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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-15-04 MAPLEWOOD CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES DECEMBER 15, 2004 The December 15, 2004 meeting was called to order at 8:00 a.m. Members Present: Steve Gunn, Chair Debra Birkholz Marlene Palkovich Others Present: Commission Liaison Sherrie Le, Chief David Thomalla, Deputy Chief John Banick, Recording Secretary Terrie Rameaux Mayor Robert Cardinal Approval of Minutes Commissioner Birkholz made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 24, 2004 meeting. Chair Gunn seconded the motion. Ayes: 2, Nays: 0. (Commissioner Palkovich was not present at 9-24-04 meeting.) Motion carried. Certify Police Officer Eligibility List Sherrie Le reviewed the process. She stated that 32 candidates passed all components of the exam starting with the written exam, then a structured panel interview with three panel members—Lt. Kevin Rabbett, Sergeant Dick Doblar and an outside panel member. Chief Thomalla stated that the outside panel member was Damon Drake—a resident of Maplewood and a member at the Islamic community. Chief Thomalla stated Mr. Drake provided excellent input for the process. Sherrie Le stated that through this process there are always several candidates that do not show up for the written exam. She stated that the top 70 that pass the written go onto the structured panel interview. Then the top 40 from that group go on to the Chiefs’ interview with the Chief and the Deputy Chief. Chief Thomalla indicated that 39 candidates were interviewed. One withdrew prior to this step. Sherrie Le went on to explain that the final scores are a combination of the weighted scores based on what the Commission decided on. She stated that their names are not public until certified and names are certified a couple at a time generally. Sherrie Le and Chief Thomalla advised the Commission that there are currently two openings and will be one more after January 1 for a total of three openings. Chief Thomalla stated that they have received one background packet and that they have started that investigation -which happens to be candidate #1 on the list. He also stated that there are two candidates on the list that are also paramedics. He stated that when the time comes, he will ask the Commission to utilize the reach-down clause in the Rules to get to those candidates so that their paramedic skills can be utilized. Sherrie Le stated that the Council just approved the budget which included one new police officer position. She stated that the next time the Commission would meet several backgrounds would be done and names to certify. Chief Thomalla stated that the deadline for the background packets was December 29, 2004. Commissioner Palkovich inquired if the openings that exist are new openings. Chief Thomalla stated that the two openings were the result of resignations plus the new position approved by the Council for 2005. These positions will bring the department to 50 sworn officers. In response to questions, Sherrie Le stated that there ended up being three written testing sessions—two separate dates, two sessions on one date. The sessions were held at MCC and Fire Station #2. Chief Thomalla reported that in talking to colleagues around the metro, other places are getting 60 applications for their process and we received 187. Chair Gunn inquired if the scores this time were higher than the last time. Chief Thomalla indicated that the top score this time was a little higher than the last time. The Chief indicated that there were some repeat candidates. Some of the scores went up and some went down. Sherrie Le stated that in talking to the testing company, repeat candidates’ scores don’t necessarily go up. They go up and down. Chair Gunn inquired about reasons candidates failed the Chiefs’ oral. Chief Thomalla stated that some have more interview experience and do better and that some candidates lack the knowledge base of what the job is about. Deputy Chief Banick indicated that this oral interview was in a more relaxed setting. He stated that some candidates thanked him for the relaxed setting before they left. Commissioner Palkovich inquired if their answers reflected their age/maturity. Chief Thomalla stated that their ages were not known. He didn’t think there were any extremes as far as age. He stated that life experiences were reflected in some of their answers. The more mature candidates did do better. Chair Gunn inquired about how the questions the Commission developed for the first round oral interviewed worked out. Commissioner Birkholz stated that Sergeant Doblar mentioned that one question pertaining to a domestic—the assault between two males seemed to be difficult. The candidates focused on the mechanics of the question, not so much what the relationships were or could be. She suggested that maybe next time that question be changed slightly. Chief Thomalla indicated that he thought it was a good thinking question. Sherrie Le indicated that we could add a comment in the initial letter sent to the candidates, which briefly explains the process, to emphasize that they should explain their thought process along with the bottom-line answer. A motion was made by Commissioner Palkovich to approve and certify the December 15, 2004 police officer eligibility list. Seconded by Commissioner Birkholz. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion carried. Chief Thomalla stated that he’ll likely request to certify four names at the next meeting. He indicated that by the time of the next meeting, they will have completed enough backgrounds to fill the open positions. Other Chair Gunn inquired about the recent newspaper articles pertaining to the change in the paramedic system. Chief Thomalla stated that the City hired a consulting firm back in 2002 to study the delivery of fire service within the City and the delivery of paramedic/EMT service. The consultant recommended shifting the responsibility to the Fire Department. A few weeks ago, the City Council approved the hybrid program for the City. This would involve moving the 4 CSO/paramedics to the Fire Department and hiring a paramedic coordinator/firefighter and two additional full-time firefighter paramedics. Chief Thomalla stated that there are many more firefighter/paramedic candidates then there are police officer/paramedic candidates. The Fire Department will have two firefighter/paramedics on around the clock. The Police Department will provide at least one police officer/paramedic around the clock. He stated that the Police Department will still offer paramedic services and will still try to hire police officer/paramedics and send them to school. It will now be a joint program. It will be coordinated through a paramedic coordinator that will also be a firefighter. This position will answer to the Fire Chief with oversight from the Police Chief. Chief Thomalla stated the backgrounds would likely be completed by the end of January. Chair Gunn indicated that the mandatory meeting according to the statute is the first Tuesday in February. Chief Thomalla stated he appreciated the input from the Commission during this process particularly with the oral interview questions. He also stated that the outside input from Damon Drake was extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Terrie Rameaux Recording Secretary