Civil Service Commission

CITY OF STERLING HEIGHTS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, ACT 78 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF AUGUST 1, 2017 The regular meeting of the Civil Service Commission, Act 78, was held in City Council Chambers, City Hall, 40555 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan. 1. Call to Order. The meeting was called to order at 2:14 p.m. by Chairwoman Terri Jarema. 2. Roll Call. Present: Chair Terri Jarema and Commissioner Jerry Griesbeck Absent: Commissioner Irv Droste (excused) Also present: Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk; Don DeNault, City Attorney; Dale Dwojakowski, Interim Police Chief; Lieutenant Ron Gotowicki; Sergeant Dave Ormachea; Kate Baldwin, Human Resources and Benefits Manager 3. Approval of Agenda. Sergeant Ormachea requested that the Commission consider approving the 2017-18 Police Officer Minimum Eligibility Requirements and Application and Selection Process so they can start the process of recruiting. Moved by Griesbeck, supported by Jarema, to amend the agenda by adding: Item 6. Review and Approval of Police Officer Minimum Eligibility Requirements and Application and Selection Process; and to approve the agenda as amended. Yes: Griesbeck, Jarema Absent: Droste The motion carried. 4. Approval of minutes of regular meeting of April 26, 2017. Moved by Griesbeck, supported by Jarema, to approve the minutes of the April 26, 2017 meeting as presented. Yes: Griesbeck, Jarema Absent: Droste The motion carried. Civil Service Commission, Act 78 Meeting of August 1, 2017 Page 2 5. Establish requirements and testing process for Police Captain eligibility list. Clerk Ryska informed the Commission that there is a Captain position open in the police department and the previous hiring list has been exhausted, therefore, the Commission must establish a new eligibility list. In accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding, the City and Union agree to hire Tier 1 candidates before Tier 2 candidates. Interim Chief Dwojakowski explained that due to the rapid number of command officers separating from employment, no potential candidates currently fall within the Tier 1 guidelines, which requires two years in rank prior to May 1, 2017. The nature of the position requires that the vacancy be filled as soon as possible. The Commission discussed the process of testing and proposed dates. The Notice of Accepting Applications for the Position of Police Captain will be posted on August 2, 2017 with a closing date of August 16, 2017. The EMPCO Assessment Center will be scheduled the week of September 18th. EMPCO will hold the Assessment Center at City Hall. Moved by Griesbeck, supported by Jarema, to approve the requirements and testing process for the Police Captain eligibility list as presented, and approve the application period of August 2, 2017 through August 16, 2017. Yes: Griesbeck, Jarema Absent: Droste The motion carried. 6. Establish requirements and testing process for Police Captain eligibility list. Consensus of the Commission was to set a meeting date of Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. to review and approve a Police Captain Eligibility List. 7. Review and Approval of Police Officer Minimum Eligibility Requirements and Application and Selection Process. Clerk Ryska distributed the Police Officer Eligibility List and Summary of Compensation and Benefits that was approved in August 2016. HR Manager Baldwin indicated that negotiations with the Police union are underway, therefore, the Summary of Compensation and Benefits remains current. The Commission discussed the publication requirements of the posting. Attorney DeNault clarified that the posting shall be published for two weeks in the official paper of the city, and in a conspicuous place in the office and on bulletin boards of the city. Civil Service Commission, Act 78 Meeting of August 1, 2017 Page 2 The publication shall indicate the time and place where applications will be received. Sergeant Ormachea outlined some recommended changes to the Police Officer Minimum Eligibility Requirements to clarify some of the language and requirements. The Commission discussed numerous modifications to the Police Officer Eligibility List and Application and Selection Process. Moved by Griesbeck, supported by Jarema, to approve the Police Officer Minimum Eligibility Requirements and Application and Selection Process with the following amendments: • The introduction paragraph: “The City of Sterling Heights is now recruiting for the position of Police Officer to establish a one year eligibility list. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements and complete the selection process.” • Section 4(d): “No loss of driving privileges due to revocation.” • Section 5: “Must not have had any convictions, guilty pleas, no contest pleas or plea agreements relating to any criminal charges punishable by more than 90 days in jail, regardless whether any penalties were imposed. Applicants will not be automatically disqualified for a misdemeanor punishable by 90 days in jail or less, but the incident will be evaluated and weighted as part of the background investigation. All previous law enforcement contact will be considered when determining eligibility under this item, including expunged, suppressed and non-public information.” • Section 8: “Must be MCOLES certified or MCOLES certifiable at time of hire.” • Section 11: “Must be cleared by a comprehensive background investigation covering school and employment records, financial history, home environment, personal traits and integrity.” • Application and Selection Process: “Applicants must first create a profile and then register and take the written exam to be administered by Empco Inc. Go to EMPCO’s website at https://www.empco.net/testing to register for the written exam and pay the exam fee. Applicants must complete the online profile and have a current score as of October 2, 2017. Applicants with a current score of 80% or above on the written examination as of October 2, 2017 and meeting the above minimum requirements according to their EMPCO profile will receive an email from EMPCO on October 11, 2017 with instructions on completing the background packet questionnaire. Applicants who do not receive an email from EMPCO by October 12, 2017 will Civil Service Commission, Act 78 Meeting of August 1, 2017 Page 2 need to contact EMPCO at info@empco.net. Applicants who meet the minimum requirements and turn in a completed background packet by the deadline will be invited by Sterling Heights to participate in an oral interview. Applicants must score 70% or better to pass the oral examination. A one-year eligibility list will then be formulated based on the average of the written and oral scores. Applicants must successfully pass the character background check, psychological examination, drug test and physical examination administered by or directed by the City of Sterling Heights. The City of Sterling Heights is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, age, disability, sex or marital status. Equal Opportunity Employer M\F\D Yes: Griesbeck, Jarema Absent: Droste The motion carried. 8. Communications from Citizens. There were no communications from citizens. 9. New Business. There was no new business. 10. Adjourn. Moved by Griesbeck, supported by Jarema, to adjourn the meeting. Yes: Griesbeck, Jarema Absent: Droste The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 3:53 p.m. _____________________________ Melanie D. Ryska, City Clerk