Civil Service

Official Proceedings of the Battle Creek Civil Service Commission Special Meeting City Hall 10 N. Division Street Commission Chambers Battle Creek, Michigan October 28, 2013 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Judith Mudge and Gary Green MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Vicki Houser and Russ Claggett CALL TO ORDER: President Mudge called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM and recognized that a quorum was present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 1. Approval of the September 23, 2013 meeting minutes A motion was made by Comm. Green, supported by Comm. Mudge, to approve the Civil Service Commission September 23, 2013 meeting minutes. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: None REPORTS: Clerk Houser noted the Certification of the Fire Lieutenant candidate was removed from the agenda as there was not an opening for promotion at this time. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Receive public comment regarding Neutral Member candidates Chris Love, IAFF President, thanked everyone who applied for the Neutral Member position. 2. Deliberation and appointment of Neutral Member by Commission A motion was made by Comm. Green, supported by Comm. Mudge, to accept George Tyler as the Civil Service Commission neutral member. Comm. Green stated his members preferred the resume and qualifications of Mr. Tyler, noting he needed to support their choice. Comm. Mudge thanked all three candidates for their interest and applications for the neutral member position, noting the Commission needed to focus on the neutral aspect of the position. Comm. Mudge 1  expressed her opinion Mr. Tyler’s prior experience in firefighting would make him less neutral than the other candidates. Mr. Tyler stated the normal duties of any personnel assigned to a ship included firefighting, noting his duties were primarily medical support to the firefighting team. Mr. Tyler stated that while in Louisiana he was doing medical back up for a firefighting school. Comm. Mudge noted the BCFD also included medical care. Comm. Mudge stated she considered Mr. Beam, who was from a business background, to be more neutral, stating his managerial experience would lend itself to their purpose of rules and regulations. Comm. Mudge called for a vote to nominate Mr. Tyler to the neutral position for the Civil Service Commission. Comm. Green voted yes, Comm. Mudge, no. Motion defeated. Comm. Mudge asked Comm. Green if he would consider George Beam for the neutral position. Comm. Green stated the people he represented picked Mr. Tyler. Comm. Green confirmed with Chris Love that the union only supported the nomination of Mr. Tyler. Russ Claggett, Employee Relations Director, stated the Commission would need to solicit other candidates, or reconsider the present candidates. Mr. Claggett noted that there was occasionally a need for three Commissioners to be present, but normally two members were sufficient. A motion was made by Comm. Mudge, supported by Comm. Green, to extend the search for additional candidates for the neutral position. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. Mr. Claggett thanked all of the candidates that expressed interest in serving on the Civil Service Commission, stating they were welcome to resubmit a new application for consideration. NEW BUSINESS 1. Certification of the “2013 Fire Lieutenant Eligibility List” A motion was made by Comm. Green, supported by Comm. Mudge, to certify the “2013 Fire Lieutenant Eligibility List.” All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. PUBLIC COMMENT Chris Love inquired as to the exclusion of the Battalion Chief test from the requirement of having an updated list, expressing his concern there was not an alternate Battalion Chief candidate if one of the current Battalion Chiefs were to leave the department. Comm. Green stated the Civil Service Rules covered the Battalion Chief tests in Rule #6, noting the most recent changed was April 24, 2006. COMMISSION COMMENT Comm. Mudge asked if the Commission should address the need for a Battalion Chief test at the next Civil Service Commission meeting. 2 Mr. Claggett stated an interim appointment for Battalion Chief can be made for up to 90 days, noting he has not had any communication regarding an impending retirement. Chris Love expressed his concern the temporary position would be outside the bargaining unit, stating he would need to talk with the union attorney. Mr. Claggett stated PA 78 allows the temporary appointment, stating there is no permanent right to the position. ADJOURNMENT: President Mudge adjourned the meeting at 4:18 PM. 3