Civil Service Commission

OAK HARBOR CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION April 21, 2022 MEETING MINUTES (In-Person & Virtual Meeting) In attendance: Commissioner Staff ☐ VACANT, Chair ☒ Chief Ray Merrill, Fire Chief ☒ Mary Anderson, Commissioner (virtual) ☐ Chief Kevin Dresker, PD (absent) ☒ Sandi Peterson, Acting Chair ☒ Captain Mike Bailey ☒ Liflor Barrera CS Secretary/Chief Examiner ☒ Emma House, HR Director The meeting was a combination of virtual and in-person and called to order at 1:04 PM. Minutes: • For the minutes from January 20, 2022, Acting Chair-Commissioner Sandi Peterson motioned to approve the minutes, seconded by Acting Vice-Commissioner Mary Anderson. OLD BUSINESS: a. Continue to look for candidates to fill the vacated commissioner seat. b. Appoint new Chair and Vice-Chair under Section 2.02: Chair—Vice-Chair. c. It was proposed to increase the number of civil service commissioners to five (5) members. NEW BUSINESS: Human Resources: a. Discussed recruitment of a new commissioner to fill the current seat left by former Chair Commissioner Francis Bagarella. Difficulty with conflict of interest with applicants who have applied. b. Commissioner Sandi Peterson was nominated by Commissioner Mary Anderson, and the vote was moved and confirmed Commissioner Peterson as the new Civil Service Committee Chair. c. Discussed how to negate the challenge of “conflict of interest” amongst the candidates. d. The committee was provided with material that covers the “Appearance of Fairness Doctrine” as guidance on negating any possible conflict of interest issues when hearing and resolving quasi-judicial cases. e. Per RCW, we cannot increase commissioners from three (3) to five (5). Police Department: • Personnel Update a. The PD is facing challenges in its recruitment, just like other Counties in the State. b. One (1) from Police Academy is coming out in May 2022, and two (2) more will come out in June 2022. c. Three (3) lateral candidates’ credentials are currently being processed. Accordingly, the Conditional Offer of Employment has been extended. d. One (1) candidate will enter the academy in May 2022 and is expected to finish in September 2022. Fire Department • Personnel Update a. 2 Career Firefighters have been hired and doing well. b. FD open house on April 30 and May 12 of this year. c. “General Bond” in the upcoming general election for residents to vote on funding to build a new Fire Station. As well as an “Operational Levy” to fund hiring nine (9) career firefighters. d. The City and Civil Service Commissioners are not allowed to convince the voters to vote “yes” on this issue on their ballots, but they can help promote the importance of building another Fire Department. Civil Service Commission Committee | Minutes for April 21, 2022 Page 1 of 2 Commission: Adjournment: There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 1:29 PM motion by Acting Chair Commissioner Sandi Peterson, seconded by Acting Vice-Chair Commissioner Mary Anderson, passed unanimously. /s/ _______________________________________ /s/ ___________________________________ Commissioner Secretary/Chief Examiner Liflor Barrera Civil Service Commission Committee | Minutes for April 21, 2022 Page 2 of 2