Civil Service

Official Proceedings of the Battle Creek Civil Service Commission City Hall 10 N. Division Street Commission Chambers Battle Creek, Michigan January 23, 2017 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Judith Mudge and Tim Martinovich MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Victoria Houser, Chief Dave Schmaltz, Battalion Chief Marty Erskine, Nancy Mullett CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Mudge called the meeting to order at 4:01 PM and recognized that a quorum was present. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS Clerk Houser informed the Commission that a communication was received from Chad Hughes, Union representative to the Civil Service Commission, noting he has not found an appointment to the Civil Service Commission. Ms. Houser also noted that Commission Mudge has communicated her intention to retire from the Civil Service Commission. Ms. Houser informed the Commission that Al Giguere, former Community Development Director for the City, has agreed to serve as the City appointed Civil Service Commissioner, noting a resolution would be presented to the City Commission on February 7, 2017. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Comm. Martinovich, supported by Comm. Mudge, made a motion to approve the Civil Service Commission meeting minutes of November 28, 2016. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. REPORTS There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was none. NEW BUSINESS 1. Certify the “2016 Entry Level Fire Fighter Eligibility List” A motion was made by Comm. Martinovich, supported by Comm. Mudge, to certify the “2016 Entry Level Fire Fighter Eligibility List”. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. 2. Certify the first 10 candidates on the “2016 Entry Level Fire Fighter Eligibility List” A motion was made by Comm. Martinovich, supported by Comm. Mudge, to certify the first 10 candidates on the “2016 Entry Level Fire Fighter Eligibility List”. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. 3. Authorize the City Clerk to begin the Fire Captain testing process A motion was made by Comm. Martinovich, supported by Comm. Mudge, to authorize the City Clerk to begin the testing process. City Clerk Houser provided the schedule for the 2017 Fire Captain and Fire Lieutenant promotional testing process, noting candidates would be provided the sign-up lists on March 8, 2017 through March 22, 2017. Ms. Houser further stated the study period for both tests would be from March 24, 2017 to May 7, 2017, with the written exam for both promotional positions anticipated on May 8, 2017. Ms. Houser also noted the Structured Oral Interviews were anticipated to take place May 9, 2017 through May 12, 2017, with the Fire Lieutenant SOI taking place first. Ms. Houser stated this would provide sufficient time for I/O Solutions to receive and score both the written test and the oral interviews, so that the new Eligibility Lists could be presented to the Civil Service Commission at the May 22, 2017 meeting. 1  Battalion Chief Erskine stated there had been some concerns among Fire Department personnel that a May 8, 2017 testing date for the Captain test would allow a Lieutenant with just 2 years in the next lower rank to test against candidates who were in the Lieutenant position with significantly more time. Battalion Chief Erskine asked the Commission to consider holding the Captain’s Promotional test earlier. Attorney Mullett asked if there was a representative from the union present to discuss the concerns Batt. Chief Erskine mentioned. Attorney Mullett reviewed PA 78 of 1935, stating she did not find anything prohibiting a candidate taking the test before they served in the next lower rank, but that they could not be promoted until serving 2 years in the next lower rank. Additionally, Attorney Mullett stated there was nothing in the Public Act requiring a specific date the test be offered. Chief Schmaltz stated there were concerns expressed that someone with less experience may test better than other candidates with more time in the lower rank. Chief Schmaltz cautioned the Commission that complaints might be heard at future meetings. Ms. Houser noted that by changing the testing date simply so that someone could not test would be viewed as unfair also. Comm. Martinovich noted it would have been more appropriate to have the union representative to the Civil Service Commission, or a union Fire Fighter, present at the meeting to express the union’s concerns. Chief Schmaltz stated he understood the reasons the City Clerk proposed testing for both promotional positions at the same time, noting there were no expected promotions to the Captain’s rank and the cost savings. Ms. Houser stated she could change the date of the Captain’s Promotional test if the Commission preferred. Comm. Mudge expressed her understanding of the reasons to test for both promotional tests on the same dates, also noting there were no union Fire personnel at the meeting expressing concerns. Comm. Mudge noted there was a motion on the floor to authorize the City Clerk to begin the testing process, asking if there were any further discussion regarding the proposed testing dates. Seeing no further discussion, Comm. Mudge asked the Commission to vote on the motion. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. 4. Authorize the City Clerk to begin the Fire Lieutenant testing process A motion was made by Comm. Martinovich, supported by Comm. Mudge, to authorize the City Clerk to begin the testing process on the dates proposed by the City Clerk. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. PUBLIC COMMENT: Commissioner Mudge thanked everyone for their service to the Civil Service Commission, also expressing appreciation that a replacement had already been found for the City appointed Civil Service Commissioner. Ms. Houser thanked Commissioner Mudge for her service to the Commission and the City. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Mudge adjourned the meeting at 4:33 PM. 2