Civil Service

Official Proceedings of the Battle Creek Civil Service Commission City Hall 10 N. Division Street Commission Chambers Battle Creek, Michigan November 27, 2017 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Al Giguere and Mike Roller MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Tim Martinovich STAFF PRESENT: Victoria Houser, Chief Dave Schmaltz, Battalion Chief Marty Erskine, Nancy Mullett CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Giguere called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Comm. Giguere, supported by Comm. Roller, to approve the Civil Service Commission meeting minutes of June 27, 2017. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS There were none. REPORTS There were none. UNFINISHED BUSINESS There was none. NEW BUSINESS 1. Certify candidates #11 through #15 on the “2016 Entry Level Fire Fighter Eligibility List ” Commissioner Giguere stated the first order of business was to certify candidates #11 through #15 on the “2016 Fire Fighter Eligibility List.” Comm. Giguere opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no public comment, a motion was made by Comm. Giguere, supported by Comm. Roller, to certify candidates #11 through #15 on the “2016 Fire Fighter Eligibility List.” All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. 2. Consideration of an Assessment Center for the Promotion of Battalion Chief Candidates Chief Schmaltz discussed the benefits of an Assessment Center for Battalion Chief promotional candidates. Chief Schmaltz noted past testing included fire tactics, which all promotional candidates should already be proficient at. Chief Schmaltz noted an assessment center would better analyze the candidates’ ability to manage several different supervisory responsibilities, noting there are considerable costs associated with an assessment center. Chief Schmaltz stated he might later request an Assessment Center for promotional candidates for Captain. Comm. Giguere asked if Chief Schmaltz was considering possibly going back to the previous promotional testing process if funds were not available for the higher cost of conducting an Assessment Center. Clerk Houser noted that although the costs for an assessment center was a little higher than traditional testing, if the Fire Department could provide the additional costs over the current budget, it would be manageable. Clerk Houser noted testing in future years could be provided for in the budget. Clerk Houser noted a change to the Civil Service Rules may also need to be changed to include an assessment center for Battalion Chief promotional testing. Comm. Giguere requested the City Attorney to the Civil Service Commission attend the next meeting to assist with the changes to the Civil Service Rules. Comm. Giguere cautioned that candidates should not be allowed to retest through an Assessment Center, stating the integrity of the process should be maintained. Chief Schmaltz agreed to contact the representative to set a meeting in January to present information and respond to inquiries from the Civil Service Commissioners. A motion was made by Comm. Giguere, supported by Comm. Roller, to table the decision to the January 2018 Civil Service Commission meeting, after an early January presentation from the Empco. 3. Authorize the City Clerk to proceed with the “2018 Battalion Chief Promotional Testing ” 1  Commissioner Giguere stated the next order of business was to authorize the Clerk to proceed with the “2018 Battalion Chief Promotional Testing” process. A motion was made by Comm. Giguere, supported by Comm. Roller, to table the decision until the January 2018 meeting. All in favor, none opposed. Motion approved. 4. Approval of the 2018 Civil Service Commission meeting schedule Commissioner Giguere stated the next order of business was to approve the 2018 Civil Service Commission schedule. Comm. Giguere opened the floor for public comment. Seeing no public comment, a motion was made by Comm. Giguere, supported by Comm. Roller, to approve the 2018 Civil Service Commission schedule. All yes, none opposed. Motion approved. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. COMMISSION COMMENT : There were no Commission comments. ADJOURNMENT Comm. Giguere adjourned the meeting at 4:22 PM. 2