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CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION COMMITTEE MINUTE]
October 10, 1985
The regular meeting was called to order by Chairman T. Richard Reid at 8 a.m.
In Attendance: Chairman Reid, Commissioners Michele G. Hinz and Joseph A.
Street, City Attorney DiJulio, Assistant City Administrator
Webby, Acting Chief Byerly and Battalion Chief Bond
Mr. Street moved, Ms. Hinz seconded to approve the Minutes of the September
19, 1985 meeting as submitted. Motion carried.
Mr. DiJulio reported that on Monday, Mr. Nirk was paid $100,000, and on
Tuesday, he wired to New York for an annuity of $150,000, Settlement Agreement
signed. The necessary court documents have been executed arid are awaiting
filing.
The Commission agreed that the Civil Service workshop of October 4, with
Mr. DiJulio's participation, was excellent and they feel 'that they are
fortunate in having him as their legal advisor.
Copies of the memo of September 20, 1985, from the City' Att6rney, regarding
"temporary appointment" were distributed. Mr. Street moved,-,' Ms. Hinz
seconded, to accept the memo into the record. Motion carried. According to
the memo, "The current temporary appointment of the Acting. Chief of Police may
extend for an additional six months in the following year, and still be
consistent with the rules of the Commission." In respons# -to the Chairman' s
question, Mr. Webby responded that the six-month period for Acting Chief of
Police will expire on or about January 10, 1986. Mr. DiJolio brought up the
point that there was nothing to preclude any position fro], going into
disability and the inability to fill that position until' disability status is
known. He recommended redrafting Rule XII , Section 5, to- provide for an
alternative where a temporary appointment could be considered as a result of
disability application before retirement, that the Commission may extend the
six month period. The Commission agreed to have the City Attorney draft such
a proposal.
Battalion Chief Bond reported the date of the firefighter written exam has
been rescheduled for November 14 and 15, 1985 at Kentridge High School. The
dates of the succeeding exam will be rescheduled accordingly.
Mr. Webby reported briefly on Chief Skewes' disability status and that,
according to the local board and Doctors' opinions, it seems likely that the
disability will continue through the six-month period. Mr. Webby stated that
with only three and one-half months remaining on that disability, recruitment
for the position of Police Chief is complex and requires a significant amount
of time. He proposed a process a little different from the previous Public
Safety Head position which was recruited nationally and in-house, with Public
Safety Managers from cities throughout the State reviewing applications and
the process concluded with an assessment center. In this case, he proposed
using an executive search firm to help in efforts to recruit mainly in the
Western region of the United States. He further explained the process would
be for the executive search firm to conduct all of the advertising and
recruitment, do background and profile on the file candidates based on our
existing classification. Then they would recommend to the City a group of
final candidates for further testing. -The test that Mr. Webby proposed for
the final candidates, he said, may include an interview, background evaluation
of technical expertise, and may or may not include an assessment center.
Physical and psychological evaluations would also be recommended. Mr. Webby
requested the Commission' s approval on the first phase of the recruitment
process, namely the use of the executive search firm to begin to advertise and
solicit applicants for the position. He noted the City's use of executive
search firms for the positions of Department Managers of the City, such as
City Attorney and Department of Information Services. He felt that the best
option is to begin the process immediately rather than wait for the six-month
period to elapse. He will return to the Commission and outline the criteria
and recommend the process to be used to evaluate the final candidates at a
later meeting.
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In response to Mr. Street's question, Mr. Webby responded t --the re is no
conflict in the proposal with the Union contract.
On the subject of minimum qualifications, Mr. DiJulio recommended setting the
qualifications before advertising begins. Mr. Webby suggested, in addition to
the qualifications in Rule VII, Section 6, include three years experience and
a Bachelor' s Degree in Police Administration or public, or business related
field/or with a two-year degree, five years experience.
Ms. Hinz expressed concern that the qualifications do not include the ability
to perform police officer duties. Mr. Webby pointed out that the job
description for Police Chief is not part of the rules, that the components of
the examination process may include medical and/or psycholoo cal' exams. The
Chairman stated that the Commission approved the job descriptions at the
Personnel Department's request, and that someone who does, notI possess those
qualifications cannot be hired. Acting Chief Byerly commented that in
considering Mr. Webby's recommendation, the manager of the department could
not be a Police Officer, which is contrary to the criteria established by the
Commission rules for Chief, meaning "Lieutenant or above."
Mr. Webby proposed to advertise the educational and experieocd requirements as
a minimum qualification he proposed earlier, in concurrence with Section l of
the Rule, and advertise for ability to pass physical and/or psychological
examinations and any other exam that will be certified and 4pproved by the
Commission. Mr. DiJulio assured that the process is always going to have come
back to the Commission for approval , but if the Commission'feels the Chief
should possess the physical abilities necessary to perfort 0 duties of
police officer for the City, it is appropriate to include' it,st this time.
Mr. Street moved to approve the Personnel Department's proposal to advertise
for the position of Police Chief, and include "possess the knowledge and
physical ability necessary to perform the duties of a police officer of the
Kent Police Department." The Chairman added, "including any other such
requirements. " Ms. Hinz seconded. Motion carried. Mr. DiJulio advised
amending to read, "Commission will accept, with the change, the
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recommendations of the Personnel Department." Ms. Hinz so moved, Mr. Street
seconded. Motion carried.
Mr. Webby specified to include the education and experience required, as well
as use the executive search firm. Mr. Street so moved, Ms. Hinz seconded.
Motion carried.
Copies of the letter to the Commission from Alan J. Emerson, undated, and
Acting Chief of Police Byerly, dated October 9, 1985, were distributed.
Acting Chief Byerly recommended granting Mr. Emerson' s request for
reinstatement as per Rule XVI , Section 4. Mr. Street moved to accept the
letters and approve the reinstatement of Alan J. Emerson to the position of
Police Officer. Ms. Hinz seconded. Motion carried.
Mr. DiJulio made a request for the November meeting to discuss the inclusion
in the rules of the pretermination hearing rule, to which the Commission
agreed.
The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, November 21 , 1985, at 8 a.m. in
the Council Chambers. Mr. Street moved to adjourn the meeting, Ms. Hinz
seconded. Motion carried at 9:20 a.m.
Respectively submitted,
Amy Kato
Secretary and Chief Examiner
Approved:
T. Richard Reid
Chairman
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