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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-07-051 MAPLEWOOD CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION MINUTES December 7, 2005 The December 7, 2005 meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. Members Present: Marlene Palkovich, Chair Debra Birkholz, Secretary Steve Gunn Others Present: Mayor-elect Diana Longrie Council Member-elect Erik Hjelle Chief David Thomalla Deputy Chief John Banick Commission Liaison Sherrie Le Sergeant Mike Shortreed Approval of Minutes Commissioner Gunn made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 14, 2005 meeting. Commissioner Birkholz seconded the motion. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion carried. Review Backgrounds of Police Officer Candidate and Certify Name The Commission reviewed the exam process for the promotional list for police officer. Chief Thomalla explained that in this case the Department has had an opportunity to review the applicant’s performance over a period of five years as he has worked in other capacities in the department. The applicant is a very strong candidate. In response to a question by Commissioner Gunn, Chief Thomalla stated that the list will expire when the one person on it is hired. He also stated that it is somewhat unusual to have an internal candidate who is qualified so using a promotional list will only happen on occasion. Commissioner Gunn made a motion to accept the background report. Commissioner Birkholz seconded the motion. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion carried. Commissioner Gunn moved to certify the name to the City Manager for consideration for the position of Police Officer. Commissioner Birkholz seconded the motion. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion carried. Lieutenant Exam Results and Eligibility List The Commission reviewed the exam process and results. Commissioner Birkholz made a motion to accept the exam results which was seconded by Commissioner Gunn. Chief Thomalla explained that there were three employees eligible to take the exam and only one of them applied. The written exercise was an “Inbasket” exercise lasting 2 ½ hours that was developed by the Chief and Deputy Chief. The Inbasket was rated by two outside members of the oral exam panel with scoring considerations provided. Deputy Chief Banick and two outside higher ranking officers made up the oral exam panel. Ayes: 3. Nays: 0. Motion Carried. Commissioner Birkholz then made a motion to establish the eligibility list and certify the name to the City Manager for consideration. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gunn. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion Carried. 2 Sergeant Exam Results and Eligibility List Commissioner Birkholz made a motion to accept the Sergeant exam results and establish the eligibility list. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gunn. Discussion of the exam process followed including a description of the PDI Police Career Index Situational Judgment Exam which is a multiple-choice written exam scored by PDI. The exam had been validated by the chief and deputy chief. Also discussed were the Promotability Index and the oral exam. Panel members for the oral exam included a female lieutenant from St. Paul and a male Lieutenant from Richfield. The third panel member was Lieutenant Kvam. The Chief explained that we had nine candidates of 15 who were eligible to apply. Some who did not apply were close to retirement or are working days and were not interested in possibly changing to nights or evenings. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion Carried. Commissioner Gunn asked about the range of scores and whether any candidates expressed any disagreement wit the exam components. After a review of the scores, Chief Thomalla stated that he hadn’t heard of any disagreement and he had talked to various candidates and encouraged them to call oral board members for feedback. Chair Palkovich asked whether she could contact three of the applicants at random about the process and this was affirmed. Commissioner Birkholz then made a motion to certify the top three names to the City Manager for consideration for the current vacancies. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Gunn. After discussion on the number of vacancies, the motion was amended by Commissioner Birkholz and seconded by Commissioner Gunn to certify the “top 5” based on three vacancies. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion Carried. There was a brief discussion on whether the list can be posted. Le stated that under the MN Data Practices Act, the list cannot be posted as only the certified names are considered finalists and are therefore public. The other names are not public. Extension of Police Officer List The City requested that the current police officer open competitive list be extended for up to one year or until exhausted. There was discussion related to the status of the list, why some candidates withdraw, and the thoroughness of our background investigations. Commissioner Gunn made the motion as described, seconded by Commissioner Birkholz. Ayes: 3, Nays: 0. Motion Carried. Other Chair Palkovich mentioned that she went on two ride-alongs with two different sergeants and was very impressed with the care shown for officers under their command. There was discussion of the increased activity due to the Clubs and the increase in construction-related burglaries. Chief Thomalla also discussed the crime rate and arrest rate as compared to other jurisdictions with similar populations. Sherrie Le asked Chair Palkovich if she is interested in being considered for re-appointment by the City Council and Chair Palkovich confirmed her continued interest. Le indicated the chair position will rotate to Commissioner Birkholz at the February meeting. The Police Department may also have a background investigative report to review. Councilmember-elect Hjelle asked each member about their background including their employment and an informal discussion ensued. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 am by a motion made by Commissioner Gunn and seconded by Commissioner Birkholz. Respectfully submitted, Sherrie Le Commission Liaison