HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-10-30 MinutesMINUTES OF A MEETING
OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
October 30,2006
A meeting of the Civil Service Commission was held on October 30 at 8:30am in Room 111
of the City Administration Building at 113 W Mountain St., Fayetteville, AR to finalize the
changes to the Rules and Regulations of the Civil Service Commission.
PRESENT: Commissioners Bittle, Adelman, Coppinger, Ferguson and Hart
ABSENT: Commissioners Augustine and Brown
The session was called to order by Commission Chairman Coppinger
The Commission then entered into discussion regarding the proposed changes to the Rules
and Regulations.
Chairman Coppinger proposed that the Commission review the Human Resources requests
in the order submitted. Commissioner Hart suggested that the Commission Review Section
2:07 as requested in the May 1 minutes by Commissioner Brown. After some discussion, no
change to the rules or the guidance given by the Commission in May, 06 was recommended.
Starting with the Changes submitted by Human Resources:
Section 1:04a and 2:05b- proposal to set the passing score as validated and assessed by the
testing services for each test.
Michele Bechhold, HR Director stated that the reason for this recommended change was to
make the rule consistent with that of the Police Department for both entry level and
promotional exams.
Commissioner Hart expressed that the City of Fayetteville tends to get the cream of the crop
in applicants and the only reason she could see lowering the score would be if the City were
unable to get the necessary applicants.
Commissioner Bittle
asked that if having a
higher score than
recommended by the testing
service would leave
the Commission
open
to a challenge
by
applicants.
Kit Williams, City Attorney stated that was a possibility. If the City eliminated some applicants
that would have been considered to have passed by the testing standards, we could open
ourselves to a challenge. Michele Bechhold agreed that it was possible that the process
could result in an adverse impact claim.
Commissioner Adelman stated that using the recommended score would leave the
commission in a more defensible position.
Commissioner Bittle moved to approve the changes as presented. Commissioner Adelman
Seconded. In favor — Commissioners Ferguson, Bittle, Adelman, Coppinger Opposed —
Commissioner Hart
Section 5:01 — HR recommendation to add statement regarding the list of disciplinary action
items as shown: " the following list of items relating to failure in conduct is representative but
not limited to those considered to be adequate grounds for disciplinary action:"
Commissioner Hart made a motion to adopt and Commissioner Bittle seconded. The motion
carried.
Section 5:03 — HR recommendation to eliminate the distinctions between sections A and B
and allow paragraph A to stand and apply to both departments.
Michele Bechhold stated that this would increase consistency between departments.
Commissioner Hart asked if it was important to keep the distinction between types of shifts in
the statement. Chief Johnson stated that this was not an issue. He concurred with the
requested change.
Commissioner Coppinger stated if the language is adopted the Fire Department will be
required to figure out how many shifts in the 30 day suspension. Chief Johnson stated that he
concurred with the request and there would not be a problem.
Commissioner Adelman made a motion to accept the amendment. Commissioner Ferguson
seconded. The motion carried.
The Commission then reviewed Police Chief Tabor's proposed changes.
Section 2:02c — was recommended to be changed from 8 years continuous service to 10
years continuous service, since in order to meet other requirements, 10 years was the
earliest possible promotion date.
Commissioner Ferguson made a motion to accept the change, Commissioner Bittle
seconded and the motion carried.
Section 2:02d
2:02d
was
recommended by
the Police Department
to change 10 years to 12 years
since that
was
the
earliest promotion
date possible.
of Deputy
Chief
of Police.
Commissioner Bittle made a motion to approve the change. Commissioner Adelman
seconded and the motion carried.
Section
2:02d
— Police department requested that
all sections of
the rules that refer to the
Deputy
Police
Chief are changed to the preferred
title
of Deputy
Chief
of Police.
Commissioner Hart made a motion to change all reference throughout the Rules and
Regulations to the preferred title of Deputy Chief of Police. Motion was seconded by
Commissioner Ferguson and the motion carried.
Section 2:02g- recommendation by the Police Department to change the look -back period to
within 5 years immediately preceding the date of the promotional exam for purposes of this
section.
After some discussion, Commissioner Adleman made a motion to change Section 2:02g to
read " A single or multiple disciplinary suspension(s) incurring a cumulative maximum of 30
working days or less with 5 years immediately preceding the date of the promotional exam
shall constitute an unbroken period of service and shall not be deemed a break in service."
Also included in the motion was a change in Section 2:01 h which will now read " A single or
multiple disciplinary suspension(s) incurring a cumulative maximum of ten 24 hour shifts or
less within 5 years immediately preceding the date of the promotional exam shall constitute
and unbroken period of service and shall not be deemed a break in service". The motion was
seconded by Commissioner Bittle and the motion carried.
Section 2:03a — The Police Department recommended changing the phrase "written request)'
to "written notice of intent' since there is no mechanism to deny an eligible employee the
opportunity to take a promotional exam.
Commissioner Bittle made a
motion to accept the
requested
change
and correct this both
places within
the
paragraph.
Commissioner Hart
seconded
and
the
motion
carried.
Section 2:05a — the Police department recommended change the rules to allow for the
practice of Human Resources administering the departmental review via in -basket exam for
the ranks of Captain and Deputy Chief.
Commissioner Coppinger made a motion to insert the following sentence following the
second sentence of paragraph (a). "For the ranks of Captain or Deputy Chief of Police, the
departmental performance review may be administered by the Human Resources Division"
Commissioner Bittle seconded and the motion carried.
Section 3:04a- the Police Department recommended allowing any applicant regardless of
their certification status be allowed to take the exam each time it is offered.
After much discussion, Commissioner Adleman made a motion to table the request
indefinitely. Commissioner Bittle seconded and the motion carried.
Commissioner Adleman made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Ferguson seconded and
the meeting was concluded.