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Civil Service Commission Minutes - 03/05/2008MINUTES OF THE FIREFIGHTERS' AND POLICE OFFICERS' CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION March 5, 2008 Bob Monaghan, Chairman § Commission Members Dr. Ernest Dover § Dr. Floyd Thornton § Julia Vasquez, First Assistant City Attorney § Earl Foster, Fire Chief § Dennis Bachman, Police Chief § City Staff Tammy Guerra, Human Resources Generalist § Jim Dockery, Director of Finance/ § Acting Director of Human Resources § Dave Goodrich, Human Resources § Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary § 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Monaghan called the meeting to order at 2:07 p.m. He noted that this meeting is being televised on the City's local channel. He introduced Commissioners Thornton and Dover, and explained that the Commission members serve as appointed, and administer the local and state civil service rules and regulations as applied to firefighters and police officers. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (JANUARY 10, 2008) Commissioner Thornton noted an error in the minutes on Daae 2. under Section 5. Executive Session. He was identified as Chairman Thornton rather than Commissioner Thornton. Subject to this correction being made, Commissioner Dover moved that the minutes be approved. seconded by Commissioner Thornton. The motion carried. 3. REVIEW AND APPROVE /DISAPPROVE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION RULE REVISIONS RESULTING FROM THE ADDITION OF THE FIRE MARSHAL'S DIVISION TO CIVIL SERVICE. Tammy Guerra noted the purpose of this revision is to change the wording to add the Fire Marshal Division into the Civil Service rules. Minutes of the Civil Service Commission Meeting March 5, 2008 2 Julia Vasquez stated that a change is requested to Section 143.023, which concerns eligibility for beginning positions in the police and fire departments. In January, the Fire Marshal Division was incorporated into Civil Service. The changes add in minimum eligibility requirements for Fire Investigator Trainee and the Assistant Fire Marshal. She referred them to Subsection (3) of the proposed rule change. Those minimum eligibility requirements are identical to the requirements for firefighters. They don't have to be certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection in structure fires; they don't take that test to be certified as firefighters. Also, Subsection (1) is different in that they have to have a peace officer certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education; firefighters do not. Subsection (m) pertains to the certification as a Fire Inspector and a Fire Arson Investigator. Section 5 deals with the rejection of applicants. The only change to that section is to include the classifications of Fire Investigator Trainee and Assistant Fire Marshal. Chairman Monaghan asked Chief Foster if he had participated and agrees with the changes set forth today. Chief Foster assured the Commission that he had, and that he does agree with the proposed changes. Chairman Monaghan observed that these new classifications will be certified peace officers. He then asked if their physical standards will be set by the police department as opposed to the fire department. Chief Foster replied that the classifications will take the police department's physical agility test, as they will perform similar duties to police officers. Commissioner Thornton moved that the recommended changes to Section 143.023 be approved as presented. Seconded by Commissioner Dover, the motion carried unanimously. 4. REVIEW AND APPROVE /DISAPPROVE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION RULE REVISIONS RESULTING FROM CLARIFICATION OF PROMOTIONAL TIE BREAKERS. Ms. Vasquez noted that the Commission met in the middle of last year, and one of the proposed revisions discussed at that time concerned promotional tiebreakers. The Assistant Fire Chief requested that item be tabled for further review. The proposed change before the Commission is a joint effort between the Police Chief and Fire Chief to amend the promotional tiebreaker section. Ms. Vasquez cleaned up some language in the seniority points section (Subsection 1) to make it consistent with Chapter 143, as that section refers to classified police officers, but refers to firefighters as simply firefighters. Minutes of the Civil Service Commission Meeting March 5, 2008 3 Subsection (2)(c) changes serve to clarify that the civil service exam is the entrance exam. There is no longer a BOLPOL test, nor any other test to put a candidate on the eligibility list. Subsection (d) defines seniority simply for the purposes of this section. The Police Chief and Fire Chief agree to this language. Seniority is based upon how it is established in the respective departments. The Fire Department places candidates on the seniority list upon graduation from the Academy. The Police Department uses the date that the officers become certified peace officers through TCLEOSE. Ms. Vasquez continued, stating that the coin toss as an action to break a tie has been added in the place of "by lot." Chairman Monaghan asked for confirmation from both Chiefs that they agree to the proposed changes. Both Chiefs expressed such confirmation. Commissioner Dover moved, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, that the recommended changes to Section 143.033 be approved as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 5. REPORT FROM POLICE CHIEF Chief Bachman noted that the recruits are doing well in the Academy. He anticipates beginning the application process in the next several months, and begin a new Academy in September or October. 6. REPORT FROM FIRE CHIEF Chief Foster stated that the most recent Fire Academy graduated last Friday, and 14 of those graduates joined the ranks of the Wichita Falls Fire Department. The Department has three vacancies; if a few more vacancies occur, they will advertise and test for a certified -only, mini - Academy. That has been done in the past and good response was received. However, if the vacancy rate increases to eight to twelve positions, they will conduct a full - fledged Academy. He then noted that current FEO exam is expired. He is working with the Civil Service Director to purchase another exam. They do not have a vacant FEO position, but he is aware of a couple of pending retirements. Commissioner Thornton said he was very impressed with the graduation ceremony. He understands the State requires 450 hours of training to be accredited, but the Wichita Falls Fire Department Academy consists of 750+ hours. He noted that the average score was 95 %, and two candidates aced the exam. Minutes of the Civil Service Commission Meeting March 5, 2008 4 the Wichita Falls Fire Department Academy consists of 750+ hours. He noted that the average score was 95°x6, and two candidates aced the exam. Chairman Monaghan and Commissioner Dover both congratulated the Chief on the Academy's success. They were both out of town and expressed their regrets at being unable to attend the graduation. 7. REPORT FROM CW SERVICE DIRECTOR Ms. Guerra informed the Commission that testing will held for the Fire Investigator Trainee at the end of March. Recruiting is occurring for the Police Trainee position and testing will occur in May. Both departments have forecasted promotional tests sometime during the year, and she is in the process of purchasing those tests. That has been the majority of her work thus far regarding Civil Service, aside from attending the Texas Public Employer Labor Relations Association and Civil Service Workshops in Galveston a few weeks ago. Chairman Monaghan expressed the Commission's appreciation for Ms. Guerra's support. 6. Awoum The meeting adjourned at 2:22 p.m.