Civil Service Commission

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING 5:00 p.m., August 28, 2012 City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room Commissioners: City/Department Representatives: Toni Bachman, Chairman, Present Chaplain Northcut, City Council Liaison, Absent Bert Fleck, Present Trey Smith, City Attorney, Present Garrie Kellum, Absent Jeff Humphrey, Interim Chief of Police, Present Jim Campbell, Present John Cochran, Fire Chief, Absent Phillip Lea, Present Tracey Cline-Pew, Human Resources, Present Meeting Minutes Chairman Toni Bachman called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. The Commission reviewed the minutes of the July meeting. Bert Fleck made a motion that the minutes be approved. Jim Campbell seconded the motion. The minutes were approved. OLD BUSINESS Civil Service Commission • Bert Fleck conducted the second reading of the proposed change to Russellville Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations, Chapter 2, Section III – Certified List: . . . Following the entry-level and promotional testing and examination process, the Commission shall prepare the certified lists. Entry level certified lists shall be in full force and effect for a period of one calendar year subsequent to the date of certification. Promotional certified lists shall be in full force and effect for the period of two calendar years subsequent to the date of certification. If upon the date of certification, a prior certified list is still effective, then the current certified list will incorporate the prior list with the appropriate ranking in accordance with Civil Service statutes in regard to promotion. All entry level certified lists and promotional certified lists shall expire one (1) year and two (2) years respectively after the date of certification regardless of the period of time such list may have existed as the sole certified list. Police • Bert Fleck distributed the RPD promotional testing results. He stated that the new system of scoring actually made it more difficult for candidates to achieve an overall score of 70%. Toni Bachman stated that the Police Department may want to consider bonus points for years of service or training. Interim Chief Jeff Humphrey said that he would like to have performance evaluations considered in the promotional testing process and more weight given to the Civil Service Commissions’ oral interview. Currently there is no reward for an officer’s exceptional performance and evaluation. Bert Fleck stated that the two officers that did not pass the promotional testing did not do well on the written test. Interim Chief Humphrey added that often officers will take the promotional exam just to “test the waters.” He said that their biggest complaint was in regard to the written test and that actual job performance was not taken into consideration. However, Interim Chief  Humphrey also conceded that more relevant protocol was needed for the actual performance evaluations. Interim Chief Humphrey would like to see the Civil Service Commission’s oral interview be given more weight and suggested 25% rather than 5% as it currently stands as well as factoring in performance evaluations. Toni Bachman suggested that Interim Chief Humphrey bring a proposal to the table in that regard. Fire Department • Entry-level physical ability tests have been scheduled for October 6, 2012. • Written tests will be conducted the following Saturday on October 13, 2012. NEW BUSINESS Fire Department • Chief Cochran was unable to attend the meeting due to illness. He had included the following item on the agenda for discussion. o Proposal to include tier testing scores as part of extra points for future promotions. This item will be re-introduced during the September meeting. Police Department • None Civil Service Commission • Jim Campbell made a motion that the current officers of the Civil Service Commission retain their positions. Phillip Lea seconded the motion. The motion passed. Bert Fleck made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Jim Campbell seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 5:50 p.m.