Civil Service

Official Proceedings of the Battle Creek Civil Service Commission City Hall 10 N. Division Street Commission Chambers Battle Creek, Michigan April 24, 2023 4:00 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Chris Dopp, Calvin Hardin and Chris McCoy MEMBERS ABSENT: STAFF PRESENT: Victoria Houser, City Clerk: Bill Beaty, Fire Chief: Jonathan Baber, Deputy City Attorney: Chelsea Sears, HR Generalist: Michelle Hull, HR Director and Kimberly Holley, DEI Officer OTHERS PRESENT: Jayeson Tkac and Yoshi Fujita, Fire Fighters CALL TO ORDER: Commissioner Dopp called the meeting to order at 4:01 PM. NOMINATION OF CHAIRPERSON: Comm. Hardin nominated Comm. Dopp to serve as Chairperson. Comm. Dopp accepted the nomination of chairperson for the Civil Service Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Dopp noted the first order of business was to approve the March 29, 2023 Civil Service Commission minutes. Comm. McCoy, supported by Comm. Hardin, made a motion to approve the Civil Service Commission meeting minutes of March 29, 2023. All in favor, none opposed. Motion approved. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: There were no petitions or communications. REPORTS: There were no reports. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: There was none. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Authorize the City Clerk to begin the Entry Level Fire Fighter Testing Process: Comm. Dopp noted the next item was to authorize the City Clerk to begin the Entry Level Fire Fighter Testing Process, asking if there were any questions or comments. Comm. McCoy, supported by Comm. Hardin, made a motion to authorize the City Clerk to begin the Entry Level Fire Fighter Testing Process. All in favor, none opposed. Motion approved 2. Discussion of Equity Audit Report, relative to the Civil Service Commission and PA 78 Comm. Dopp invited Kimberly Holley, DEI Officer, to present information on the City of Battle Creek Equity Audit Report. Ms. Holley informed the Commission that the City hired a consultant to complete an equity audit, noting the report was completed in 2022. Ms. Holley noted this was a good time to discuss the Equity Audit Report, as 2023 was a recruitment and testing year for Entry Level Fire Fighters. Ms. Holley stated she has had a discussion with the HR department to determine if the City’s policies and practices presented any inequities. Ms. Holley discussed the testing process, as outlined in the Equity Audit Report, which first requires a candidate pass a written test with a score of 70% or higher, as required in PA 78. If a candidate achieved a written score of 70% or higher, they were eligible to participate in the Physical Agility testing, which was a pass/fail grade. If a candidate passed the Physical Agility test, they would be eligible to participate in a structured oral interview. The combined results of the written and interview score, if above 70%, would determine each candidate’s placement on the Eligibility List. Some opinions presented in the equity audit raised concerns, particularly whether a candidate with no prior firefighting experience could pass the written exam with a score of 70% or higher. Concerns were also raised that a female candidate may not be able to pass the physical agility test due to lower upper body strength. 1  As to the ability to pass the written test with a score of 70% or higher, Clerk Houser confirmed several candidates have passed the written test although they had no prior firefighting experience. Clerk Houser presented information on several questions that are on the written test, noting they are not all fire specific. As the testing materials are proprietary, Clerk Houser stated a copy of the test was not provided to the consultants, however noting the consultants did not request a copy of the test book. Clerk Houser and Chief Beaty confirmed candidates may purchase a study guide related to the test and that there may be an opportunity for the Fire Department to purchase a bulk quantity at a lower per book cost. Chief Beaty informed the Commission that the Battle Creek Fire Department developed their Physical Agility test following the Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT), which is the recognized standard for measuring an individual’s ability to handle the physical demands of being a firefighter. Chief Beaty expressed concern with the request from the consultants to consider individual component scores, stating all components of the physical agility test are important. As the Civil Service Commissioners questioned PA 78 and the testing process, City staff provided information. In conclusion, Comm. Dopp expressed understanding that the Equity Audit consultants wanted to ensure the City does not preclude individuals from successfully completing testing if they do not have previous firefighting experience. PUBLIC COMMENT: There were no public comments. COMMISSION COMMENT: There were no commission comments. NEXT MEETING: May 22, 2023 at 4:00 PM. ADJOURNMENT: Commissioner Dopp adjourned the meeting at 5:15PM. 2