12/19/2002 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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d • the procedure to file a protest. Mr. Thomay asked if they will get a breakdown of all of the scores. Mrs. Rote said the information will not tell them what their score was before the percentage, as it is irrelevant. It is the percentage that counts. She said the board is to certify the final percentage sheet. She added the ® candidates can come in and review information. She added that it was spelled out that the requirement was for a combined score of 70% or better on both the oral and written tests. Mr. Thomay asked how long the oral assessments took. Mrs. Rote replied they were approximately 2 hours each. She indicated if the results are certified by the board, they will make it out in today's mail to the candidates. R. Giesser made a motion to certify the fire chief examination results as submitted. - The motion was seconded by P. Martin and unanimously approved. Commissioners need to address the 2003 budget to be submitted. Mr. Thomay indicated the budget summary looks straightforward. It indicates how many tests may be needed as well as what the board may need. Mrs. Rote pointed out that there are only 2 valid lists currently; the emergency central dispatcher list which will expire March 19, 2003, and the police entry level list which expires August 16, 2003. She indicated each director was sent a memo requesting his/her hiring and promotional intentions for 2003. She heard back from the Service Director who indicated the department of public service does not anticipate any new hiring during 2003, nor will they require any testing. She received an e-mail from Chief Ruple indicating that there will be 6 officers eligible to retire, although none of them have made any comments. She added that Chief Ruple feels that they need to maintain a current entry level list at all times. Chief Ruple also indicated he does not see the need at this time for any promotional lists. Mrs. Rote said she did ask the chief if all 6 officers are entry level and the chief indicated they are not. She said there are lieutenants and captains that are eligible. She said if that is the case, she believes promotional tests will be needed unless the chief s intent is to not fill those positions. Mrs. Rote said she received an e-mail today from Mr. Tom Klecan, the acting Fire Chief, indicating the fire department will have need of promotional testing for assistant fire chief, lieutenant, and entry level candidates. He did not indicate any hiring intentions for the year 2003. The police chief also did not address hiring intentions. Mrs. Martin asked if there is an assistant fire chief currently. Mrs. Rote indicated Tom Klecan is currently the assistant chief and the acting chief. Mr. Thomay asked if there is just one assistant chief. Mrs. Rote indicated that is correct. She said the issue of the assistant chief position will be addressed as the last item on the agenda. She then referred to page 4 and said when giving an entry level fire fighter written test, with 200 candidates, the cost would be $5,000. She said they may be able to get by without paying that. They could take that 5,000 and divide it by 200 and charge each candidate that much to take the exam. They cannot charge candidates for the advertising, the agility test, or further tests. The commission might be able to make it a bit less expensive if they charge a fee. Mrs. Giesser asked if that is only for entry level. Mrs. Rote indicated it is only entry level. Mr. Thomay asked for the time frame on approval of the budget requests. Mrs. Rote replied that the Mayor has asked for every departmental budget by the end of December because of the meetings and adjustments that have to take place. Mrs. Giesser asked if we can pass on the cost of physicals or eye exams. Mrs. Rote indicated we cannot since those exams are our requirement. The written test is something candidates elect to do. When we start requiring further things from them, we have to absorb the cost. She indicated there is a provision in the civil service handbook where a candidate can apply for a waiver of the fees. A candidate must show a hardship. She said when she worked on the figures for the written test of $5,000 it works out to $35 per candidate. We tend to select testing companies that provide study guides so they are paying $35 to take the test but are also provided study materials to help them. Mrs. Giesser asked if the city has ever before passed on those costs. Mrs. Rote replied they have passed on partial costs of the written test in the past. We cannot charge for assessors or monitors, as that is something that is mandated. She indicated there has always been a fee and there is usually no problem coming up with 200 candidates. She asked if they should keep the figures she has provided or if they need to be re -worked. She has estimated what she believes the testing company will charge. Mrs. Giesser indicated she would rather keep it in the budget that the board has the ability to pay for the testing. If when we reach that stage they decide it is beneficial for the city to pass on some or all of the cost, they can always do that. If we take it