Civil Service Commission

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING 5:00 p.m., August 27, 2013 City Hall 2nd Floor Conference Room Commissioners: City/Department Representatives: Toni Bachman, Chairman, Present Freddie Harris, City Council Liaison, Present Bert Fleck, Present Trey Smith, City Attorney, Present Garrie Kellam, Present Jeff Humphrey, Police Chief, Present Jim Campbell, Present John Cochran, Fire Chief, Present Phillip Lea, Present Tracey Cline-Pew, Human Resources, Present Meeting Minutes Chairman Toni Bachman called the meeting to order at 5:08 p.m. The Commission reviewed the minutes of the July meeting. Jim Campbell made a motion that the minutes be approved. Bert Fleck seconded the motion. The minutes were approved. OLD BUSINESS Civil Service Commission • None. Police • Chief Humphrey proposed changes to the Civil Service Commission Rules and regulations regarding Promotional Testing. (Proposed changes attached.) Chief Humphrey stated that the rules are fairly generic so that specific details can be determined when the test is actually set. He would like to test for the ranks of Major and Captain in the near future. Bert Fleck made a motion that the Commission proceed with the first reading of the proposed changes. Garrie Kellam seconded the motion. The following discussion ensued. Bert Fleck addressed the changes to Appendix 3.0. He pointed out that it states there will be two-phases of testing, but did not specify who would make up the panel for the structured interview. He would like to see the panel made up of at least two representatives of the Civil Service Commission, even if they only played an observational role. During the last testing period, B-Pad was used. Candidates watched a video and then questions were asked based on the video scenario. There is the option of these questions being written rather than verbal. A review panel can grade, or they can be graded by the company at a cost of $30.00 each. This would make the test completely unbiased. Chief Humphrey proposed having I/O Solutions custom design the written test using books determined by the Police Department. One of the books that Chief Humphrey would like to use is “Police Ethics.” He would like to see more managerial and ethical questions used in the written examination.  Chief Cochran pointed out that peer assessment review had held up in Court when challenged. Civil Service Commissioners were observers in this instance. Garrie Kellam agreed that Commissioners should not actively participate. Bert Fleck and Jim Campbell set forth that the Commissioners should be involved if for no other reason than to proctor and score the testing. If not, it could be construed that the tests were not fair and the Chief could be biased in his choices. Chief Humphrey stated that integrity in testing was of the utmost importance. He noted that most civilians did not know the technical aspects of police work. Chief Humphrey is going to investigate the cost of using B-Pad for the complete testing process including scoring. Chief Humphrey proposed that the next round of promotional testing be given in November, after the changes to the Rules and Regulations were in place. A vote was taken regarding the first reading of the changes to the Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations (attached.) The changes passed unanimously. Fire Department • Chief Cochran proposed that one day be added to the Entry-Level Testing schedule previously approved by the Commission for Tier Testing. He explained that Tier Testing, when combined with PAT testing and the Oral Interview made for a long stressful day. Tier Testing also involves strenuous physical activity – flexibility, sit ups, and pushups – which could tire a candidate prior to having to complete the PAT test. Logistically, having a separate day for Tier Testing would be beneficial. The new testing dates that were proposed and approved are as follows: October 5, 2013 Tier Test 1 Commissioner Required October 12, 2013 Written Test 1 Commissioner Required October 19, 2013 PAT Test/Oral Interview 3 Commissioners Required NEW BUSINESS Civil Service Commission • None. Fire Department • Chief Cochran told the Commission that a Fire Captain was retiring after 23 years of service. Due to the Captain being paid for unused vacation and sick time, the position could not be filled until December unless Chief Cochran asked the City Council for additional funding or made a line item transfer of funds from another account. • Chief Cochran then made the Civil Service Commission aware of ACA Section 4-51-301(b) which states, “Promotions shall be made within sixty (60) calendar days of a vacancy created by death, termination, resignation, demotion, retirement, or promotion unless the position is determined to be eliminated.” Chief Cochran said that there were members of the “rank and file” that would be watching to see what was done in this regard. He explained to the Commission that  he would be consulting with the City Attorney and Municipal League Attorney in this regard. It might be possible for the position to be filled on a temporary basis (out-of-class pay) until filled on a permanent bases. Police Department • None. Phillip Lea made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Bert Fleck seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.