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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCivilService 2012-11-05 MinutesNovember 5, 2012 r . ' %. The following commissioners attended the regularly scheduled meeting of the Tukwila Civil Service Commission: Dennis Sivak, Ron Johnston and Carol Zuvela. Others in attendance were Police Chief Mike Villa, Fire Chief Nick Olivas, IAFF Local #2088 President Dawn Judkins, Fire Captain Ken Reed, FF William Rodal, FF Chuck Woolley, FF Brandon Kim, and Kim Gilman, Civil Service Examiner. CALL TO ORDER 4:58 p.m. Chair Sivak called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOVED BY ZUVELA, SECONDED BY JOHNSTON THAT THE MINUTES OF THE TUKWILA CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 1, 2012, BE APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. FIRE DEPARTMENT BUSINESS Staffing Update Chief Olivas reported that Battalion Chief Grisham has returned to work from leave and that 2 staff members are on the East Coast helping with storm relief efforts. He noted that 2 entry -level firefighters began work in September, but that one recently resigned. Chief's interviews to fill that vacancy are scheduled for November 15th Civil Service Rule Revision Chief Olivas apologized for missing the October meeting. He distributed a revised memo to the Commissioners that clarified his intent in recommending a revision to Rule IX. He explained that under the revision, if a tie score existed, candidates will have equal ranking on the list. This would impact the Rule of 3, so the Chief proposed exception language to address that. He explained that currently on the Fire Captain's Eligibility List there are 2 sets of ties. There is a situation where the tie for the #4 spot would mean that 1 candidate would not be considered for promotion based on the current rules as written. The Chief stated that the rules as written, which call for breaking a tie Phone: 206 - 433 -1800 . City Hall Fax. 206- 433 -1833 9 Website: www. Tukwila Wa.go v f' City of Tukwila 6200 Suuthcenter Boulevard 9 Tukwila, Washington 98188 Jim Ha Barton, Mayor based on date of application, and if the same, alphabetical, are arbitrary and capricious and could be challenged easily. The Chief further explained that he is not opposed to having the recommended revision apply only to the Fire Department. Commissioners asked about the Chief's earlier recommendation to revise the rules regarding how seniority is determined for candidates hired on the same day. Chief Olivas responded that he has removed that recommendation. Commissioner asked if the Police Chief would support an exception to the Rule of 3 being applied to the Police Department. Chief Villa responded that he did not see a need to revise the rules for the Police Department. Dawn Judkins, President of IAFF Local #2088, stated that the union is in agreement with Chief Olivas' recommendation. She said that it was assumed that the intent of the Rule of 3 was to interview the 3 highest scores. She noted that the Captain's Promotional Exam was scored using a .5 point difference, rather than a .01 difference, which may have led to the 2 tied scores. She concluded by saying that testing should be based on merit, not on date of application or alphabetically by last name. She advocates that the rules be clarified to read the top 3 scores. Chief Olivas agreed that the language of the rules be changed to read top 3 scores rather than candidates. He further clarified that regardless where the tie occurred, or how many ties occurred, that all candidates be interviewed, based on having the top 3 scores. Firefighter Bill Rodal stated that he is one of the candidates that had a tied score on the list and that he will not be considered for the next promotional opportunity based on his last name. He stated that the current rules were unfair. Chair Sivak thanked everyone for their statements, and explained that the Commissioners would meet in Executive Session following tonight's meeting. City of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard * Tukwila, Washington 98188 Jim r Haggerton, Mayor n POLICE DEPARTMENT BUSINESS Staffing Update Chief Villa reported that 5 entry -level police officers are currently in the Academy. 1 lateral police officer started work last week. Another 2 entry -level police officers are scheduled to begin work December 3. He noted that 1 officer is out on a work - related injury. Chief Villa announced that 1 new Police Commander, Jon Harrison, will be sworn in tonight. He reported that there are 2 vacancies for Sergeants within his Department, and that these vacancies will be filled from the existing Police Sergeant Eligibility List. He stated that 1 officer recently returned to work from long -term military leave. ADJOURNMENT 5:40pm MOVED BY ZUVELA, SECONDED BY JOHNSTON THAT THE REGULAR MEETING BE ADJOURNED, AND THAT THE COMMISSION WILL MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE FIRE CHIEF'S RECOMMENDATION. MOTION CARRIED. 6:10 pm MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY JOHNSTON TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION AT 6:10 P.M. AND OFFER THE COMMISSON'S RULING ON THE PUBLIC RECORD. Commissioners duly considered all documentation and testimony in support of the Fire Chief's recommendation to add an exception to the Rule of Three to include all t j 6200 Southcenter Boulevard* Tukwila, Washington 981 Jim Haggerton, Mayor candidates that had a tied score. Commissioners were unanimous in their decision. MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY ZUVELA THAT THE CIVIL RULES NUMBERED IX AND X WILL NOT BE REVISED TO INCLUDE AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE OF THREE AND THEREFORE THE FIRE CHIEF'S RECOMMENDATION HAS NOT BEEN APPROVED. COMMISSIONERS WILL CONSIDER LANGUAGE TO ADDRESS A TIE BREAKER BASED ON MERIT IN THE FUTURE. MOTION CARRIED. 6:30 pm MOVED BY ZUVELA, SECONDED BY JOHNSTON THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED. airperson Dennis Sivak Commissioner Carol Zuvela a m , Vice - Chairperson Ron Johnston i, E is '/ XI � I