Civil Service Commission Minutes - 10/23/2009MINUTES OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS'
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
October 23, 2009
Present:
Dr. Floyd Thornton
Penny Miller
Tammy Guerra, Civil Service Director
Julia Vasquez, First Asst. City Attorney
Laura Drury, Deputy Police Chief
Roger Ritchie, Battalion Chief
Linda Merrill, Recording Secretary
Tina Harmon, Human Resources
Dave Goodrich, Human Resources
Tim Pierson
Lloyd Cherry
Mike Davis
Karl Lillie
John Spragins
Absent:
Dr. Ernest Dover
1. CALL TO ORDER
§ Commission Members
§ City Staff
§ WFFD & WFPD Members
§ Commission Member
The meeting was called to order by Commissioner Thornton at 10:00 a.m.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES (SEPTEMBER 18, 2009)
Commissioner Miller moved, seconded by Commissioner Thornton, that the
September 18, 2009, minutes be approved. The motion unanimously carried.
3. REVIEW APPEALS OF PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION FOR THE FIRE
BATTALION CHIEF EXAMINATION BY VARIOUS FIREFIGHTERS, PURSUANT TO SECTION
143.034 OF THE TEXAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE AND RELATED CIVIL SERVICE
COMMISSION RULES
Civil Service Commission Minutes October 23, 2009 2
Question 62
Complaint: The answers given to this question are all correct; however, "d" is
shown as the correct answer.
Civil Service Director's Recommendation: This question should be eliminated.
Commission's Action: Commissioner Miller moved that the question be
eliminated. Seconded by Commissioner Thornton, the motion carried.
Question 89
Complaint: Answers A and B are too similar to be used, when one is deemed to
be incorrect.
Civil Service Director's Recommendation: The answer key should be sustained.
This question can be found verbatim in the source material.
Comments: Captain Tim Pierson agreed that the question can be found verbatim
in the source material. However, "area" and "district" are used interchangeably in the
day -to -day operations of the fire department. He would like "district" to not be used as
an incorrect answer, when "area" is the correct answer, as those terms are too similar.
Commission's Action: Commissioner Miller moved that the answer key be
sustained. Seconded by Commissioner Thornton, the motion carried.
4. ACTIONS ON REVISIONS TO THE CITY OF WICHITA FALLS FIREFIGHTER AND POLICE
OFFICERS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION RULES AND REGULATIONS [143.033 (SENIORITY
POINTS AND TIE - BREAKERS]
Civil Service Director Tammy Guerra noted that seniority points are addressed in
two sections in the Local Civil Service Rules (promotional testing and tiebreakers). The
recent administration of promotional tests brought to her attention the inconsistency in
the calculation of seniority points for testing and for tiebreakers. The change to the rules
will mean that seniority points will be calculated for both fire and police at the point they
are hired as firefighter trainees or police officers. It will be the same for tiebreakers. She
developed these proposed changes to the rules after meeting with the Police Chief and
Fire Chief. Commissioner Miller asked if the Chiefs were in agreement with these
changes. Ms. Guerra replied affirmatively.
Commissioner Miller moved that the proposed changes to the rules be approved;
seconded by Commissioner Thornton, the motion carried.
Julia Vasquez noted these changes must be posted for seven days at all fire
stations and at both locations of the police department before they go into effect.
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Civil Service Commission Minutes October 23, 2009 3
5. REPORT FROM FIRE CHIEF
Chief Ritchie said the department is currently one member short. A Captain's test
will be held November 6. From the eligibility list created from that test, they will promote
two captains.
6. REPORT FROM POLICE CHIEF
Chief Drury said the department is in the best shape it has been in for the past
several years. They are nine officers short. The City Council recently approved adding
four officers to serve as community service officers. There are three vacant positions,
and two members are on military leave. Eleven officers are riding with Field Training
Officers. They are accepting applications for the next Academy.
7. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
-o e
Floydfthornton, Commissioner
Penny Miller, Commissioner
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