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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCivilService 2014-02-03 MinutesI41 City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 February 3, 2014 Jim Haggerton, Mayor The following commissioners attended the regularly scheduled meeting of the Tukwila Civil Service Commission: Ron Johnston and Dennis Sivak. Others in attendance were Police Commander Dennis McOmber, Interim Fire Chief Chris Flores, Dawn Judkins, President of IAFF Local #2088, Mike McCoy Member of IAFF Local #2088, Colin Koch, Member of IAFF Local #2088, Matthew Collins, entry -level police applicant and Kim Gilman, Civil Service Examiner. CALL TO ORDER 5:03 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES GENERAL BUSINESS: Appeal Hearing: M. Collins Chair Dennis Sivak called the meeting to order. The Chair asked if there were any corrections needed for the January 6, 2014 Commission Meeting minutes. No corrections were noted. The Chair asked if there were any corrections needed for the January 14, 2014 Special Meeting minutes. The Chair noted that the word "interview" should be struck from the section concerning the meetings held with Commissioner applicants. The Chair also clarified that the Commission would then forward their recommendation to the Mayor for final appointment. This additional language was added to the minutes. Entry -level Police Candidate Matthew Collins submitted an appeal to the Commission regarding his removal from the eligibility list after not passing the Department's backgrounding process. He provided a copy of his appeal letter along with a letter of reference from his supervisor, Army Lieutenant David Pensyl, dated August 2, 2013 to the Commissioners in attendance. Mr. Collins stated that there were factors against him that influenced the doctor's 1 City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 Jim Haggerton, Mayor assessment of him during the psychological exam. He noted that his Physical Agility Test was scheduled for the same day, so during his Psychological exam he checked his watch to make sure he was on time. He was not sure if that action appeared rude or if it reflected poorly on him. He reported that a psychological exam is a subjective thing and that the doctor could not attest to his maturity level. Mr. Collins stated that he was given a test that asked questions about traumatic experiences but that none of the multiple choice answers allowed him to state that he was ok. He noted that he talked to the doctor about 2 subjects and that there was not enough time for the doctor to have made a judgment as to his maturity level based on that discussion. Commander McOmber provided information regarding the background process on behalf of the Police Department. He reported that the City has been using the same doctor to perform the psychological exams for many years. He noted that the doctor rates candidates on a scale from high risk (F) to outstanding (A). Commander McOmber noted that Mr. Collins was rated as a low average (C -) candidate, and that the doctor reported Mr. Collins described himself as "being rather impatient and easily irritated" and that testing indicates that Mr. Collins may be "relatively quick tempered at times, and he may be easily provoked by the actions of those around him ". Commander McOmber reported that the doctor's observations appeared consistent with other observations that were made during the background process including load verbal arguments between Mr. Collins and his wife and a dispute with a fellow tenant that turned into a physical confrontation. Commander McOmber concluded that Assistant Chief Bruce Linton reviewed the background packet, along with the results of the psychological exam, and determined that Mr. Collins was not a suitable hire for the Tukwila Police Department. Therefore, he has requested that his name be removed from the eligibility list. Commissioners asked clarifying questions of the appellant. The appellant requested that he being a given second opinion on the psychological exam where he would not be 2 a City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 Commissioner Vacancy: Selection process Length of Appointments FIRE DEPARTMENT BUSINESS Staffing Update Jim Haggerton, Mayor rushed. He then authorized that the Commissioners saw read his entire psychological report. He responded to Commissioners that his neighbors were of a different lifestyle than he was, and that the incident mentioned involved his neighbor taking the last parking spot. He confronted the neighbor and the neighbor attacked him. Mr. Collins stated that he called police after the confrontation. Chair Sivak thanked the parties for their statements and explained that the Commissioners would meet in Executive Session after the meeting, and their determination would be mailed to the appellant later this week. The Civil Service Examiner reported that a recommendation has been given from the Commission to the Mayor's Office after Commissioners met with 4 candidates on January 31st. The Mayor plans to appoint a candidate at an upcoming Council meeting. In following up to a question raised at the prior months meeting, the Examiner reported that after doing some research and contacting a legal advisor at Municipal Research and Service Center of Washington she learned that there is no state statute or RCW that governs the length of► appointment in Washington State. fro3 0 I o r ::. lot) rei.� Interim Fire Chief Chris Flores reported that there are 3 members out on long -term disability. The vacancy created by the retirement of the Fire Chief is the only vacancy in the Department. He noted that there are no current updates on the City's exploration of options concerning Fire Department services. Dawn Judkins asked for the timeframe for the test to be held in regards to the recent extension of the temporary appointment for Assistant Fire Chief. Commissioners discussed options for testing and the feasibility of when a test could be held. 3 City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 Jim Haggerton, Mayor MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY JOHNSTON THAT THE EXPEDITED TESTING PROCESS FOR THE ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF BE INITIATED AND AN ELIGIBILITY LIST GENERATED BY THE END OF APRIL, 2014. MOTION CARRIED. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUSINESS Staffing Update Lateral Hiring Update ADJOURNMENT 5:40pm Commander McOmber reported that there Department currently has 1 member out on USERRA leave, 1 on Administrative Leave, 2 employees serving light -duty assignments, and 1 employee was recently terminated. He noted that there are 2 entry level candidates in background, 4 lateral level candidates in background, and 1 records specialist candidate in background. There are currently 6 vacancies in the Department, which does not include the pipeline positions. Commander McOmber noted that there are a wide variety of out -of -state applicants (mostly from the East Coast and South). He also reported that 1/3 of candidates testing fail the physical agility test. MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY JOHNSTON THAT THE REGULAR MEETING BE ADJOURNED SO THAT COMMISSIONERS COULD MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. MOTION CARRIED. Chairperson Dennis Sivak Vice- Chairp-; `.son Ron Johnston 4