05/24/2004 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CITY OF NORTH OLMSTED "TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!" SPECIAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MAY 24, 2004 MINUTES I. ROLL CALL: Chairwoman Giesser called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. PRESENT: Chairwoman R. Giesser, Board members M. Ubaldi and W. Hohmann. ALSO PRESENT: Assistant Law Director B. O'Malley, Police Chief G. Ruple, Fire Chief Klecan, Assistant Fire Chief Robertson and Civil Service Secretary D. Rote. II. DISPOSITION OF MINUTES: The Civil Service minutes dated May 17, 2004 have been submitted for approval. R. Giesser motion to approve the May 17, 2004 Civil Service minutes as written. M. Ubaldi seconded the motion which was unanimously approved. Police Chief Ruple reviewed his department's involvement with the Cuyahoga Community College program which developed an agility test validated for North Olmsted police officers. He is concerned that the candidates understand that they must maintain a valid certification throughout the two year period of the certified list. They should not be allowed to let the certification expire or that should be grounds for removing a name from the list. It was suggested that in the result letters a reminder letter be placed in each candidate's letter reminding them that their Agility Certification must be valid at time of interview. Both Police and Fire Chief wanted the wording the same for each department. Ms. Giesser suggested the following wording for both Police and Fire candidates. Candidates shall submit (valid certification) dated within one year to the Civil Service Commission within 60 days of the date of the commission's letter notifying them of their passing written examination score and must maintain current certification dated within one year for the duration of the eligible list. Chief Ruple indicated that under promotional examinations for Police & Fire he has a concern regarding strictly using state code to regulate the entire examination process. State Code allows Police Officers and Fire Fighters to carry their seniority points from one department to another. Currently the Civil Service Handbook states candidates are not allowed to carry their seniority points from another department to North Olmsted departments. He would like that to remain in effect. State code also indicates that every time there is an opening the appointing authority is to receive the top 15 names current Civil Service Handbook indicates the top 5 names which he would like to see remain the same as well. He asked that while the Civil Service Commission updates their Handbook they review each of the state codes thoroughly so they can make sure it address the needs of the North Olmsted Departments not just the State generally. If the commission strictly refers to State Code it could adversely affect the Civil Service and the Police and Fire departments. The commission asked if the Police chief had any objections to following State Code regarding hiring age limits which are minimum 21 years of age and maximum 35 years of age at time of appointment. Chief Ruple had no objections to age limits. Ms. Giesser indicated that the commission would keep the wording for seniority and the submittal of the top 5 names per opening. Ms. Giesser thanked Chief Ruple for coming to discuss his concerns with the commission. At this point in the meeting Chief Ruple had to leave for another appointment. III. CORRESPONDENCE: IV. OLD BUSINESS: 1. Continued discussion of the Police and Fire entry-level sections of the Civil Service Handbook. Ms. Giesser indicated that the commission would start in the preamble section of the handbook. The commission questioned what the average charge was for copies of documents. The clerk reviewed that for