06/16/2008 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

three (3) times. The only concern with that change is that the Commission will be passing up very good candidates versus physically passing over candidates. The previous Safety Director, Tom Terbrack, and Police Chief Wozniak had reservations about the change. The Commission eventually chose to adopt the language because the Commission did not think it was untoward to have competition continue in the interview process. Those candidates are still in competition for whatever criteria that the appointing authority may apply. The Commission has looked at problems with five (5) certifications for a candidate; candidates were passed over again and again and not for reasons that would allow them to be removed voluntarily or involuntarily. Another concern for implementing the change would be potential unfairness to candidates still on the list who cannot be certified to a vacancy because of candidates who have been passed over and over. A lot of what the Commission does is balance interests, ranking and certifying candidates. At this point, the Commission will stay with this language; however, even though the Commission was unanimous in retaining this language, they want to see if this would better address the problems in the past. If this does not seem to fit the needs, the Commission can revert back to what they had previously. Mr. Boatman is not clear on the meaning of Rule XI, Layoffs, Section 5, Displacement Procedure b, 3. An inquiry was made if this was intended to prevent an unqualified candidate from assuming a position. Some of this is related to bumping and recall and if there is a recall you can theoretically have someone who is trying to bump back but is not holding the positions necessary for the person they are trying to come back into. The Fire Department has one Fire Chief, one Assistant Fire Chief, 4 Captains, 6 Lieutenants and the Firefighters below. Hypothetically, if the City decides to lay-off a Lieutenant and that Lieutenant has been in the position for five (5) years, the lowest Lieutenant would get laid off. An inquiry was made if he would lose his right to bump back down to a Firefighter. The Law Department believes what this section is trying to ensure is that if he bumps back down then he still carries the requirements of the position. The Fire Department is required to maintain the same certifications. The concern is the last sentence "...and held the classification not more than three (3) years prior." Some of the changes were changes in State Law that the Commission was considering to adopt into their local rules. The concern is that thisrrule may hurt the possibilities of promotions because candidates are looking for job security. The statute is part of the State Code and when this was adopted the Commission follows the State Law to some extent; on the other hand, the Commission can follow Home Rule. A suggestion was made striking the end of that last sentence. A discussion followed concerning the lay off of Fairview's Assistant Fire Chief; he lost his right to bump back down because he did not maintain his paramedic certification which was required to maintain by the city. An inquiry was made if this means in the bumping process if a person under you has held that position longer than three (3) years than that person cannot be bumped. The Law Department interprets this as being if you are promoted out of that classification and you have been gone more than three (3) years and should a lay off occur and affects you, first you look within your classification for someone with less seniority. If you have been gone from that classification for more than three (3) years you cannot bump. A suggestion was made to have Mr. Boatman submit correspondence in writing to the Commission for a more thorough review. V. NEW BUSINESS: The Commission has been informed that there will be a Road Foreman vacancy in the Service Department August 1, 2008. A call was made to Pat Ramsey of Ramsey & Associates; Mrs. Ramsey has tested for this position about eight (8) or so times; there would be 100 questions on the examination including questions on supervisor, management, and leadership, snow and ice removal, roads, storm sewers, pot holes etc.; the cost would be $680 for the first 40 applicants and $9 each thereafter; the salary range would be $36,400 - $62,400. The Road Foreman reports directly to the