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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Civil Services Commission - 02/23/1989 CITY OF KENT CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES February 23, 1989 Members present: Bob Jarvis, Chairman; Robb Dreblow, Alex Thornton, Sue Viseth, Secretary Also present: Sandra Driscoll , City Attorney; Mike Webby, Assistant City Administrator; Rod Frederiksen, Police Chief; Norm Angelo, Fire Chief; Kathy Holt, Police Officer; Mark Cook, Police Officer Candidate The meeting was called to order at 8:10 a.m. by Chairman Jarvis. Mr. Jarvis moved to approve the amended minutes of the December 15, 1988 and the minutes of the January 19, 1989 meeting, seconded by Mr. Dreblow. Motion carried. OLD BUSINESS The Acting Secretary briefed the Commission on the status of the selection process for Civil Service Secretary and Chief Examiner. Out of 24 applicants for the position, 11 met the minimum requirements and were invited to the testing process. Seven passed both the typing and the written test. A list was provided to the Commission for certification of the seven finalists. Chairman Jarvis moved to certify the list. Mr. Dreblow seconded, motion carried. Chairman Jarvis then instructed the Acting Secretary to schedule the interviews for the seven finalists. Mr. Dreblow clarified that the interview panel would consist of a member of the Commission, a member of the Personnel staff and a member of the Mayor's staff. APPEAL - MARK COOK Chairman Jarvis entered a motion to enter into the record the letter from the Secretary to Mr. Cook, the letter from the Secretary to the Police Chief and the medical reports from Dr. Muier and Dr. Tueffers. Mr. Dreblow seconded, motion carried. Police Chief Frederiksen then approached the Commission and distributed copies of the LEOFF minimum medical and health standards. Chief Frederiksen clarified that these were the standards that had been utilized by the Department for the past several years. Chief Frederiksen directed the Commission to the section of the standards which identifies conditions of the heart (page 21, section J) which state "causes for rejection are all organic valvular diseases of the heart including those improved by surgical procedures". This sets the standard .,by which the department physician rejected Mr. Cook for employment as a poljc� officer. Chief Frederiksen then discussed a prior Commission decision in which Officer Paul Peter was hired by the Department and had a similar heart condition. Chief Frederiksen clarified that the Department doctor at that time did recommend rejection based on the heart condition of Mr. Peter. It was not until a specialist examined Mr. Peter and recommended him that the Department physician changed his recommendation and Mr. Peter was subsequently hired. 0 Chief Frederiksen stressed that the City must set and maintain standards with which all applicants for the position of police officer with the City of Kent must meet. Mr. Dreblow moved to accept into the record the documents which Chief Frederiksen presented to the Commission. Chairman Jarvis seconded, and the motion carried. Mr. Cook then addressed the Commission and provided copies of the minimum medical health standards for police officers used by the City of Seattle. Mr. Cook explained that his condition was not considered reason for rejection according to the health standards set by the City of Seattle. Mr. Cook also explained that Dr. Muier had stated that he did not feel that his condition was severe enough to merit disqualification for the position of police officer. Chairman Jarvis moved to accept Mr. Cook's documents as part of the record. Mr. Dreblow seconded and the motion carried. Chairman Jarvis announced that the Commission would move into executive session after all other business on the agenda had been discussed. NEW BUSINESS Chairman Jarvis moved to certify the Battalion Chief eligibility list. Mr. Dreblow seconded. Motion carried. Chairman Jarvis deferred action on the letter from Chief Frederiksen regarding the removal of names from the entry level police officer eligibility list since Mr. Cook's name appeared on the list. Chief Angelo informed the Commission that Firefighter Conway had resigned and that a letter was being forwarded to the Commission. Also under new business Chief Angelo advised the Commission that Firefighter Pat Pawlak had passed his examination for Firefighter First Class with a score of 94%. Mr. Cook then approached the Commission and asked if he would be able to present additional information after the decision is made on his appeal . Chairman Jarvis informed Mr. Cook that he has had that opportunity and that the Commission's decision would be final . Chairman Jarvis then moved that the Commission enter executive session for 15 minutes with a 5-minute break. Mr. Dreblow seconded. Motion carried. The Commission moved into executive session at 8:20 a.m. and returned from executive session at 8:35 a.m. Chairman Jarvis moved to bring the meeting back to order and informed the Commission that Alex Thornton, Commissioner, had just joined the meeting but would not be able to vote on the Cook appeal as he was not present for the testimony presented by Mr. Cook and Police Chief Frederiksen. Mr. Dreblow stated that the issue before the Commission is to determine whether or not the rules as they exist have been fairly applied. Given that the testimony received shows that the police standards are highly exacting and should not be - 2 - �� • 0 tampered with. Therefore the Commission will rule on whether the standards have been fairly applied. It appears that the medical authorittes in this situation are in agreement that Mr. Cook has the heart condition which is clearly a disqualifier by the Kent standards. He also stated that the Commission is not bound by the case six years ago involving Officer Peter. Mr. Dreblow then moved that Mr. Cook's appeal be denied. Chairman Jarvis seconded. Motion carried. Chairman Jarvis then moved to submit into the record the letter from Chief Frederiksen removing names from the entry level police officer's eligibility list. Mr. Dreblow seconded. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Aue *eh Acting Secretary and Chief Examiner Approved: Bob Jarvis, airman 500V-02V - 3 -