Civil Service Commission Minutes - 04/01/2005MINUTES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS
Present:
Ben Filer, Chairman
Bob Monaghan
James Harris
Bettye Lynn, Attorney
Dennis Bachman, Police Chief
Laura Arnold, Deputy Chief, WFPD
Harold Lindsey, Fire Chief
Earl Foster, Assistant Fire Chief
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
1. Call to Order
APRIL 19 2005
2. Approval of Minutes (February 17, 2005)
Commission Members
City Staff
3. Executive Session (Consultation with attorney regarding
complaints /comments involving the Civil Service Director, as authorized by Section
551.071 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.)
(Official recording of this meeting did not occur until after the end of the executive
session, which lasted from 3:12 p.m. to 6:10 p.m.)
4. Old Business
Chairman Filer called the meeting into open session. Discussion of the new Commission
rules would be delayed to allow attorney Bettye Lynn to check on some specific points of law.
This item will be discussed at the Commission's next scheduled meeting of April 7.
5. New Business
Chairman Filer called for a motion regarding the employment of a Civil Service Director.
Mr. Monaghan moved that the Commission retain the Director of Civil Service (Jan Stricklin) on
a continuing basis to facilitate a transition, and to fulfill the responsibilities of the Commission to
police officers and firefighters. He further requested Ms. Lynn draft an agreement for the
retention of Ms. Stricklin as a consultant to the Commission, and continue as the Director of
Civil Service henceforth. Dr. Harris seconded the motion, which was unanimously approved.
Civil Service Commission Minutes of April 1, 2005
6. Report from Director
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Ms. Stricklin noted that testing for police officer would occur in May, after the
graduation of the class from Vernon College. Lateral applications will be accepted for testing at
the same time. In September, there will be testing for police officers from another graduating
class from Vernon, or any other colleges that are graduating at that time, as well as from laterals.
The police department currently has six vacancies.
In the last few months, validation of physical abilities testing occurred in the fire
department, and will soon be conducted in the police department.
She added that, with the upcoming hiring of a new fire chief, there might be some
opportunities for promotional exams.
7. Report from Police Chief
Chief Bachman noted that the hiring process, as discussed by Ms. Stricklin, would soon
begin from graduates of Vernon Colleges, and laterals. Determinations will be made in the near
future regarding the physical ability standards to be used by the department.
8. Report from Fire Chief
Chief Lindsey noted that firefighters were able to provide input into the new Civil
Service Commission rules. The new rules will be a step forward for the City, and will be
accepted by the ranks since they had a voice in the revisions.
He asked Mr. Stricklin to consider posting an entrance exam for the fire department in the
very near future. Ms. Stricklin said she would take that request into consideration.
9. Executive Session (Consultation with attorney regarding
complaints /comments involving the Civil Service Director, as authorized by Section
551.071 of the TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE.
The Commission did not adjourn into this second executive session.
10. Adjourn.
Chairman Filer called for a motion to adjourn. Mr. Monaghan so moved, seconded by
Dr. Harris. The motion unanimously carried. The meeting adjourned at 6:23 p.m.
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