Board of Fire and Police Commissioners

Village of Lombard Village Hall 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes - Final Friday, June 13, 2014 7:00 AM Village Hall Board of Fire and Police Commissioners Board of Fire and Police Minutes - Final June 13, 2014 Commissioners A. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The Friday, June 13, 2014, meeting of the Lombard Board of Fire and Police Commissioners convened at 7:02 a.m. in the Lombard Village Hall Board Room, 255 East Wilson Avenue, Lombard, Illinois. B. Roll Call of Members Present: Chairman William Dunne Vice Chairman Thomas Rachubinski Secretary Kenneth Florey Guests: Police Chief Raymond Byrne Deputy Chief Thomas Wirsing Fire Chief Paul DiRienzo Battalion Fire Chief Marty Coomes Human Resources Administrator Kathleen Dunne Police Administrative Coordinator Barbara Bartolotte Fire Union President Tim Moran and various Firefighter/Paramedics C. Approval of Minutes It was moved by Chairman William Dunne, seconded by Secretary Kenneth Florey, to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on May 16, 2014. Motion carried. Village of Lombard Page 1 Board of Fire and Police Minutes - Final June 13, 2014 Commissioners D. Public Participation Tim Moran, Lombard Firefighter/Paramedic and President of the Union would like to apprise the Board of the prospective fire lieutenant candidates displeasure in the entire testing process. He feels, as does most of the candidates, that the testing process was tainted. The final report was sent to the Board members regarding the investigation on the testing process. Mr. Moran would like the Board to know that they find the report incomplete. The Union President feels the investigator neglected to interview people involved. Mr. Moran would like to address 2 points in the investigators report, 1) the assessment monitor and 2) the investigator mentions the assessor names and feels a more careful selection process of choosing an assessor should have been made with them not knowing the candidates. One of the assessors recused himself because he did know a candidate. Another one of the assessors that was involved in the testing process should have recused himself and did not. That was not in the report at all. Tim Moran would like the Board to know that the fire lieutenant testing process will be taken to arbitration. Fire Lieutenant Mark Sepe addressed the Board with his concerns regarding the fire lieutenant testing assessment portion. He informed the Board that he feels his integrity and character are being challenged at this time. He was asked by the Union and the Village to be an observer for the fire lieutenant testing process, to be one of the monitors, for that portion of the fire lieutenants test. During that portion of the test, he witnessed impropriety. He reported those improprieties to the Union, and to Human Resources. He gave a verbal and submitted a written statement to human resources. He was also interviewed by the investigator that was hired by the Village. Several other firefighters were also interviewed and gave written statements. Since this investigation, it has been stated by several personnel from the fire department that he was asleep during the assessment center portion and how could he possibly know anything that was going on during the assessment. There were also accusations that he was lying and that he fabricated this story because he personally does not like the individual that is being accused of these improprieties. Lt. Sepe is asking the Board to examine all the statements, including his, and if the Board looks at the preponderance of evidence that is given, of what was going on, would like the Board to come to their own conclusion. Village of Lombard Page 2 Board of Fire and Police Minutes - Final June 13, 2014 Commissioners E. Payment of Bills The Board received invoice number SA000025560 from Stanard & Associates for the personality evaluation for entry-level police candidate in the amount of $395.00; also invoice number 81022 from Elmhurst Memorial Occupational Heath for services rendered for entry-level police candidate in the amount of $760.00. It was moved by Chairman William Dunne, seconded by Secretary Kenneth Florey to approve payment of the bills. Motion carried. F. Chairperson's Report Nothing to report. G. Vice Chairperson's Report Nothing to report. H. Secretary's Report Nothing to report. I. Correspondence The Board received a copy of a Letter of Commendation from Police Chief Raymond Byrne to Officer Anthony Markas for a suicidal subject. Officer Markas was able to calm the subject until the subject was pulled to safety. Officer Markas' initial contact and communication with the subject during the encounter allowed a situation to have a safe and successful conclusion. The Board also received a Letter of Appreciation from Chief Raymond Byrne to Officers Marks, Marciniak, Detectives Clark, Jason Chudzinski, Harris and front desk dispatcher Toni Kaucher for their swift response, team cohesiveness and tactical actions in stabilization of the situation of the suicidal subject. Village of Lombard Page 3 Board of Fire and Police Minutes - Final June 13, 2014 Commissioners J. Unfinished Business Fire Chief DiRienzo informed the Board that since the last meeting regarding the fire lieutenant testing process they did have the written review on 5/27, several questions that were questioned and then reviewed by Stanard & Associates and answers that were given and moved on. Scores were finalized and sent out 6/3/14 to the individuals for components 1-4. On 6/4/13 the candidates were mailed all their individual scores for all components of the test 1-5. On 6/11/14 the preliminary list was posted, which will be posted until the next meeting and any candidates who have military points have 15 days to claim those from 6/11/14. On or about June 26th the Chief is hoping he will be able to post a final Lt. promotional list. K. New Business L. Other Business M. Executive Session It was moved by Chairman William Dunne, seconded by Vice Chairman Thomas Rachubinski, to recess to Executive Session at 7:24 a.m. Motion carried. Village of Lombard Page 4 Board of Fire and Police Minutes - Final June 13, 2014 Commissioners N. Reconvene The regular meeting of the Lombard Board of Fire and Police Commissioners reconvened at 7:41 a.m. Present: Chairman William Dunne Vice Chairman Thomas Rachubinski Secretary Kenneth Florey Guests: Police Chief Raymond Byrne Deputy Police Chief Thomas Wirsing Police Administrative Coordinator Barbara Bartolotte It was moved by Chairman William Dunne, seconded by Vice Chairman Thomas Rachubinski, to decline employment to entry-level police candidate Charles Currie. Motion carried. It was moved by Chairman William Dunne, seconded by Secretary, Kenneth Florey to extend a conditional offer of employment to entry-level police candidate, Korbin Rome. Motion carried. It was moved by Chairman William Dunne, seconded by Vice Chairman Thomas Rachubinski, to extend a full offer of employment to police candidate, Jason DeMark. Motion carried. The Chairman of the Board, William Dunne brought attorney Jason Guisinger into the meeting at this time via telephone call and is on speaker phone with the Board regarding the fire lieutenant testing process. It is the Boards opinion the entire process is clouded and is seeking Jason's guidance on the testing process. It was agreed upon with the Board and Mr. Guisinger that he will prepare an opinion for the Board outlining what the ramifications will be regardless of the decision so the Board is very clear on making their decision on whether to proceed with the current fire lieutenant assessment testing process or re-do that portion of the test. Village of Lombard Page 5 Board of Fire and Police Minutes - Final June 13, 2014 Commissioners O. Adjournment It was moved by Chairman William Dunne, seconded by Secretary Kenneth Florey, to adjourn the regular meeting of the Lombard Board of Fire and Police Commissioners at 7:48 a.m. ____________________________ Secretary, Kenneth Florey Village of Lombard Page 6