Civil Service Commission

MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING July 13, 2022 – 8:00 A.M. Members Present: Chairman Jan Naso Commissioner Tom Kot Commissioner Lisa Zeno Carano Non-Members Mayor Dave Kline Present: Fire Chief Mike Passarelli Director of Administration Dr. Don Cooper Asst Director of Law Melody Briand Councilman Jonathon Bollas ______________________________________________________________________________ The July 13, 2022 Civil Service Commission meeting was called to order. Minutes of the June 8, 2022 meeting were approved as published. Chairman Naso welcomed newly appointed Commissioner Lisa Carano. She is replacing Christine Higham and we’re looking forward to working with her. Mr. Naso stated that himself and Commissioner Kot attended eight interviews over this week at different times with candidates for the positions of Full-Time Technician I and Assistant Road Superintendent. Commissioners waived the requirement for the written tests. The Commissioners attended the interviews so that it couldn’t be said later that any favoritism was involved. All the candidates were asked the same questions; Civil Service has a copy of the interview questions for their files. No selections have been made yet. Chief Passarelli stated that the Administration is in conversation with the Union to resolve some of the process issues. The Union president is on vacation and will be back next week. Mayor Kline stated the issue being that the contract states the Mayor and Fire Chief will do all the interviews and hiring of the Lieutenants. My nephew is on that list and I am recusing myself, although the State Law says I do not have to because he is not a fiduciary responsibility of myself and does not live with me. But for transparency, I really want to recuse myself. My goal is to say, “Mayor and or his designee.” Todd Hurd, the Union President will get back with me on that when he returns from vacation. Chairman Naso gave an update on the Fire Lieutenant’s Exam for Mrs. Carano: Seven persons took the test; there will be six positions filled. They are in the interview process now. Selection of the new Fire Chief was discussed. Chairman Naso: Chief Passarelli will be retiring in the next few months. We’ve been talking with Dr. Cooper regarding the sequence of events in replacing him. On page four of Ordinance 16-2017 (that you all have in front of you), it says up to three applicants with the highest number of points from the selection process shall be provided to the appointing authority for further evaluation and selection. This allows us to add some additional things to what’s written here in this rules document. Page 2 July 13, 2022 Dr. Cooper went over the screening committee’s responsibilities, confirming applicants’ credentials and the required elements, additional points and education. Mr. Naso stated that the clerk will be working with Dr. Cooper on the announcement. Six places were mentioned that the announcement should be placed. Mr. Naso said that wherever the announcement is placed, it would be brief and direct persons to the City’s website. Dr. Cooper explained that after the Selection Committee has confirmed all the points, the top five persons will then move on to the assessment center. It was decided that the City will use Ramsey & Associates to conduct the assessment center. Points from the Selection Committee and the Assessment Center will be combined for a total; the top three scores will be the next step. Civil Service will contact Pradco to schedule three psych exams. The top three names will determine the eligibility list order. Those top three applicants will be given questions to answer in writing and it will be the Administration’s decision what those questions will be. (Mr. Naso said that our clerk will take care of the mailing.) The background investigation will be conducted by someone outside the City. Once that is completed, there will be a media announcement of who those candidates are. Two items that have not been used in the past: a technical committee and a public panel committee. Dr. Cooper explained the technical panel, relatively small, made up of people who are expert in all things fire service who will question the candidates separately on technical issues as they relate to fire service and to the Tallmadge Fire Department. The public panel is larger, maybe a dozen or more and will ask candidates questions from their own perspective. The appointing authority will then meet with both panels to discuss each candidate and get feedback from them. The Mayor stated that the City has contracted with Clemons & Nelson to do a compensation rate study for all non-collective bargaining employees. Meeting adjourned at 8:32 a.m. An audio file of this meeting is available in the Civil Service office. Jan T. Naso, Chairman Civil Service Commission TALLMADGE OHIO JTN:asi