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Meet and Confer Minutes - 01/08/2008 MEET AND CONFER CITY OF WICHITA FALLS & WICHITA FALLS FIRE DEPARTMENT JANUARY 8, 2008 PRESENT: Darron J. Leiker, City Manager § Earl Foster, Fire Chief § Bill Weske, Assistant Fire Chief § Bill Sullivan, City Attorney § Julia Vasquez, First Assistant City Attorney § City Administration R. Kinley Hegglund, Jr., § Senior Assistant City Attorney § Jim Dockery, Director of Finance/Acting § Human Resources Director § Tammy Guerra, Acting Civil Service Director § Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary § Brady Duke (President, Local 432) § International Association of Jim Davis, FEO (Vice-President, Local 432) § Firefighters, Local 432 Robert Whiteley, FEO § David Collins, Fire Marshal § Wichita Falls Fire Department I. CALL TO ORDER. Darron Leiker welcomed the attendees at today's meeting, and called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. He introduced Brady Duke, the newest member of the Association team. II. DISCUSSION OF AGREEMENT To RECLASSIFY CERTAIN POSITIONS IN THE FIRE MARSHAL DIVISION OF THE WICHITA FALLS FIRE DEPARTMENT AS CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS. Mr. Leiker asked if everyone had a copy of the draft agreement, and if there were any questions. Mr. Duke expressed his hope that the agreement had not been amended from the version he had been provided, as the Association had already voted on that version of the agreement. Mr. Leiker assured him the agreement had not been revised. Mr. Duke then stated, for clarification purposes, that had the document changed, the Association would have had to hold another election on the agreement. It is his interpretation that if the Association and City Administration come to an agreement, it is pending the outcome of the members' election. They decided to hold the election prior to today's meeting, with the understanding that if the agreement had changed, the Association would need to vote on the revised agreement before he would be able to sign it on their behalf. MEET&CONFER-CWF&WFFD JANUARY 8, 2008 2 Mr. Leiker again assured Mr. Duke that the agreement had not been revised, and further, that he had no intention of proposing a change. He asked for confirmation that Mr. Duke had the authority to sign the document, to which Mr. Duke replied affirmatively. Mr. Leiker noted the agreement will be placed on the Council agenda for its January 15 meeting, along with an ordinance establishing the new positions in the Fire Department, and an ordinance establishing certification pay. Mr. Duke furnished a copy of the Association's vote on this agreement. The results were 111 for, and 5 against, passage of the agreement. Mr. Leiker asked Julia Vasquez to describe the procedure once this agreement has been ratified. Ms. Vasquez explained that, assuming the Council ratifies the agreement next Tuesday, the vacant position in the Fire Marshal Division will be advertised as an entry level position (or Fire Investigator Trainee). An application deadline will be set. Then an entry-level civil service test will be scheduled. The normal hiring procedure established by civil service rules will be followed. The applicant will be hired pursuant to the eligibility list. Mr. Leiker asked how long the process would take. Chief Foster replied that it would take approximately 90 days. He wants to advertise the position statewide for 60 days, and the hiring process itself would take about a month. Ms. Vasquez added that the background check will need to be performed, but added that an abbreviated background check would be performed for any internal applicant. Chief Foster asked if the agreement will become effectively immediately upon adoption. Bill Sullivan noted it would become effective immediately after both parties have signed. Mr. Leiker added that it will need to be ratified. Mr. Dockery asked, if the City hires someone who has the basic peace officer certification, would they be promoted into the Assistant position when they obtain the other two required certifications. Chief Foster replied affirmatively, just as trainees automatically become firefighters once they receive their certification. Mr. Dockery asked the procedure if the individual hired has all three certifications. Chief Foster explained they would come in as an Assistant Fire Marshal. Mr. Leiker asked the Association if they had any questions or concerns. Mr. Duke said no. At that point, Mr. Leiker thanked the Association, the Fire Chief, Julia Vasquez and Jim Dockery for their work on this issue. He added that he looked forward to getting that division fully staffed. Mr. Duke signed the Agreement on behalf of the Association, and Mr. Leiker signed it on behalf of the City of Wichita Falls. III. ADJOURN. The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 a.m.