HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Committees - Civil Services Commission - 12/20/1990 (5) CITY OF KENT
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
MINUTES
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS
December 200 1990
4:00 P.M.
Members Present: Robert Jarvis
Ron Forest
scheduling Conflict: Callius Zaratkiewica
Others Present: Chief Frederiksen, Captain Byerly, Chief
Fronsdahl, Officer Wilkowski, Attorney Koch,
Ed Chow, Captain C.E. Miller, Officer Painter,
Detective Woods, Don Olson, Officer S. Holt,
Officer K. Holt, Officer Gagner, Kathy Britton
and others.
The meeting was called to order at 4 : 06 p.m. by Chairman Robert
Jarvis.
REPORTS
Assistant City Attorney, Tom Brubaker- no report
Battalion Fire Chief, Don Fronsdahl- no report
Police Chief, Rod Frederiksen- no report
Personnel Director, Don Olsen- Officially announced that
Chief Frederiksen has tendered his resignation and will be
going on to the City of Vancouver as Police Chief.
City Administrator, Ed Chow has appointed Captain Byerly as
Provisional Chief of Police effective January 3rd, 1991.
On behalf of the Personnel Department knowing that this is a
major selection process and that Civil Service has a limited
staff Mr. Olson offered the Commission any assistance that the
Personnel Department could render.
Mr. Olsen stated that the Mayor had conveyed to him that there
is no necessity to go into emergency mode at this time and
that the Commission take the normal time span in the selection
process.
Page 2
Civil Service Minutes
December 20, 1990
OLD BUSINESS
Chairman Jarvis asked for a motion to approve the minutes from
the November 15, 1990 Civil Service Commission meeting.
Seconded and Carried.
Chairman Jarvis stated that the update of the Rough Draft
proposal for Civil Service Rules Revision would have to be
continued due to the fact that the City Attorney who has been
working on them was absent.
Chairman Jarvis also continued until the next meeting the
update on the proposal for Guidelines for hiring Part time and
temporary employees.
NEW BUSINESS
Chairman Jarvis motioned to Accept into Record the memo from
Chief Frederiksen dated November 27, 1990 tendering his
resignation effective January 3 , 1991. Seconded and carried.
Chairman Jarvis opened for discussion the letter from Attorney
Koch dated November 27, 1990 requesting an appeal on behalf of
• Officer R. Wilkowski.
Mr. Koch stated that his letter was appealing the decision of
the Chief of Police to transfer Officer Wilkowski from Traffic
to Patrol which involves a loss of pay. He stated that they
look at that as a demotion and asked the Commission to
investigate.
He stated that he had mailed a second appeal to the Commission
regarding the 3 day suspension of Officer Wilkowski effective
December 22nd. He asked the Commission to investigate that
matter also. For expediency he asked that the Commission
combine the 2 appeals.
Chairman Jarvis stated that he didn't see a problem with
combining them for the same hearing date. He then asked if
the second appeal had any Union involvement. Mr. Koch stated
that he was representing Officer Wilkowski on this.
Mr. Koch asked that the file leading to the disciplinary
action be made available to him and all other discovery matter
to see how they would present their defence back to the
Commission. Or, should it be necessary, to take to the formal
hearing.
Chairman Jarvis stated that it needed to be determined whether
or not the action taken was in fact a demotion.
Page 3
Civil Service Minutes
December 20, 1990
Mr. Koch stated that the two appeals are related. That they
both came out of the same factual matter.
Chairman Jarvis asked if Mr. Koch was stating that one was the
result of the other.
Mr. Koch stated that the Chief of Police may disagree and that
it would be fine with him if the Commission wished to reserve
that decision until Mr. Koch had a chance to look at the three
day suspension which might then give everyone a broader
picture and if he is incorrect he could withdraw that
portion.
Chief Frederiksen stated that he had no objection to combining
the two hearings on the same date but that they are two
separate issues and need to be addressed separately. They are
not the same issue at all.
Assistant City Attorney Brubaker added that the issue of
whether or not it is a demotion is something that the
Commissioners could decide on their own or if they chose to
look at the record and make a determination as to whether or
not it constitutes demotion.
• Chairman Jarvis stated that at this point the Commission could
not make a decision as to whether or not to hear it and that
could take some time unless a Special Hearing was called and
that Mr. Koch would be contacted.
With regard to the disciplinary action he moved to hear that
at the next regular meeting. If it seems that the next one is
appropriate to be heard they will also hear that.
Mr. Koch stated that he would not have time to prepare in time
for the next meeting and that he would not know how much time
he needed until he had seen the discovery and talked to any
witnesses. He asked that the appeal be put off until he got
the discovery and then coordinate the time for a hearing.
Chairman Jarvis stated that the next meeting would give
everyone a better feeling for where it stands and moved to
continue the matter until the next meeting, at which time a
date would be set. Seconded and carried.
Mr Koch inquired if he would have an opportunity to see the
investigation prior to that time.
Chairman Jarvis stated yes, with sufficient time before the
hearing.
Page 4
• Civil Service Meeting
December 20, 1990
Chairman Jarvis motioned to Accept into Record the appointment
Bulletin from City Administrator, Ed Chow appointing Captain
Dennis Byerly Provisional Police Chief effective January 3,
1991. Seconded and carried.
Chairman Jarvis motioned to Accept into Record the letter and
Assessment Center information for Police Chief
Recruitment/Selection Process dated November 30, 1990 from
Helen Terry. Seconded and carried.
Chairman Jarvis stated that the procedure for selection for
the Chief of Police was yet to be determined and Opened the
topic for Discussion.
Sergeant Painter stated that the Police Union had some ideas
on actual ways of being involved in the Selection Process and
welcomed the opportunity to present those ideas to the Chief
Examiner and the Commission.
Chairman Jarvis stated that the Commission was not looking for
any direct action at this time and that the procedure would be
addressed at the next regular meeting. He stated that before
• the Commission sets up the process he would encourage the
Administration, Police Union and Police Administration, if
they have any input, to get any information to the Commission
at least two weeks prior to the next meeting for review.
Chairman Jarvis moved to Accept into Record the memo from
Chief Frederiksen advising that Sgt Knute Hammer has been
transferred to the South King County Drug Task Force and
Detective Glenn Woods has been promoted to the rank of
Sergeant effective January 1, 1991. Seconded and carried.
Assistant City Attorney stated that the Law Department is
also ready to assist in all ways possible in the Selection
process for Chief of Police and that the Commission needed to
address City Attorneys request for direction.
Chairman Jarvis moved to Accept into Record the memo dated
December 13, 1990 from Roger Lubovich requesting direction by
the Commission on the procedure for selection of a new Police
Chief. Seconded and carried.
Chairman Jarvis moved to Accept into Record the memo dated
December 13, 1990 from Chief Fronsdahl requesting
approval to conduct a Fire Lieutenant's Promotional Exam in
• late February and an Assistant Chiefs Promotional Exam in
early March. Seconded and carried
Page 5
civil service Meeting
December 20, 1990
The Secretary Chief Examiner stated that she would be on
vacation from December 31st, 1990 to January 9th, 1991.
Chairman Jarvis moved to Accept into Record the certification
letter dated December 20, 1990 from the Secretary & Chief
Examiner establishing the Firefighters Eligibility List.
Seconded and carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 4: 22 p.m.
The next reuglar meeting is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. , January
17, 1991.
Respectfully submitted,
Catherine M. Dixon
Approved:
Robert Jarvis
Chairman