02/17/1997 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Police Chief Viola provided the commission with a copy of recent revisions to the Ohio Revised Code Section 124.27 titled "Appointments; certified and provisional; probationary period." He advised this section was updated in 1996 to allow the commission to certify up to ten names for any position opening. Chief Viola asked that the commission allow five or six names. He believed ten was too many due to the cost factor. Fire Chief Osterhouse agreed increasing the number of names certified is beneficial as sometimes the most qualified candidates score lower on the list, due to the way extra credit points are distributed. Chief Viola asked that the commission research this and decide if the suggestion would be acceptable. The commission reviewed page 15 of the current Rules and Regulations handbook (Rule III -Appointments, section A). Chief Viola advised, currently the commission certifies three names for an opening. One of the three candidates is hired and the other two passed by for the first time. If there is a second opening, the appointing authority is certified one. additional name so that they always have three names. The secretary noted, after a candidate is passed by for the third time he/she is removed from the eligibility list. Chief Viola advised that the commission can be more restrictive then the O.R.C., but cannot be less restrictive. He elaborated this means the commission cannot have a rule allowing for the certification of more than ten names. It was clarified, modifying this rule would effect every civil service entry level position. The secretary advised, if the commission changes this rule as previously noted, changes may be needed elsewhere in the handbook as well. She elaborated, if the appointing authority decides to hire the top three names from the eligibility list, the candidates ranked forth and fifth have been passed by three times and are automatically removed. The commission and both chiefs agreed the number of times a candidate is passed by should be equivalent to the number of names certified. The commissioners agreed to consider a change in this area. Chief Viola agreed to present this information to the Safety Director, and explain the commissions consensus on the matter. The Safety Director can then get the opinions of the Mayor, Personnel Director, and Law Director, when they meet to discuss the handbook. V. NEW BUSINESS: A) The Community Cabin has been reserved for the evening of April 23, 1997 for the purpose of the police officer examination. The Commission must set a passing score for this examination. This examination is divided into the following four sections: Mathematics, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Incident Report Writing. Standard & Associates recommends that a passing score be set for each section of the examination. At the last test the passing score for each section was set at 75%. There were no objections to setting the passing score at 75%. S. Benjamin moved to set the passing score at 75%, seconded by L. Zolar and unanimously approved. The passing score was set at 75%. B) Review of police packet. Does anybody have any changes or additions to the police packet? The secretary noted there have been a couple simple ones such as eliminating the extension and capitalizing the title Ohio Peace Officer Training Council Certification. The receptionist has requested that the commission refrain from publishing any extension numbers as the phone system is currently being updated and all extension numbers will change. The secretary asked if the commission would consider increasing the filing fee. She advised that it will cost the city $26.00 for each applicant tested. If the commission charges only a $20.00 filing fee, the city loses $6.00 for every person tested. The secretary noted the filing fee for the last fire test was $30.00, and wondered if this amount would be acceptable for the police. The commission agreed to increase the filing fee to $30.00 due to inflation.