by the provisions of the Act, and the only way that a person who has been removed from the list to be placed back on the list is to request a hearing. Mr. Claggett stated Mr. Maddox would have needed to request a hearing to be reconsidered to be replaced onto the list within a specified period of time, and only after being improperly removed from the list. Mr. Claggett stated the time limit for a request for a hearing had elapsed. Mr. Claggett noted that once a candidate’s name is removed from the list, the next candidate’s name is moved up on the list. NEW BUSINESS 1. Civil Service Commission Acceptance of the letter from Jeannell Justin 1  President Mudge noted the first order of business was for the Commission to review and accept the letter from Jeannell Justin declining the Fire Inspector position, but requesting to remain on the Fire Inspector Eligibility List, pursuant to Rule 6, Section 3. A motion was made by Comm. Green, supported by Comm. Cappell, to accept the letter from Jeannell Justin declining the offer of the position of Fire Inspector, and requesting her name remain on the Fire Inspector Eligibility List. All yes. Motion carried. 2. Certify the next candidate on the “2012 Fire Inspector Eligibility List” (Quincy Jones) President Mudge stated the next order of business was to certify the next candidate on the “2012 Fire Inspector Eligibility List.” – Quincy Jones. President Mudge opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no public comment, a motion was made by Comm. Green, supported by Comm. Cappell, to certify the next candidate on the “2012 Fire Inspector Eligibility List.” – Quincy Jones. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. PUBLIC COMMENTS President Mudge opened the floor for public comments. Chris Love, IFF Union President, commented on Mr. Maddox’s initial request to have his name removed from the Eligibility List, and the subsequent request to be place back on the list. Mr. Love stated that he felt the candidate was not made aware of his option to turn a position down, but still be considered in the future for the position. Mr. Love stated the Union attorney felt the candidate had the right to be placed back on the Eligibility List. Mr. Love further stated the Rules require the Eligibility Lists be maintained and to be current. Mr. Love noted except for the Fire Inspector position, the Eligibility Lists must be maintained, noting there was not a current list for the Training Officer, also noting the Battalion Chief list has been exhausted. Mr. Claggett stated that only Promotional Candidates have the right to refuse a position, but remain on the list, stating there was not a provision for entry level candidates. Mr. Claggett further noted the Union attorney does not represent the Civil Service Commission; therefore he does not protect the Commission and their actions. Mr. Claggett stated the issue is that Mr. Maddox asked to have his name removed from the Eligibility List; he did not decline an offer of employment. Mr. Love stated the Rules contained two separate sections, one regarding Entry Level positions and the other regarding promotional positions. Mr. Love noted that under Rule 6, item 3(c) the candidate has the option to waive or refuse on two occasions appointments or interviews. Mr. Claggett noted Mr. Maddox requested his name be removed from the list, and did not request his name be placed back on this list for several months. Mr. Claggett noted that although this was a difficult decision, the Commission was required under the rule to remove his name. President Mudge suggested the Civil Service Rules be accessible from the City website. President Mudge inquired as to the current status of the Training Officer Eligibility List. 2 Mr. Claggett noted staff was currently working on the job description for the Training Officer, noting he expected this to be completed by the next Civil Service Commission meeting at the end of March. Mr. Claggett noted there are provisions under the act that allow the Commission to fill vacant positions on a temporary basis as needed. President Mudge requested the eligibility lists for Training Officer and Battalion Chief be reviewed and determined if testing was now needed. COMMISSION COMMENTS President Mudge requested an explanation regarding the testing process request for candidate names on the testing forms. Clerk Houser stated that she had inadvertently requested the candidates place their names on the test forms, but corrected the error by issuing numbers to each candidate to input on the forms instead of their names. Clerk Houser further explained the testing and scoring process used by the test provider once the test documents are received in their offices. Clerk Houser noted no testing information was compromised, and no candidate was prejudiced. ADJOURNMENT President Mudge adjourned the meeting at 4:02 PM. 3