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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-CSC-2014-04-01CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Regular Meeting April 2, 2014 Commissioners Present: Commissioner Richardson Commissioner Abrams Commissioner Thompson Staff Present: Valerie Saul (Deputy Director of Human Resources) John Barber (Police Chief), Pete Tyler (Deputy Police Chief), Jake Young (Police Sergeant), Scott Garin (Police Lieutenant) Commissioner Richardson called the meeting to order at 9:58 am. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Richardson made a motion to approve the minutes from the February 19, 2014 meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0. NEW BUSINESS Physical Fitness Testing for Police Officer Candidates The Ithaca Police Department presented their proposal to administer the pre-employment physical fitness tests for Police Officer candidates. Chief Barber stated that having IPD administer the physical fitness tests will be beneficial to both the Civil Service Commission and IPD. IPD’s proposal is cost-effective for the Commission because internal resources will be used rather than hiring an outside contractor. IPD will benefit in that they will be introduced to the candidate pool earlier in the selection process, providing them with the opportunity to start evaluating the candidates, while also introducing themselves and their organization to the candidates. The Commission had a number of questions regarding the training and qualifications of instructors, internal procedures, safeguards to ensure consistency and fairness, physical fitness requirements for Police Officers after hire, and the atmosphere in which testing will be conducted. The Commission thanked the Ithaca Police Department for their presentation. After discussion, Commissioner Thompson made a motion to authorize the Ithaca Police Department to conduct the pre-employment physical fitness tests for Police Officer candidates, with the following conditions: 1. Commission staff will attend the physical fitness testing. 2. The atmosphere in which the physical fitness tests are conducted shall be welcoming, not intimidating. The number of uniformed Police Officers present shall be kept to a minimum. 3. The Ithaca Police Department will work to diversify the pool of certified instructors. 4. The Commission will review this program in a year. 5. The Commissioners will be welcome to attend and view the physical fitness testing at their discretion. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0. Civil Service Commission April 2, 2014 Page 2 Update of Job Description: Youth Bureau Director The Commission reviewed proposed updates to the Youth Bureau Director job description in anticipation of the upcoming search for a Youth Bureau Director. The updates reflect current programs and activities of the Ithaca Youth Bureau. Commissioner Richardson made a motion to amend the Youth Bureau Director job description as proposed. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0. Revision of Medical Standards for Firefighter Candidates The Commission reviewed the existing Medical Standards for Firefighter Candidates, which are based on an outdated version of NFPA 1582, Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. Deputy Human Resources Director Saul, Fire Chief Parsons and the Guthrie Clinic Occupational Medical staff recently met to review and discuss the standards. Deputy Human Resources Director Saul recommended that the Commission update the Medical Standards for Firefighter Candidates to reflect the 2013 edition of NPFA 1582, and also expand the drug screening panel to include synthetic opiates. After discussion, Commissioner Abrams made a motion to update the Medical Standards for Firefighter Candidates to reflect the 2013 edition of NFPA 1582, and to include drug screening for synthetic opiates. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0. EXECUTIVE SESSION Commissioner Richardson made a motion to go into executive session to discuss civil service examination matters. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0. During executive session, the Commission took the following actions: CONTINUING BUSINESS Approval of Rosters of Candidates for Examination Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve the Rosters of Candidates for Examination listed below. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0. Recreation Program Coordinator #63-304 Recreation Program Specialist #61-776 Stock Room Manager #60-784 Establishment of Eligible Lists Commissioner Richardson made a motion to establish Microcomputer Technician Eligible List #60-681 for one year. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0. Addition of Candidates to Continuous Recruitment Eligible Lists Commissioner Thompson made a motion to add candidates to the continuous recruitment eligible lists. Seconded by Commissioner Abrams. Motion carried 3-0. Civil Service Commission April 2, 2014 Page 3 Approval of Personnel Transactions Commissioner Abrams made a motion to approve the Personnel Transactions. Seconded by Commissioner Thompson. Motion carried 3-0. The next Civil Service Commission meeting will be held Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 9:30 am. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am.