Civil Service Commission Minutes - 12/19/2013 MINUTES OF THE FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS'
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION RECEIVED IN
December 19, 2013 CITY CLERK'S OFFICE
DATE:
Present: By: _ _TIME:
Penny Miller, Chair §
Carol DuBray § Commission Members
Christi Klyn, Civil Service Director §
Julia Vasquez, First Assistant City Attorney §
Jim Dockery, Interim Civil Service Director §
Earl Foster, Fire Chief § City Staff
Jon Reese, Assistant Fire Chief §
Manuel Borrego, Police Chief §
Rosemary Nauman, Human Resources Generalist §
Chris Duncan, Captain §
Paul Short, Lieutenant §
Tim Moffett, Lieutenant §
Terry Hillard, Fire Equipment Operator § WFFD Personnel
Keith Tressler, Fire Equipment Operator §
Michael Kelly, Firefighter §
Genaro Meza, Firefighter §
Travis Shelton, Firefighter §
Trent Mays, Firefighter §
Absent:
Jim Heiman § Commission Member
1. CALL To ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by Commissioner Miller.
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES(JUNE 17, 2013)
Carol DuBrav moved, seconded by Penny Miller, that the minutes be approved. The
motion carried.
3. CONSIDERATION AND APPOINTMENT OF NEW CIVIL SERVICE DIRECTOR
Jim Dockery introduced Christi Klyn to the Commissioners for their approval as the new
Director of Civil Service (replacing Tammy Guerra, who left the City on September 6). He has
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been serving as Civil Service Director in the interim. A total of 82 applicants applied for the
position of Human Resources Manager. After pre-interview testing, four were selected for
panel interviews with certain City staff. He then interviewed the two recommended finalists,
and hired Ms. Klyn to fill the position. She began with the City on December 2.
Ms. Klyn has eight years' experience in Human Resources with ABB Control and Cryovac,
and has spent the last four years at Midwestern State University as an Assessment Specialist in
the Accreditation Program. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and one in Psychiatry,
and a Master's in Art in Training and Development. He recommends her highly for the position
as Civil Service Director.
Ms. DuBray moved, seconded by Ms. Miller, that Ms. Klyn be appointed as the Civil
Service Director.The motion carried.
4. REVIEW APPEALS OF PROMOTIONAL EXAMS
FIRE CAPTAIN(EXAM ADMINISTERED DECEMBER 9,2013)
QUESTION 41. All flammable and combustible liquids maintained in the facility must be:
(A) Isolated in a safe room; (B) Labeled in specific containers; (C) Identified for MSDS purposes;
(D) Inventoried and have material safety data sheets collected on each item.
"D" is the answer key's correct response. Christopher Short agreed that "D" was a
correct answer, but argued that "B" should also be accepted. Answer B's text is found in the
study material, as it is specific in the type of container, and requires they be marked (or
labeled).
Tim Moffett objected to the appeal. He went through every question on the test; each
correct answer is verbatim from the study materials, including for Question 41. If this test
question is changed, it would affect the credibility and legitimacy of the test.
Commissioner DuBray moved that the appeal be denied and the answer key be upheld
for Question 41. Ms. Miller stated that due to the Commission's past practice of upholding
the answer key if the answer is verbatim from the source material, she would second that
motion.The motion carried.
FIRE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR(EXAM ADMINISTERED DECEMBER 2,2013)
QuESTIoN 37. All of the following are basic categories of master stream devices EXCEPT:
(A) unset pipe; (B) monitor; (C)set; (D)nova pipe.
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"D" is the answer key's correct response. Michael Kelly argued that "C" should also be
accepted as an accepted answer, as there is not a "set" referenced in the source materials (but
there is a "deluge set").
Commissioner DuBray moved that answers "C" and "D" be designated as correct
responses to this "Except" question. Seconded by Commissioner Miller,the motion carried.
QUESTION 47. All of the following are a few general rules to consider with regard to
backing up an apparatus EXCEPT: (A) do not position the apparatus into a space where backing
up will be necessary; (8) walk all the way around the apparatus to clear obstructions and
observe hazards before backing; (C) back gently and slowly when without spotters; (0) use one
or more spotters whenever necessary.
"C" is the answer key's correct response. The Appellant (who did not attend the
meeting) argued that the question should be dropped from the test, as the source material
regarding spotters is confusing and contradictory.
Commissioner DuBray felt the text in the book was clear, and moved that the appeal
be denied and the answer key be upheld for Question 47. Seconded by Commissioner Miller,
the motion carried.
Question 59. Aerial device stress can occur from one or a combination of all of the
following conditions EXCEPT: (A) wind reaction; (8) operation in nonparallel positions (uphill,
downhill, or lateral grades); (C)length or aerial device extension; (D) inexperienced operator.
"D" is the answer key's correct response. The Appellant (who did not attend the
meeting) argued that all answers should be accepted as correct because improper operation of
an aerial device is due to inexperience.
Commissioner DuBray opined that the question and answer are clear in the source
material, and moved that the answer key be upheld for Question 59. Seconded by
Commissioner Miller,the motion carried.
Question 84. The Company Officer shall provide a lookout to assist the driver anytime
the apparatus is in: (A) reverse motion, the lookout shares the responsibility for safe operations
of the apparatus; (8) an alley situation; (C) a crowded parking lot; (0)a tight corner.
"D" is the answer key's correct response. Michael Kelly argued that both "A" and "D"
are correct answers to this poorly-worded question. Ms. Klyn told the Commission that the
answer key is incorrect; "A" is the correct answer. The question should be eliminated from the
test. Chief Earl Foster wanted the Commission to be aware that if the question is eliminated,
the test will be based upon 99 points, where each question will be worth 1.01 points, and that
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would affect the results of the promotional exam. Julia Vasquez said the Commission can
accept both answers as correct.
Commissioner DuBray moved that both "A" and "D" be accepted as correct answers to
Question 84. Seconded by Commissioner Miller,the motion carried.
5. REPORT FROM FIRE CHIEF
Fire Chief Earl Foster thanked the Commissioners for their service. The Department
currently has 10 vacancies. They are testing this coming Saturday for firefighters. After
Monday's Civil Service meeting to hear fire lieutenant appeals, all promotional tests will be
valid.
6. REPORT FROM POLICE CHIEF
Police Chief Manuel Borrego said the department currently has 11 vacancies, and a
lieutenant is retiring at the end of the month. Amending the entry-level physical fitness testing,
resulted in 70 out of 112 passing the test. Fifteen (including one female) are going into the next
police academy. A sergeant's exam was held December 13; tomorrow is the last day for appeals
from that test.
7. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
Penny Miller, Chairman
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