Civil Service Commission Minutes - 04/22/2005MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS
APRIL 22, 2005
Present:
Bob Monaghan
§ Commission Members
James Harris
§
Jan Stricklin, Director of Civil Service
§
Dennis Bachman, Police Chief
§
Earl Foster, Fire Chief
§ City Staff
Bill Weske, Assistant Fire Chief
§
Steve Wilkinson, FEO, WFFD
§
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
§
Absent:
Ben Filer, Chairman § Commission Member
1. Call to Order
Vice - Chairman Monaghan called the meeting to order at 4:29 p.m.
2. Approval of Minutes (April 7, 2005)
Commissioner Harris moved, seconded by Vice - Chairman Monaghan, that the minutes
of the meeting for April 7, 2005, be approved. The motion carried.
3. Executive Session
• Consultation with attorney involving legal issues related to amendment of Commission
Rules and Regulations, as authorized by Sections 551.071 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT
CODE.
The Commission met in executive session from 4:33 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
4. New Business
Action on amending Civil Service Rules and Regulations
Vice - Chairman Monaghan noted the Commission adopted revised rules and regulations
for Civil Service employees at its last meeting. Subsequent to that adoption, it was called to the
attention of the Commission members that Section 143.073, Line of Duty Illness or Injury Leave
wo
Civil Service Commission Minutes of April 22, 2005 2
of Absence, contradicted with Civil Service Regulations. Therefore, it is necessary to amend the
recently adopted rules to remove such language in contradiction.
Commissioner Harris moved that the following sentence be stricken from Section
143.073: "Employees shall not accumulate sick leave or vacation while off on temporary leave
due to line of duty illness or injury leave of absence."
Vice - Chairman Monaghan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. He then
asked the Civil Service Director to post the revised rules and regulations, in accordance with the
posting rules required by the City and Civil Service regulations.
5. Report from Director
Hiring New Civil Service Employees
Ms. Stricklin allowed Fire Chief Foster to make an introduction before providing her
report.
Chief Foster introduced Bill Weske to the Commission as the new Assistant Fire Chief.
Chief Weske had previously been a lieutenant with the Department, and Chief Foster noted he
was happy to have him as his assistant. The Commission congratulated Assistant Fire Chief
Weske on his promotion. Chief Weske said he was happy to be there.
Ms. Stricklin then continued, stated she had today posted a notice for the vacant fire
lieutenant position. The test for that vacant position would be held in early July. Following that
test, she assumed Chief Foster would promote a Fire Equipment Operator, or FEO, to the
lieutenant position. In that case, she would post a notice in the next week or so for the FEO, as
required by the Civil Service rules.
6. Report from Fire Chief
Hiring
Chief Foster stated the Fire Department currently has two vacancies, and he has spoken
with Ms. Stricklin in regard to giving an entrance exam.
Steve Wilkinson of the Fire Department asked Ms. Stricklin for clarification that she was
going to post for an FEO test. She confirmed that she would do so in a week or so.
Mr. Wilkinson noted there is still an FEO list in effect. Ms. Stricklin noted she was not sure
when it ended, and Mr. Wilkinson noted it expires July 15. Ms. Stricklin stated that if Chief
Foster's appointment of a new lieutenant occurs after the FEO list expires, she would then have
to post for an FEO exam. She will examine the dates to be sure whether such a posting is
required. Vice - Chairman Monaghan asked the Director to investigate the matter to make sure the
appropriate action is taken.
Civil Service Commission Minutes of April 22, 2005
7. Report from Police Chief
• Hiring
3
Chief Bachman reported the Police Department has eight vacancies. He expects Vernon
College to hold graduation ceremonies shortly, and those vacancies can begin to be filled.
Ms. Stricklin noted that she will post a notice for that graduation group from Vernon, as
well as for anyone else who holds a peace officer certification, to take the exam.
8. Executive Session
• The Commission may go into executive session for the identical reasons posted above
in item 3 above, if necessary.
Vice - Chairman Monaghan stated there was no need for a second executive session.
9. Adjourn.
Vice - Chairman Monaghan called for a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Harris so
moved, seconded by Vice - Chairman Monaghan. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at
4:59 p.m.
Bob Monaghan, V