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✓P <br />the commission is missing the fact that the decision negatively effects the status of himself as <br />well as several others on the certified list. Chairman. Cummings noted failing to allow Mr. <br />Prebis to compete will negatively effect his status. Mr. Hehnen did not believe Mr. Prebis <br />would take over his position as it is highly unlikely he will score a one hundred percent. Mr. <br />Hehnen noted, using the same logic he could, with a one hundred percent on the oral <br />assessment overtake Mr. Vane's position on the ranked list. He explained the proposed <br />compromise was prompted by many people searching for a solution to this problem and there <br />was no attempt to circumvent any administrative rules. An unidentified firefighter added the <br />attempt was to assist the commission in solving a problem created by the commission. <br />Commissioner Benjamin responded that the commission did not error but rather there was a <br />misinterpretation of the rules and regulations. An unidentified firefighter noted that the law <br />director states in his legal opinion that the civil service commission erred. Mr. Cummings <br />agreed with Mrs. Benjamin that it was a misinterpretation of the rules. Mr. Hehnen noted he <br />was told before taking the written test that he would have to take both the written and the oral <br />portions of the examination prior to receiving credit for efficiency and seniority. He believed <br />the commission submitted something in writing confirming the same. It was questioned if Mr. <br />Hehnen included this in his protest. The commissioners reviewed the protest. Mrs. Kasler <br />noted that there was written documentation to the civil service commission which stated her <br />opinion, as she believed the rule read that seniority and evaluation points will be added in after <br />completion of both the written and oral portions of the examinations. Mrs. Kasler believed the <br />rule should be clarified so,that this problem does not occur again. Mr. Cummings noted it is <br />clarified, in the revised handbook, extra credit points will be added in after completion of both <br />portions of the examination process. Chief Osterhouse explained, when the rule was written, <br />only the written exam was offered and there was no question as to when to add points for <br />extra credit. He wondered if the commission has modified the rule to include the oral <br />assessment. Mr. Cummings quoted from page 19 of the revised handbook, "Credit for <br />efficiency and seniority in promotional exams shall be added to the applicant's total score for <br />the written and/or oral portions of the exam. Credit will not be added to the applicants score <br />on the written portion of the exam, but only after completion of all portions of the examination <br />process." Mr. Cummings clarified Mr. Prebis filed his protest under page 17 of the old <br />regulations which states that "Credit for efficiency and seniority in promotional exams within <br />the fire and police departments shall not be a part of, but shall be a credit to be added to the <br />applicants grade resulting from the competitive examination provided the applicant receives in <br />the competitive examination." Mr. Cummings noted, the handbook does not address an <br />examination in two parts, and explained this is what caused the confusion. As a result of this <br />confusion, Mr. Prebis filed a protest believing that his extra credit points should have been <br />added in after the written test, yet before the oral exam. Mr. Cummings explained, in response <br />to this protest the commission made a decision. Many of the firefighters did not believe the <br />decision was fair and came back with an agreement they believed would solve the problem. <br />Mr. Cummings noted the agreement was not acceptable to the law department, because the <br />commission must fix a date of expiration. One of the firemen explained candidates ranked <br />third through sixth feel it is unfair for the commission to request a retake on the oral <br />assessment. He noted, candidate three must now compete against candidates four five and six <br />to maintain his current position.. Mr. Hehnen clarified, as a result of the retake, he may <br />overtake Mr. Gut's position on the list. Police Chief Viola stated reducing seniority and <br />evaluation points was unacceptable to the law department and questioned if there is another <br />solution. Mr. Cummings clarified that the point system and the extension of the list are <br />unacceptable to the law department, therefore the solution is unacceptable. Mr. Vance stated <br />the only solution would be for Mr. Prebis to withdraw his protest. Mr. Hehnen believed Mr. <br />