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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCivilService 2013-02-11 MinutesCity of T kwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 February 11, 2013 Jim Haggerton, Mayor The following commissioners attended the regularly scheduled meeting of the Tukwila Civil Service Commission: Ron Johnston, Carol Zuvela and Dennis Sivak. Others in attendance were Police Chief Mike Villa, Acting Fire Chief Chris Flores, Dawn Judkins, President IAFF Local #2088, Chris Partman, Unit Chair for United Steelworkers Local #9241 (04) and Kim Gilman, Civil Service Examiner. CALL TO ORDER 5:00 p.m. Chair Johnston called the meeting to order. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FIRE DEPARTMENT BUSINESS Staffing Update Recommended Language For Breaking a Tie MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY ZUVELA THAT THE MINUTES OF THE TUKWILA CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 7, 2013, BE APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. Acting Chief Flores reported that Chief Olivas is out on medical leave for the next 2.5 months. The 2 new firefighter recruits that began employment recently are currently in the Fire Academy. He stated that 2 Fire Captains are currently out on medical leave, but that one is anticipated back in 2 weeks. He announced that the Department has been notified of 2 potential retirements to occur over the next 2 months. He noted that there is a Fire Academy scheduled in April, and he plans to hire 2 Firefighters off the current entry -level eligibility list to fill those anticipated vacancies. Acting Chief Flores provided an overview to his revision to Rule IX, Section 1. Order of Names on Lists. He stated that the recommended language would base ranking on merit as evidenced by an individual's test score on a component of the test. He noted that the language is recommended by Stephen DiJulio, legal advisor to the Commission, and is also used in other Cities. Chief Villa 1 ff of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter 13. ulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 Haggerton, Mayor Temporary and Provisional Appointments voiced his support for the recommended language. Chair Johnston read the revision aloud for the record: "The preference in rank of eligibles having equal final scores shall be determined as follows, in the order stated: When the examination is composed of two or more parts with separate grades, the one who has the highest grade on the most heavily weighted part shall maintain the higher position on the list; if a tie still exists, then the highest grade on the next most heavily weighted part shall be utilized for determining this ranking, and so for as many parts as the examination contains." Commissioners and those in attendance asked clarifying questions. The Civil Service Examiner stated that per the current rules, although the discussion on the recommendation could happen at tonight's meeting, the official vote would need to be scheduled for the March meeting in order to allow time for notice of the proposed rule change. Commissioners agreed to add this item to the agenda for the March meeting and thanked Acting Chief Flores for bringing the recommendation forward. Acting Chief Flores notified the Commissioners that due to absences in the Fire Department, several temporary and provisional appointments were made. In the absence of a certified list, Battalion Chief Mike Soss has been provisionally appointed to the position of Assistant Fire Chief, for a period designated to end on April 15, 2013. Captain Mike McCoy has received a temporary appointment to the position of Battalion Chief, for a period designated to end on April 15, 2013. Firefighter Bill Rodal has received a temporary appointment to the position of Captain, set to expire April 15, 2013. Firefighter Jim Schell has been given a six week appointment to Captain, assigned to Fire Prevention. Firefighter Ben Williams has received a temporary appointment to the position of Captain, set to expire April 15, 2013. Commissioners inquired as to why the appointments were not set for a minimum duration of 6 months. Acting Chief Flores responded that there was no need for a longer duration, but 2 C of Tuk f, l 6200 Southcenter Boulevard • Tukwila, Washington 98188 Jim Haggerton, Mayor that he would return to the Commission if the Department's needs changed. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUSINESS Staffing Update Chief Villa reported that 5 entry -level Police Officer recruits graduated the Academy recently. He noted that 2 candidates (1 entry and 1 lateral) are currently in the backgrounding process. The Department is authorized to have 74 Commissioned Officers currently, but as of June 1st, that number will increase to 75. Therefore, the Department has scheduled Chief's Interviews later this week in an attempt to fill 2 vacancies. Chief Villa noted that 2 officers are out on disability due to injuries sustained on -duty. Passing Score Threshold Chief Villa provided an overview of his recommendation to For Sergeant's Promotional lower the passing grade on the Sergeant's Promotional Test Test from 70% to 60 %. He explained that candidates testing for the Sergeant position must meet all minimum qualifications and that by lowering the passing grade more candidates could be included for promotional consideration. The next Sergeant's Promotional Test is scheduled for March 12, 2013. Conducting a Physical Abilities Test (PAT) for Certified and Lateral -Entry Police MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY ZUVELA, THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION SET THE PASSING GRADE AT 60% FOR ALL SERGEANT'S PROMOTIONAL TESTS. MOTION CARRIED. Chief Villa directly Commissioners' attention to the Physical Ability Test Requirements for law enforcement officers in the State of Washington informational sheet. Entry -level police candidates are currently required to pass this test in order to enter the Basic Law Enforcement Academy. He noted that the City of Tukwila does not currently have a physical test for certified or lateral -entry candidates, although there are some physical requirements that must be met as part of the medical exam that candidates are given prior to employment. The Department 3 C of Tukwila 6200 Southcenter Boulevard . Tukwila, Washington 981 8 11 Haggerton, Mayor Adoption of 2 New Administrative Positions Exception to Rule V, Section 1. Classification plans to add this testing requirement, mirroring the State's standards, effective immediately. The Civil Service Examiner reported that 2 new full -time administrative support positions were added to the Police Department as part of the biennial budget. Classification descriptions describing each position's essential duties and minimum qualifications were developed by the Human Resources Department in collaboration with the Police Department. She provided a brief summary of each position. Commissioners were presented with draft copies of the descriptions in their agenda packets. MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY ZUVELA THAT THE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST AND PATROL ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT BE ADOPTED. MOTION CARRIED. Chief Villa requested an exception to the current Civil Service rule requiring that a waiting period of 6 months occur prior to the recruitment or testing of any newly added position. The Civil Service Examiner noted that she could not find the intent behind why this rule was added in 1986, or evidence of when it was adhered to in the past several years. The Chief explained that it would be in the best interest of the Department if the process of recruiting, testing, and filling the 2 new administrative positions could occur as soon as possible. MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY ZUVELA THAT THE COMMISSION GRANT AN EXCEPTION TO RULE V. CLASSIFICATION, SECTION 1 REGARDING THE 2 NEWLY ADOPTED ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS AND ALLOW THE CITY TO RECRUIT, TEST, AND FILL THESE POSITIONS WITHOUT DELAY. THE COMMISSION ALSO PLANS TO PROPOSE A PERMANENT RULE CHANGE AT THE NEXT MEETING. MOTION CARRIED. 4 City f Tuk la 6200 Southcenter It oulevard 6 Tukwila, Washington 98118 Jinn Ha Egerton, Mayor ADJOURNMENT 6:13pm Commissioners discussed the need to conduct a comprehensive review of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations later on in the year. Commissioners discussed the need to postpone or cancel the April monthly meeting due to travel plans and/or lack of agenda items. The Examiner agreed to add this as a topic of discussion on the agenda for March. MOVED BY SIVAK, SECONDED BY ZUVELA THAT THE REGULAR MEETING BE ADJOURNED. MOTION CARRIED. Chairperson Ron Johnston Commissioner Dennis Sivak Vice - Chairperson Carob Zuvela 5