HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Civil Services Commission - 10/22/1987 (3) CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES
October 22, 1987
The regular meeting was called to order by Chairman T. Richard Ried, at 8 a.m.
In attendance: Commissioners Michele G. Hinz and Joseph A. Street.
Also in attendance: Administrative Assistant Webby, Chief Angelo, Chief
Frederiksen, Capt. Byerly, and Battalion Chief Fronsdahl .
Assistant Chief Aldridge arrived during the latter part of
the meeting.
Mr. Street moved to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 17, 1987 as
submitted. Ms. Hinz seconded, and the motion carried.
Chief Angelo reported that the three recruits in the academy are doing well and
will complete their course in three weeks. In addition, Chief Angelo invited the
Commission members and their spouses to the Department's appreciation night on
November 14 at the Cypress Inn, between 7 and 12 p.m.
Capt. Byerly noted that inasmuch as the current lateral entry eligibility list
expires on January 16, 1988, and in anticipation of new positions in 1988,
requested authorization to commence the second lateral entry exam process to have a
new list certified in January. Chairman questioned if it will have the same
procedures as the last exam. Chief Frederiksen responded it will, with two
exceptions. He requested a written test and an assessment center in place of the
• oral interview. Advertising will begin November 1 and end November 30.
Mr. Street moved to approve the Department's request to prepare a lateral entry
exam with an eligibility list to be in effect upon the expiration of the current
list. Chairman asked the sequences concerning the two exceptions. Chief
Frederiksen responded that he would like to conduct a written test to screen to an
acceptable number those who will proceed to the assessment center. The sequence
will be: accept applications, review applications for qualifications, written
test, physical fitness, and assessment center. Mr. Street amended the motion to
include the two additional tests and delete the oral interview. Ms. Hinz seconded,
and the motion carried.
Mr. Street reported on the Civil Service conference held on October 15, that it was
an extremely worthwhile conference, but noted that the Commission has not been
following the requirements by not physically going over the Police and Fire
examinations. Mr. Webby, who also attended the conference, stated that while the
Commission has to approve and certify the testing process, the actual physical
examination and evaluation of test questions seems to be burdensome and offered to
research with the Secretary. Chairman instructed Mr. Webby and secretary confer
with the City Attorney and obtain a determination. Chairman recalled, before
approving the lateral entry process, the Commission went over in detail , each phase
of that process.
Chief Frederiksen also commented on the conference and said he found the conference
to be very valuable and beneficial to him and his staff. Mr. Webby noted it is the
most popular conference that L.G.P.I. sponsors.
Battalion Chief Fronsdahl reported that the Fire Administration has reviewed the
physical agility test events to make the test more job related, and has modified
the upper body strength portion of that test. The revised test was conducted on
all duty shift personnel with the slowest time being 4 minutes, 56.25 seconds. The
total test time to be allowed for the firefighter test will be 5 minutes. The
physical agility will be conducted on October 31 and November 1 . Mr. Street moved
to approve the physical agility test as presented. Ms. Hinz seconded, and the
motion carried.
The letter dated September 21 , 1987, from Chief Frederiksen, regarding the
termination of probationary Police Officer Robert Hobdy, effective September 21 ,
1987, was read. Ms. Hinz moved and Mr. Street seconded to accept the letter into
the record. Motion carried.
The question was asked by Chairman whether a pretermination hearing is necessary
for a probationary employee. Mr. Webby responded that it is not. However, Chief
Frederiksen responded that he did go through due process with Mr. Hobdy, giving him
the opportunity to present any information.
A letter, dated September 22, 1987, from the Kent Disability Retirement Board in
regard to the granting of a disability retirement to Larry Jilbert, effective
October 8, 1987, was read. Mr. Street moved, Ms. Hinz seconded, to accept the
letter into the record, and motion carried.
The request to take an early 1st Class Firefighter exam from Mitch Snyder was
read. Also submitted was a letter and a diploma attesting to his experience and
schooling in fire service training. A memo from the JATC committee giving their
• approval for Firefighter Snyder to take his 1st Class test on or about October 28,
1987, was also read. Ms. Hinz moved, Mr. Street seconded, to accept the
correspondence into the record, and the motion carried.
The memo of October 1, 1987, from Battalion Chief Fronsdahl , was read. It informed
of the hiring of three probationary firefighters, effective September 16, 1987:
Clifton Oleszko, Russell Albertson, and Robert Backstein. Mr. Street moved, and
Ms. Hinz seconded, to accept the memo into the record. Motion carried.
The memo of September 28, 1987, from Nancy Woo, Community Events Coordinator,
informing of a town hall meeting on November 19 at the Kent Senior Activity Center
was read. Commission members will notify the Secretary by November 12 if they plan
to attend.
The letter of September 15, 1987, from Chief Frederiksen, requesting the removal of
Gary E. Miller from the lateral entry eligibility list as a result of his
background investigation, was read. Ms. Hinz moved, Mr. Street seconded, to accept
the letter into the record, and the motion carried.
The memo of October 8, 1987, from Assistant Chief Aldridge, requesting Firefighter
Dennis Young be approved to take his 1st Class test early inasmuch as he has
satisfied all of the ATC requirements was read. A copy of L.H. Bates Vocational
Technical Institute certificate was attached. A memo, dated October 19, 1987, from
JATC granting approval for early 1st Class testing was also read. Mr. Street
moved, Ms. Hinz seconded, to approve Firefighter Young's request. Motion carried.
The correspondence and documents from firefighter applicant, Jeffrey L. Green, of
Rockland, Maine, was sent previously to the Commission members. Mr. Green requested
a waiver of our physical agility exam, substituting his documents from the Main State
Fire Academy Assessment Program, NFPA 1001 requirements, his medical certificate, and
competency record. When asked for the Department's recommendation, Chief Angelo
replied he felt comfortable with the written exam being conducted by a responsible
and competent proctor, but said he has extreme difficulty in evaluating a substitute
physical agility, assessment lab, or oral board, and be able to offer equal treatment
to all candidates. He recommended that beyond the written test, that procedure not
be used, that all candidates take the same testing process here as other candidates
to be equally assessed. Chief Angelo also recommended that exams, including
psychological and medical, be done by the Department's psychologist and physician.
Mr. Street moved to accept the Fire Chief's recommendation, that Mr. Green's request
not be allowed, and that he should take his physical agility exam, assessment lab,
and oral board, here under the supervision of the Civil Service Secretary. Ms. Hinz
seconded, and the motion carried.
Mr. Street also moved to have all exams, beyond the written exam, be conducted here
under the direction of the Kent Civil Service Commission. Ms. Hinz seconded, and the
motion carried. Secretary is to obtain an opinion by the City Attorney on this item.
Chief Frederiksen reported that Ernest R. Snodgrass reported for employment with the
Police Department on October 12, 1987, to fill one of the vacancies created by the
resignation of Patrice Gionson and the termination of Robert Hobdy. Ms. Hinz moved,
Mr. Street seconded, to accept his statement into the record. Motion carried.
The memo of October 19, 1987, from Assistant Chief Aldridge, informing that Fire-
fighter Eric Pedersen has successfully completed his probationary period, effective
October 16, 1987, was read. The memo of October 19, 1987, from Chief Angelo, infor-
mation of the promotion of Gary Read to 1st Class Firefighter, effective October 1,
1987, was read. Also read was the memo of October 19, 1987, from JATC recommending
Firefighter Kennedy be promoted to 1st Class Firefighter. Ms. Hinz moved, Mr. Street
seconded, to accept the correspondence into the record. Motion carried.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 19, 1987, at 8 a.m. in
the Council Chambers.
At 8:45 a.m. the meeting recessed to go into executive session to discuss a
firefighter applicant.
Meeting reconvened at 9:30 a.m. No action was taken and meeting -adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Amy rKato
Secretary and Chief Examiner
Approved:
T. Richard Ried
Chairman
253V-01V