Civil Service Commission

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING 5:00 p.m., October 22, 2013 City Hall 1st 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, Absent 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 5:00 p.m. The Commission reviewed the minutes of the September meeting. Phillip Lea made a motion that the minutes be approved with one correction – the names of the commissioners that attended the Fire Department entry-level testing were incorrect. Bert Fleck seconded the motion and the minutes were approved. OLD BUSINESS Civil Service Commission • Toni Bachman reported that Chief Humphrey delivered the keys to the Civil Service Commission's filing cabinet. She stated that the cabinet needed to be cleaned out and unnecessary documents destroyed. Police • Bert Fleck conducted the third and final reading of the proposed changes to the Civil Service Commission Rules and Regulations Proposed changes are attached hereto and incorporated herein. Bert Fleck made a motion that the changes be approved and incorporated into the rules. Phillip Lea seconded the motion. The changes were unanimously approved. Fire Department • Chief Cochran reported that the entry level testing was complete and that there were eleven candidates on the certified list. He queried the commission regarding the order of the testing, stating that because approximately one-half of the applicants failed the PAT examination which was conducted after the written examination the RFD spent more on the written tests than they would have if the order had been reversed. NEW BUSINESS Civil Service Commission • The Civil Service Commission discussed the term of Bert Fleck which expires in April. They agreed that they would request that the Mayor extend his term Fire Department • Chief Cochran advised the commission that Assistant Chief Lewis had requested a demotion to Battalion Chief or Captain. The retirement of Captain Chamberlin last month facilitated this request. • Chief Cochran explained that the Assistant Chief/Training Officer position has been changed to Training Coordinator. This is due to none of the Battalion Chiefs willing to take a promotion to Assistant Fire Chief. Subsequent to the Battalion Chiefs not willing to test for the position, the Chief interviewed two Captains and two Drivers that had previously shown interest in working a 40 hour work week. Of the four interviewed, Firefighter/Driver Chris Vick was selected. Driver Vick has all of the certifications that was previously required of the Assistant Fire Chief position including training certification for EMT, Paramedic, and Hazmat. The revised position is at a Driver/Captain/Battalion Chief position. This is to allow for career development while in the position and flexibility if on a case by case basis the Coordinator must be temporarily assigned to shift work. Future promotions would be based on passing the civil service test for the next higher rank and budgeting of the salary increase as approved by the City Council. The position is a non-exempt/non-supervisory position. • In order to retain the position of Assistant Fire Chief, the Chief proposes to promote one of the three Battalion Chiefs to the rank of Assistant Chief. However, in doing so the successful candidate would remain assigned to their current shift, but would hold the title of Assistant Fire Chief. They would be in charge of the Department in the absence of the Fire Chief. The Chief is currently discussing the proposal to the Battalion Chiefs. • Chief Cochran reported that he would promote someone to the position of Driver next week, and then an entry-level firefighter would be selected to backfill the open position created. Police Department • Chief Humphrey asked the commission to select dates for promotional testing for the ranks of Captain and Major, bearing in mind that the rules state that prospective candidates should be notified 60-days in advance. The commission selected January 10, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. in the RPD conference room for the written examination. Assessments and oral interviews will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the RPD conference room. Chief Humphrey will arrange for three people to sit on the Assessment Panel, as well as one alternate. At 6:00 p.m. Bert Fleck made a motion that the meeting be adjourned. Jim Campbell seconded the motion and the meeting was adjourned.